Hawaii News Briefs
By Star-Bulletin Staff
By Star-Bulletin Staff
"It looks like there will be quite a few clouds north of the islands. It may be difficult to view it, but maybe we'll get a break," Wyman Au, a forecaster with the National Weather Service, said today.
The comet will pass within 10 million miles of Earth tonight. Astronomers say it is the largest comet to pass so close to Earth since the Great Comet of 1556.
Barring clouds, the best view will be starting around 10 p.m. looking northeast, just below the handle of the Big Dipper. The comet will be directly overhead by about 2 a.m. and high above the western horizon before sunrise.
The Bishop Museum is holding a public viewing on the museum grounds from 10:30 tonight to 1 a.m. Call 848-4136 for details.
Hyakutake will be visible for a few more nights, but then it won't come around again for 10,000 to 20,000 years.
Park officials say two small cones are forming at the site.
The activity began last week with the collapse of a bench of recently formed lava at the edge of the sea, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Explosions have taken place as often as every five minutes.
Although dramatic, the new activity is not easily seen. Unless you're in a boat or a nearby helicopter, the nearest viewing point is more than two miles east, at the end of Chain of Craters Road.
It's part of an "Art of Trash" exhibit sponsored by Maui County.
Chris Mithen used his Bob Marley tie-dye shirt as a backdrop for a barrel-sized kaleidoscope. He says the shirt balances the pollution in magazine stories he arranged on the kaleidoscope drum.
"K.C." Smith used the transmission from her 1965 Mustang, a mannequin's legs, and an old video display screen to create a robot-looking figure she calls "Wang."
Maui artist Wilma Nakamura, who helped organize the exhibit, says it demonstrates how anyone can turn household trash into something valuable.
The exhibit continues through April 5 at Kaahumanu Center in Kahului.
James Franklin, a former motocross racer, teaches a course on how to ride a motorcycle with confidence, defensive driving and what to do if you're heading into an accident.
Franklin's Motorcycle Safety Education Program is part of the University of Hawaii and is offered on all the islands. He teaches beginning and advanced courses.
The class costs $150 and includes 24 hours of instructions, written and practical exams and the use of a motorcycle.
In 1989 there were 16 motorcycle-related deaths in Hawaii. That figure increased to 28 in 1994.
So far this year, five people have been killed in motorcycle accidents statewide.
See expanded versions of these and other stories in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
The 18-year-old suspect, of a Pupunohe Street address, was picked up without incident at 1:15 a.m. in the parking lot of Esquire Book Store at 1955 N. King St., police said.
Identified by police last week in a CrimeStoppers search as Betty Mae Pule, also known as "Twinkie," the woman was sought in the March 15 death of Warren S. Nakamura, 52. Police found Nakamura with severe head injuries on a sidewalk at Maunakea and Kukui streets in the early morning hours. He died at Kuakini Hospital that evening.
Nakamura had been seen arguing with a woman shortly before he was found, police said. The suspect was also being held on a contempt of court charge.
Yoshimoto was killed Thursday night after she was struck by a car on Palolo Avenue while crossing near her home on Lamaloa Street.
Canape died at Queen's Hospital Tuesday of injuries suffered March 15. She and another woman were crossing Farrington Highway with groceries fronting Tamura's Superette when both were struck by a town-bound car.
- Sex assault reported at Big Isle swimming spot
- Fire guts two-story Maunawili home this morning
- Fire Department spends two hours rescuing dog off Olomana mountainside