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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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Police investigate blast on Kauai
Kauai police are asking for the public's help in the investigation of a recent explosion at Kapaa Elementary School.
Police said a homemade bomb went off just outside the school's library about 11 p.m. Friday. The blast bent the aluminum frames, cracked the glass of an entrance door and destroyed one window, Vice Principal Richard Edgeworth said yesterday.
No one was injured, police said. Teachers will return to work on Friday, and students begin classes Monday, Edgeworth said. He said students and staff will be able to get into the library through other doors.
Several area residents called police after hearing a loud bang coming from the school on Friday, according to police. Officers found black powdery residue on the library's sliding door and scattered pieces of an explosive device.
A private security guard who checks the campus at night was not near the library at the time of the blast, Edgeworth said. The school on Kauai's east coast has about 872 students from kindergarten through fifth grade.
Police are asking anyone with information about the explosion to call Detective Patrick Balbarino at 241-1684, police dispatch at 241-1711, or CrimeStoppers at 241-1887.
Weather aids New Year's air
Winds, rain and fewer fireworks helped to reduce air pollution during the recent New Year's Eve celebrations.
Compared with last year, lower levels of particulates were recorded at four stations monitoring air quality -- in Honolulu, Pearl City and Kapolei on Oahu and Kihei, Maui, the state Health Department's Clean Air Branch reported.
Kapolei surpassed Pearl City's record of last year for the highest level of smoke recorded in one hour from midnight Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
The smoke level for the celebration began to increase about 9 p.m. Dec. 31, peaked after midnight and returned to normal by 3 a.m. on Jan. 1, assisted by light rain and tradewinds, the Clean Air Branch said.
"The use of fireworks during the New Year's celebration will always have an impact on the air quality," Clean Air Branch officials said in a news release, "but the degree of impact for any location is greatly influenced by the weather conditions, such as wind and rain, the amount of fireworks burned in the area, and the configuration of the land."
As an added factor this year, fewer permits were sold for fireworks -- 9,232 by Dec. 28 compared with 10,317 a year ago.
Contest to cover teen health
Middle and high school students are invited to create public service announcements focusing on teen health issues for the 2008 HMSA Teen Video Awards Contest.
The Hawaii Medical Service Association sponsors the event with Sassy/G Magazine, the Hawaii Department of Education and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Categories include fitness/nutrition, drug and tobacco free and underage drinking prevention. Social health issues were added this year as a new category.
Such topics as teen pregnancy, Internet safety, bullying, teen suicide, date rape and other issues may be covered in the videos. The winning entries will be broadcast on local television.
Fully produced PSAs are limited to 27 seconds. Winners will be chosen based on content, impact, effectiveness, creativity and videography.
The submission deadline is March 3.
Winners in each category will be awarded as follows: $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third place. Best of Show will receive an additional $1,000.
Molokai Ranch secure with water
WAILUKU » Molokai Properties Ltd. said a recent Hawaii Supreme Court ruling will have no impact on its service of potable water to west Molokai, including Maunaloa Town.
Molokai Properties, also known as Molokai Ranch, is taking steps to have a new water permit approved by the state, said Daniel Orodenker, general manager for water and land entitlements.
The Supreme Court ruled last month that the state Commission on Water Resource Management violated Hawaii law by considering an untimely use application filed on Dec. 15, 1993, by Kukui Molokai, then doing business as Molokai Ranch.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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WAIKIKI
Police seek 3 men in kidnapping
Police are looking for three men who allegedly kidnapped and robbed a 28-year-old man in Waikiki early yesterday morning.
Police said two men armed with knives approached the man in a parking lot and demanded money.
The man complied, hoping the suspects would release him. Instead, they forced him to drive them around while they demanded more money, police said. They also allegedly assaulted the victim and threatened to kill him.
According to a police report, the two suspects instructed the victim to stop in Waikiki to pick up a third man. The victim continued to follow the suspects' instructions and drove them around as they continued to demand more money.
The victim then slowed his car as he was driving out of Waikiki, jumped out and fled, police said.
The driverless vehicle went through an intersection, crossed a roadway into oncoming traffic and collided with a traffic sign. The suspects fled, police said.
The victim was taken to the Queen's Medical Center for treatment, police said.
WINDWARD OAHU
Man allegedly assaulted brother
Police arrested a 32-year-old man for allegedly assaulting his brother during an argument over their mother at their Waimanalo home.
Police said that at about 9 p.m. Sunday, the brothers were drinking before the argument started. The younger brother, 27, was taken to the hospital with a fractured jaw, police said. Police arrested the older brother on suspicion of second-degree assault.
LEEWARD OAHU
Victim says he was threatened
Police arrested a 46-year-old man who allegedly threatened his roommate with a knife.
Police said the suspect and the victim, a 24-year-old man, were arguing at about 10 p.m. Monday when the suspect grabbed a large kitchen knife and threatened the victim.
The victim fled and called police. Officers arrested the suspect for investigation of first-degree terroristic threatening.