Pukalani man, 20, critical after crash
A 20-year-old Pukalani man was in critical condition at Maui Memorial Medical Center after he was ejected Wednesday night from a car that overturned, landing about 30 feet down an embankment off Baldwin Avenue near Rainbow Park, officials said.
Police said the crash occurred at 9:05 p.m. just east of Holomua Road in Paia as a green 1996 Pontiac Sunfire was heading west on Baldwin Avenue. The car went partially off the roadway onto the westbound shoulder, then traveled back across the road onto the eastbound shoulder where it hit a rock barrier, police said. From there, the car went down the embankment into Rainbow Park, causing the car to overturn and hit two trees in the park, police said.
Medics were dispatched at 9:10 p.m. to the single-vehicle rollover, said Ryan Joslin, spokesman for the Maui County Paramedics Association. He said the sedan had extensive damage and the rear passenger was ejected and found next to the car.
The man suffered head injuries, Joslin said.
Police said the man remained hospitalized Thursday with life-threatening injuries. He wasn't using a seat belt, according to police.
Another passenger, a 20-year-old woman sitting in the front seat, was in stable condition after being flown to an Oahu hospital for further treatment, police said. The 20-year-old woman driving the car was transported to the emergency room and released after being treated, police said.
Both women were wearing their seat belts, according to police.
Police said speed and alcohol are suspected in the crash, which occurred in a residential area with a posted speed limit of 30 mph.
A Paia fire crew also responded to the crash.
*****
Isle gas prices dip from previous week
A gallon of unleaded regular in Wailuku dropped 8 cents from last week to $4.47 a gallon, according to the AAA Hawaii Weekend Gas Watch on Thursday.
That price is 3 cents less than last month and 4 cents higher than this time last year.
Retail gas prices fell throughout Hawaii, including by a dime a gallon in Hilo, over the past week. The statewide average for regular unleaded dropped by 10 cents since last week to $4.31 per gallon, which also was a dime less than last month but 14 cents higher than last year.
Honolulu's average price dropped to $4.23 a gallon for regular unleaded, 9 cents less than last week, 12 cents less than last month and 18 cents higher than a year ago.
In Hilo, the average gas price is $4.36 a gallon, down 10 cents from last week, a nickel less than last month and 4 cents more than this time last year.
AAA Hawaii Weekend Gas Watch is a weekly snapshot of gas prices. Prices are derived from fleet vehicle credit card transactions at more than 100,000 stations around the country and are the combined averages of the last card swipe of the previous day.
*****
Man threatens son with knife - police
A Kihei man was arrested for threatening his 15-year-old son with a kitchen knife when the youth intervened in a domestic argument, police said.
Bail was set at $1,000 for Rudy Fernandez, 44. He was charged with first-degree terroristic threatening.
Police were called to the family residence on Kaiwahine Street at 3:34 p.m. Tuesday, said Lt. Jayson Rego of the Criminal Investigation Division.
He said Fernandez and his 39-year-old wife had been arguing when the boy intervened. Fernandez got a large kitchen knife and held it up to his son, threatening to kill the boy, Rego said.
He said the mother and son ran into a bedroom and called 911.
Fernandez was in the kitchen when officers arrived. A 12-inch kitchen knife was recovered, Rego said.
*****
Crews rescue hiker in Makawao reserve
Firefighters rescued a 69-year-old hiker from the Makawao Forest Reserve late Wednesday night after she reported becoming lost and disoriented, a fire official said.
The woman called 911 at 5:45 p.m., with an unsuccessful attempt to locate her by air before nightfall, said Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.
A Makawao engine crew and Kahului rescue and hazardous materials companies started a ground search, locating the woman at 11:30 p.m. about two miles from the base of the Kahakapao trail, Mainaga said. The Maui resident reported being fatigued and dehydrated but otherwise uninjured.
She said she frequently hikes the area but became disoriented and couldn't find her way back to the trailhead, Mainaga said.
State Department of Land and Natural Resources personnel and Piiholo Ranch workers also assisted with the search.
*****
Man held in robbery of a UH-MC student
A 48-year-old Haliimaile man was arrested for robbing a University of Hawaii Maui College student on campus Tuesday evening, police said.
Bail was set at $5,000 for Jonathan Wright, who was charged with second-degree robbery. He also was being held without bail for parole violation.
The robbery occurred at about 7:15 p.m. when the student, a 19-year-old Kahului man, reported being approached by a man who asked for a cigarette, said Lt. Jayson Rego of the Criminal Investigation Division. When the student refused to give the man a cigarette, he slapped the student, knocking off his glasses, Rego said.
The man then reached into the student's left front pocket and grabbed earphones to his iPhone, Rego said. He said the student was able to take back the earphones and realized the man had picked up the student's glasses. The man asked for money in exchange for the glasses and the student gave the man $5, which he took before running away, Rego said.
He said officers located the robber, later identified as Wright, at Minit Stop on Wakea Avenue in Kahului.
*****
MECO will host tree giveaway for holiday
A total of 200 trees will be given away at Maui Electric Co.'s Arbor Day Tree Giveaway from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday at MECO's Pala'au Baseyard on Molokai.
Trees ranging from 4 inches tall to ones growing in 2-gallon pots will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis. MECO employees will be on hand to offer safe planting tips that may also save residents power.
"Strategically planting the right tree in the right place can aid in shading walls and windows, keeping your home cooler and saving you money on your monthly electric bill," said Ron Vicens, Molokai transmission and distribution supervisor for MECO. "Safety should always be taken into consideration when planting to ensure that the tree grows clear of power lines when fully mature."
