Driver is hurt when car plunges off cliff

A man in his 30s suffered injuries to his head, face and body when his car fell more than 200 feet off a cliff and into a river bed in Hana, Maui, Saturday night, Maui firefighters said.

The crash was reported just after 7 p.m. Saturday near mile marker 18 in the Keanae area.

Firefighters found the car in a dry or low river bed at 8:06 p.m. The stream was rising because of rain, firefighters said.

Rescue crews had the driver out of the vehicle and back on top of the cliff at 11:45 p.m.

The victim suffered head trauma and lacerations to his face and body, firefighters said.

No one injured by fire that destroys home

Fire destroyed a 700-square-foot home in Hoolehua, Molokai, Sunday evening.

Firefighters responding to the 4:54 p.m. alarm at Lihi Pali Avenue found the structure "totally involved," according to a Maui Fire Department news release. No one was home at the time and no injuries reported. The fire was brought under control at 5:06 p.m. and fully extinguished by 7:35 p.m.

The house is located behind a women’s shelter.

Damage is estimated at $150,000 for the structure and $20,000 for the contents.

It is not known how many people lived at the residence. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Nearly 2,000 cited in hand-held ban

Hawaii County police have issued 1,959 citations for using a cellphone or other mobile electronic device while driving since the law took effect Jan. 1, 2010, the department said last week.

Police also issued 38 citations to drivers who allegedly caused an accident while using a mobile device.

A fine for violating the Hawaii County ordinance starts at $97 and can go up to $500 if the use of a mobile electronic device causes a collision.