Two Oahu fishermen cited for taking coral
Two Honolulu fishermen have been cited for illegally taking live coral from waters off the North Shore.A Department of Land and Natural Resources enforcement officer charged Tom Tan Nguyen, 48, and Quang Van Lam, 52, with violating the state law which prohibits breaking or taking live stony coral from Hawaii waters.
They will be arraigned July 15 in Waialua District Court.
"Coral is the foundation of our reefs and fish habitats in Hawaii," said Gary Moniz, acting administrator of conservation and resources enforcement.
He asked that the department be called by anyone with information about activities that damage coral.
House bill would help foster kids turning 18
State officials are encouraged by moves in Washington to expand the benefits that help foster children after they are released from state care upon turning 18.The bill, which passed the U.S. House yesterday, would double the funding for programs that help foster children adjust to being independent at an age when most teen-agers are still being helped by their families.
About 20,000 children leave the system each year after turning 18.
But two-thirds don't finish high school, 61 percent have no job skills and 38 percent are diagnosed as emotionally disturbed, said Rep. Nancy Johnson, R-Conn.
In Hawaii, Amy Tsark, state Child Welfare Services Branch administrator, said the state already allows payments to children going to school after 18, and recently adjusted the rules so that payments would be made even if the teen-ager was going to school part-time.
"We recognize that it is difficult for this population, so we support whatever the Congress is doing," she said.
Natatorium work put on hold until Wednesday
There won't be any construction at the Waikiki War Memorial and Natatorium before Wednesday afternoon when Circuit Judge Gail Nakatani hears a motion to temporarily block work at the facility.City officials, who said work was scheduled to begin Monday, agreed to the delay yesterday after meeting with attorney Jim Bickerton and Nakatani in the judge's chambers.
Bickerton, attorney for the Kaimana Beach Coalition, petitioned for a temporary restraining order earlier in the day.
The coalition is seeking a permanent injunction to stop the city from its $11.5 million restoration of the natatorium, stating that the city has not obtained all necessary permits.
Kalihi Valley pool likely to reopen on Tuesday
Kalihi Valley District Park's swimming pool should be open to the public by 9 a.m. Tuesday, according to city officials.Crews from the Parks Department's Maintenance Support Services Division are finished painting temporary epoxy on the pool's surface and anticipate filling the pool on Monday, park officials said.
The pool has been shut down since April 19 after having recurring problems with a vinyl lining.
The pool will close again after the summer so a permanent tile lining can be installed.
Corrections
Ruby Hargrave is executive director of the Honolulu Community Action Program. The name of the organization was incorrect in an article yesterday.
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Police, Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffMan turns himself in for Monday bank robbery
A man who is believed to have robbed the Chinatown American Savings Bank on Monday turned himself in yesterday.On Monday, a man presented a demand note and ran away with an undisclosed amount of money.
The suspect, who has no known address, turned himself in to authorities at 3:13 p.m. yesterday admitting he robbed the bank, police said.
He was arrested and turned over to the custody of the FBI.
'Sideburn bandit' robs another Kaimuki bank
A man responsible for nearly one-third of Hawaii's bank robberies this year struck again yesterday in Kaimuki.Territorial Savings & Loan at 1108 12th Ave. was the fifth robbery since January pulled off by a man called the "sideburn bandit" by local FBI agents.
On June 4, the same man robbed nearby American Savings Bank at 1139 12th Ave. but was given a dye pack which exploded outside the bank.
Yesterday represents the first time he has attempted two bank robberies in the same area and also the same month.
The man is also suspected of robbing Bank of Honolulu's Pearlridge branch in January, Territorial Savings & Loan's Ala Moana branch in April and City Bank in Kalihi last month.
The suspect yesterday entered the bank at 2:35 p.m. and demanded cash from a teller by note. He fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
He is in his 20s, about 5 feet 6, with a slender build and a goatee.
Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 521-1411 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
Women passing counterfeit bills prompt federal investigation
Two woman are being investigated in two unrelated cases for passing counterfeit bills yesterday.A 45-year-old woman is being investigated by U.S. Secret Service agents after she paid a Domino's Pizza delivery person with a fake $10 bill.
A 43-year-old woman was arrested after she presented a Waianae Tesoro gas station with a fake $20 bill.
She was booked for first-degree forgery.
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