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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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Tropical storm forms south of isles
The first tropical storm to form in the central Pacific area this hurricane season will have no effect on the Hawaiian Islands, a National Weather Service forecaster said yesterday.
Tropical Storm Kika, which was 960 miles southeast of Honolulu at 5 a.m. today, had maximum sustained winds near 40 mph, with occasional higher gusts, according to the National Weather Service Web site.
Kika was traveling west-northwest at 8 mph and was expected continue in that direction for the next 48 hours, the Web site said. The storm is expected to strengthen slightly but weather service models indicate it will not become a hurricane, according to the Web site.
Illegal immigrants are indicted
A federal grand jury indicted yesterday 10 of the 43 Mexican workers arrested last month on administrative civil immigration complaints.
The 10 were each indicted on three felony counts of using fraudulent green cards and Social Security cards to become eligible to work here and possessing a counterfeit green card. The charges carry maximum prison terms totaling 20 years.
The 43 men, who worked for The Farms Inc., a Central Oahu agricultural business, were arrested at a Waipahu apartment complex on July 20. They face deportation based on the civil complaints.
The 10 and five other workers were also charged with felonies of using false documents to get work here.
The 15 admitted they were Mexican citizens who crossed the border on the mainland and later purchased bogus Social Security and green cards, mostly in Fresno and Stockton in California.
If convicted, they would serve any prison time here before they are deported.
More indictments are expected later.
Businesses can get disaster aid
Small businesses in Hawaii affected by the ongoing drought and vog conditions can now apply for federal low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration.
"The SBA disaster loans are life preservers that can help nonfarm, small businesses survive the economic upheavals caused by drought or by vog," U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye said.
The loan availability comes after Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer declared Hawaii and its counties as disaster areas.
Businesses that apply and qualify for economic injury disaster loans can receive as much as $2 million. The loans have an interest rate of 4 percent and a maximum term of 30 years.
For more information visit www.sba.gov/services/ disasterassistance.
Gale not expected to affect isles
The first tropical depression to form in the central Pacific area this hurricane season will have no effect on the Hawaiian Islands, a National Weather Service forecaster said yesterday.
Tropical Depression One-C, which was about 880 miles southeast of Hilo yesterday, had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph yesterday at about 4 p.m., said Tom Birchard, a weather forecaster in Honolulu.
The gale was traveling west at 14 mph and was expected to pass 600 miles south of Hilo by Friday afternoon, then move away from Hawaii.
Forecasters expect One-C to become a tropical storm today with winds of 40 mph.
Residents urged to save water
The Board of Water Supply urged Waianae Coast residents to use water sparingly yesterday after a 24-inch main broke on Farrington Highway.
The request covered residents from Honokai Hale to Makaha, said board spokeswoman Tracy Burgo.
Crews closed the left town-bound lane of Farrington Highway to fix the break, between Laaloa and Waiomea streets. The right town-bound lanes remained open.
Burgo said the pipe would be replaced.
Long-term care facility to expand
HILO » Ground will be broken tomorrow for a 28-bed expansion of the state's Hale Ho'ola Hamakua long-term care hospital in Honokaa north of Hilo, the state hospital system announced.
The hospital currently has 50 beds, of which four are for emergency use, and four other "swing" beds can be used either for acute or long-term care, spokeswoman Elena Cabatu said.
Besides the expansion, the hospital hopes to convert four more beds among the existing ones to "swing" use, she said.
The $91 million expansion is expected to be completed in December 2009.
Although layoffs from state hospitals have been announced recently, those were made necessary by shortfalls in operating money, Cabatu said. The Hale Ho'ola expansion will be paid for by construction money appropriated by the Legislature, she said.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Maui brush fire burns 15 acres
A brush fire scorched about 15 acres Tuesday in Kula, Maui.
The fire, which was first reported at about 2:20 p.m., was declared contained at 7:40 p.m.
The blaze did not threaten any homes or crops, and no injuries were reported, Maui County officials said.
The Maui Fire Department dispatched two helicopters, eight firetrucks and tankers, and 24 firefighters, aided by bulldozers and water tankers from the county and Goodfellow Bros.
A specialized wild-land firetruck and an eight-member team were also dispatched.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
CENTRAL OAHU
Suspect arrested in Kunia shooting
Police arrested a 30-year-old man who allegedly fired shots at another man who is dating his ex-girlfriend.
On Monday, the suspect confronted a 33-year-old victim in Kunia.
When the victim refused a challenge to fight and got into his car to drive away, the suspect fired numerous rounds toward the vehicle, striking the rear window and tailgate, police said.
The victim was not injured.
Police found the suspect yesterday on Kokoloea Place in Wahiawa and arrested him on suspicion of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree reckless endangering, a firearm violation, being a felon in possession of a firearm, promoting dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Former boyfriend wanted in shooting
Police were looking for a 30-year-old man who allegedly fired a gun at another man's car.
The victim, 33, is currently dating the suspect's ex-girlfriend, police said. At about 10:30 Monday night, police said, the suspect confronted the victim at his Kunia home and wanted to fight.
Police said when the victim refused, entered his car and drove away, the suspect fired numerous rounds from a handgun, striking the back side of the vehicle.
Police said the suspect is wanted on suspicion of attempted second-degree mur- der and first-degree reckless endangerment.
LEEWARD OAHU
Alleged robbery leads to 3 arrests
Police arrested three of five suspects yesterday who allegedly robbed a 26-year-old man in Waianae in March.
Police said the culprits lured the man into a secluded area under false pretenses at 4:28 a.m. March 9.
The suspects then allegedly robbed him of his vehicle and personal belongings.
Police arrested a 21-year-old man, a 19-year-old woman and a 17-year-old girl on suspicion of first-degree robbery.
Two other male suspects remain at large. Police did not provide descriptions of them.
The suspects were released pending further investigation.
HONOLULU
Boy, 14, allegedly robs 3 other youths
Police arrested a 14-year-old boy who allegedly robbed three other boys in separate incidents this week.
Police said at 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, the suspect approached a 14-year-old boy in Kaimuki, demanded money and took the boy’s iPod.
Yesterday, the suspect approached another 14-year-old boy, demanded money and allegedly took a wallet.
The suspect also allegedly demanded money from another boy that was nearby, but no money was taken, police said.
Police arrested the boy later on suspicion of second-degree robbery, second-degree theft and harassment.
Suspect sought in sexual assault
Police are looking for a man in his 20s who reportedly sexually assaulted an 18-year-old woman at knifepoint in downtown Honolulu at 1:10 a.m. yesterday.
Police have opened a first-degree sexual assault case.
The woman reported the incident to police and went to the Sex Abuse Treatment Center for examination.
The suspect’s identity and whereabouts are unknown, police said.