A 23-year-old Pahoa woman died from injuries sustained in a one-vehicle accident yesterday on Route 132 (Pahoa-Kapoho Road).

Police identified her as Ainalani A. Kanekoa.

Puna patrol officers determined that Kanekoa was driving east in a 1997 Toyota pickup truck when it crossed the center line, ran off the left side of the road and hit a tree.

Kanekoa was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 4:50 a.m. She was not wearing a seat belt. Police said it is believed speed and alcohol were factors.

Police asked anyone with information about the case to call Officer Robert Pauole at 961-8119.

It was the 37th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year, compared with 33 at this time last year.

POLICE INVESTIGATE HOME ROBBERY

Police are looking for a man who broke into a Kane'ohe home Tuesday, tied up the homeowner at gunpoint and stole jewelry and other valuables.

The robbery occurred on Ma-li'o Place about 3 p.m. Tuesday.

A man with a black handgun approached the homeowner, who was outside his house, and asked about warrants before forcing his way into the home, police said.

The robber left in a black Toyota Tacoma in an unknown direction.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cell phone.

TRANSITION HOUSE FOR KAUA'I FAMILIES

Government and private officials yesterday held a blessing for a new transitional housing facility on Kaua'i that will provide 16 working homeless families with children with a roof over their heads this Christmas.

Ka Uapo (The Bridge) is at the former Lihu'e courthouse on Umi Street, which is owned by the state.

The program provides homeless families with temporary transitional housing and prepares them for permanent affordable housing units that are scheduled to be built on Kaua'i over the next two years.

After the participants in Ka Uapo move into permanent housing, the former courthouse will be converted to office space for state agencies.

Ka Uapo is a partnership between the state, county and Kaua'i Economic Opportunity Inc.

"Ka Uapo will provide homeless families with a safe place to live while they receive services and resources they need to transition into permanent housing," Gov. Linda Lingle said.

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