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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff
and wire service
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High-surf warning until tomorrow
A high-surf warning is in effect through 6 tomorrow morning, with waves today expected to peak at more than 25 feet.
A storm passing far north of the state has generated a large northwest swell that should produce high surf on the north- and west-facing shores, according to the National Weather Service.
The surf warning is for the north- and west-facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Molokai, and the north-facing shores of Maui. Northern shores are expected to see surf between 25 feet and 35 feet throughout today. West-facing shores should see surf of 15 feet to 20 feet throughout today.
Meeting to discuss rare seabirds
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold a public meeting Jan. 23 in Lihue regarding a habitat conservation plan being prepared for three rare seabird species.
The service is seeking input on whether an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement should be done in connection with a habitat conservation plan being prepared by the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative.
The utility must create the plan because its facilities could have harmful effects on the endangered Hawaiian petrel, threatened Newell's shearwater, and the band-rumped storm-petrel, a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act, the service said in a release.
The seabird species nest in Kauai's interior mountains but spend a large part of the year at sea. Flying back and forth to their nests, the birds, especially young ones, can collide with tall buildings, towers, power lines, and other structures while flying at night and can be attracted to bright lights and disoriented to the point of exhaustion, the service said.
The utility's habitat conservation plan will outline how it intends to minimize and mitigate harm to seabirds.
The meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Planning Commission Conference Room, Moikeha Building, 4444 Rice St.
Interested individuals, organizations, and agencies can comment to the Fish and Wildlife Service on potential environmental issues, applicable mitigation, and reasonable alternatives they feel should be included in the environmental analysis. Written comments can be mailed to Jeff Newman, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 3-122, Honolulu, HI 96850; faxed to (808) 792-9580; or e-mailed to jeff_newman@fws.gov. All written comments must be postmarked by Feb. 8.
Puerto Rican scholarship offered
The Puerto Rican Heritage Society of Hawaii is offering its annual $500 scholarship to any student of Puerto Rican ancestry who will be attending an accredited four-year university full-time in Hawaii for the 2008-09 academic year.
The deadline for submitting an application is Feb. 1.
The scholarship is named after Alfred P. and Blase Camacho Souza, a couple who did extensive research on Puerto Rican immigration, and are the pioneers of the nonprofit heritage society, a release said.
Applicants should see their high school career counselors or visit their university's student financial aid office for information and application forms. For more information, write to the Puerto Rican Heritage Society of Hawaii, 1086-B Kumukumu St., Honolulu, HI 96825.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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Husband allegedly beat wife
A 24-year-old man faces a possible attempted murder charge after he allegedly beat his wife repeatedly earlier this week.
The suspect and his 22-year-old wife agreed to an amicable separation Thursday night, police said. At 9:18 p.m. Thursday, the suspect followed his wife to her friend's home at Hoohiki Place in Pearl City.
Police said a brief argument ensued, and the suspect allegedly knocked his wife to the ground and struck her head against the concrete pavement several times, then hit her repeatedly in the face with his fist.
Neighbors intervened and restrained the suspect until police arrived.
The woman was hospitalized in critical condition, and the suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted second-degree murder.
WAIKIKI
Sleeping victim had phone stolen
A 21-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly took a cellular phone from a sleeping victim.
About 4:45 a.m. yesterday, a 26-year-old man fell asleep on a bus stop bench in Waikiki. As the victim slept, the suspect allegedly took the man's phone.
Police arrested the suspect on suspicion of second-degree theft.
2 arrested in prostitution case
Two men were arrested Friday after a woman reported they attempted to force her into prostitution.
A 20-year-old woman reported she was held against her will since Jan. 9. Police said the woman claimed that five men attempted to have her prostitute herself in the Waikiki area.
