The Hawaii Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying a man responsible for assaulting a 61-year-old woman Jan. 18 on a hiking trail in Kona.

The victim was walking on the Upper Walua Road trail when an unknown man choked her with his arm and then ran away.

The man is described as being in his 30s, about 5-foot-8, with dark eyes, dark hair and a raspy voice. He was wearing checkered green pants, tennis shoes and a beige shirt with a geometric pattern in the center.

Police ask anyone with information on his whereabouts to call the Police Department's non-emergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters 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.