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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
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Fallen tree blocks hiking trail above Aiea
State officials temporarily closed the Aiea Loop Trail yesterday after a large tree fell and made the trail impassable.
The tree fell in the upper, more remote portion of the trail.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will send out crews to make repairs as soon as possible, but department officials have no projected date to complete the project.
The Keaiwa Heiau and the picnic grounds will remain open during the trail restoration.
Stinging box jellyfish due for Thanksgiving
Stinging jellyfish are due back at Oahu beaches just in time for the holiday.
Officials with the Ocean Safety Division issued a box jellyfish advisory for Thanksgiving Day and Friday. The regular influx is expected to dissipate by Sunday.
Areas that are most commonly affected include Waikiki Beach, especially at Kuhio Beach Park Ewa of the Kapahulu groin and the Ala Moana Beach swimming channel.
Other nearshore waters that have been affected include Hanauma Bay, Pokai Bay, Makaha Surfing Beach and Waimea Bay. Occasional sightings and stings have also occurred at other North and West Shore beaches.
Warning signs are posted on beaches by lifeguards when jellyfish are seen.
Those stung by box jellyfish are advised to flush the sting area with white vinegar. Anyone experiencing breathing difficulty, muscle cramps or spasms and persistent pain should seek immediate medical attention. Lifeguard stations are supplied and equipped to treat box jellyfish stings.
For information on ocean conditions, advisories and warnings, call the Ocean Safety Division, which provides a recorded report 24 hours a day at 922-3888, ext. 51.
133 large cesspools to close on Big Island
HILO » Hawaii County has agreed to close 133 large-capacity cesspools, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced.
Two agreements commit the county to closing cesspools at parks and county buildings islandwide, as well as cesspools serving the Komohana Heights subdivision in Hilo and the Queen Liliuokalani subdivision in Kona.
Cesspools are considered to be large capacity if they accept sewage from multiple households or from nonresidential facilities that serve more than 20 people on any day.
Closure is required by the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Act regulations, the agency said. Single-family homes with cesspools are not affected.
Cesspools are used more widely in Hawaii than in any other state, an EPA statement said.
TAKING NOTICE
A&B donates $5,000 for kids with cancer
The
Alexander and Baldwin Foundation has donated $5,000 to the American Cancer Society to help support Camp Anuenue for children and a reunion of Maui and Kauai survivors who previously attended the camp.
"This foundation is truly making a difference in the lives of children who have been diagnosed with cancer," said Debra Glowik, camp projects director.
Camp Anuenue, held for a week in June, gives children a chance to make friends, have fun and enjoy the camp experience. The cancer society provides medical staff to continue treatment for the children.
Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children under 14, according to the ACS. Seventy-seven percent survive at least five years but have lifelong scars and often financial debt, the society said.
For more information on the society's childhood cancer programs or other programs, call 595-7500 or the local ACS office in your community, or see the Web site www.cancer.org.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staff
LEEWARD OAHU
Man flees after robbing 7 at Makua beach
Police are looking for a man who robbed seven people at gunpoint at Makua Beach Park.
Police said that at about 2:30 p.m. yesterday, the suspect was rummaging through one person's property on the beach when someone tried to intervene.
The man pointed a silver revolver at seven people and ordered them into the water while he took items from three of them and fled on foot.
Police have opened first-degree robbery and terroristic threatening cases. He was described as 5-foot-2, with a slim build.
WEST OAHU
Homeless man's body is found at Kalaeloa
The body of a 58-year-old homeless man was found in a parked car at Kalaeloa Camp Grounds yesterday afternoon.
Police said there were no signs of foul play. The body was reported at about 2:30 p.m. yesterday.
Police and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are investigating the death, which occurred on military property.
HONOLULU
Teen arrested in robbery of $2
Police arrested a 17-year-old boy for allegedly using a metal table leg to rob a man of $2 over the weekend.
Police said that at about 1:53 a.m. Saturday along Kulamanu Place near Diamond Head Road, the victim, 29, was approached by a man wielding a table leg who demanded money.
The victim handed him $2 and the man fled.
Police later arrested the suspect, found hiding nearby, for investigation of first-degree robbery.
Date ends in arrest for robbery, vehicle theft
Police arrested a 32-year-old man who allegedly stole a woman's cellular phone and car keys after trying to force her into prostitution.
Police said that the suspect called the woman, 31, at about 11:30 p.m. Friday and asked her to go out with him.
The woman picked up the suspect, and he told her to go to the intersection of Pali Highway and Kukui Street in downtown Honolulu, police said. He then told her to get out of the car and make him some money by engaging in prostitution, police said.
When she refused, the woman told police, the suspect threatened her and took her car keys and cellular phone out of her skirt pockets.
Police said he then drove the woman around the block and made the demand again.
When she refused, he pushed her to the ground, police said. She flagged down a passing vehicle and reported the incident, police said.
The 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of second-degree robbery and auto theft.
Teen, 15, charged with holding up classmates
Police charged a 15-year-old girl Friday with robbing four classmates.
The incidents allegedly occurred Nov. 14, Wednesday and twice on Thursday between 9:30 a.m. and 1:12 p.m. at a Kalihi school.
In all four incidents, police said, the suspect approached the victims, all 15-year-old girls, and demanded money.
When the girls refused, the suspect allegedly used physical force on them.
Police charged her with four counts of second-degree robbery.
Couple attacked with golf club
Police arrested a 38-year-old man Thursday after he allegedly assaulted a couple with a golf club.
Police said a 36-year-old man and 38-year-old woman were leaving an apartment building at 1612 Dole St. when they got into an argument with the suspect at about 10:30 p.m.
During the argument, the suspect pulled out a golf club and attacked both people, causing minor injuries to the woman and possibly fracturing the man's wrist, police said.
Police later arrested the suspect along Punahou Street for investigation of two counts of second-degree assault.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Teen is critically hurt in 3-car crash
A 19-year-old Kamuela man was flown to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition following a three-car accident Saturday.
Police said that at about 9:35 a.m. a 16-year-old girl was traveling west on Hawaii Belt Road near the 50-mile marker in a 1997 Geo Metro when she crossed the center line and collided with a 2006 Pontiac traveling in the opposite direction.
Police said a 2005 Chevrolet multipurpose vehicle that was also traveling east rear-ended the Pontiac.
The 19-year-old man was a passenger in the Geo Metro.
Police said the 16-year-old girl was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital in stable condition.
Four passengers from Colorado in the Pontiac -- a 55-year-old man, 48-year-old woman and their two daughters -- suffered minor injuries and were treated and released.
Four passengers in the Chevrolet were not injured.