Newswatch

Helicopter damaged at Kalalau

The state closed Kalalau trail on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast on Thursday after debris hit the blades of a helicopter on landing.

Two passengers, a man and a woman who are employees of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, suffered minor injuries, according to the helicopter’s owner, Airborne Aviation.

"Initial reports from DLNR staff at the landing zone where the helicopter had just landed said debris flew into the main rotor blades, causing some damage to the aircraft," Airborne owners Jim and Suzi Hobbs said by email Thursday. "Based on the preliminary investigation, this incident does not appear to be related to a mechanical failure or pilot error."

Kauai County spokeswoman Sarah Blane said the county’s helicopter rescue pilot was helping an injured hiker in the area when he received information on the incident in Kalalau. He flew the passengers to a hospital.

The Airborne pilot was not injured in the 1 p.m. incident, and its aircraft was left behind.

DLNR said it shut down the park to preserve the site for an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. The Division of State Parks will notify hikers with camping permits of the closure.

Firms cited on safety breaches

The state has issued 59 citations against 10 tenants of a refrigerated food warehouse, recommending fines of nearly $90,000.

Unicold Corp., a warehouse on Ualena Street near the airport, and its tenants could be fined as much as $341,000 by the U.S. Labor Department and Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division.

The Labor Department says the businesses sealed exit doors and blocked emergency exit routes to gain storage space, placing workers in jeopardy. The other infractions include hazards related to chemicals in the ammonia refrigeration system and inadequate electrical gear, officials said.

"The workers were exposed to grave hazards," state Labor Director Dwight Takamine said in a statement Thursday. "We are very fortunate that a tragic event did not occur."

The companies cited are Ramar International Corp., P&E Foods, Norpac Fisheries, Love’s Bakery, Lappert’s Inc., Kahuna Distribution LLC, Eskimo Candy Oahu, Eight Point Distributors, Choyce Products and C&S Wholesale Grocers. The inspections were conducted in February.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Second prison escapee caught

Hawaii County police have captured an escapee from the Hale Nani Correctional Center in Hilo.

Robert Carlos Garcia, 23, was taken into custody Thursday morning. Police received a tip that Garcia, the second of two inmates who escaped Sept. 4, was at a home on Ohai Street in Hilo.

Garcia tried to flee when police arrived, but officers caught him after a brief pursuit on foot, police said. He was charged with escape and was also arrested on investigation of a drug offense. His bail was set at $10,000.

The other inmate, Andrew Wanat, 27, was arrested in Kona on Sept. 6.

Suspect at large after robbery

Hawaii island police are investigating a robbery Wednesday night at a Kailua-Kona restaurant.

At about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, after the restaurant had closed, a man entered the business near Palani Road and Kua­kini Highway, approached a female employee from behind, threatened her with a weapon, forced her into another room and grabbed an undisclosed amount of cash. He fled on foot.

He is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, 160 pounds and in his mid-20s to early 30s. He was wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt, black pants and black athletic shoes with a white Nike emblem. He may have had khaki shorts under his pants.

Police ask anyone with any information about this case to call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Walter Ah Mow at 326-4646, ext. 238, or wahmow@co.hawaii. hi.us. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.