HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Kona man killed after truck crash
Advertiser Staff
A 19-year-old man died yesterday morning after a one-car crash in Kona.
The victim was identified as Eric Razo of Kailua, Kona.
Big Island police said the accident happened about 2:16 a.m. when Razo was driving his 1998 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck east on Kaleopapa Street and struck an embankment near the Ali'i Highway intersection.
Razo was pronounced dead at Kona Community Hospital at 4:06 a.m. Alcohol and speed are possible factors in the crash.
84 SIGN UP FOR DISASTER GRANTS
A FEMA spokesman said 84 Big Island residents signed up for disaster assistance yesterday in Kona and Waimea.
Disaster centers were set up in the wake of back-to-back earthquakes on Oct. 15. The residents, who are renters or homeowners, can get grants in seven to 10 days for emergency repairs.
A total of 668 people have registered at the recovery centers so far, FEMA spokesman Greg Hughes said.
In addition to FEMA grants, residents can get information on low-interest home or agricultural loans. The Small Business Administration is also helping business owners with loans. Hughes said yesterday the centers will remain open as long as they are needed.
'EWA BEACH
MOPED ACCIDENT FATALITY IDENTIFIED
A 40-year-old man who died Friday from injuries received in an Oct. 7 moped crash was identified yesterday as Terry Spencer of 'Ewa Beach.
The accident happened on Olomea Street, when a minivan was attempting to change lanes. A woman who was also riding on the moped was slightly injured.
Traffic police have opened a negligent homicide case.
KAUA'I
CANADIAN HIKER MISSING ON KAUA'I
Kaua'i police are searching for a missing Canadian visitor who is believed to have flown to Kaua'i for a hiking vacation Sept. 1.
Piotr Drabik, from Edmonton, Alberta, is 6-feet-1, 175 pounds, with brown eyes and dark brown hair. He has a goatee, moustache and a bird-like cross tattoo on his upper left arm.
Call Kaua'i police dispatch at (808) 241-1711.
WAI'ANAE
TOWN MEETING WELCOMES INPUT
Leeward Coast residents are invited to a Wai'anae town meeting tomorrow with Mayor Mufi Hannemann and his cabinet. The meeting will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at Nanaikapono Elementary School.
Among the topics will be the Honolulu transit project, cleanup of Wai'anae Coast beach parks, homelessness, Nanakuli canoe halau, Wai'anae transit center, public safety and Hannemann's $2 million community benefits package.
NU'UANU
PICKUP DRIVER IN CRITICAL CONDITION
A 31-year-old man was in critical condition after his pickup truck veered off the Pali Highway at 1:37 yesterday morning, police said. The crash occurred just south of Waokanaka Street.
The man was heading south in a red 1986 Nissan pickup when he veered left onto a grassy median and struck a tree, according to reports.
He was extricated from the vehicle and taken to The Queen's Medical Center in critical condition.
Police said speed and alcohol were apparent factors in the collision.
