Newswatch Star-Bulletin staff and wire service

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Air travelers warned on fireworks

With Independence Day around the corner, Hawaii air travelers are reminded that all fireworks, including sparklers, are banned from carry-on and checked bags.

Friction can cause the items to ignite during the flight, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Although commercial flights in Hawaii make up a small fraction of the region's overall air traffic, passengers from the state account for more than a third of all fireworks seizures in airports.

Penalties range up to $50,000 per violation with a minimum fine of $250. Criminal convictions can result in prison sentences up to five years and fines up to $250,000 for people and $500,000 for corporations.

Planets will appear to get closer

Next weekend, islanders can see a grouping of planets in the western sky from sunset to about 9 p.m. as Venus and Saturn move closer together, says Carolyn Kaichi, Bishop Museum Planetarium manager.

Venus is closer to the horizon and the brightest, followed by Saturn and the star Regulus, brightest star in the constellation Leo, which follows Saturn, Kaichi said.

A crescent moon also is featured in the western sky with Venus and Saturn.

Saturn will "pass" Venus after July 1 and start heading toward the setting sun, Kaichi said.

In the southeastern sky, Jupiter is the brightest point of light, but not quite as bright as Venus, she said.

Charter school seeks movers

Halau Ku Mana Public Charter School needs volunteers today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and tomorrow 11 a.m.-3 p.m. to help school officials pack and move out of their old location at Paradise Park and into their new campus on Makiki Heights Drive.

The new site consists of eight trailers just below the Hawaii Nature Center. Aside from moving, the school also needs help with painting and renovating trailers, moving in furniture, repairing a rock wall, clearing land, pulling weeds and replanting native plants all before school resumes July 28.

Halau Ku Mana has three more volunteer Saturday workdays after this weekend -- June 30, and July 7 and 14 -- from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The school will also work out arrangements with volunteers who can help on weekdays.

It is also accepting monetary and supply donations. For more information contact Micky Huihui at 988-8997 or visit www.halaukumana.org.

Gopher snake caught at Matson

A Matson Navigation Co. employee caught a 3 1/2-foot-long gopher snake Wednesday at the company's container yard at Pier 52 and turned it in to state agriculture officials, the state Department of Agriculture said in a news release.

Officials do not know how the snake arrived in Hawaii or how long it has been here. Gopher snakes are not venomous and are found all over North America.

Snakes are illegal in Hawaii and are a threat to the environment since they have no natural predators here.

Police, Fire, Courts Star-Bulletin staff

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CENTRAL OAHU

Stabbing victim found in bushes

Police opened a second-degree attempted murder case in connection with the stabbing of a 32-year-old man in Waialua.

A man walking his dog yesterday found the man severely beaten in the bushes on Cane Haul Road about 6:30 a.m. The dog's owner drove the man to the Waialua fire station where it was found he had a stab wound to his chest. Paramedics took the victim to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition.

WEST OAHU

Man arrested in Aiea sex assault

Police arrested a 34-year-old man in Aiea yesterday after he allegedly sexually assaulted a 33-year-old woman in her home.

Police said the man arrived at the woman's home on Kohomua Street about 5:30 a.m. and demanded drugs or money. The woman didn't have any so the man beat her, police said.

When the woman, with whom the man has a child, went to lie down on her bed, the man allegedly sexually assaulted her. Police arrested the man on suspicion of first-degree sexual assault and abuse of a household member.

WINDWARD OAHU

Teen boy allegedly tries to take bag

A 15-year-old boy was arrested yesterday after he allegedly attempted to run off with a bag at a Kailua beach.

A 43-year-old woman visiting Hawaii and a witness chased after the boy. Police arrested the boy on investigation of second-degree theft.

HONOLULU

Woman has cash snatched away

Police arrested a 31-year-old man yesterday who allegedly grabbed money from a woman downtown. A woman, 39, was outside her residence about 1:30 p.m. with money in her hand when the suspect took the money and ran, police said.

The woman's husband, 51, located and confronted him. The suspect allegedly punched him in the face and fled. Police arrested him on suspicion of second-degree theft and third-degree assault.