The Honolulu Police Department recently acquired its second MD 500-E helicopter.
The blue single-engine Hughes 500 is a civilian version of the Army’s OH-6A Cayuse/Loach.
Police said the helicopter will be used by the Specialized Services Division’s Helicopter Section.
The primary function of the section is to provide aerial observation and support to other police units. The section also handles traffic monitoring, recovery of stolen vehicles and eradication of marijuana and other illegal drugs.
Recently, HPD helicopters assisted with search and rescue efforts for the two Marine helicopters that crashed in waters off the North Shore last month.
Study will close part of Hamakua Drive
Kailua traffic and parking will be affected during certain hours this weekend along Hamakua Drive between Kailua Road and Hahani Street due to a bike lane study.
The city Department of Transportation Services will be conducting the study along Hamakua Drive from 8 a.m. today to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction approaching Hekili Street, and parking will be prohibited along the mauka lane of Hamakua Drive between Kailua Road and Hekili Street.
The traffic study is to identify impacts of additional bike lanes to Hamakua Drive.
Suspect sought in Maui arson
A 32-year-old Kahului man already under investigation in a Jan. 24 arson case is being sought for allegedly attempting to set fire to a gas tank at Maui Oil Co. on Friday.
According to police, Maui Oil Co. workers observed the man pouring motor oil on a gas tank at the Kahului facility. The man attempted to ignite the oil but fled when workers yelled at him, police said.
The man and his 54-year-old father were both previously arrested in connection with a similar incident at the Tesoro Gas Express in Kahului. In that case police said the father entered the store, purchased gasoline and returned to the pump. He and his son then sprayed gasoline on the pump, lit it and fled in a white SUV, police said.
The father was arrested Jan. 31 on suspicion of first-degree arson. The son was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of the same charge. Both men were released pending further investigation.
2 rescued from grounded boat
The Coast Guard rescued two sailors after their yacht went aground near Kaunakakai Harbor early Friday morning.
The Coast Guard received a report at 1:53 a.m. that the 43-foot sailing vessel Mithrandirs Dream was grounded about 5 miles east of Kaunakakai Harbor.
A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Barbers Point, a 45-foot response boat from Station Maui and ground crews from the Maui Fire and Police departments responded.
The helicopter reached the vessel at 3:35 a.m., lowered a rescue swimmer onto the boat and brought the two men onto the helicopter. The copter flew them to Kahului Airport.
No one was injured.
