LIHUE -- Kauai's Nukolii Beach remains closed as crews continue cleanup from an Aug. 24 oil spill off Barbers Point on Oahu, which caused the closure of several east-side Kauai beaches last week. Oil cleanup continues
at Nukolii BeachCleanup of the small tar balls washing ashore also continues at Kipu Kai beach, but the area is too remote to get to by land.
The oil spill response team, contracted by Tesoro Hawaii, the company responsible for the spill, continued helicopter and boat searches yesterday along the Kauai coastline for signs of offshore oil, said a company statement.
Bruce Anderson, state deputy director of environmental health, said the oil and tar don't pose a threat to human health, but if people get it on their skin, they should use hand cleaners such as Lava or Citrikleen.
He also said fish and marine life that taste OK should be safe to eat.
Company officials said as many as 117 barrels of oil were spilled from a leaking hose while a ship was being refueled at a mooring near the Tesoro refinery.
So far, 30 damaged birds have been found, mostly on Kauai. Of those, 11 are being treated by state veterinarians.
Anyone finding evidence of wildlife damaged by the oil should contact the Oil Spill Response Center at 245-1955, ext. 4051 or 4049 on Kauai; or 847-8718 on Oahu.
Hawaii to get part of national GECC payment
General Electric Credit Corp., which issues private label credit cards with Montgomery Ward Credit Corp., agreed to pay $27.5 million nationwide for improper debt collection from customers in bankruptcy, said Hawaii Consumer Protector Jo Ann Uchida.Her announcement yesterday said the multistate settlement will include more than $8,000 for Hawaii, based on the percentage of violations that occurred here.
Additionally, about 36 Hawaii consumers may be among 60,000 consumers nationwide who will receive an average of $1,000 each, either in restitution or forgiveness of debt.
"GECC's practices took from consumers their ability to benefit from the fresh start provided by the bankruptcy code and saddled consumers with the payment of invalid debts," Uchida said. "This settlement compels GECC to return these improper payments to consumers."
Call the Office of Consumer Protection, 586-2636, for information.
Open house scheduled at convention center
The Hawai'i Convention Center will be open to the public for an open house Saturday, Oct. 3, from noon to 4:30 p.m.Visitors will be able to see the center's exhibit hall, meeting rooms, ballroom, rooftop terrace and the $2 million art program provided by the State Foundation on Culture and Arts.
From noon to 4:30 p.m., a complimentary shuttle will run between the center and the University of Hawaii parking structure. No parking will be available at the center, but AMPCO System Parking will offer a $2 rate at 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., 1637 Kapiolani Blvd. and 1888 Kalakaua Ave.
cb,12p Seniors can buy bus
passes at 22 locations
Senior citizens now have 22 locations to buy their bus passes, and first-time drivers are getting a wallet-size, plastic card similar to a driver's license when they apply for an 180-day learner's permit.
Seniors age 65 or older may buy the $20 two-year unlimited ride bus pass at these Oahu sites:
All satellite city halls and city halls on wheels.
CORRECTIONS
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffMan with two knives arrested
A 40-year-old man armed with knives was arrested for terroristic threatening after a standoff last night with police officers in Waimanalo.Officers responded to a domestic argument at 7:40 p.m. at the man's Poalima Street home, police said. When officers arrived, the man was in the living room holding two knives.
According to a police report, the suspect reportedly jumped up and began waving the knives telling the officers to "come and get it. Shoot me."
He then jumped out of a window and confronted other officers outside. A neighbor persuaded the man to put the knives down and give himself up.
No injuries were reported.
Man held in domestic dispute
Police yesterday arrested a man for allegedly holding a knife to the neck of his wife and two children.The man reportedly pulled the knife at their North King Street apartment after accusing the wife of infidelity, police said.
Boy, 8, arrested as fire suspect
KAILUA-KONA -- Police have arrested an 8-year-old boy for allegedly starting a fire that caused $400,000 in damage at the Kona Wal-Mart store, they said.The boy was released to the custody of his mother following the arrest yesterday.
Police said the boy used a cigarette lighter to set the fire in the infant and toddler's section of the store on Sept. 9.
The fire set off sprinklers, which extinguished the blaze before firefighters arrived, police said. Although the fire was contained in one area of the store, smoke and water damage was widespread, they said.
THE COURTS
Suspect in shooting of officer is indicted
A state grand jury yesterday indicted Peter Moses for first-degree attempted murder, escape, terroristic threatening and other charges.Moses, 20, allegedly shot patrol officer Earl Haskell in an exchange of gunfire Friday near Makapuu Lighthouse Road.
Moses reportedly grabbed a gun from one of the officers' holsters when they tried to arrest him on suspicion of breaking into a car, and shot Haskell.
Moses was hospitalized for leg wounds suffered in the shootout and released. Haskell is in stable condition at Queen's Hospital.
Feds indict two men nabbed in 'ice' sting
A federal grand jury indicted two men yesterday for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute about 63 ounces of methamphetamine.The indictment says Larry S. Domingo negotiated the purchase of several pounds of crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," in July. It says on Aug. 14 he negotiated further to purchase six to eight pounds of methamphetamine for $50,000 to $55,000 a pound -- "if the 'ice' tested positive."
On Aug. 19, Domingo agreed to meet the source at Zippy's Ala Moana to buy crystal meth, and drove to his mother's house to pick up William L. Shafer, the indictment says.
Shafer agreed to test the "ice," the indictment says. They met the cooperating source and a Drug Enforcement Administration agent at Zippy's, inspected the crystal methamphetamine and returned about a half-hour to 45 minutes later, documents show.
"Larry S. Domingo then showed the cooperating source and the DEA agent approximately $220,000 for the purchase of methamphetamine," the indictment says.
200 to be naturalized today, Citizenship Day
About 200 new citizens will be naturalized today, which appropriately is Citizenship Day.U.S. District Judge Alan Kay will preside at the 6:30 p.m. ceremony at the Elks lodge at 2933 Kalakaua Ave.
The Daughters of the American Revolution will present a special award to Hong Kong-born Yuk Pang Law, a graduate of McKinley High School and the University of Hawaii.
Law taught and served as a student counselor in Hong Kong and Taiwan. She returned to Hawaii in 1974 and for 16 years was a bilingual social service worker and immigrant services coordinator at Kalihi-Palama Immigrant Service Center.
Over the years, she has been an advocate of immigrants and immigrant rights.
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