Move on to fix Kamehameha statue’s spear

HILO >> A fundraiser is underway to repair the King Kamehameha statue in Hilo after a section of its bronze spear was stolen.

Hawaii News Now reported Sunday that the Kamehameha Schools East Hawaii Alumni Association, Mamalahoe chapter, is working to raise between $12,000 and $20,000 to repair the statue.

The top section of the spear held by a statue of the Hawaiian warrior was reported missing Sept. 6. Detectives later found the missing spear section in overgrowth on the banks of a channel behind the statue.

Police say the spear was forcibly removed from the lower staff section.

Hilo police have charged 31-year-old William Roy Carroll III in connection with the spear theft.

River search for swimmer will continue

Hawaii island firefighters plan to continue their search Wednesday for a 62-year-old Kona woman who was caught in the fast-moving currents of the Wailuku River while swimming at Boiling Pots in Hilo.

The victim, who operates a water activities company, and a male customer were swimming in the upper pond at Boiling Pots at Wailuku River State Park just after 5:30 p.m. Monday when they got into trouble. Only the man was able to make it to the river bank.

The Fire Department conducted scuba dive operations in the upper pond Tuesday but did not find the woman. Fire rescue personnel recovered a tube and an inflatable noodle the woman was using in the pond.