Mokuleia fatality was Mililani man

A 41-year-old Mililani man apparently drowned off Mokuleia Beach Park Monday morning.

The Medical Examiner’s Office identified him as Vernon Roy Alameda.

Police, firefighters and city lifeguards arrived at Mokuleia Beach at 10:20 a.m. to find people trying to revive Alameda.

Fire officials believe Alameda was either surfing or paddleboarding.

Cause of death is pending the completion of an autopsy.

Apparent drowning victim identified

The Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man who apparently drowned off Diamond Head earlier this month as Lloyd K. Tully, 53, of Honolulu.

A determination of the cause of death is awaiting further tests, which could take at least eight weeks.

Tully’s body was found Feb. 13 in the shallow waters of Kaluahole Beach, just off Coconut Avenue at the foot of Diamond Head.

Plant evacuated after ammonia leak

Seventeen workers at Coca-Cola Bottling Co.’s Mapunapuna’s facility evacuated the building early yesterday morning after the accidental release of ammonia from the plant’s refrigeration unit.

The alarm was called in at 12:30 a.m. by someone riding a bicycle near the plant at 949 Mapunapuna St.

Two plant employees suffered minor respiratory and eye irritation, fire officials said. They were treated at the scene and released.

About a dozen employees of nearby Armstrong Produce were evacuated as a precaution.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Man dies after being hit by boat

A 53-year-old North Kohala man has died of injuries suffered when a boat hit him Monday.

James C. Williams of Hawi was swimming about 300 yards offshore from Mahukona Beach Park with another man when he was hit by a boat traveling toward Kawaihae at about 11:15 a.m., Big Island police said.

He sustained injuries to his shoulder and head and was brought to shore by the boat operator. The Fire Department had said Williams suffered multiple cuts from the boat’s propeller.

A fire helicopter took him to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he died at 3:01 p.m. Monday.

Police seek help to find missing man

Big Island police are asking for the public’s help in finding a Puna man who was reported missing last week.

Jose Antonio Flores Jr., 33, was last heard from by a relative at about 11 p.m. Feb. 17. Flores was reportedly returning from the Kau district but failed to return home.

Flores is about 6 feet tall and about 170 pounds, with brown eyes and very short hair. He has several tattoos, including flames on the left neck area, skulls on both upper arms and his upper left chest, as well as tattoos on his knuckles. He wears a brace on his right foot.

He was last seen driving a white 1996 Chevy Suburban SUV, license plate VC2770.

Flores has a medical condition that requires medication.

Police are asking anyone with information on this case to call Detective John Rodrigues Jr. at 961-2382, or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.