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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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2-liter bottles join recycling deal
Starting Saturday, 2-liter bottles will be included in the state's HI-5 beverage deposit container program, the state Health Department announced.
Consumers will be charged $0.06 for all labeled 2-liter containers (64 to 68 fluid ounces), and these containers can be redeemed for a $0.05 refund.
During December, January, and February, 2-liter containers will be accepted for redemption whether they are labeled with the HI-5 refund value or not. Beginning March 1, only containers labeled HI-5 can be redeemed.
Labeled beverage containers of lesser volumes have been redeemable for the HI-5 refund since January 2005. The state Legislature changed the state's "Bottle Law" this year to include the popular 2-liter size.
All 2-liter containers sized 64.1 to 68 fluid ounces will be counted by hand at redemption centers until weight conversion rates are created for the new sizes, the Health Department said.
For more information on the State's Deposit Beverage Container Program and redemption center locations, visit www.hi5deposit.com.
State forest reserves reopen
Waianae mountain state forest reserves, which had been closed since Oct. 25 due to concerns about wildfire risk, reopened to the public yesterday, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources announced.
The reopening includes the Kuaokala, Mokuleia, Makua-Keaau and Waianae forest reserves and the Kuaokala game management area, which total 10,051 acres.
The shutdown of the reserves came a day after firefighters contained a fire that consumed 1,000 acres in Makaha Valley.
"Due to improved weather conditions and general maintenance conducted by Division of Forestry and Wildlife staff, we are now able to reopen these areas," DLNR Director Laura H. Thielen said in a release. "Hiking and camping will be permitted where posted."
However, off-road vehicles, trucks, Jeeps and SUVs must remain on roads cannot be used for climbing hillsides, road banks, or trail riding, which erode the earth and destroy vegetation, Thielen said.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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NORTH SHORE
3 hospitalized in bikers' crash
One motorcyclist was critically injured and two others suffered serious injuries in a crash that closed Kaukonahua Road yesterday afternoon.
Police said five motorcycles were traveling in a group toward the North Shore 1/4 mile south of Poamoho Street when a 2002 black Honda failed to make a turn and struck another black Honda motorcycle, which in turn hit a third black motorcycle, a Kawasaki. All three drivers were ejected from the bikes.
The 26-year-old Honolulu man driving the first motorcycle was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition. Another man, whose age was not known, and a 24-year-old man from Waianae were taken to Queen's in serious condition.
All three were wearing helmets.
Police said speed was likely a factor in the 3:04 p.m. crash, which occurred on a dry road in clear conditions and moderate traffic.
Alcohol and speed factors in crash
Alcohol and speed were factors in a two-car crash near Sunset Beach that critically injured a North Shore man Friday night, police said.
A 1988 Isuzu sedan was traveling north on Kamehameha Highway just north of Ke Nui Road about 9:10 p.m., police said, when it lost control, crossed the center line and sideswiped a 1997 Toyota minivan.
The Isuzu slid on its side before getting back on all four wheels and coming to rest. The 56-year-old driver, who was wearing a seat belt, was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition. The minivan's driver was not injured.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Driver arrested in Kauai hit-and-run
Kauai police have a 26-year-old man in custody in connection with a hit-and-run accident yesterday in Koloa.
Police said a 24-year-old Kalaheo man walking on Koloa Road near Blackstad Road was hit by a white Nissan sports car about 2:45 yesterday morning.
Witnesses reported seeing the car heading toward Kalaheo. A Kauai county spokeswoman said the victim sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to the Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu. Police located the suspect and the vehicle later in the afternoon. The suspect was arrested on suspicion of first-degree negligent injury and failure to render aid.
WINDWARD OAHU
Home alarm leads to suspects' arrest
An alarm tipped police off about two alleged burglars in a Hauula home Friday morning.
About 2:25 a.m. Friday, an alarm company received an alert at a Hauula home and reported it to police. When officers arrived, they saw two suspects -- a 24-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman -- running out of the house with allegedly stolen property.
The suspects were caught and arrested on suspicion of first-degree burglary.
Honolulu
Extortion alleged after car accident
Police arrested a 29-year-old man for extortion and robbery after the alleged victim hit his car in a parking lot of a bar.
The incident occurred last Sunday. Police said the suspect demanded money from a 32-year-old woman after her car hit the suspect's car in the parking lot of a Young Street karaoke bar. When the woman refused, the suspect allegedly took her purse.
The victim fled and the suspect allegedly entered her vehicle to take additional items. The woman identified the suspect Thursday night, and he was arrested on suspicion of first-degree extortion, second-degree robbery and unauthorized entry of a vehicle.