A 42-year-old man suffered first- and second-degree burns in an early-morning fire yesterday on Kaua'i that destroyed a five-bedroom Anahola home.

County officials said the man was injured when he ran back into the burning house to retrieve personal items. He was treated at Wilcox Hospital, then flown to Straub Clinic & Hospital in Honolulu.

Three other people in the house were not injured.

Firefighters responded to the 12:46 a.m. alarm and found the home engulfed in flames upon arrival at 12:59. The fire was extinguished at 2:41 a.m.

Damage to the 1,900-square-foot wooden home and its contents was estimated at $420,000. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

THREE MEN ARRESTED IN PINEAPPLE THEFT

Three 'Ewa men were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of stealing pineapples from a Kunia field and have been released pending further investigation.

The men, ages 63, 47 and 35, were allegedly spotted by security officers in a Del Monte field on Kunia Road about a mile south of Kunia Drive at 6:50 p.m.

Police said they arrested the men on suspicion of second-degree theft at 7:25 p.m. when more than 200 pineapples were found in their van.

MAN CHARGED FOR RAMMING EX'S CAR

A 33-year-old man was charged yesterday for allegedly ramming his former girlfriend's car Tuesday in Kailua.

Darrell Diamond Ortiz of Honokai Hale is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail on first-degree criminal property damage and resisting arrest charges.

Ortiz was arrested at Kailua Road and Ulukahiki Street at 6:30 p.m. The woman, 33, and two children, ages 13 and 14, in the car that was rammed were treated for minor injuries.

THREE FIRES SET WITHIN A BLOCK, POLICE SAY

Big Island police were investigating three small fires that appear to have been deliberately set within minutes of one another in the Kailua, Kona, business district yesterday morning.

The fires, which began about 3 a.m., were reported at Kopiko Plaza, behind The Club and at the Kailua Volkswagen dealership on Ololi Road.

Big Island fire officials said the three fires were within a single block.

The first — in an unused elevator lobby at Kopiko Plaza — damaged the building and storage equipment.

In the second incident, cardboard boxes and wooden pallets were found burning against a wall in back of The Club.

The third fire was found burning in an area containing 55-gallon drums of waste oil behind the Volkswagen dealership.

All three of the fires were extinguished by 3:37 a.m.

MISSING CHINESE UH STUDENT FOUND

A missing University of Hawai'i student from China has been found in San Francisco, Honolulu CrimeStoppers announced yesterday.

Liu "Crystal" Liu, 24, was found by San Francisco police and is receiving proper care, the statement said.

Police said she was last seen July 31 leaving a friend's house in Hawai'i Kai, and was said to have been distraught.

KAPA'A QUARRY ROAD CLEANUP SET

Three areas of Kapa'a Quarry Road will be targeted for beautification during a "quick and dirty" cleanup effort Sunday.

Those interested in helping are asked to meet at the pull-off area opposite Le Jardin Academy at 12:15 p.m. Volunteers will be divided into groups and assigned to areas of the road marred by litter and illegal dumping.

The work will take place from 12:30 to 2 p.m. and be followed by refreshments at Boardriders restaurant.

The event is sponsored by the Windward Ahupua'a Alliance. For more information, call 224-4496.

MAUI BRUSHFIRE CHARS 13 ACRES

A Maui brushfire that burned 13 acres near Mauna Place off Coop Road in Kula was declared contained at 5 p.m. yesterday, county officials said.

The fire caused no injuries or damage to structures, according to a news release.

Four engine companies, a water tanker and the Maui County Fire Department helicopter fought the fire, which started at 2:30 p.m.

ARREST MADE IN GAMBLING HOLDUP

A man wanted for questioning in an armed robbery investigation of a gambling game last week in Kalihi was arrested Wednesday in Waipahu.

Larry "Bata" Ordinado Jr., 25, was arrested in a homeless camp behind Waipahu High School at 3:55 p.m. Kalihi Crime Reduction Unit officers made the arrest.

Ordinado was booked on five counts of first-degree robbery and four counts of first-degree terroristic threatening in connection with the holdup of a gambling game Aug. 1 in the carport of a Kalihi residence.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2050 SUMMIT

The Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Task Force has opened registration for its Sept. 22 summit, where the draft of the state's first sustainability plan will be unveiled.

The summit will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Coral Ballroom.

Registration is $20.50 for adults, $10.25 for those under 18.

The program features a keynote address by Terry Tamminen, architect of many of California's sustainability policies and practices, and a presentation by The Honolulu Advertiser's Teen Editorial Board on what can inspire youth toward a sustainable state and the challenges they face.

To register online with a credit card, visit the Task Force's secure Web site: www.hawaii2050.org.

To register by mail, send a purchase order or check with registration fees, payable to the Hawai'i Institute for Public Affairs, to Hawai'i 2050 Sustainability Summit, P.O. Box 893727, Mililani, HI 96789.

STATE ART MUSEUM TO HOST FAMILY DAY

The Hawai'i State Art Museum will host a family fun day tomorrow, with free tours and sessions on jewelry making and portrait drawing.

The art activities run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Participants will make beaded bracelets and learn how to make simple, lifelike portraits at no cost. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, call 586-0304.

DAY TO RECOGNIZE AIRBORNE UNITS SET

Gov. Linda Lingle has proclaimed Thursday as National Airborne Day in Hawai'i.

This follows a congressional designation of this date to recognize 67 years of service and accomplishments of airborne units of the active, National Guard and Reserve components of all military services, both in war and peacetime; individual deeds of valor and service; and the efforts of the retired and prior-service individuals to support those troops.

A recognition ceremony highlighting National Airborne Day in Hawai'i will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Capitol Rotunda.

All airborne troops, active, retired and prior-service, are encouraged to attend. Wearing of uniform or appropriate organizational attire is encouraged. The public is invited to participate.