Big Island drowning victim identified

Big Island police identified a 46-year-old man believed to have drowned in Kau as Derek Hara of Pahala.

Kau patrol officers responded at 12:11 p.m. yesterday to a reported drowning near the Rancho subdivision in Ocean View.

Hara had been diving in an area called Osaka Flats with two companions, who found him unconscious. Fire rescue personnel responded but were unable to revive him.

An autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death.

Man sought in alleged sexual assault

Big Island police are looking for a man wanted for questioning in connection with the sexual assault of a girl last month near the Poho­iki Boat Harbor in Puna.

Police said the sexual assault occurred between 6 and 6:25 p.m. March 12 in the warm pond near the boat ramp.

The man is described as between 35 and 45 years old, 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, 175 to 200 pounds with a medium build, brown eyes, shoulder-length curly reddish-brown hair, and clean-shaven with a tan complexion.

He was last seen wearing red-and-white flower print board shorts and black slippers.

Police are asking anyone with information to call police at 935-3311 or Crime­Stop­pers at 961-8300 or 329-8181.