Big Island police believe an elderly Holualoa man suffered a medical condition yesterday that resulted in the crash of a large truck he was driving on a highway in the Kona district.

A coroner's inquest has been ordered into the death of Takeo Nagamine, 75, said police Sgt. Christopher D. Gali, supervisor of Traffic Enforcement Unit investigations.

Nagamine was driving a 1992 Kenworth tractor-trailer that crashed on Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, 333 feet north of the 94-mile marker in the Kona district, before 11:30 a.m. yesterday. The rig went off the roadway and overturned.

Nagamine was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the truck.

Fire rescue personnel took Nagamine to Kona Community Hospital, where he died at 12:32 p.m.

MAN CRITICAL AFTER FALL AT 'ICE POND'

A man was injured yesterday in a fall at the "Ice Pond" swimming area in Kalihi Valley.

Honolulu Fire Department personnel hiked in, provided first-responder medical attention to the victim and prepared him for transport out of the area by helicopter, said HFD Capt. Terry Seelig.

Likelike Highway was closed at 3:25 p.m. for seven minutes to allow the helicopter to lower the Stokes basket carrying the victim for transfer to Emergency Medical Services personnel.

Emergency Services Department spokesman Bryan Cheplic said the man was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

FISHING DEPLETES POPULAR SPECIES

A study by six scientists concludes that fishing hurts Hawai'i's nearshore fisheries more than coastal development and pollution.

The study, published in the journal Environmental Conservation, shows the reef fish most coveted by fishers — such as uhu, ulua and redfish — are severely depleted.

Fish that aren't popular as food are faring better, such as small triggerfish and surgeonfish species.

The study compared fish populations at 89 sites throughout the main Hawaiian Islands, including heavily urbanized areas, remote and rural regions.

The study's lead author is Ivor Williams, a scientist with the University of Hawai'i's Cooperative Fishery Research Unit. Alan Friedlander of the Oceanic Institute and NOAA National Ocean Service is the co-author.

HELP RESTORE A FISHPOND SATURDAY

People can learn about an ancient Hawaiian fishpond while helping to clean and restore one from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Waikalua Loko Fishpond on Kane'ohe Bay, at the end of Kulauli Street makai of Pu'ohala Elementary School.

Volunteers will spend time removing mangrove and limu from the pond and rebuilding the 350-year old pond wall.

Pre-registration is required. Call Ka'ohua Lucas at 843-1217 or e-mail kaohua@hawaii.rr.com.

KALAELOA LANES TO CLOSE FOR WEEKEND

One mauka-bound and one makai-bound lane of Kalaeloa Boulevard will be closed from Kapolei Parkway to the H-1 Freeway Interchange from 7 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Monday.

The closures are necessary so that pavement work can be completed as part of the Kalaeloa Boulevard widening project being undertaken by Kapolei Property Development.

The project calls for widening Kalaeloa Boulevard from four lanes to six between the interchange and the railroad tracks.

The work is being done over the weekend to minimize the impact on traffic.

Periodic construction updates are available at 674-3363. To be on an e-mail distribution list of roadwork updates, e-mail theresiam@kapolei.com.