Surfing contestant’s body identified
The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man who died Saturday while competing in a military surf contest at White Plains Beach in Kalaeloa as Peterson Burke, 73, of Mililani.
A determination of the cause of death is pending an autopsy.
Witnesses said Burke was a competitor in the All-Military Surf Classic.
Burke was found unresponsive at White Plains Beach and taken in critical condition to a hospital, where he died.
Papaya damage likely unrelated to earlier cases
Hawaii County police suspect the destruction of papaya trees in Keaau on Monday is unrelated to two cases that occurred in 2010 and 2011 in Kapoho.
Police believe teens or young adults may be responsible for Monday’s vandalism near 8 1/2 Mile Camp in Keaau. Damage was estimated at $1,750, police said.
Capt. Mitchell Kanehailua said the 2010 and 2011 papaya vandalism of 14,500 trees was organized and executed with machetes, unlike Monday’s case, in which the trees were knocked over.
He said police have been receiving tips on the Keaau case.
In the Keaau vandalism, witnesses spotted two males knocking over trees and hitting the fruit and branches with sticks, police said. The males were seen leaving on bicycles and getting into a blue Toyota four-door pickup truck.
One suspect, possibly in his teens, is described as having dark skin, short hair and wearing a white tank top and dark shorts. The other is described as having dark skin, short hair, wearing dark shorts and a black T-shirt with yellow lettering on it, and carrying a backpack.
The pickup was last seen in the area of Kaloli Drive in Hawaiian Paradise Park. Police say the suspects may have followed an old railroad avenue that runs to Kapoho and come out at Kaloli Drive.
Police ask anyone who sees suspicious or unusual activity in any papaya farm to call 911.
Anyone with information on this case that does not require immediate attention is asked to call the police nonemergency line at 935-3311. Anonymous tipsters can call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 or 329-8181.
