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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
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Big surf still pounding North Shore beaches
Yesterday's high surf on the North Shore was down slightly from Wednesday but still big enough for lifeguards to urge all but the most experienced surfers to stay out of the water.
Lifeguards said surf at Ehukai, near the Banzai Pipeline, was about 8 to 12 feet, with 15-foot sets, by local-style measurements. The National Weather Service said wave faces were as high as 20 feet.
About four to six rescues were reported, said Rob Miller, with the city Ocean Safety Division. An ambulance was called for one man who injured his back near Ehukai at about 11:30 a.m.
"We're letting everybody know it's super-dangerous out there. The only people out (surfing) are the pros," said Lt. Pat Kelly, of the North Shore lifeguard station. "If they want to go swimming or anything like that, the North Shore is not the place."
Wahiawa police said traffic was a little better than yesterday. But a surf meet at Alii Beach Park and other people driving up to see the surf created some congestion.
The surf is expected to decline further today, but a high-surf advisory was still in effect through this afternoon, according to the weather service.
Council to meet again over Waimea offer
The City Council recessed yesterday without voting on whether to accept an offer to settle a condemnation lawsuit over 1,875-acre Waimea Valley.
The Council will meet again in a closed-door session Monday morning to discuss the offer, which calls for development of homes and an ecological camp. The offer would also allow the city to keep possession of the 300-acre park in Waimea Valley currently run by the National Audubon Society.
Councilman Todd Apo, an attorney, said that he had additional legal questions.
Environmentalists, North Shore residents and others want the Council to reject the settlement to preserve the valley.
But if Council members reject the settlement, city lawyers have told them that the case would then proceed to trial where the city runs the risk of having to pay more than the $5.2 million for the property that it has already paid.
Tour sub bottoms out near Waikiki Beach
A tour submarine hit the ocean floor off Waikiki Beach Wednesday when it experienced a minor malfunction, according to operator Atlantis Submarines.
The 41 passengers and three crew members aboard the 100-foot-long submersible were not injured in the 2 p.m. accident, an Atlantis press release said.
The submersible was in 70 feet of water a mile off Waikiki Beach when the hull touched down on the ocean floor, a spokesman for the company said. Company officials said most passengers were unaware anything out of the ordinary had happened.
There was no damage to the ocean floor or any damage to the submarine's hull, according to the company.
The Coast Guard is checking the hull's integrity, said a Coast Guard spokesman, who added that the inspection is not mandatory. The company gave passengers a choice of either a full refund or rescheduling their tour.
FBI career day to be held at Kapiolani Park
Anyone interested in a career with the FBI can meet FBI special agents 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow in Kapiolani Park across Kalakaua Avenue from the Waikiki Natatorium.
Hawaii Pacific University marketing students are holding an FBI career day for those interested in special agent and support positions within the law enforcement agency. HPU is participating in the FBI Collegiate Marketing program in which students from 23 schools across the country provide marketing for the agency.
The "Create the Future" event is open to the public but primarily targets adults, ages 23 to 36, with specific critical skills and fluency in a foreign language. Desired skills include computer science/information technology, engineering, sciences, accounting, finance, law enforcement, legal experience and intelligence experience.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staff
HONOLULU
Police pursuit ends with fugitive's arrest
A fugitive allegedly tried to elude police in a stolen car yesterday but was caught after he crashed the vehicle near the Keeaumoku Wal-Mart store.
Solomon Moses Jr., 34, was arrested for auto theft, escape and driving without a license along Kona Street near Ala Moana Center at about 4:45 p.m. Police said he struck another vehicle along Keeaumoku Street and fled on foot toward the shopping mall.
Police had been looking for Moses since he failed to return to the Laumaka Work Furlough Center on Nov. 4. He would have been up for parole the following week.
Moses has 17 prior convictions, including one for assaulting a police officer and a string of burglaries and auto thefts.
A Waikiki patrol officer attempted to pull over the vehicle Moses had been driving yesterday because of a traffic violation, but Moses drove off instead.
Police followed and arrested him after a short chase on foot after Moses crashed the car into another car near Wal-Mart.
WINDWARD OAHU
Hauula man missing after walk to market
Police want the public's help in finding a 21-year-old Hispanic man who recently moved to Honolulu from Los Angeles.
Billy Juarez was last seen walking from his Hauula home to a store on Kamehameha Highway at about 6:30 p.m. Monday.
Juarez is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, 180 pounds, with brown shaven hair and hazel eyes, and was last seen wearing dark shorts and a dark blue T-shirt with a Budweiser logo on the back.
Juarez has numerous tattoos on his chest, neck, arms, legs and back.
Anyone with information on Juarez is asked to call officer James Vasconcellos at 529-3064 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300, *CRIME on a cell phone.
LEEWARD OAHU
Man, 47, accused of kidnapping and abuse
A 34-year-old woman said she was fondled after she fell asleep after celebrating her birthday yesterday.
Police said that after the victim fell asleep a 47-year-old man drove her to the end of Farrington Highway in Waianae at about 9:30 a.m. and sexually assaulted her.
Police said the victim escaped when the man fell asleep.
Police arrested the man for investigation of kidnapping, third-degree sexual assault and first-degree attempted sexual assault.
WAIKIKI
Driver in stolen car held for alleged DUI
Police arrested an allegedly drunken driver Wednesday who almost hit pedestrians with a stolen car in Waikiki.
The incident happened near Duke's Lane and Kalakaua Avenue at about 3:05 p.m.
Police said that while an officer was investigating a motor vehicle collision, he heard the suspect yelling at a security guard and looking backward while driving a silver Chevrolet.
Police said the suspect almost drove into pedestrians and a parked vehicle.
The officer pulled the car over, noticed that the suspect, 40, appeared drunk and learned that the car had been reported stolen, police said.
The suspect was arrested for investigation of auto theft, operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant, driving without a license and reckless driving.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Big Isle man dies after vehicle hits tree stump
A 64-year-old Big Island man died Wednesday in an accident involving an all-terrain-vehicle at his home.
Police said Ralph Schipa Jr. of Honokaa was riding the ATV in the driveway of his Pikake Street home at 3:08 p.m. when the vehicle went off the driveway and hit a tree stump.
He was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4:30 p.m.
Police were investigating whether alcohol or speed were factors in the crash.
The death will not count in the island's annual traffic fatality count because it happened on private property.
