Activist beaten during investigation
Environmental activist Carroll Cox was attacked Tuesday by two masked men armed with pipes in the Kalaeloa area not far from a property that he has been investigating for illegal use and improper dumping, Cox said.
He said he was hit on the arm, knee and head, but did not suffer major injuries. He went to a hospital for an examination and returned home later Tuesday.
He said two cars pulled up near his car on Boxer Road about 3:30 p.m., and two men approached. Cox said he exited the car to defend himself but was hit with pipes. The men left after some witnesses gathered, he said.
Cox said he has filed complaints with the Attorney General’s Office and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands over a house allegedly being put illegally on the Hawaiian Homes lot. He said he has also filed complaints with the Department of Health over dumping of a chemical on the property.
Warnings posted after shark spotted
An 8-foot shark was seen Tuesday at a surf break at Alii Beach in Haleiwa.
Surfers spotted the shark roughly 150 yards offshore at about 12:20 p.m., according to a spokeswoman for the Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division.
Lifeguards posted warning signs.
Nose gear collapses as plane lands
A small fixed-wing, single-engine airplane made an emergency landing Tuesday at Molokai Airport.
The pilot was not injured, and the Piper PA28 sustained minor damage when its nose gear collapsed upon landing at 2:30 p.m., Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said in an email.
The plane skidded to the runway shoulder, said Caroline Sluyter, Department of Transportation spokeswoman.
Manufactured in 1984, the plane is registered to Washin Air Inc. of Honolulu, according to FAA data.
Man to serve probation in church thefts
HILO » A 68-year-old Hilo man was sentenced Monday to five years’ probation in connection with thefts from two Big Island churches.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported that Edward Hanohano also received 18 months in jail, with credit for time served and the remainder taken under advisement pending completion of his probation.
Hanohano was accused of stealing more than $45,000 from churches affiliated with Hoomana Naauau o Hawaii. He pleaded guilty in March to a theft charge.
Hanohano would have received a deferred acceptance of his guilty plea if he had given the church a cashier’s check for $10,000 by Monday’s sentencing hearing. A deferred acceptance would have meant his felony conviction would be erased after probation.
Hilo Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura allowed Hanohano to pay restitution at a rate of $50 a month.
