Local news in brief for June 11
Man dies in Kona of apparent drowning
Police are investigating a possible drowning involving a 31-year-old man from Pahoa that occurred Sunday morning off the shore of Ali‘i Drive in Kailua-Kona.
On Sunday at 10:54 a.m., Kona patrol officers and Hawaii Fire Department personnel responded to that area of Ali‘i Drive to a report of a possible drowning.
Officers were advised that the unidentified male was observed submerged in the ocean approximately 50 feet to 100 feet from Ali‘i Drive, police said. Witnesses in the area stated that the male had not come up for air for over 10 minutes, and no witness observed any dive equipment with him.
HFD personnel arrived on the scene and removed the unresponsive male from the water. He was was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased on Sunday.
Police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation to determine the exact cause of death. No foul play is suspected at this time.
The identity of the male is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.
Police are asking anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact Kona Patrol Officer Elijah Won at (808) 935-3311 or by e-mail at Elijah.won@hawaiicounty.gov.
Suspects sought in Keaukaha assault
Police detectives are requesting assistance to help identify three suspects involved in an assault Saturday evening at King’s Landing in Hilo.
Shortly before 8 p.m., Hilo patrol officers responded to an assault complaint at a business in the 1700 block of Kamehameha Avenue.
When officers arrived on the scene, they learned the 27-year-old male victim, who was unconscious but breathing, had been transported via ambulance to the Benioff Hilo Medical Center.
Officers contacted the victim’s 25-year-old brother and a female acquaintance, who reported they were hanging out at the King’s Landing area in Keaukaha, when a white four-door sedan with several males pulled up and assaulted the two men.
The 27-year-old victim was reportedly punched in the face, causing him to lose consciousness, fall to the ground, and hit his head on some rocks. He was transported by his friends to the business, where they were met by Hawaii Fire Department personnel.
The 27-year-old victim was treated for his injuries and released from the hospital on Sunday. The 25-year-old victim declined medical attention.
The victims reported the suspect vehicle as a white four-door sedan with untinted windows and possibly has cloth seats.
The suspects are described as two local males in their 20s, approximately 5-feet-5 to 5-feet-7 inches tall, 170 pounds, with short hair, wearing shorts and T-shirts. The third suspect, who was driving the vehicle, was described as being a local male in his 30s to 40s, 5-feet-10 inches tall, 200 pounds, with either short hair or bald.
Detectives are continuing this assault investigation.
Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have information on the identity of the suspects to contact Detective Paul Mangus at (808) 961-2383 or at Paul.Mangus@hawaiicounty.gov.
Police report fentanyl arrests for May, seek tips from public
As part of its continuing community outreach about the dangers of fentanyl, the Hawaii Police Department provides monthly updates about the amount of fentanyl-related arrests in Hawaii County and the quantity of fentanyl recovered for the preceding month.
In May, there were 10 fentanyl-related arrests, nine in East Hawaii and one in West Hawaii.
Police recovered 31.25 grams of illicit fentanyl last month, including 21.65 grams in East Hawaii and 9.6 grams in West Hawaii.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, just 2 milligrams of illicit fentanyl, equal to a couple grains of salt, is a lethal dose.
The 31.25 grams of illicit fentanyl recovered by HPD in May 2024 was enough to kill 15,625 Hawaii Island residents.
HPD also recovered 137 fentanyl pills in East Hawaii.
According to HPD, in recent years the use of illicit fentanyl has reached epidemic proportions on the mainland and Hawaii. Criminal drug networks are mixing this dangerous synthetic opioid into illegal counterfeit pills and selling them as legitimate prescription pills, often with deadly consequences.
HPD asks those with information relating to illicit drug use and distribution — as well as vice issues such as prostitution, gambling, and other related crimes — to call the East Hawaii and West Hawaii Vice Sections 24-hour anonymous vice/drug tip hotline.
The numbers are:
— (808) 329-0423 (information pertaining to districts of Kaʻu, Kona, South Kohala and North Kohala).
— (808) 934-8423 (information pertaining to districts of Puna, South Hilo and Hamakua).
Those who call will be asked to provide information. Callers do not have to provide their name, address or telephone number. All information is kept confidential and within the Criminal Investigation Division.
Information is cross-referenced, allowing detectives to determine if additional information related to the criminal activity about which the person is calling has been reported in the past.
Even “small” bits of information can at times provide detectives with the “missing link” that allows them to take action, according to HPD.
