Kapaau woman missing
Big Island police are asking for the public’s help in locating a 35-year-old Kapaau woman who was reported missing.
Claudette Morell moved to Hawaii in May. She last spoke to her mother Aug. 29, saying she was going to Waimanu Valley and would be out of touch for five days. On Sept. 7, Morell’s mother received a concerning text from an unknown telephone number, saying Morell will be in Waimanu Valley for two to four weeks or years. Morell’s mother called the phone number and spoke with an unidentified male who informed her that Morell was in Waimanu Valley with Heather and Jake.
Morell is described as Caucasian, approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing approximately 150 pounds with blue eyes and long strawberry blond straight hair. She wears glasses and a straw hat. She also has a tattoo of a vine with leaves from her knee to ankle on the outside of her left leg and a cross-shaped scar on her chest. Morell has a 2001 white Chrysler Sebring, four-door sedan bearing license plate HAN 343.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of any of these individuals should call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-8300 in Hilo and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park management is using aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain back-country facilities.
The park’s upcoming flight plans are from 10 to 11 a.m. today over Olaa near Wright Road in Volcano; from 8 to 10 a.m. today over Red Hill, Mauna Loa cabins and Mauna Loa summit; from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday at Kilauea summit; from 8 to 10 a.m. Oct. 8 to Halape; and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 11 to Halape.
Park officials said they regret any noise impact to residents and visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.
Police located one of the 30-year-old men previously charged in connection to a Leilani Estates subdivision home invasion robbery that occurred in July.
The subdivision is in the Puna District.
Monday afternoon, Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives arrested and charged Mark Mc Curley on a grand jury indictment for second-degree robbery, second-degree theft and kidnapping. His bail was set at $85,000 and he was scheduled to appear in court this afternoon.
Mc Curley and Kawika Benny Kahee, 30, were scheduled to appear in court after being charged for several offenses stemming from the July 24 robbery in which a 56-year-old female victim reported three people forced their way into her home, assaulted and restrained her before fleeing from the residence with property stolen from her residence. The third assailant remains at large and has not been identified.
At the time, Mc Curley was charged with second-degree robbery, second-degree theft and kidnapping. Kahee was charged for second-degree robbery, second-degree theft and third-degree assault.
Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Kahee, who is described as Hawaiian, 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing about 265 pounds with shoulder-length, straight black hair, brown eyes, tan complexion and a large build. He often wears a light mustache and goatee. He also has several tattoos, including “Trinity” on his chest, “Serenity” on his entire right forearm, and a large ornamental tattoo wrapping around his left forearm.
As a result of a grand jury indictment, Kahee is wanted on a warrant for second-degree robbery, third-degree assault, second-degree theft, third-degree promoting a dangerous drug and drug paraphernalia. He also has two arrest warrants for probation revocation and a bench warrant for contempt of court.
Anyone with information on Kahee’s whereabouts or information on the identity of the third suspect should call Detective Derek Morimoto at 961-2380 or email at dmorimoto@co.hawaii.hi.us.
The tuition for the “Creative Magic Intensive” scheduled for Oct. 7 to 11 at the Society for Kona’s Education and Art was incorrect in Saturday’s issue. The tuition is $45 per week plus a $35 SKEA family membership fee.
It is the policy of West Hawaii Today to correct promptly any incorrect or misleading information when it is brought to the attention of the newspaper.
