Police seek help in identifying human remains
Hawaii County police are asking for the public’s help in identifying decomposed human remains found in Kona last week.
Shortly after 7:30 a.m. Friday, human remains were reported found in a vacant lot on the south side of Ololi Street in Kailua-Kona.
Officers found the decomposed body of a man believed to be a Caucasian between 50 and 60 years old, about 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds. All his upper teeth were capped. He was wearing shorts made of sweatshirt material, water socks and a jade crucifix hanging from a string around his neck. A dark backpack was found near his body. The man may have been living on the empty lot.
An autopsy performed Friday determined that he died of natural causes.
Police ask anyone who might know his identity to contact Detective Joshua Lewis at 326-4646, ext. 228, or jlewis@co.hawaii.hi.us. Tipsters may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
Maui mayor, aides to hold meet-and-greet
The next County on Your Corner will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday at the County of Maui tent at the Maui Fair. The tent will be next to the entertainment tent.
Mayor Alan Arakawa said in a news release, "County on Your Corner, which is typically scheduled in a different location each month, is a good way for members of my Cabinet and myself to interact with community members on the issues that are of most interest to them."
Arakawa and executive assistants BillJohn Medeiros, John Buck and Danny Mateo will be at this month’s event. For more information, call 270-7855.
3 sirens out of service during monthly test
The state Civil Defense said it received nine reports of sirens malfunctioning on Oahu during the regular monthly test Tuesday.
Technicians are working on three sirens that were out of service and due to be replaced, said Shelly Kunishige, state Civil Defense spokeswoman.
They include one at Moanalua Elementary School, which is being moved near the Board of Water Supply facility in Moanalua.
Another siren is at "Electric Beach" near the Kahe Power Plant. Kunishige did not have the location of the third siren.
Installation will take a couple of weeks.
Civil Defense also received reports from the public that six other sirens sounded but were too faint. The individuals who reported them were not in the sirens’ range, Kunishige said.
Woman pleads guilty to robbing 2 stores
A 24-year-old Hilo woman who used a handgun to rob two clothing shops has pleaded guilty to robbery.
Tia Menino will be sentenced to 10 years in prison as part of a plea agreement, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported. She will be sentenced Dec. 2.
Menino entered pleas to robbery and weapons charges Monday.
Prosecutors say Menino on Jan. 31 robbed Rainbow-Jo women’s clothing boutique and Tiny Bubbles baby clothing boutique. The stores operate at the same downtown location.
A store clerk told police Menino walked to a cash register, tossed down a purse, waved a handgun and demanded money from the register, the clerk’s purse and a second register.
The clerk used a cellphone to photograph the suspect’s pickup. She also picked Menino’s picture out of a photo lineup.
