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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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RON VALENCIANA / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-BULLETIN
The carcass of a sperm whale washed ashore in Kahuku last week. Federal and state officials are trying to figure out how to remove the carcass.
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Whale carcass removal delayed
The carcass of a sperm whale that washed ashore in Kahuku last week remains on a lava-rock bench, making it difficult to remove using heavy equipment, said David Schofield, marine mammal response coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Islands region.
The carcass was first reported floating off Kahuku on June 29, and is now onshore east of Kahuku Point at Kalaeuila.
Schofield said NOAA and the Department of Land and Natural Resources are figuring out how to remove the carcass, but its precarious location makes it hard to gain access.
The carcass can attract predators such as sharks and can contaminate the waters, so beach-goers are warned to stay out of the water, and warning signs are posted. It is also illegal to touch a whale, and thus illegal to scavenge its body parts, Schofield said.
Dad jailed for missing payments
A Hawaii man will spend a year in federal prison for failing to pay more than $200,000 in child-support payments.
U.S. District Judge David Ezra sentenced Kenneth Firestone Monday to 12 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for failing to make child support payments since 1997 for three children from a former marriage.
Ezra also ordered Firestone to pay $209,434 in restitution. As a condition of his supervised release, Firestone must continue to make support payments for the three children and for a fourth child from another former marriage.
Firestone pleaded guilty to a single count of failing to pay child support in March. The court had previously dropped a second count involving the fourth child for failing to pay support since 1995.
The child-support payments had been ordered by state courts in California. Authorities said Firestone's move from California to Hawaii delayed enforcement of the orders.
Chaminade gets $100,000 grant
First Hawaiian Bank has pledged $100,000 to Chaminade University to expand its natural sciences and mathematics programs, the university said in a news release.
The grant, which will be awarded over a four-year period, will be used to upgrade and expand laboratories, classrooms, faculty offices and other research support areas that serve Chaminade's Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
The new facilities are part of a $9 million project to renovate Henry Hall, one of the original buildings on Chaminade's campus.
Staph in children to be discussed
Problems of Staphylococcal infections in children will be discussed at the weekly Summer Staph Institute from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Queen's Conference Center, 810 S. Beretania St.
Dr. Marian Melish, a pediatric infectious-disease specialist in charge of infection control at Kapiolani Medical Center, and Janelle Jinbo and Eleanor Kaneshiro, school health nurses, will describe steps to protect keiki against staph infections.
Melish has worked with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to document the increasing rate of the Methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, also known as MRSA, or the superbug.
Jinbo and Kaneshiro work with the state Department of Health and public schools and they have been concerned about increasing problems with wound infections. They will provide information for parents on when children should be kept at home and what to do with wounds that are draining to prevent infection.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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HONOLULU
Video helps catch burglary suspect
Police arrested a 19-year-old man who was seen allegedly trying to burglarize a building yesterday on Piikoi Street.
At 2:15 a.m., officers were sent to a reported burglary at 725 Piikoi St. They watched surveillance video images of the suspect entering the building, police said.
The suspect was found nearby, police said. A coded entry key was found in the suspect's vehicle, police said. The man was arrested on suspicion of first-degree burglary and fourth-degree detaining stolen property.
LEEWARD OAHU
Man arrested after assault in Maili
Police arrested a 21-year-old man Monday in connection with an assault in Maili that left a 31-year-old man in critical condition.
Officers responded to a report of a fight near Maile Pink Market at 87-368 Farrington Highway about 8:05 p.m. Monday and found the victim on the ground unconscious and unresponsive, police said.
The victim was taken by ambulance in critical condition to the Queen's Medical Center, police said.
The suspect fled on foot, but was found nearby and arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault.
Teen accused of sexual assault
Police arrested a 13-year-old Leeward boy Monday on suspicion of first-degree sexual assault of a boy, age 6.
Police said the 6-year-old reported being sexually assaulted by the older boy between Feb. 14 and June 5 at a Leeward home.
Police said a forensic interview indicated multiple sexual offenses.
The suspect was identified in a photo lineup and was arrested at 9:20 a.m. Monday on suspicion of three counts of first-degree sexual assault, and third-degree promotion of pornography for minors.
CENTRAL OAHU
Mililani man faces break-in charges
Police charged a 44-year-old Mililani man yesterday in connection with a June 19 car break-in.
Judd Carmichael was arrested Monday in Wahiawa for suspicion of first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, and was charged yesterday with that offense. His bail was set at $11,000.
Police said a 42-year-old man saw another man inside his vehicle, which was parked on a Wahiawa street.
Police said the man recognized the suspect from childhood.
The suspect fled the area and the man found he had money allegedly taken from his wallet, which was inside the vehicle.
Police arrested the suspect at the Wahiawa station.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Big Isle police seek missing woman
Big Island police are asking for the public's help in finding a missing 33-year-old Puna woman who was last seen a week ago.
Police said Misty Wardlow was last seen in Hilo last Wednesday morning. She is described as 5 feet 2 inches and 120 pounds, with blue eyes and blond shoulder-length hair.
Anyone with information is asked to call police Officer Marco Segobia at 961-2213 or the nonemergency police line at 935-3311. Anonymous calls may be made to CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.