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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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Limu picking ban in effect off Ewa Beach
Limu gatherers need to take heed of a new law that bans collecting seaweed from an area off Ewa Beach on Oahu until 2010.
The law went into effect today, and is aimed at preserving the local supply of limu, the Hawaiian word for seaweed, of which there are numerous varieties. Limu is a key ingredient in a variety of salad-like side dishes and in limu poke.
The preserved area extends 150 feet into the ocean from the gunnery range to the boat ramp on Muumuu Place.
"The community told us that they noticed the limu population of native seaweeds -- such as ogo and limu manauea -- was decreasing due to heavy picking pressure," said Peter Young, director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
"We worked with these residents to establish a management area and a plan to give the resources a break for several years to regenerate. After that, seasons will be allowed during the year during which limu can be picked. The rest of the year will be a closed season," he said.
The ban will stay in effect through the first six months of 2010. After that time, collectors will be allowed to pick up to one pound of limu each day during July, November and December. Picking will be banned during all other months.
Kuakini gets $1M for emergency facility
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation has presented $1 million to Kuakini Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Gary Kajiwara to help fund a new emergency services facility.
The 16-bed facility is double the size of the hospital's previous emergency room, which served more than 13,000 patients a year. The new facility will also have more private treatment and triage rooms, a larger visitor waiting area and two trauma treatment stations.
'Healing touch' volunteers needed
Kuakini Health System is seeking certified "healing touch" volunteers to help patients reduce pain and anxiety, promote relaxation and sleep and assist the body's natural restorative processes.
Volunteers must be Level 1-certified by Healing Touch International and have proof of a negative two-step tuberculosis clearance.
Applicants must be available to volunteer once a week for at least three months.
Various shifts are available. For more information, call 547-9184.
SHINING STARS
Top wreath runs circles around 70 others
Bal Patterson's wreath, "Ua Piha Ka Honua I Kona Nani," was named the overall best in show in the city's 21st Annual Holiday Wreath Contest. He received the Mayor's Holly Award over some 70 entries submitted by residents and groups on Oahu. Other winners include:
Adult Wreath Category
» 1st place -- Marshall K. Fergerstrom; 2nd, Jamie Barut; 3rd, Kathy Tosh; Judges' Choice: Paddie Eguires, Larley Nishino
Youth Wreath Category
» 1st, The Early Education Center Class of Manukai Two; 2nd, Ahvar Emperado; 3rd, R.L. Stevenson Middle School Video Art Computer Tech Class; Judges' Choice: Damien Santiago; Iolani Lower School, 1st through 6th graders
Theme Category "Plantation Holiday"
» 1st, Andrew Tang; 2nd, Seagull Schools at Kapolei Building 3; 3rd, Davina Sanders; Judges' Choice: Marian Bernal; Angie Santiago
Donalyn Dela Cruz has joined Pacific Management Consultants Inc. as principal associate. PMCI is a Honolulu-based strategic marketing and community relations consulting firm. She previously served as press secretary to U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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Fireworks spark at least 17 blazes
Firefighters responded to 17 fires believed to be fireworks related by 8:30 p.m. yesterday, with the largest being a five-acre brush fire in Makaha.
"It's really not yet prime time," Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Terry Seelig cautioned.
At about 1:40 p.m., eight companies responded to the brush fire behind Makaha Elementary and extinguished it by 3:30 p.m., Seelig said. No structures were threatened and no one was injured.
Of the 17 fires, eight were rubbish fires, eight were brush fires, and one was a vehicle fire.
No homes or buildings were threatened, and no one was injured, Seelig said.
CENTRAL OAHU
Man arrested after attack on girlfriend
A 22-year-old man was arrested for allegedly attacking his girlfriend and a bystander who tried to break up the fight.
At about 11 p.m. Friday night, a 22-year-old man and his 22-year-old girlfriend were in their car in a Wahiawa parking lot when an argument ensued.
The woman ran to a nearby security office, and had security call 911 for help. The man allegedly entered the office intoxicated and choked his girlfriend, cutting her on the left side of her neck. He also twice allegedly assaulted a witness who tried to break up the fight. The man was arrested on charges of abuse of a household member, and two counts of third-degree assault.
HONOLULU
Break-in results in ex-boyfriend's arrest
A 30-year-old man was arrested for allegedly breaking into his ex-girlfriend's home during an argument early yesterday morning.
At about 1 a.m., a 30-year-old man arrived at his 32-year-old ex-girlfriend's house on North King Street, demanding to see her, police said. After being asked to leave, the man allegedly broke through the door.
The woman's brother and the suspect got into a fight before neighbors separated them and the suspect fled the scene, police said. He was arrested a short distance away for first-degree burglary.
Woman, 36, allegedly beats victim with a bat
Police yesterday arrested a 36-year-old woman for allegedly beating a minor with a baseball bat this week.
Police say the incident happened about 5 p.m. Thursday at 1670 Kalakaua Ave., where the woman struck the head of the minor with a bat.
The minor, who didn't report the assault to his father until a day after it had happened, was treated and released from the Kapiolani Medical Center on Friday, according to police.
It's unclear whether the woman was related to the minor. She was arrested yesterday morning for investigation of assault in the second degree.