Millennium Moments
THE first officially recorded hurricane in Hawaii, in August 1950, was named Hiki. Slamming Kauai with 68 mph sustained winds, the hurricane killed one person. From Hiki to Iniki
But the most destructive was Iniki in September 1992, which hit Kauai head-on and caused four deaths, injuries to some 1,000 people and damage estimated at $1.6 billion. Its sustained winds were 92 mph with gusts at 227 mph.
Iwa was another notorious Hawaii hurricane, striking in November 1982 and again, hitting Kauai hardest. Iwa killed one person and caused an estimated $250 million in damage. Sustained winds were clocked at 65 mph, with gusts at 117 mph.
The only other fatal Hawaii hurricane on record was Nina, which killed one person when it hit Kauai in Dec. 1-2, 1957.
Typically, June through November is hurricane season here; historic data shows that August, in particular, is prime time to batten down the hatches and stock up on batteries.
Rescued hiker admits group saw kapu sign
They decided to take a "leisurely hike," despite seeing one sign telling them that the Hauula trail was closed and declared unsafe, said one of the five hikers charged with illegally entering Maakua Gulch.The trail had been closed due to possible hazardous conditions after eight people died and 50 others were injured in a landslide at Sacred Falls a week earlier.
Roy Brewer, 25, of Laie and Adrian Aiu, 25, of Salt Lake today entered pleas of not guilty to charges of entering an area closed due to possibly hazardous conditions before Kaneohe District Judge Patricia A. McManaman. Their trial has been scheduled for July 9.
The other men charged -- brothers Robert Billings, 22, and Benjamin Billings, 28, both of Salt Lake; and Zachary Billings, 30, of Phoenix, Ariz. -- did not appear.
All five men face 30 days in jail and up to a $500 fine if convicted. They could also be billed for the cost of the rescue, said Gary Moniz, acting enforcement chief for the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Brewer, a University of Hawaii student, said he had hiked the trail many times without incident and that it was Zachary Billings' fault for getting injured. Billings suffered a knee injury during the hike and had to be transported out by Fire Department helicopter.
While the charges are petty misdemeanors, the gravity of the offenses cannot be emphasized enough, Moniz said.
"We will continue to vigorously prosecute anyone found to be in violation of the closed-area regulation," he said.
People who enter areas officially closed for public-safety reasons not only jeopardize themselves, but also the rescuers who "needlessly risk their lives," Moniz said.
Lecture will examine prostate cancer options
"Prostate Cancer: The Role of Radioactive Seeds" is the subject of the Queen's Medical Center's "Speaking of Health" community lecture series at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at the hospital's Kamehameha Auditorium.Dr. John Lederer, medical director of the Queen's Nae'a Radiation Oncology Department, and Dr. David Kuchenbecker, urologist, will discuss the disease and treatment options.
Lederer will focus on the role of permanent radioactive seed implants, one of the newest techniques in prostate cancer treatment.
Prostate cancer, the most common cancer in males, takes one life every 13 minutes in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.
For reservations and information, call 537-7117.
City offering free food for kids during summer
Kids can get free grinds this summer in the Summer Food Service Program for Children, sponsored by the city Department of Parks and Recreation.Meals will be offered to youths under age 19 attending city park programs, or just enjoying the parks.
The first meals will be served Thursday at Maili Community Park, Makaha Community Park, Pililaau Community Park and Waianae District Park.
The following sites will begin offering meals June 17. Call each site for serving times:
And these sites will start offering meals June 21:Ewa Beach Community Park;
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police, Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffMan accused of 4 years of sexual assaults on girl
Police yesterday charged a 47-year-old California man in connection with numerous sexual assaults on a 15-year-old girl during a four-year span.Bradley Ian Michaelson was charged with two counts of first-degree sexual assault, two counts of second-degree sexual assault and two counts of third-degree sexual assault, police said. He is being held on $250,000 bail.
He has allegedly sexually assaulted the girl in Waialua since 1995, police said. He was arrested Sunday night near Sunset Beach.
Michaelson told police he is a filmmaker.
In other news ...
The man was taken to Queen's Hospital by city ambulance after the 7 p.m. fall yesterday at the Hawaiian Prince apartments.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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