Man suspected of damaging cars

A 54-year-old man was arrested Sunday afternoon for allegedly bashing three cars with a metal object in Hawaii Kai.

The man was taken into custody at a Hawaii Kai residence just after noon yesterday for criminal property damage. A police investigation is ongoing.

Visitor rescued at Na Pali Coast

Coast Guard personnel rescued a 60-year-old male visitor stranded Sunday night on the rocky shoreline of Kauai’s Na Pali Coast.

A Coast Guard helicopter crew spotted the man, who was using a signal light from shore, Coast Guard officials said in a news release.

Windward Y seeks funds

The Windward YMCA is launching a fundraiser Friday for a major upgrade of its Kailua Road facility, which is more than 50 years old.

Harry Saunders, president of Castle & Cooke Hawaii, is directing the campaign committee, whose goal is to raise $145,000 by Dec. 31.

Interested donors may contact Executive Director Bill Stone at 261-0808 or at bstone@ymcahonolulu.org.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Wind could hamper firefighters

Wind patterns this week are expected to continue to plague Big Island firefighters who are battling a large wildfire on the southern flank of Mauna Kea.

Army officials reported yesterday that the blaze was 70 percent contained. The fire has burned 1,386 acres since it started a week ago.

Daytime winds of 5 to 15 mph and light winds tonight are expected to continue through the week. Light slope-driven winds are expected to dominate the fire area through Thursday.

Army officials said ground crews continue working the south slopes of Mauna Kea. At the area along Saddle Road, fire engines are conducting mop-up and patrol operations. Two helicopters were used yesterday for water bucket drops.

No structures have been burned.

Police arrested and charged the suspected arsonist, 31-year-old Christopher Pratt.

The fire began at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 22 about a quarter-mile east of PTA’s main gate near Mauna Kea State Park.

Saddle Road remains open with detours in place at mile markers 29 and 34.5, officials said.

Meeting set to talk tower relocation

Kauai residents can discuss the relocation of the Kekaha Beach lifeguard tower during a public informational meeting tomorrow.

The lifeguard tower has been found to be in violation of rules governing federal assistance for shore protection projects, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The state Department of Transportation and Kauai County must explore options to move the tower.

The meeting will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center, 8130 Elepaio Road.