Newswatch Star-Bulletin staff and wire service

---

Superferry docked until April 22

Repairs on the Hawaii Superferry Alakai are taking longer than expected and the vessel will not resume service until April 22, the company said in a statement yesterday.

The company is working to repair damage to the 350-foot catamaran that occurred during the dry dock process.

The Alakai went into dry dock on Feb. 13 for what was supposed to be three weeks of repairs and maintenance.

Passengers holding reservations for affected voyages between Honolulu and Maui are being notified, re-accommodated on a future voyage or getting refunds, the company said in a news release.

Customers are encouraged to visit www.HawaiiSuperferry.com for the latest travel information or they can call Hawaii Superferry's reservations at 1-877-HI-FERRY (1-877-443-3779).

Lingle names Turtle Bay panel

Gov. Linda Lingle has formed a working group to advise the administration on acquiring and preserving the Turtle Bay property on Oahu's North Shore, according to a news release.

The 17-member Governor's Turtle Bay Advisory Working Group will hold its first meeting Wednesday to help develop and review ideas, recommendations and plans to buy and preserve the 850-acre property that includes almost 5 miles of coastline.

The administration is also asking the Board of Land and Natural Resources to hire a consultant to advise the state on the purchase of the property.

William Paty, a former chairman of the state land board under former Gov. Ben Cayetano, will chair the group.

Other members are: Denise Antolini, director of Environmental Law Program at the William S. Richardson School of Law; Cy Bridges, cultural director at the Polynesian Cultural Center and president of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association; Mitch Costino, president of the Kuilima West Homeowners Association; City Councilman Donavan Dela Cruz; Eric Gill, financial secretary treasurer of Unite Here Local 5; Sen. Clayton Hee (D. Kahuku-Laie-Kaaawa,-Kaneohe);Lea Hong, director, The Trust for Public Lands; Ted Liu, director of Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Rep. Michael Magaoay, (D, North Shore-Mokuleia-Schofield); Cathleen Mattoon, past president of the Koauloa Hawaiian Civic Club; Blake McElheny, president of the North Shore Community Land Trust; Steve Metter, CEO and principal, MW Group, Ltd.; Junior Primacio, president of the Kahuku Community Association; Laura H. Thielen, chairwoman of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; and Steven Wheelwright, president, Brigham Young University -Hawaii.

In addition, Mayor Mufi Hannemann has been asked to name a representative.

Mass transit hearings scheduled

Mayor Mufi Hannemann and the city's transit project team will brief the public on the mass transit project at a series of community meetings starting at 6:30 p.m. :

» Tomorrow: Kapolei Middle School cafeteria

» Thursday: Alvah Scott Elementary School cafeteria

» March 17: Farrington High School library

» March 18: Waipahu Elementary School cafeteria

These hearings will not be permitting public testimony.

CORRECTION Monday, March 10, 2008 The city is holding community meetings this week to update the public on the mass transit project. The meetings are not hearings in which the public can submit testimony. Originally, the item above did not make that clear.

Police, Fire, Courts Star-Bulletin staff

---

Vessel crashes and spills diesel

A fishing vessel crashed into rocks, causing a fuel spill near Kumukahi Point on the Big Island yesterday, the Hawaii Fire Department reported.

The 31-foot fishing vessel drifted near the shore and was unable to return to sea. At about 10:20 a.m., the boat was grounded on rocks three miles north of Kumukahi Point.

Three private boats assisted Big Island firefighters in removing the vessel. There were no injuries, however, about 200 gallons of diesel leaked into the ocean.

HONOLULU

Police search for missing woman

Honolulu police are asking for the public's help in finding a 25-year-old woman who has been missing since Wednesday.

Rebecca Robison, who is described as "emotionally distraught," was last seen at the Straub Clinic on South King Street at about noon. She told a friend she was going hiking.

Robison is 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs about 150 pounds and has black hair and hazel eyes. She was wearing a black and white top with shoulder straps and blue jeans torn at the knees. She also has a belly button ring.

Anyone with information is asked to call Honolulu police at 911 or the missing persons detail at 529-3115

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Suspect sought in kidnap attempt

Big Island police are looking for a man who attempted to abduct a woman in Hilo on Friday afternoon.

Police say a 50-year-old woman was walking on Waianuenue Avenue when a man in a black van pulled out a knife and tried to force her into his vehicle just before 4 p.m., police said. The man drove off after the woman screamed.

Police are asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed this incident to call Officers Kayla Kahuli or Edwin Namohala Jr. at 961-2211 or Big Island Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.