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Hawaii County police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man whose body was found in the ocean Tuesday off the Hamakua Coast.
Police said they received a report about a body floating in the water about a mile north of Honolii Point at 1:11 p.m.
Firefighters said they found the caller in a 13-foot Boston Whaler with the body floating about 15 feet away. Firefighters recovered the man’s body, which was taken to the Hilo Medical Center. An autopsy has been scheduled.
Police described the man as slim, in his mid-30s, with red medium-length hair and a red goatee.
Investigators suspect arson as cause of fire
Maui police have opened an arson investigation after the cause of a house fire was determined to be a hand-held propane torch left under the house last week in Hana.
The fire occurred at about 7:50 a.m. Wednesday on Haneoo Road while the owner was off-island, police said.
Firefighters and police responded to the fire, but neighbors had already extinguished it.
Investigators found someone used a hand-held propane torch to ignite the fire under the floor at the front of the home.
The torch was found propped up underneath the home and pointed toward the floor and support beam, police said. A second-degree arson case has been opened, and no suspects have been identified.
Damage was estimated at $2,500.
Police said it was the second suspicious fire at the home. The first was reported May 19. Both fires are under investigation.
