HAWAI'I BRIEFS
High school staff expected back
Advertiser Staff
Classes are expected to be back to normal at Waialua High School tomorrow following an outbreak of a flu-like norovirus that left the school short of teachers and staff on Friday, the first day of the new school year.
About two dozen teachers and staff members attending a preschool retreat at nearby Camp H.R. Erdman on Thursday complained of the illness, whose symptoms include upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting and fever, said Department of Education spokesman Greg Knudsen.
By Friday, many of the teachers and staff could not report to work. That forced many teachers who did report to double up on teaching assignments and caused some students to be assigned to the cafeteria for the day, Knudsen said.
The cause of the viral outbreak has not been determined, he said.
"It usually takes about two to three days to run its course, so we expect most people to be back to work on Monday," Knudsen said.
KALIHI
SEXUAL ASSAULT SUSPECT ARRESTED
Police arrested a 25-year-old man Friday night after he allegedly sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl he met on the Internet.
The man was arrested at his Kalihi home about 6:30 p.m. Friday on suspicion of sexual assault. Police said the 15-year-old met the man on My Space.com, a popular site where users can set up personal Web pages.
BIG ISLAND
DEAD MAN FOUND IN OVERTURNED CAR
A man in his 20s was found dead in an overturned car yesterday morning about 40 feet from the roadway in Waikoloa.
The mid-sized car was found about 10:24 a.m. yesterday off Highway 190.
Fire fighters said the car was upside down on rocky terrain.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police did not have a positive identification of the victim.
The cause of the accident is under investigation.
POLICE WARN OF IMPERSONATORS
Big Island police are warning residents to be wary of anyone who claims to be a police officer, but refuses to show any identification.
On Wednesday, two suspects approached a man in a parked car on Ali'i Drive about 5:15 a.m. They identified themselves as plain clothes police officers.
As one suspect spoke to the victim, the other took a laptop and a digital camera from the trunk.
The first suspect is described as being about 25 years old, with a medium build and short black hair.
The victim was unable to identify the second suspect.
"We urge the public to report any suspicious activity, particularly when in contact with individuals in plain clothes who identify themselves as law enforcement officers," said police Capt. Paul Kealoha, commander of the Kona police district.
Anyone with information on the Ali'i Drive incident is asked to call Big Island police officer Jeremy Kubojiri at (808) 326-4646, ext. 253.
