Hawaii County authorities Friday morning rescued two people swept out to sea about 500 yards offshore of Highway 240 in Honokaa.
The victims — a male and a female — had been clinging to a stick to stay afloat while being circled by three large tiger sharks, according to the Hawaii County Fire Department. They had been fishing Thursday when they were swept out to sea late in the afternoon.
After a tour helicopter spotted the two in the water, the Fire Department deployed two choppers at about 8:30 a.m., using aerial maneuvers to try scaring off the sharks. Firefighters were able to rescue the duo via a basket and bring them to shore with minor injuries.
5 people arrested, charged on drug-related counts
Hawaii island police serving narcotics search warrants at three locations arrested and charged five people for drug-related offenses.
>> On Wednesday officers and detectives arrested 42-year-old Marissa Burcena and 34-year-old Paul Alisa after finding a crystal methamphetamine smoking pipe and other drug paraphernalia at a residence on Opakapaka Street in Pahoa.
Both were charged Thursday with two counts of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and two counts of prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia. Burcena was released on bail after her initial court appearance Friday. Alisa remains in custody in lieu of $20,500 bail.
>> On Thursday officers executed a separate warrant at a home on Anuhea Street in Volcano and recovered 1.2 grams of black tar heroin, a “small amount” of crystal methamphetamine and several pieces of drug paraphernalia.
Charles Deguair, 50, was arrested at the scene and charged Friday with three counts of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and three counts related to drug paraphernalia. He is being held at the Hilo cellblock in lieu of $6,075 bail.
>> Also on Thursday police arrested two people after recovering 36 marijuana plants, 9.6 pounds of dried processed marijuana and numerous pieces of equipment used to cultivate and process marijuana. The marijuana seized in the search has an estimated street value of $80,000.
>> On Friday police charged Shelton Pacarro, 39, with first-degree promotion of a detrimental drug, second-degree commercial promotion of marijuana and two counts of prohibited acts related to drug paraphernalia. He was released after posting $7,050 bail.
