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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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A ceremony for voyagers
A departure ceremony for the voyaging canoes Hokule'a and Alingano Maisu will be held at 4 p.m. today at Mahukona on the Big Island.
Hokule'a arrived in Kawaihae Harbor at 11:30 p.m. Friday.
However, high winds have pushed back the canoes' departure for Micronesia until at least Tuesday, said Kathy Thompson, Polynesian Voyaging Society representative.
In Micronesia, the Alingano Maisu will be given to Mau Piailug, Hokule'a's first navigator.
Samoa, other lands to get wage hike, too
WASHINGTON » Fending off charges of favoritism, House Democrats say a just-passed minimum wage bill will be changed to cover all U.S. territories -- including American Samoa -- before it reaches President Bush's desk.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters Friday she has instructed the House Education and Labor Committee to help get the bill changed to "make sure that all of the territories have to comply with the U.S. law on minimum wage."
Sewage spills into sea off Big Island
Two million gallons of treated, but non-chlorinated sewage flowed into the ocean about 2,000 feet from the Puhi Bay shoreline on the Big Island, prompting Department of Health officials to advise people to stay out of the area.
Workers at the Puhi Bay treatment facility arrived yesterday morning to find the machine that chlorinates the water was not working and notified the health department.
Officials posted warning signs from the Hilo Breakwater through Puhi Bay, and health officials collected water samples.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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NORTH SHORE
Missing-surfer search set to continue today
Firefighters will search for a third day for missing 35-year-old surfer Joaquin Velilla, who was last seen at Ehukai Beach Park late Thursday afternoon.
Divers aiding in the search were called out of the water yesterday because of the high surf, said fire Capt. Frank Johnson. Firefighters scoured the area near Ehukai Beach where Velilla's board was found Thursday night with the fire helicopter Air 1 and rescue squad Rescue 2.
The search ended at dark yesterday. Fire officials will discuss whether the search would continue after today, Johnson said.
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for Velilla at 7:19 p.m. Friday after covering approximately 1,000 square miles, nearly double the size of Oahu, with its HH-65 Dolphin helicopter, C-130 search airplane and 87-foot patrol boat.
CENTRAL OAHU
Blaze breaks out at Mililani crematory
Firefighters responded to a fire at the crematory in Mililani Memorial Park and Mortuary last night shortly before 8 and had it under control upon arrival, said Fire Capt. Frank Johnson.
Three engines, a ladder and a battalion chief responded to the fire, he said. Mortuary officials were present. As of 8:45 p.m. last night, Johnson said he did not know the extent of the damage to the crematory or whether the facility was being used when the fire broke out.
LEEWARD OAHU
Man killed by car ID'd as Ewa Beach resident
The Medical Examiner's Office identified the 75-year-old pedestrian who died Friday after he was struck by a car while crossing Renton Road as Floyd Girven of Ewa Beach.
An autopsy on Tuesday will determine the cause of death, the office said. Police said Girven was crossing in a marked crosswalk when a sedan driven by a 37-year-old Ewa Beach woman allegedly struck him, throwing him 40 feet. Girven was taken to the Queen's Medical Center, where he died at 12:10 p.m.
Police have opened a negligent-homicide case, but hadn't made any arrests as of yesterday afternoon.
It was Oahu's third traffic fatality less than two weeks into the new year, compared to one at the same time last year.