Police yesterday morning arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with a Monday shooting near Kawela Bay that happened while the victim was waiting to make a drug transaction, police said.

Officers booked the suspect for investigation of attempted murder. Charges were pending.

The victim, who was shot in the ankle, was in a car with another man at Waiale'e Beach Park when "another male appeared from the darkness and words were exchanged," a police report said.

During the course of the argument, the assailant fired three shots at the people in the car, striking the driver in the ankle. Police said the victims quickly reversed the car and fled to the Sunset Beach fire station to seek help.

Two suspects also fled in an unknown older model vehicle.

The 23-year-old suspect was arrested without incident yesterday at his residence. Police were seeking a second suspect, a man in his 20s.

DRUG CONVICTION BRINGS LIFE SENTENCE

A former Hawai'i man has been sentenced to life in federal prison for shipping about 10 pounds of methamphetamine from Las Vegas to Hawai'i.

U.S. District Judge David Ezra in Honolulu sentenced 54-year-old John James Rodrigues of Las Vegas on Monday. There is no parole in the federal prison system.

Prosecutors said Rodrigues was the last member of a large drug trafficking organization that shipped more than a ton of meth from Las Vegas to Hawai'i from 2002 to 2005.

In total, 25 individuals were convicted of federal drug charges for their various roles in the conspiracy.

VOLUNTEERS ACCEPT RECYCLABLE ITEMS

Volunteers for the 69th Aloha 'Äina Earth Day will accept recyclable items, make curbside pickups and shred confidential documents from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 23 at Castle High School.

The Marines Corps is a partner for the event.

Proceeds from the recycling of items such as scrap metal, HI-5 beverage containers, cell phones, printer cartridges and cooking oil will benefit Castle High School.

Also available is free towing of unwanted cars.

Accepted items include newspaper, cardboard, telephone books, magazines, plastic bags, green waste, batteries, used eyeglasses, hearing aids, reusable household items and clothing.

Call Leanne Kitano at 277-7413 for curbside pickup. Call Rene Mansho for automobile pickup and bins for scrap metals at 306-1876.