HILO — Big Island police have charged an 18-year-old man in connection with a July 25 attack and robbery of tourists at Rainbow Falls in Hilo.

Stephen J. Whitney of Hilo was arrested Friday at the "ice pond," a popular Hilo swim site. Detectives put the area under surveillance after receiving a tip.

Police said three other youths with Whitney were also arrested in connection with an unrelated drug investigation.

Whitney was charged with robbery and theft, and was being held in the Hilo police cellblock in lieu of $90,000 bail.

An Arizona couple visiting Rainbow Falls last month said they were attacked by a group of youths who punched and kicked a 31-year-old man, stole his camera and took the purse of his 33-year-old companion.

The youths also attacked a 52-year-old California man who videotaped some of the attack, and stole his camera.

Two other men and two youths have been charged in the Rainbow Falls robbery.

KALIHI

FIRE DAMAGES CROWN NOODLE

A fire heavily damaged a Kalihi business yesterday afternoon, but there were no reports of injuries.

The fire was reported at 5:08 p.m. at the Crown Noodle factory at 749 Kopke St. Firefighters brought the fire under control in about 10 minutes, preventing the blaze from spreading beyond the first-floor kitchen, said fire spokesman Capt. Emmit Kane.

Kane said the two-story building was being renovated. The business owner was in an upstairs office and two employees were in the kitchen area when they heard a small explosion, Kane said.

The owner went to investigate and saw smoke filling the first floor, Kane said. Everyone was able to get out of the building safely, he said.

The fire did an estimated $55,000 in damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but Kane said it did not appear to have been deliberately set.

MAUI

GROUP SWITCHES TO BIODIESEL

MA'ALAEA — The Pacific Whale Foundation is using a new environmentally friendly "Eco-Truck," which runs on biodiesel, and which is used to pump wastewater from the organization's tour catamarans, as well as collecting recyclable materials such as plastic, glass and aluminum from the boats.

The truck not only runs on biodiesel, which is made primarily from used cooking oil, but it also has a 200-gallon tank for transporting the fuel to the whale-watching boats.

"We made the investment because we believe strongly in the importance of using alternative fuels, recycling and pumping out our vessels," said Irene Bowie, the foundation's managing director.

WINDWARD

TOUR KAWAI NUI MARSH SATURDAY

The geological origins of the Kailua ahupua'a associated with Hawaiian stories will be the focus of an educational tour of Kawai Nui Marsh from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Hawaiian naturalist Chuck "Doc" Burrows and aquatic biologist Ric Guinther will lead participants on a driving/walking tour of Ulupo Heiau to Na Pohaku o Hauwahine and the estuary at Kaha Park.

The tour marks the beginning of the Fall Kawai Nui Marsh Educational Series sponsored by Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi, the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club and the Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation.

A $5 donation is requested.

Contact Burrows at 595-3922 or chuckb@hawaii.rr.com for more information and to register.

MARINE RESOURCE TALK SEPT. 8

In an effort to educate the public about sustaining Hawai'i's marine resources, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a public meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 8 at Hale Akoakoa, Room 105, at Windward Community College.

"We are looking at what are the most effective resource management tools that can be employed," Peter Young, DLNR chairman said. "We have heard general support for using managed areas and increased funding for enforcement officers.

"We are particularly interested in hearing from the fishing community," he said.

KAUA'I

PRINCEVILLE SWIMMER DIES

HANALEI — A 72-year-old woman died shortly before noon yesterday in water fronting the Princeville Hotel.

Firefighters said Princeville resident Jeannine Law was floating motionless about 20 yards from shore when two hotel guests pulled her to shore. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

MILILANI

PUBLIC LIBRARY TO EXTEND HOURS

The Mililani Public Library will increase its operating hours beginning Sept. 6.

The library, which is open five days a week, will open one hour earlier each day.

The new schedule will be: