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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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MAUI
Arson hurts Easter plans and jobs at Pukalani
An intentionally set fire at Pukalani Country Club on Friday has left dozens of people without jobs, caused more than $1 million in damage and forced the closure of the club's restaurant, leaving more than 600 people who had Easter reservations looking for new plans.
The fire started about 5 a.m. Friday in a golf cart garage. Police were to review surveillance tapes of the area yesterday.
Flames destroyed at least 35 golf carts and spread to the club's restaurant and pro shop. The restaurant sustained heavy smoke damage, and its air conditioners and ceilings were burnt.
Yasuo Nishida, the course's general manager, said he could do little more than watch as the buildings were engulfed in flames. Some 67 people work at the golf course, and all but the green and baseyard staff have been told to look for new jobs.
Police estimated damage to the buildings and their contents at more than $1.5 million.
Ruth Ann Deponte, manager of the restaurant, said Easter is one of the busiest days of the year. She and her staff called all those yesterday who had made reservations for brunch and dinner.
For some families, she added, Easter at the club has become a tradition. "I'm dumbfounded," Deponte said. "And I feel for all these people (at the club) who don't have jobs. That's what bothers me."
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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CENTRAL OAHU
Kitchen fire damages Chinese restaurant
A fire early yesterday morning in Wahiawa caused an estimated $300,000 damage to the Chung Shan Chop Suey restaurant at 692 Olive Avenue, fire department spokesman Capt. Terry Seelig reported.
The two-alarm fire was reported at 1:15 a.m.; firefighters arrived within two minutes but the fire was not brought under control until 2:18 a.m.
A family -- a couple and their daughter -- who own the restaurant was in the building when the fire broke out, but escaped without injury.
Seelig said the daughter was frying pork for the next day and left the wok unattended to go to the bathroom. When she returned, flames had spread into the vent over the stove.
The family tried to put out the fire with an extinguisher, but it spread too quickly, Seelig said.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the kitchen and part of the dining area, but the building appears to have sustained structural damage, he said.
WINDWARD OAHU
Stranded sailboat rescued with 7 aboard
Seven stranded civilians on a sailboat were rescued outside Kaneohe Bay on Friday afternoon, according to a Navy news release.
No one reported any injuries, the Navy said.
Navy sailors and federal firefighters assigned to Marine Corps Base Hawaii helped rescue the seven.
A 23-foot Coast Guard Auxiliary boat towed the 20-foot demasted sailing vessel into the harbor, a Navy press release said.