Palama woman charged in church shooting

Prosecutors charged a 59-year-old Palama woman Sunday for allegedly shooting a 59-year-old man at a Kalihi church, police said.

Violesolo Tavita was charged with second-degree attempted murder and two weapon charges. Her bail was set at $250,000.

Police arrested her minutes after the shooting at 1:10 p.m. Saturday at the Samoa Tokelau Seventh-Day Adventist Church at 1128 Banyan St. in Kalihi.

Witnesses said the victim, Tali Talitonu, had just been baptized in a mass celebration when he was shot in the back by a woman, identified as another church member.

He was in front of a second-floor classroom at the church when he was shot.

Emergency Medical Services paramedics treated the man for a gunshot wound to the back and transported him in stable condition to a hospital.

A 57-year-old church elder, Tony Williams, reportedly grabbed the gun and the woman’s hand and pointed it away from the crowd.

The church service had just ended, and roughly 60 to 100 people, including children, were entering the courtyard, witnesses said. The victim’s nephew and another man who had been baptized that day did not know the motive for the shooting. Police would not release further details, including Tavita’s relationship to Talitonu.

13-year-old hiker helped off crater trail

Fire rescue crews were called to aid a 13-year-old hiker in distress Sunday morning on Koko Crater Trail.

Fire dispatch got the call at 9:15 a.m. Four companies were called, but Air 1 and the rescue unit were called off.

Fire Capt. Kevin Mokulehua said the hiker had a medical condition. Fire personnel walked up the trail and located her just before a track bridge.

Firefighters treated the girl at the scene and walked her down the trail.

The Fire Department transferred the patient to Emergency Medical Services at 9:59 a.m.

Man in critical condition after beating

A 56-year-old man was critically injured after he was apparently beaten by multiple assailants Saturday night in Makiki.

Paramedics were called to the scene, at the intersection of South King and Keeaumoku streets, at 9:29 p.m. and transported the man in critical condition to a hospital. He had been assaulted by multiple assailants, according to an Emergency Medical Services report.

Fire destroys home; residents unharmed

Fire destroyed a two-story home Sunday afternoon in Honokaa, Big Island.

Firefighters responding to a 2:10 p.m. call arrived at the Ohia Street residence to find the two-story, 30-by-30-foot structure collapsed and fully engulfed in flames.

The fire was brought under control by 2:45 p.m. and extinguished by 3:45 p.m.

The two residents of the home were unharmed. The Red Cross provided assistance to one of the residents, identified as a 40-year-old woman.

Damage was estimated at $150,000.