Driver involved in fatal crash is released

A 36-year-old man who drove the Ford pickup truck involved in a fatal crash on Kauai was released pending further investigation, police said.

The Koloa man was arrested Saturday afternoon on suspicion of criminal property damage, reckless endangering, attempted assault, reckless driving and manslaughter.

Around 10 a.m. Saturday he was traveling east on Kaumualii Highway near Halfway Bridge when he attempted to overtake a Ford Mustang by using the east shoulder lane, police said. He clipped the Mustang’s front, lost control of his truck, crossed the centerline and broadsided a Chevy sedan.

The driver of the sedan was transported to Wilcox Hospital, where he died. The Mustang driver, a 27-year-old Koloa woman, did not need medical attention. The pickup driver was taken to the hospital after the incident but was released later that afternoon.

This was the eighth traffic fatality on Kauai this year, compared with seven for all of 2013.

Lava tree park closed after storm to reopen

HILO » Lava Tree State Monument on Hawaii island will reopen on a limited basis Monday.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources says the park was closed after albizia trees blew down during Tropical Storm Iselle in August.

The public can visit most of the viewable lava tree molds, the main pavilion and the information kiosk. The parking lot, comfort station and front portion of the loop trail also will be open, but the back portion of the park will remain closed.

It cost more than $88,000 for repairs and cleanup.