Tomorrow marks 40 years since Kilauea Iki
HILO -- Tomorrow marks the 40th anniversary of the eruption of Kilauea Iki on the edge of Kilauea caldera, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory noted.The vent erupted for 36 days beginning Nov. 14, 1959, sending fountains as high as 1,800 feet into the air.
"Longtime volcano watchers will all agree that the Kilauea Iki eruption was the most spectacular display of lava activity they have seen," the observatory's weekly "Volcano Watch" column said.
To recognize the event, the U.S. Geological Survey is bringing Donald Richter, the observatory's staff geologist in 1959, from his summer home in Alaska to give a talk on Kilauea Iki.
Richter will speak starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Kilauea Visitor Center auditorium. The talk will include a slide presentation and showing of the award-winning film "Kilauea Erupts."
Observatory spokesman Arnold Okamura noted that lava fountains from 1983 to 1986 at the current eruption site at Puu Oo crater were sometimes as high as those of Kilauea Iki. But the remote location of Puu Oo forced most people to watch it from several miles away, he said.
In 1959, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park allowed visitors to go almost to the edge of the Kilauea Iki vent while it erupted, he said.
"You would feel the ground shake and hear (the eruption) roaring," he said.
Soft sell
Maui's Own Hot Dogs recalled for Listeria
Uncle Louie Sausage Co. of Kahului has voluntarily recalled about 300 pounds of hot dogs that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.A U.S. Department of Agriculture announcement yesterday said the product -- known as Maui's Own Hot Dogs -- were packaged Oct. 29 in 1- and 3-pound packages. Each package label bears "EST. 12449" inside the USDA mark of inspection and has a self-adhesive label that reads "1029996."
"Because of the potential of food-borne illness, we urge consumers who have purchased the suspect product not to eat it and to return it to the point of purchase," said a spokeswoman for the USDA's food safety and inspection service.
The problem was discovered through routine microbiological sampling.
Listeria monocytogenic contamination may cause listeriosis, a rare but potentially fatal illness. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. It has been known to cause high fever, severe headaches, stiff necks and nausea. Listeriosis may also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weak immune systems, the USDA said.
No reports of such illnesses have been received recently in Hawaii, it added. Anyone concerned about an illness should consult a physician immediately, the USDA said.
To get questions answered about the recall, call Kenneth R. Enriques, the company's owner, at (808) 871-7544, the USDA said. Consumers with questions about food safety may call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555.
YWCA to hold craft fair and silent auction
The YWCA of Oahu will hold its 13th annual craft fair and silent auction Dec. 1-3 at the Laniakea YWCA in downtown Honolulu.Local and handmade items will be featured, including jewelry and Hawaiian-style quilts.
The fair will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. The Laniakea YWCA is at 1040 Richards St. For more information, call Elena Gonzalez-Bayless at 538-7061, ext. 213.
Clarification
Free hepatitis B shots are for members of the Hawaii State Teachers Association Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association Trust who are specifically covered under the Hawaii Medical Service Association PPO plan.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Maui police have shut down a crystal methamphetamine lab near a single-family residence in rural Kanaio, where a police officer suffered a fatal heart attack during surveillance. 'Ice' lab shut down on Maui
Theodore Wender, described as a resident of the house, was charged with manufacturing illegal drugs in a criminal complaint yesterday in federal court.
On Wednesday afternoon, federal agents served a search warrant and searched the property with other law-enforcement personnel while Wender was present, according to an affidavit filed by Michael D. Rothermund, a Drug Enforcement Administration special agent.
According to the affidavit:
Searchers found the makings of a fully operational and functioning clandestine methamphetamine manufacturing lab in a shed about 25 yards from the main house.
Officer Cerilo A. Agarano, 45, suffered a heart attack while on surveillance of the home and died Tuesday night at Maui Memorial Hospital. Police said the remoteness of the area and poor police radio communications hampered efforts to get help for him.
Army man, 37, drowns off Hawaii Kai shore
A 37-year-old Army man apparently drowned this morning while diving near Hawaii Kai.The man has been tentatively identified as Dale Slough of the Helemano Military Reservation.
Rescue officials said Slough was found floating in the water off the Lanai lookout at about 6:30 a.m.
Lifeguards and firefighters brought him to shore but could not revive him.
The death is the second drowning off Oahu in three days.
On Thursday, a 48-year-old man drowned while bodyboarding on the North Shore.
Stevedore dies after pinned against trailer
A tractor operator received fatal injuries in an accident at Matson Container Yard at Pier 53 on Sand Island yesterday.Arley Shigemitsu, 38, of Kaneohe was pronounced dead at Queen's Hospital at 10:57 a.m.
Shigemitsu had reversed a tractor toward a container trailer, and got off to connect cables. The tractor continued to roll and pinned him against the container trailer.
Matson personnel used a forklift to separate the tractor from the container so firefighters, who responded to a 9:54 a.m. call, could remove Shigemitsu.
Shigemitsu was placed on a gurney and transported to Queen's by ambulance.
The accident represents the second stevedoring death here within six months.
On May 25 an operation supervisor for Hawaii Stevedores, Edgar Fernandez, 56, drowned after accidentally driving a forklift off a pier at Barbers Point into water 40 feet deep.
Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigators later cited and fined Hawaii Stevedores.
Police seek suspect in Kailua bank robbery
Police are seeking help in identifying a male suspect who robbed the Kailua branch of American Savings Bank at 200 Hamakua Drive.The suspect is believed to have also robbed the American Savings branch on 12th Avenue in Kaimuki Sept. 29.
The Kailua robbery occurred near closing time Wednesday at about 5:45 p.m.The suspect passed a note to a teller demanding money, police said.
After money was handed over, he put the bills in a fanny pack, left the bank and rode off on a black bicycle in the direction of Liberty House.
He is described as in his early 30s, 5-foot-10, 160-180 pounds, muscular and tan complexioned, with thick, wavy black hair.
He was clad in a dark, printed, long-sleeve shirt with a dark T-shirt underneath, dark pants, dark dress shoes and a white baseball cap with a logo and dark brim. Anyone with information can call 955-8300.
Waianae man, 22, held in sex assault on girl, 5
Police have charged a 22-year-old Waianae man in connection with sexually assaulting a 5-year-old girl.Charles B. Miller was charged yesterday with first- and third-degree sexual assault, police said. He is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.
Police believe Miller allegedly took the girl to an apartment in Waianae on Thursday and sexually assaulted her.
