Fire scorches Hahaione Valley brush

Firefighters took about three hours Thursday to contain a brush fire in Hawaii Kai that burned well above residences in Hahaione Valley.

The fire started a little before 4 p.m. and required several fire companies along with a helicopter to contain it by about 7 p.m., Fire Capt. Terry Seelig said. He said the fire burned about four to five acres near Kahena Street but caused no property damage to the homes, located 300 to 400 feet from the fire.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Man charged in laptop snatching

A 28 year-old man is being held by police for stealing a laptop computer from a woman at a downtown bus stop.

Police said the victim was using her laptop at 2 a.m. Tuesday at a Hotel Street bus stop when the suspect grabbed it and fled. He was later arrested and charged with theft. Other charges are pending since the suspect also was carrying illegal narcotics, according to police.