Puna girl missing
Puna girl missing
Big Island police are searching for a 17-year-old girl reported as missing from her Puna home since Wednesday.
Noriko Miranda Rigaud of Puna is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing about 122 pounds with long brown hair and brown eyes, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Police ask that anyone with information on her whereabouts call the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
Ka‘u man found guilty of sex assault
A Big Island jury on Thursday found a Ka‘u man guilty of sex assault offenses against a minor following a two-week trial in Kona, according to the Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.
David Kaawa IV was found guilty of continuous sex assault of a child under age 14 and first-degree sex assault of a child between 14 and 16 years old, according to the office.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence and witnesses, including victims, educators, police and counselors, that Kaawa had sexually abused a child in Naalehu during a four- to five-year period. Kaawa, according to the office, testified the child had fabricated the allegations.
Two expert witnesses, including a sex assault nurse examiner and a psychologist, also provided testimony, according to the office.
Sentencing in the case is set for June 28. Each offense carries a mandatory indeterminate to 20-year prison sentence.
Akoni Pule Highway lane closures
Alternating lane closures in both directions are planned this week on Akoni Pule Highway between mile markers 5 and 15, in the vicinity of Mahukona, for pavement reconstruction, according to the state Department of Transportation.
Alternating lane closures in both directions are also slated for Kohala Mountain Road — state Highway 250 — between mile markers 2 and 7, in the vicinity of Waiaka Junction, for pavement reconstruction, according to the department .
Crews will be working from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Road work is weather permitting.
Abiley found
Big Island police on Fiday located 15-year-old Cyrus E. Abiley who was reported missing.
He was found unharmed in Kona, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Road closures in Waimea
Road repairs will require lane closures this week in Waimea.
The alternating lane closures will be in effect through May on Mamalahoa Highway between Mana Road and Puu Nani Drive in Waimea for the work, according to the Hawaii County Department of Public Works. Crews will be working from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.
By local sources