LIHUE -- Entertainer and Honolulu native Bette Midler has purchased 1,400 acres of Amfac/JMB farmland mauka of Kapaa on Kauai's east shore for $4.5 million. Entertainer Midler
buys Kauai parcelThe property, now in sugar cane, will be leased back to Amfac for the next two years. Roberta Haas, a Princeville real estate agent who represented Midler in the sale, said Midler eventually wants to grow timber on the property and has no plans to develop it.
The parcel, which abuts the east slope of Sleeping Giant Mountain, has been on the market for two years and includes a reservoir.
Of key interest to Kauai residents is the fact that the temporary Kapaa Bypass Road, a major artery, goes through the land. Highway engineer Steve Kyono said the state's lease on the right of way expires in mid-2001 and a new agreement will have to be negotiated.
Five Big Isle accidents laid to truck fuel leak
HILO -- Fuel leaking from a military truck along a four-mile stretch of Kamauna Drive and Saddle Road caused five vehicle accidents but no injuries yesterday, police said.The incident was caused by a truck on loan to the Marine Corps from the Hawaii Army National Guard, said Marine Corps spokesperson Lt. Angela Judge.
The truck was configured to carry 2,500 gallons of fuel to a 400-person Marine exercise at Pohakuloa Training Area, Judge said. But the spill came from the fuel line to the vehicle's engine, not from the fuel it was carrying, she said.
The spill was estimated at 45 gallons, Judge said. it began at about 11:15 a.m. and was cleaned up by 5:30 p.m.
15 in isle Guard back from duty in Turkey
Fifteen members from a Hawaii Air National Guard air-refueling squadron returned to the islands yesterday after spending nearly three weeks in Turkey helping U.S. and other allied-nation aircraft patrol the the northern "no-fly zone" over Iraq.
Going nowhere fast
Navy to christen ship honoring Hawaii hero
The Navy tomorrow will christen its news roll-on/roll-off cargo ship the USNS Pililaau to honor Medal of Honor recipient Army Private 1st Class Herbert Pililaau, who was killed while defending "Heartbreak Ridge" in the Korean War.Agnes Kim, Pililaau's sister, and Polly Ellis, wife of Navy Adm. James Ellis, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe, will break a bottle of champagne across the bow of the ship tomorrow during a ceremony at Litton-Avondale Industries in New Orleans.
Kauai issues brochure on beach dangers
LIHUE -- In the wake of 12 drownings on Kauai last year, Kauai County has issued a brochure pointing out the hazards at 45 beaches on the island and showing which -- there are only six -- have lifeguards.The message is blunt: "Some visitors do not go home alive."
The brochure lists up to seven hazards ranging from high surf to sharp coral. Only two beaches, Tunnels Beach at Haena County Park and Shipwreck's Beach in Poipu, have all seven. Neither has a lifeguard station.
Every beach but Salt Pond County Beach Park has strong currents, according to the brochure. Rip currents, usually caused by sudden high surf that can knock a swimmer down, can suck swimmers away from shore. Currents are the cause of most drownings on Kauai.
The brochure recommends swimming at beaches with lifeguards. People who choose to swim where there are no lifeguards should check with local people at the beach on possible hazards. It also recommends watching the water for signs of currents and always wearing fins, whether snorkeling or just swimming.
The brochure was produced by the Kauai Ocean Rescue Council and sponsored by the county's Office of Economic Development. It will be available at shops specializing in aquatic activities.
Corrections
The Star-Bulletin reported incorrectly yesterday that Eleanor Ahuna of Hilo, who served on the Hawaiian Homes Commission from 1980-1988, had died. The error was made by using newspaper clippings about the native Hawaiian advocate as background for an obituary about her sister-in-law, Eleanor Miulan Kuualoha Ahuna, who died Dec. 29. The Star-Bulletin apologizes for the error.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Police open drug case as tot suffers seizure
Police opened a child endangering case yesterday after an infant suffered a seizure, apparently from ingesting drugs.The year-old girl suffered a seizure on Wednesday night in Waipahu and was taken to St. Francis-West Hospital, police said.
She later was transferred to Kapiolani Hospital, where "an unusual drug was found in her urine," a police report said.
Hospital officials said the girl is in stable condition this morning.
Purse snatchers prey on women, two elderly
Police are asking for the public's help in locating two men believed responsible for at least three purse snatchings earlier this week.The two suspects took purses from three women in Waikiki and Kalihi in a 24-hour period from Monday night to Tuesday, police said. Two of the women in Waikiki are 87 and 88 years old.
Police said one suspect called a woman "grandma" during the robbery.
The men were seen driving away in a stolen Nissan Maxima, police said. They are described as young men, 5 feet 10 and 200 pounds.
If you have information, call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
Dillingham bar robbed by two customers
Police are searching for two men who robbed a Kalihi bar yesterday afternoon.The bartender had just opened Club LC on Dillingham Boulevard when two men entered and ordered beer at 3:20 p.m., police said. When she brought the beer, one man pulled out a gun and demanded money.
Suspect is charged in robbery-kidnapping
Police charged a man yesterday in connection with a robbery-kidnapping on Sunday.Reid Oishi was charged with kidnapping, first-degree terroristic threatening and auto theft, police said. He is being held on $25,000 bail. Oishi, 30, allegedly pulled a knife on a woman and took her van.
