HILO, Hawai'i — The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has opened a new area for all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes in the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve, the second area designated on the Big Island for off-highway vehicles.

DLNR's Division of Forestry and Wildlife and ATV Riders of Hawai'i worked together to identify suitable roads that can accommodate responsible riding, and will post signs so users will know where riding is allowed and where it is prohibited.

The riding area consists of two Jeep roads, known as R-10 or Skyline Road, and R-1, or the Na Ala Hele Mauna Kea Access Road. The total length one way is 40.4 miles, and users can ride in both directions.

DRIVER CHARGED AFTER METH SEIZED

Prosecutors charged a 45-year-old Crestview man after police said they seized 2 1/2 ounces of crystal methamphetamine, a digital scale and two glass smoking pipes in a warrant search of his car.

Leonard Denichi Hironaka Jr., of a Lumiiki Street address, is charged with first-degree meth trafficking and two counts of possessing drug paraphernalia. Hironaka, who has 19 prior convictions, appeared in District Court yesterday and has a preliminary hearing scheduled tomorrow.

Hironaka was arrested for driving without a license at 1:15 a.m. Sunday following a traffic stop at Lehiwa Street and Meheula Parkway in Mililani Mauka. The arresting officer observed two glass pipes and a digital scale in plain view in the car.

MARINE BATTALION BACK FROM IRAQ

About 300 Marines and sailors with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment returned to Kane'ohe Bay yesterday after completing a seven-month deployment to western Iraq.

The battalion, with a total of about 900 Marines, recently wrapped up its deployment to the "triad" region of Haditha, Haqlaniyah and Barwana on the Euphrates River northwest of Baghdad, and was replaced by the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines from Hawai'i.

ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO RUN OVER TEEN

A 43-year-old Village Park man, arrested Monday on suspicion of attempted murder for allegedly trying to run over a teenager in Pearl City, remained in police custody last night.

The man's son had been involved in an after-school fight with another boy, 15, at 2:45 p.m. Monday. The man went to the scene of the fight after it was over and allegedly drove his car at the boy. No injuries were reported.