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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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Oil spill creates 3-mile sheen
The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating an oil spill yesterday near Ko Olina that stretched from Barbers Point to the Kahe Power Plant, according to a Coast Guard news release.
Officials reported the oil sheen to be 3 miles across and 20 yards offshore. Oil spread into the Ko Olina marina, beaches and lagoons and was reported near Nanakuli.
Ko Olina officials recommended beachgoers leave the area, said Capt. Terry Seelig, Honolulu Fire Department spokesman. One employee reported feeling ill but refused further treatment at the scene, Seelig said.
Coast Guard officials were notified of the sheen at about 11:10 a.m. and said that about 500 gallons of oil caused the sheen.
Fuel samples were sent to the University of Hawaii for analysis.
The Pacific Environmental Corporation will conduct a cleanup of the spill, the Coast Guard said.
Rain will replace vog over Oahu
The National Weather Service says the hazy vog hanging around Oahu should dissipate today.
But it will be replaced by rain.
An approaching weather system brought southerly winds to Honolulu which, in turn, has blown vog from the Big Island to Oahu, said forecaster Maureen Ballard.
The Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory has been reporting high levels of sulfur from the Kilauea volcano, Ballard said.
"If you think it (the vog) is bad here, it's much worse on the Big Island," she said.
The weather system should bring rain to Kauai by this morning and then to Oahu and Maui, she said. Showers could be heavy at times.
South shores will see high surf
An out-of-season south shore swell will bring 6- to 8-foot waves to south shores of the islands today and tomorrow, according to a National Weather Service forecast.
The weather service has issued a high surf advisory for south-facing shores beginning at 6 a.m.
The swell was generated last week by a storm southeast of New Zealand.
North shores might also see swells come in starting tomorrow and peaking Tuesday. It will be followed by another large northwest swell Wednesday and Thursday, according to the surf forecast.
Ethics panel neers applicants
The Judicial Council is seeking applicants for a seat on the Hawaii State Ethics Commission for a term starting July 1, and applications are due by March 14.
The commission regulates the ethics of legislators, lobbyists and state employees. It investigates complaints, provides advisory opinions and enforces decisions. Members of the Ethics Commission may not take an active part in politics.
Interested people should submit an application, a resume and three letters of recommendation to the Judicial Council, Hawaii Supreme Court, 417 South King St., Honolulu 96813-2902.
Application forms are available on the Judiciary Web site at www.courts.state.hi.us or from the Public Affairs Office, Room 206-C, Aliiolani Hale, 417 S. King St., Honolulu, or by calling the Judicial Council at 539-4702.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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HONOLULU
Alleged gang rape brings 4 arrests
State sheriffs and Honolulu police captured four people in connection with an alleged gang rape on the grounds of the state Capitol.
A deputy sheriff was on a routine patrol at 3:08 a.m. yesterday when he came upon the four suspects apparently sexually assaulting a woman near the Korean War Memorial, said Louise Kim McCoy, spokeswoman for the Department of Public Safety.
The suspects fled and the sheriff chased after them down Richards Street while calling for backup. He caught a juvenile and a 19-year-old man at the corner of Alakea and Beretania streets, McCoy said. Another deputy caught a 23-year-old man.
Honolulu police officers arrested a 26-year-old man.
Police seek 2 men in alleged assault
Honolulu police are looking for two men who allegedly attacked a 42-year-old man and stole his money and identification at a bus stop near the Mayor Wright housing project.
The incident happened Friday night at about 10:50. Police said the men punched and kicked the victim, who was hospitalized in serious condition.
The suspects are described to be about 18 to 20 years old, with a slim build and about 5 feet 10 inches tall. One was wearing a red Michael Jordan basketball jersey and black shorts. The other man was wearing a white T-shirt and black shorts.
NORTH SHORE
Police say man hit officer's car
A 24-year-old man was arrested after ramming his car into a police vehicle and fleeing on foot from the scene Friday afternoon, police said.
Officers saw the suspect, who had outstanding arrest warrants, at about 3:35 p.m. in Haleiwa, police said. The suspect drove onto a dead-end street and when a police car stopped behind the suspect's vehicle, he allegedly reversed into the police car.
Police said the suspect was apprehended after a short foot chase. The officer was not injured, and arrested the man on suspicion of driving without a license, first-degree criminal property damage and two outstanding warrants.
GLYNNIS NAKAI / U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
This sea turtle sculpture at Kealia Coastal Boardwalk on North Kihei Road was stolen Thursday or Friday.
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NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Officials want return of sculpture
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service is asking for the public's help in recovering a bronze sculpture of a nesting sea turtle that was stolen from the Kealia Coastal Boardwalk along Maui's North Kihei Road sometime Thursday or Friday.
The 5-foot-long sculpture weighs 140 pounds and was attached with heavy bolts, according to a news release. It shows a sea turtle nesting, completed with a chamber and eggs.
"It probably took quite an effort to remove it," said refuge manager Glynnis Nakai, in the news release.
The sculpture was a donation from Maui artist Dale Zarella and Warren and Rose Gummow and was designed to help educate schoolchildren and adults about sea turtle nesting, the wildlife service said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Maui police.