A 44-year-old man was fatally injured Tuesday night when the motorcycle he was riding crashed into a parked car near the intersection of Date and La'au streets in the Mo'ili'ili area.

Police investigators said the motorcyclist was traveling west-bound on Date Street when he tried to pass a car but clipped the car's right rear corner about 8:40 p.m.

The motorcyclist lost control of the 2006 Kawasaki and slammed into a parked vehicle. He was taken in critical condition to The Queen's Medical Center, where he died, police said.

Police said the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet and that speed may have played a part in the crash.

KAUA'I FIREFIGHTERS EARN PROMOTIONS

The Kaua'i Fire Department has announced eight promotions, including three new captains.

Sueo Higa, Dean Lake and Reid Tanita were promoted at a ceremony Monday at the Lihu'e Civic Center's Moikeha Building.

Others promoted were Kalani Abreu, Mark Texeira and Jeffrey Weiss to fire apparatus operators; Kalani Vierra to water safety supervising officer, and Randall Ortiz to water safety officer III.

KAUA'I JUDICIARY OFFERS ASSISTANCE

Kaua'i residents who represent themselves in court without lawyers can now get information about court forms and procedures at the new Customer Service Center located within the main lobby of the Kaua'i Judiciary Complex.

Although they cannot provide legal advice, the Customer Service Center staff will provide court forms, assist with the filing of documents and answer general questions about court procedures.

The Customer Service Center, which began serving the public on March 3, is staffed by personnel from the Legal Documents Branch Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The center is equipped with public-access computers, copiers and microfilm readers.

POLICE SEEK ID IN ROBBERY AT ATM

Police yesterday asked for the public's help in identifying a man who robbed a woman withdrawing money from an ATM in Hawai'i Kai on March 9.

The robbery happened at Hawaii National Bank at Koko Marina Center at 5 p.m. The woman told police the man came up from behind, shoved her and grabbed the money from her hand. He ran away in the parking lot.

The robber is about 5 feet 8 and 160 pounds. He was bare-chested but wore an orange T-shirt on his head and board shorts.

Anyone with information may call Honolulu CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cell phone.

BIG ISLAND OFFICER, FIREMAN HONORED

The Aloha Exchange Club of East Hawai'i recognized Hawai'i County police officer Brian Prudencio as "Officer of the Year" and firefighter Neil Yoshioka as "Fire Fighter of the Year" in a ceremony last week.

Prudencio was recognized for his work in the police department's Vice Section. Through tips from the public, he developed information that led to the July 9, 2007, arrest in Hilo of a Big Island woman, along with two O'ahu men who were smuggling and distributing drugs on the Big Island. Police recovered 120.4 grams of cocaine, 2.8 grams of crystal meth, 1.5 grams of marijuana and $314 in cash.

Yoshioka, a mobile intensive care technician, was recognized for volunteering to apply for and manage a grant that led to the purchase of 50 advanced spine boards that were distributed to fire stations islandwide. They eliminate the need to transfer patients from spinal immobilization boards to obtain X-rays, prevent additional injuries to patients during X-rays and enhance each ambulance unit's ability to cover multiple injuries at each vehicle accident.

KAPAHULU CENTER GETS $67,338 GRANT

Gov. Linda Lingle has released a $67,338 grant to Kapahulu Center, which offers a variety of programs for senior citizens to enhance their quality of life, including health and wellness workshops, seminars on financial planning, community excursions, and other recreational, physical and social activities.

Kapahulu Center, on Campbell Avenue, has been serving residents for more than 25 years. More than 400 older adults use the center and pay a nominal membership fee of $35 per year.

KONA DISTRICT TOPS DUI ARRESTS

Drunken-driving arrests on the Big Island are up slightly this year, while major accidents are down by 16 percent, the Hawai'i County Police Department reported yesterday.

Through March 17, Big Island police have made 285 DUI arrests this year, compared to 274 in the same period last year.

Thee have been 404 major traffic accidents this year, compared to 480 at this time last year.

The Kona District accounts for 130 of the county's 285 DUI arrests this year.

There have been nine traffic deaths on the Big Island, the same number as last year at this time.

During the week of March 11-17, police arrested 24 people on suspicion of drunken driving.