Missing church bell found

A 96-year-old bell stolen from a Buddhist temple in a former Hamakua Coast plantation village was found Thursday afternoon in a semi-secluded spot between Papaikou and Pepeekeo.

A man who pulled off Hawaii Belt Road to each lunch found the bell, which was stolen more than a week ago, beside a little-used driveway off Old Onomea Road.

Officials of the 32-member Buddhist church were notified and police were called to process the ornate cast bronze bell for evidence.

A more detailed story will appear in tomorrow’s edition of the Hawaii Tribune-Herald and on www.hawaiitribune-herald.com.