Millennium Moments
ESTABLISHED under the Hawaiian monarchy in 1848, Honolulu's water system started when its first reservoir was built that year around Fort and Queen Emma streets, mauka of Beretania Street. From there, water was piped to ships in the harbor, say Carl Myatt and Deborah Uchida in "Hawaii the Electric Century." Water system goes with flow
Three decades later, the water system advanced with discovery and development of Oahu's first artesian well. Hired by millionaire James Campbell, well-borer James Ashley struck water near Pearl Harbor in 1879, the authors said. By 1884, five wells had been drilled by the government at Pawaa, Iolani Palace grounds, Thomas Square, in Makiki, and on King Street near the Judiciary building.
A steam pumping station built in 1895 at Beretania and Alapai streets started pumping 3 million gallons of water daily; in 1929, a second station was built ewa of the old station. Since 1959, the Board of Water Supply has overseen Oahu's suburban water supply from its headquarters next to the pumping station.
Isle contingent returns from duty in E.Timor
Six members of a Pacific Command mobile-communications unit returned yesterday from East Timor, where they supported Australian-led United Nations peacekeeping efforts.Five more unit members of MSQ-126, which is headquartered at Pearl Harbor, will return today.
"We were proud to play an important role in this important operation, but we're also really glad to be home," said Maj. Charles Peabody.
The unit left Hawaii Sept. 19 and included one Marine Corps officer and 16 Navy personnel.
Still in East Timor supporting the U.N. peacekeeping mission are more than a dozen Army Reservists from the 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade at Fort Shafter.
Groups hope to save Molokai watershed
A partnership of public and private groups plans to spend $400,000 in the next two years to preserve and restore watershed lands in east Molokai.The partnership is trying to prevent increasing damage to the native forests from wild animals such as pigs, goats and deer.
The native forest, located above the 3,500-foot level, is also being threatened by foreign plants, which have replaced native species destroyed during recent wildfires.
The money will be spent mainly for fencing and animal control at Kamalo and Kapualei, encompassing about 5,000 acres.
Officials also plan to institute an organized hunting program to help to reduce the number of goats and pigs.
Remains from N.Korea due to arrive today
TOKYO -- Remains believed to be those of three U.S. servicemen killed in the Korean War were to be flown this morning to Hawaii for identification, which is expected to take several months, U.S. military officials said.North Korean authorities handed over the remains to U.S. officials in Pyongyang, and the caskets were flown to Yokota Air Base, a U.S. military facility 20 miles west of Tokyo.
A U.N.-organized repatriation ceremony, including an honor guard and chaplain's prayer, was held at Yokota.
The last North Korean hand-over of remains believed to belong to U.S. servicemen was last month.
About 8,200 U.S. servicemen are still listed as missing from the 1950-53 Korean War. The United States has recovered remains believed to be those of 42 Americans since 1996.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Homicide probe opened at Kuhio Park Terrace
Police have opened a murder investigation into the death of a man who was found critically injured in the parking lot of Kuhio Park Terrace early Wednesday morning.Efnet Haro, 45, was found unconscious with severe head injuries in the parking lot of Building A at 2:30 a.m., police said. He was taken to Queen's Hospital in critical condition. He died there 12 hours later.
Man, 49, allegedly stabs former girlfriend, 34
Police arrested a 49-year-old man yesterday for allegedly stabbing a former girlfriend, 34, at his Kalihi apartment.Police said the two live in the same Bannister Street apartment complex, and he was angry because she refused to continue their relationship.
He pulled her into his unit at about 11 a.m. yesterday and stabbed her twice in the chest with a knife, police said.
The woman was reported in stable condition at Queen's Hospital.
Maui motorcyclist critical after broadsiding car
WAILUKU -- A 29-year-old man was in critical condition today at Maui Memorial Hospital after the motorcycle he was driving struck a car broadside in Kula.Craig W. Diego of Pukalani was traveling north on Lower Kula Road when a car turned into his path at Waipoli Road at about 2:18 p.m. yesterday, police said.
Police said the car was driven by an 88-year-old Kula man.
Haleiwa man, 48, dies while bodyboarding
A 48-year-old Haleiwa man died yesterday in the waters off Pupukea Beach while bodyboarding in 3- to 5-foot surf.The man was pulled from the water by a surfer at noon, according to Ocean Safety officials. He was transported to Wahiawa General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police nab two suspects in Waimanalo robbery
A couple was arrested yesterday for allegedly robbing a man of $19.The man was leaving his job at Waimanalo BBQ when he was approached by the two suspects at 9:45 p.m., police said. The male suspect struck him in the face, and the woman took $19 from his pockets.
They fled but were apprehended in Hawaii Kai.
Police said the victim identified the suspects and told police the two frequent the restaurant.
Woman at Kalihi bus stop is robbed of her purse
Police are searching for three men who robbed a woman of her purse in Kalihi this morning.The suspects, in a white Honda, drove up to the woman at a bus stop at Gulick and King streets and grabbed her purse at 7:07 a.m., police said. She fell to the ground but was not seriously injured.
Hawaiian Electric Co. workers witnessed the robbery and followed the car but lost sight of it at the Red Hill exit.
The suspect who grabbed the purse is described as 18 to 20 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall with bleached hair.
