Diver found in distress dies
A 65-year-old San Francisco man died after he was found in distress while diving at Makena landing Monday night, police said.
He was identified as James Harstad.
He had been night diving with his son before police were called at 8:30 p.m., said Lt. Jayson Rego of the Criminal Investigation Division.
Harstad had surfaced and was seen gasping for air before being brought to shore by his son, he said.
Harstad was taken by ambulance to Maui Memorial Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 9:20 p.m.
An autopsy is pending.
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Traffic signal set to activate
KAHULUI - A new traffic signal at the intersection of Hana Highway and Wakea Avenue is scheduled to be activated Thursday.
The signal has been in a flashing mode since Tuesday to allow engineers and technicians to test the equipment. Motorists are advised to proceed with caution in the area.
Paul's Electrical Contracting was awarded a $667,777 contract from the state Department of Transportation to install the traffic signal, according to a department spokesman.
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Woman held on theft, fraud
A 38-year-old Wailuku woman was arrested Monday and charged with using stolen credit cards at Kahului locations, police said.
Bail was set at $20,000 for Raquel Otani. She was charged with two counts each of theft of a credit card and fraudulent use of a credit card.
The credit cards belong to a Washington state resident who had parked her vehicle in the Honolua Bay area on July 14, said Lt. Chad Viela of the Criminal Investigation Division. The next day, the visitor realized the credit cards had been stolen and used at various locations in Kahului to obtain more than $3,000 in merchandise, Viela said.
Surveillance video showed Otani attempting to purchase jewelry using one of the stolen credit cards, he said.
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Tax workshop slated for Friday at UH-MC
KAHULUI - A tax workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday in the University of Hawaii Maui College's Pa'ina Building.
State Department of Taxation Director Fred Pablo and other staff will provide an overview of the 2012 legislative session and discuss some of the key measures enacted this year. Officials also will discuss the department's Special Enforcement Section's efforts to address the cash economy and an update on their recent activities.
Presentations also will include a review of the recently concluded 2012 tax filing season and an update on the department's e-filing program.
The $85 workshop is aimed at tax filing professionals.
For more information and to register, contact the college at 984-3231 (refer to Course No. 436S12). Registration forms are available at the department's website at www.hawaii.gov/tax.
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Woman who sought help for car arrested
A woman who asked someone to help her "punch" the ignition of a stolen car was arrested after police were called, police said.
An Oct. 8 trial is set in 2nd Circuit Court for Malia Han, 32, of Hoolehua, Molokai. She was being held in lieu of $5,000 bail on a charge of unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.
The car was reported stolen at 4:30 p.m. July 26 from a Kihei apartment complex, said Lt. Chad Viela of the Lahaina Criminal Investigation Division.
The next day, at 6:50 a.m., workers at the Salvation Army in Lahaina saw Han driving a car in the area, Viela said. He said after the car engine died, Han asked a bystander if he could help her "punch the ignition" to start the car without using a key. The bystander became suspicious, and police were called.
Han was arrested after police determined the car had been stolen.
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Man dies in descent from home's balcony
A 27-year-old Waihee man died Sunday night after he jumped or fell from a second-floor balcony of a Maui Meadows home, police said.
Poohala Atay sustained head injuries and died at the scene, said Lt. Jayson Rego of the Criminal Investigation Division.
He said Atay had been drinking with friends at the residence on Nahenahe Place. He had been seen going onto the balcony before he was noticed missing and found on the driveway 28 feet below, Rego said.
Police were called at 10:40 p.m. Sunday. Police are awaiting toxicology reports in the death.
