Big Island police are warning the public about scams involving counterfeit Wal-Mart MoneyGrams and the Hawai'i Island Police Activities League, or HI-PAL.

Wal-Mart does not sell MoneyGrams by mail or e-mail. The scam involves e-mails offering to sell Wal-Mart MoneyGrams in batches of six or more. Residents are told they can keep a percentage of the face value as payment if they send the rest of the money by Western Union to London, police said. In exchange, victims are receiving counterfeit MoneyGrams.

The HI-PAL scam involves telephone solicitations for donations. HI-PAL does not solicit donations, police said.

Anyone with information about the HI-PAL scam is asked to call Officer Joseph Botelho Jr. at 808-961-2220.

MOTORCYCLE RIDER, PASSENGER INJURED

A 46-year-old man who was operating a motorcycle was seriously injured and a female passenger critically injured yesterday morning when the motorcycle collided with a freight van fronting the Y. Hata food distribution warehouse at 285 Sand Island Access Road, city emergency services spokesman Bryan Cheplic said.

The crash occurred about 11:55 a.m. The two injured people were taken to The Queen's Medical Center.

MASKED MAN ROBS TWO MEN IN MA'ILI

Two men told police they were robbed by a masked man wielding a shotgun yesterday morning at Ulehawa Beach Park No. 2 in Ma'ili.

The men, ages 25 and 36, said they were sitting in their car when they were approached by the man, who demanded money. They said they gave him $40 and he went away, police said.

The incident was reported at 2:59 a.m., police said.

CHARGES PENDING IN 'EWA SHOOTING

Multiple felony charges are pending against against an 'Ewa man arrested in connection with a shooting incident Aug. 16 in 'Ewa Beach.

Jake Jesus Mendoza Sr., 43, was being held by police on two outstanding petty misdemeanor warrants totalling $900.

Mendoza allegedly fired a shotgun at a woman, 35, during an argument between neighbors on Aug. 16. No one was injured; pellets from the shotgun round struck the tailgate of a vehicle near the woman.

Mendoza was arrested for investigation of first-degree reckless endangering, first- and second-degree terroristic threatening, third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug, two firearms offenses and two petty misdemeanor counts of third-degree assault.

MORE TROUBLE FOR ALLEGED SHOPLIFTER

A 31-year-old 'Ewa woman arrested for shoplifting yesterday in Waipahu found herself in more trouble when she arrived for booking at the Pearl City police station.

During booking, police found three counterfeit bills in her possession, leading to a first-degree forgery count being added to her fourth-degree theft count related to alleged shoplifting at the Kmart store at 94-825 Lumiaina St.

She was later identified as a suspect in a July 10 case in which the woman allegedly tried to cash a forged business check from a Waikiki hotel at a Leeward retail store.

The woman was booked for investigation of second-degree forgery, ID theft and attempted second-degree theft in the July 10 case.

She was later released pending further investigation.

CITIZENSHIP RITES FOR 76 IN HAWAI'I

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today will swear in 76 Hawai'i residents in conjunction with Constitution Week.

Federal Judge Lloyd King will swear in the new U.S. citizens from 22 countries: American Samoa, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, China, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Mexico, Nicaragua, Philippines, Tonga, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Vietnam and the former Yugoslavia.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann will be the keynote speaker. Last week, the mayor signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 17 Citizenship Day and the week of Sept. 17 as Constitution Week.