Suspect in heiau rock theft denies guilt
Lealiki Koli, charged with theft and criminal property damage for allegedly taking rocks from a heiau in 2011, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Tuesday in Kauai Circuit Court.
Koli was charged with second-degree theft and second-degree criminal property damage for allegedly using heavy equipment to take rocks from the heiau in Poipu almost two years ago to build a rock wall on former state Rep. Roland Sagum III’s property.
His trial date is set for July 15, the same trial date as Sagum, before Judge Kathleen Watanabe.
Sagum was charged with second-degree theft for the rocks allegedly taken from the site. He pleaded not guilty to the theft charge at his arraignment last month.
Second-degree theft is considered a Class C felony that carries a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Vandals target 2 bus shelters
Two new bus shelters in Kihei, Maui, were vandalized last month causing about $1,000 in damages.
The metal screen walls of the makai and mauka side shelters near South Kihei and Uwapo Park were either kicked out or damaged about March 27 and 28.
Kapaa drowning victim identified
Police identified the 41-year-old man who drowned in waters off Kapaa Thursday as Cristian Lung of Castro Valley, Calif.
About 2:50 p.m., fire rescue personnel responded to a report of a swimmer in distress in front of a vacant lot next to the Plantation Hale Hotel. People were trying to assist Lung when firefighters arrived. They brought him to shore and performed CPR, according to the Kauai Fire Department. Lung was then transported to Wilcox Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Fire damages condo’s attic
Hawaii County fire officials are investigating the cause of a Friday fire that resulted in $90,000 in damage in the attic of the Keauhou Surf condominium complex in Kailua-Kona.
The fire at 78-6800 Alii Drive was reported at 1:11 a.m. and brought under control at 2:46 a.m.
Nearby blaze closes Walmart
A brush fire in a vacant lot Friday afternoon came within 100 feet of the Lihue Walmart, leading to a brief evacuation of the store.
County officials say the fire started after 1 p.m. and was contained by 2:15 p.m.
The blaze burned 10 acres and forced the closure of Ahukini Road, between Kapule and Kuhio highways. The road was reopened at 2:45 p.m., and customers were allowed back in the store about 3 p.m.
