Motorcyclist, 40, dies in crash
A motorcyclist was killed in a crash Wednesday morning on Kauna Lipo Drive in Wailuku, police said.
The operator was identified as 40-year-old Zaul Acevedo Gonzales of Wailuku.
Police said the single-vehicle crash occurred at 10:22 a.m. as the black 2009 Yamaha R1 motorcycle was traveling north on Kauna Lipo Drive, crossed the centerline and struck a curb on the southbound edge of the roadway. The motorcycle rolled over, then continued north and struck the northwest curb of Kauna Lipo Drive and Maka Hou Loop, police said.
The motorcycle and its operator ended up in the backyard of 14 Maka Hou Loop, police said.
Acevedo Gonzales suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
Traffic was rerouted onto adjacent side streets while police conducted an investigation.
The fatal crash was the third this year, the same number as at this time last year.
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Arrest in first-responder attack
A Kihei man was arrested on a felony assault charge after he kicked an ambulance technician while being transported to the hospital Tuesday morning, police said.
Bail was set at $1,200 for Kevin Galbraith, 47. He was charged with second-degree assault and resisting arrest.
The ambulance crew was called to Galbraith's residence on Akahai Street after he complained he was having a heart attack, said Lt. Jayson Rego of the Criminal Investigation Division.
On the way to the hospital, Galbraith became agitated and began yelling so the ambulance was forced to pull over on Honoapiilani Highway at Pilikana Place in Waikapu, Rego said.
He said Galbraith kicked one of the ambulance workers in the head. When the driver went to the back door to help, Galbraith jumped out of the ambulance and ran toward Waiko Road. He refused to place his hands behind his back when police caught up with him and arrested him, Rego said. The felony assault charge applies when someone intentionally or knowingly causes bodily injury to any emergency medical services provider who is engaged in the performance of duty.
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Direct deposit for benefits
Direct deposit of unemployment insurance benefits is being offered by the state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations.
Direct deposit is a faster and more secure method of payment for claimants and will save the state by reducing postage costs, according to a labor department news release.
Implementation of the direct deposit system will be in phases, starting with Kauai and progressing to the other islands. By April, all residents across the state will have access to direct deposit.
"We are pleased to offer the option of having unemployment benefits deposited directly into individuals' personal bank accounts," said department Director Dwight Takamine. "Waiting for the mail to arrive, standing in line at the bank or relying on paper checks that may get lost or stolen can now be avoided by registering on our website."
To qualify, individuals must have a personal registration account on the website labor.hawaii.gov/ui.
Newly established registrants or existing users should log in and check for the direct deposit feature as it becomes available where they reside.
