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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff
and wire service
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Haze to settle across state
HILO » A zone of high-pressure air near Kauai will slow normal tradewinds through Friday, creating hazy conditions over most of the state, the National Weather Service said.
Emission from two volcanic vents on the Big Island will be major contributors to the haze, but other factors such as salt in the air and emissions from automobiles and factories will also be contributors, said Ian Morrison at the weather service.
How troublesome the conditions will get is not clear. Yesterday, haze along the south sides of Kauai, Oahu and Maui was light, Morrison said.
Even at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park yesterday, the source of the volcanic emissions, measurements showed slightly elevated sulfur dioxide levels, but still coded green, meaning "good" air conditions. That meant only "sensitive individuals" may find problems with conditions, the park said.
Hawaii County Civil Defense said today that Hilo and Upper Puna, from Keaau to Volcano, are in code yellow status because of heavier than normal vog, meaning that sensitive people should avoid outdoor activity. The rest of the island was in code green status.
Start preparing for hurricanes
The city is urging residents to stock at least five to seven days worth of food and supplies as the state enters hurricane season next month.
In the light of recent natural disasters, including a recent earthquake in China that killed more than 12,000 people, city officials say Oahu residents should prepare themselves.
"This is an island community," city Emergency Services Director Mel Kaku said at a news conference yesterday. "We don't have the luxury of neighbors like on the mainland, where people can put things on trucks."
Nationally, the guideline is having at least three days of food.
Because the islands are so isolated, it may take several days for help to arrive in Hawaii following a natural disaster, Kaku said.
Hurricane season in Hawaii starts June 1 and runs until Nov. 30. City officials recommend for residents to keep supplies in their home, car and office. The recommended disaster kit includes:
» Water, 1 gallon per person per day
» Canned food items, including Spam, corned beef, Vienna sausage
» Eating utensils
» Supplies including battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight, batteries, whistle and maps
» First-aid kit and any prescription drugs
Haze to settle across state
HILO » A zone of high-pressure air in the area of Kauai will slow normal tradewinds from now through Friday, creating hazy conditions over most of the state, the National Weather Service said.
Emission from two volcanic vents on the Big Island will be major contributors to the haze, but other factors such as salt in the air and emissions from automobiles and factories will also be contributors, said Ian Morrison at the weather service.
How troublesome the conditions will get is not clear, but initial indications are that they won't be very bad. Yesterday, haze along the south sides of Kauai, Oahu and Maui was light, Morrison said.
Even at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the source of the volcanic emissions, measurements showed slightly elevated sulfur dioxide levels, but still coded green, meaning "good" air conditions. That meant only "sensitive individuals" may find problems with conditions, the park said.
Hawaii County Civil Defense also said sensitive people should be aware of levels, but did not issue any color-coded warnings.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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HONOLULU
Police seek pair in man's robbery
Police are looking for two suspects who robbed a 42-year-old man early yesterday morning in Honolulu.
The victim picked up a man in his 40s and woman in her 30s who were walking along a road about 5:45 a.m. yesterday in Honolulu. The suspects immediately robbed the victim at knifepoint, police said.
They fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash and personal belongings, police said. The man returned home and called police.
The suspects have not been caught, police said.
The male suspect is described as 5 foot 6, 200 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes, a brown complexion, a black mustache, and wearing a gray shirt and black pants.
The woman is described as 5 foot 2, with a slim build, brown curly hair, brown eyes, medium complexion, and wearing a pink shirt and blue jeans.
Man, 33, arrested in mo-ped theft
Police arrested one of two mo-ped drivers who were allegedly speeding through Makiki early today.
Police said an officer saw the mo-peds about 12:45 a.m. and gave chase.
One of the mo-ped drivers lost control on oil-slick pavement and fell, police said.
The officer stopped and then learned that the mo-ped had been reported stolen. The officer arrested the driver, a 33-year-old man, for investigation of auto theft and reckless driving.
The other mo-ped driver got away, police said.
Moiliili man, 28, arrested after fire
Police arrested a 28-year-old man after he allegedly set fire to curtains in his Moiliili apartment.
Police said that about 8:20 Monday night, a 29-year-old man woke up and discovered his Varsity Place apartment full of smoke. Police said the suspect, who is a roommate, allegedly admitted to setting the curtains on fire.
Police were called, but the fire was already extinguished when they arrived so firefighters were not notified.
Officers found the suspect allegedly in possession of drugs, police said.
The man was arrested on suspicion of third-degree arson and promoting dangerous drugs.
WINDWARD OAHU
Teenager reports sexual assault
A 16-year-old girl reported being sexually assaulted by a 40-year-old man, who is a family member.
Police arrested the man, who has no local address, at the main station yesterday on suspicion of three counts of third-degree sexual assault, and one count of fourth-degree sexual assault.
The alleged third-degree sexual assault, which usually refers to inappropriate touching, occurred between Oct. 1 and March 31 in a Kailua residential area, police said.
