Big Isle police ask help after vandals damage statue

Vandals badly damaged a statue in front of the Pacific Tsunami Museum in Hilo, and Hawaii County police are asking the public for help in apprehending the culprits.

The heads of a mermaid and a turtle were broken off the stone statue sometime between June 24 and 26, police said.

Police have opened a criminal property damage case for the incident at Kamehameha Avenue and Kalakaua Street.

Anyone with information on the perpetrators is asked to call the police nonemergency line at 935-3311 or Officer Gregg Silva of the South Hilo Community Police Unit at 961-8121. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide CrimeStoppers number at 961-8300 and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Sewer discharge pollutes waters off Mooheau park

A discharge from a broken sewer pipe has polluted the waters between the mouth of the Wailuku River in Hilo and the shoreline before Mooheau Beach Park.

The state Clean Water Branch is asking the public to stay out of the water until warning signs have been removed.

The timing, duration and volume of the discharge are uncertain, but the leak was about 1 gallon per hour, the state Health Department said by email.

Repairs are underway on the pipe near the corner of Waianuenue Avenue and Kinoole Street. The branch staff is also taking water samples.