A man who reported that his neck was slashed outside his Kailua home Friday remained hospitalized yesterday, and police have yet to interview him, police said.

Donald A. Boyce, 67, indicated to firefighters responding to the scene at the 1100 block of Hele Street that two men attacked him and slashed his neck before he managed to call 911 on his cell phone.

He was taken to The Queen's Medical Center Friday in critical condition but has been upgraded to serious condition.

Boyce owns the home where the incident was reported. He operates a woodworking and frame-making business out of his home workshop and plays Santa to children hospitalized at Castle Medical Center.

FIRE DAMAGES 'AINALOA HOME

PAHOA, Hawai'i — A fire early yesterday morning badly damaged a home that was under construction in the 'Ainaloa subdivision in the Pahoa district.

The fire, on Jewel Drive, was reported at 12:01 a.m. It was declared under control at 12:34 a.m. and extinguished at 12:47 a.m. An initial estimate set damage to the home at $150,000.

SUSPECT HELD IN DEATH OF MAN, 25

PUHI, Kaua'i — Police arrested a 30-year-old Puhi man Saturday in a manslaughter investigation involving the death of a 25-year-old Lihu'e man.

Police said family members found the Lihu'e man, not moving, in his home Friday afternoon. He was pronounced dead at Wilcox Hospital. No other details were released.

The Puhi man was released from police custody pending more investigation. An autopsy has been scheduled in the case.

COPPER SUSPECT TO FACE MORE CHARGES

An initial court appearance yesterday for a man charged in connection with a copper-wire theft investigation was continued to Thursday pending other felony charges.

Alden Kaupiko, 47, who has no permanent local address, is under investigation for second-degree criminal property damage, criminal tampering and fourth-degree theft. He has already been charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass.

Patrol officers found Kaupiko standing near his pickup truck parked near Koko Head District Park's maintenance building at 7:30 a.m. Friday. Kaupiko allegedly was carrying a bolt cutter and numerous rolls of electrical wiring were seen in the open bed of his truck.

Hawaiian Telcom claimed ownership of the wiring and estimated damage to a section of wire missing from a chopped-down pole at more than $4,000, the report said.

Police have also filed for forfeiture on the truck.

TWO ESCAPE FROM WORK FURLOUGH

Police were looking for two men, 26-year-old Rory Cabrera and Allan Abihai, 43, who did not return yesterday to the Laumaka Work Furlough Program facility. The two men were declared escapees at 5:30 p.m.

POLICE MAJORS TO SWITCH COMMANDS

Two Honolulu police majors are switching commands, effective Nov. 19. Bart Huber will be the new patrol District 2 (Wahiawa) commander while Michael Thomas takes over the Juvenile Services Division.

MAN ARRESTED IN DOMESTIC ABUSE

A 23-year-old man was charged Sunday with striking his girlfriend during a domestic dispute Saturday in Halawa.

Moto Piamono is accused for second-degree assault and being held in lieu of $15,000 bail.

The alleged assault at a Kalaloa Street was reported to police at 9 a.m. Saturday by the woman, 22, who suffered facial fractures, police said. The woman also told police she was choked.

HILO MAN GETS 20-YEAR SENTENCE

HILO, Hawai'i — A Hilo man convicted of dealing crystal methamphetamine and passing counterfeit checks was sentenced to 20 years in prison, Big Island prosecutor Jay Kimura said yesterday.

Judge Greg Nakamura also ordered that Edward Kelly, 26, pay more than $10,000 in restitution and spend a minimum of five years in prison before he can be considered for parole.

Police said for the past two years, Kelly used and dealt meth while involved in a counterfeit check scheme on the Big Island.

Kelly was convicted of drug trafficking, drug possession, firearms offenses and theft.

RECYCLING DRIVE FOR PROJECT GRAD

'Aiea High Project Grad 2007 is holding its monthly HI-5¢ recycling drive Saturday in the school's parking lot.

Aluminum cans as well as plastic and glass bottles can be dropped off from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Information on the school's effort is available from aieapg07@hawaii.rr.com.