Guests allowed back in fire-damaged hotel
About 50 guests at Hotel Molokai were allowed to return to their rooms Tuesday afternoon after fire heavily damaged the bottom floor of one of its buildings, but the facility was still without power and water, a Maui fire official reported.
Damage to the hotel is estimated at $650,000, with $250,000 to the structure and $400,000 to its contents.
Lee Mainaga, Maui Fire Department spokesman, said a fire investigator was unable to determine the cause, but ruled it accidental.
Firefighters were called to the scene at 3:22 a.m. on Kamehameha V Highway in Kaunakakai and found 75 percent of the bottom floor of the 75-by-50-foot, two-story wooden structure engulfed in flames, Mainaga said. The building, which housed the hotel kitchen and laundry, sustained major damage but no other building was affected, he said.
It took three fire units more than two hours to bring the blaze under control. No injuries were reported.
Motorist dies of injuries in May 31 crash
A 68-year-old Honolulu man died Monday night from injuries suffered when his vehicle struck two walls on Sand Island Access Road last month, police said.
The victim, who was not identified, was taken to the Queen’s Medical Center in good condition after the accident, but he died at about 9:08 p.m. Monday, police said Tuesday.
The man was driving west on Sand Island Access Road at 10:34 p.m. May 31 when he lost control of the vehicle and it struck a wall and then went across the road and struck another wall, according to police.
The death is the 27th traffic fatality on Oahu so far this year, compared with 24 at the same time last year, police said.
Beau held in guitar attack on woman
A 52-year-old Kaneohe man is in custody after he allegedly struck his girlfriend repeatedly with a guitar Monday afternoon and tried to set her on fire, according to Honolulu police.
The 39-year-old victim is in fair condition in the Straub Hospital & Clinic with burns that were not life-threatening, police said.
The couple were arguing just after 12:30 p.m. on a live-in barge in Heeia Kea pier when the suspect allegedly hit his girlfriend about five times on her right foot and shin with a guitar, according to a police report.
Police said the suspect then grabbed a bottle of rubbing alcohol, splashed it on the victim’s arm and ignited the fluid using a lighter.
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of second-degree attempted murder.
Dog owner in custody over horse’s death
The owner of nine dogs that police believe are responsible for the death of a quarter horse at Dillingham Ranch in April surrendered Monday night at the Wahiawa Police Station and was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty counts.
David R. Ramirez III, 23, of a Hukilau Loop address in Waialua, was charged with one count of animal cruelty and nine counts of failure to control a dangerous dog. He was freed after posting $1,600 bail.
He is scheduled to appear in Wahiawa District Court on July 17.
Investigators from the Hawaiian Humane Society seized seven dogs the night of the April 23 attack and two others the next day.
An examination by a state veterinarian determined the horse died from an attack by dogs, noting that the 2-year-old filly had numerous wounds on her front legs and head. Police described the canines as hunting dogs.
Brother accused of assaulting sibling
A 35-year-old man was arrested after allegedly assaulting and threatening his sister Friday in Hauula.
Police said the victim, a 39-year-old woman, said the siblings were arguing when her brother assaulted her. She suffered injuries to her neck and back, and fractured her finger, police said, adding that the woman also said the man threatened to kill her.
The suspect fled the scene but was arrested about 9:10 a.m. Tuesday on Kawaeku Street.
