Some 14 endangered native Hawaiian thrush are being released in the Alakai Wilderness Preserve on Kauai as part of an effort to increase their population. Endangered birds being
released on KauaiThe puaiohi were hatched from a captive flock at the Peregrine Fund's Keauhou Bird Conservation Center on the Big Island.
They're the first of their species to be raised in captivity and released in the wilderness.
Four birds were released earlier this week.
The remainder are expected to be released in two groups of five birds each in the next two to four weeks, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Bethany Woodworth, a federal Biological Resources Division researcher, said in addition to studying the birds, efforts are being made to control alien predators around the release sites.
Of the 140 native bird species in Hawaii, half are extinct and the remaining half are endangered. Most Hawaii forest birds face threats from diseases, such as malaria, and predators.
Mayor Apana in hospital with broken elbows
WAILUKU -- Maui Mayor James "Kimo" Apana is recovering from two broken elbows -- the result of a fall off a forklift Thursday night while helping a relative erect a tent in the parking lot at Ooka Super Market in Wailuku.He was scheduled to undergo surgery to both elbows last night.
Apana, 36, is expected to be back at work soon and have use of his right hand for signing documents, said his secretary, Mitzi Sakamoto.
Apana has been hospitalized since Thursday at Maui Memorial Hospital and has been sedated to relieve the pain, she said.
County Managing Director Grant Chun is assuming duties as mayor in Apana's absence.
Apana has occasionally helped relatives who own the store put up the tent for sidewalk sales.
Crime down 37 percent last year in Hilo area
HILO -- Big Island police reported an overall 37 percent drop in crimes in the downtown Hilo area last year.The reduction was an average of decreases in various categories, they said.
Property crimes fell 39 percent, from 574 in 1997 to 348 last year. That included a dramatic 55 percent decrease in burglaries within that category, from 95 to 43.
Violent crimes fell 36 percent, from 75 to 48, and nuisance complaints dropped 34 percent, from 584 to 386.
Crime has been slowly declining since community policing officers were assigned to downtown beginning in 1995, Sgt. James Sanborn said.
Officer Moses Kaoiwi Jr. said the big decline last year was due in part to community involvement, such as a citizens patrol, and to better storefront lighting on Kamehameha Avenue.
The Royal Hawaiian Band will perform 7-7:30 a.m. tomorrow at Pier 2-B to greet the Queen Elizabeth 2. It will not play at other ship arrivals listed in a story yesterday, according to Ed Michelman, acting president of the Friends of the Royal Hawaiian Band. Bill Thayer, president of Waldron Steamship Co., said the schedule change was made yesterday. CLARIFICATION
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffPOLICE
Police charge suspect in robbery of bicyclist
A 31-year-old man was arrested and charged with first-degree robbery after threatening to shoot his victim.Police said the suspect stopped a man riding his bicycle near Aala Park Monday night, said he had a gun and demanded money.
The bicyclist, 34, complied, but followed the suspect after not seeing a gun and asked for his money back.
The suspect then pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot the victim if he didn't leave him alone, police said.
Police on Thursday arrested and charged Ronald L. Medeiros of Mililani in the incident.
Man, 49, arrested in domestic dispute
Police yesterday arrested and charged a 49-year-old Sand Island man with first-degree burglary after he allegedly got into a domestic argument with a former girlfriend at her Kailua home.The man reportedly tried to force his way into the home and was ordered to leave, but returned a half-hour later.
Police said he grabbed the woman's car keys, cellular phone, cordless phone and television remote control and left the house.
The man, Timothy Fogel, was arrested without incident a short while later near the home, police said.
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