Newswatch
The city Parks and Recreation is examining the proposal by City Councilman Andy Mirikitani. A parks spokeswoman said the department's initial reception is warm but that it will be months before a decision is made on whether to build. Cost is the main concern, spokeswoman Patti Nagao said.
Mirikitani said the facility would improve safety both on land and in the water at Oahu's most heavily used regional beach park.
He said the Honolulu Police Department has reacted favorably to the idea.
Police administrators were unavailable for comment yesterday.
"There have been far too many reports of violent criminal activity by youth gangs as well as attacks by drive-by purse snatchers and other criminals within Ala Moana Beach Park and stretching into Waikiki and the surrounding residential communities," Mirikitani said.
"All it will take is one high-profile crime against a tourist to hurt Hawaii's tourist economy, and the attacks on tourists have increased dramatically in this and surrounding areas."
The statistics do not bear out an overall increase in crime in the area.
In 1995, officers responded to 2,234 calls in the area that extends from Ward Avenue past the Diamond Head side of the park to the beginning of Ala Wai Boulevard. That's down from 2,327 in 1994 and 2,405 in 1993. There were 2,363 calls in 1990.
But Mirikitani said violent crime and thefts are on the rise at Ala Moana.
Also, lifeguards do not have a permanent home at the park, so they are using space in the McCoy Pavilion - a violation of its intended use, he said.
At its meeting last night, it also voted to ask the state Department of Transportation to discuss widening or realigning Kalanianaole Highway through Waimanalo.
The board plans to survey residents on whether they want a wider highway, bypass road, improvements to the existing road or no work at all.
Board member Nancy Glover submitted the request to move the Unisyn operation away from Waimanalo.
"We've been dealing with this issue for almost two years now," she said. "We're not getting anywhere with the (state) Department of Health. xxx There's not an environmental assessment that has been done. xxx There's no state permit. There's no city permit," she said. "I really think that Unisyn should be moved to an industrial site."
"We can't fit them in (Tuesday night) so we'll move their appearance to a different time which we have not yet determined," a "Late Show" spokesperson said.
Richard Enslow Jr., 20, and David Summers, 25, survived on rainwater and fish while drifting in their six-man life raft before being rescued by a passing fisherman a half-mile south of Kaula Rock.
The pair were to appear with Letterman for about seven minutes with the paddles on which they etched messages to family and friends.
Ronald Tunai, who has 49 prior arrests, is being held on $35,000 bail.
Tunai allegedly grabbed the victim, a 26-year-old man, from behind at Pauahi Street and Nuuanu Avenue and demanded money.
The victim gave him $5, after which the suspect fled. The victim was reporting the incident to police at the downtown substation when officers spotted the suspect walking across the street. A short foot chase led officers to a downtown rooftop where they allegedly found Tunai smoking a crack pipe.
He faces charges of second-degree robbery and two drug offenses when he appears in District Court today.
The suspect is accused of holding the owner of Lagoon Liquors at knifepoint while two women robbed the store of beer and cash. Robbery and kidnapping charges are being sought.
- Parolee arrested on suspicion of car theft
- Lifeguard saves man scattering ashes
- Alapai Street house hit with firebombs