Scooter driver suffers critical injuries
A 33-year-old Honolulu man was reported in critical condition Wednesday after the scooter he was driving crashed while leaving the King Street offramp from the westbound H-1 freeway, police said.
Police closed the offramp near the Hawaiian Humane Society after the crash at 2:58 p.m.
Police said the driver lost control of the motorscooter where the offramp goes onto Old Waialae Road.
There was a light rain at the time of the accident, police said.
The driver suffered head and internal injuries, police said. He was not wearing a helmet.
Maui family gets help after house fire
The American Red Cross is offering help to a Maui family whose rented home was destroyed in a fire on New Year’s Eve.
The couple and their 4-year-old child are staying temporarily with relatives but will need help to find another home, said Michele Liberty, the Red Cross coordinator for Maui County.
Liberty said her agency offers a variety of services, including food, clothing and temporary shelter.
The fire at 51 Kono Place in Kahului caused between $150,000 and $200,000 in damage to the house, in addition to $25,000 in damage to a cottage under construction, said Maui County spokesman Lee Mainaga.
Mainaga said fire officials who responded to the fire alarm at 9:34 p.m. were still investigating the cause of the fire and whether it might have been started by fireworks.
Neighbor saves resident of burning home
A neighbor rescued an occupant of a burning house in Honomu Wednesday morning before firefighters arrived, Hawaii County fire officials said.
The individual was taken in stable condition to the Hilo Medical Center by AMR ambulance.
When firefighters arrived at 28-1706 Puako St. at 6:31 a.m., the single-family dwelling was fully involved in fire and the roof had collapsed.
The fire, which was reported at 6:14 a.m., was under control at 6:50 a.m. and extinguished at 7:30 a.m.
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Police are also investigating the case.
The fire caused an estimated $60,000 in damage.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Woman hurt in 50-foot fall from cliff
A 53-year-old Laupahoehoe woman survived a 50-foot fall off a cliff Wednesday, Hawaii County fire officials said.
Fire rescue personnel responded to the 1:04 p.m. call and found the woman lying on a hiking trail at Old Laupahoehoe Point Road.
Witnesses said the woman slipped and fell off the cliff behind her yard and landed on the trail, fire officials said.
The woman was conscious and alert when she was taken by fire helicopter to the Hilo Medical Center, fire officials said.
Loss of blood killed Hilo gunshot victim
An autopsy Wednesday revealed that a 32-year-old man died of blood loss due to multiple gunshot wounds in Hilo Saturday, Hawaii County police reported.
The medical examiner ruled Faafetai Fiu’s death a homicide, police said. Police are awaiting further toxicology test results.
Police had not identified suspects as of Wednesday afternoon and are asking for any witnesses to come forward.
Detectives are following up on leads and want to interview fishermen who frequent the Bayfront area and who might have been in the area at the time of the shooting.
The shooting occurred at 8:47 p.m.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Robert Almeida at 961-2386 or email ralmeida@ co.hawaii.hi.us or Detective Norbert Serrao at 961-2383 or nserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us. Anonymous calls may be made to CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 or 329-8181.
