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Hokule'a to soon begin sail home to Hawaii
Navigator Nainoa Thompson left for Tahiti on the weekend to sail the Hokule'a home on the last leg of its historic voyage to Rapa Nui.The traditional voyaging canoe is tentatively scheduled to leave Tahiti between Friday and Feb. 5, said Uluwehi Hopkins of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. The trip is estimated to take between 28 and 33 days.
The Hokule'a will sail to the Big Island first, where the canoe was launched 25 years ago. It will later head for Kualoa Park on Windward Oahu for a homecoming celebration on March 12, also following tradition, Hopkins said.
The Hokule'a left Hilo last June 15 for Rapa Nui. It arrived at the island, about 2,000 miles west of Chile, on Oct. 8.
Campbell acid spill concerns to be heard
State senators will hold a special hearing tomorrow on the acid spill at Campbell Industrial Park.The meeting is at 7 p.m. at the James Campbell Building Laulima Room in Kapolei.
Sens. Colleen Hanabusa and Brian Kanno called the session to examine the spill and learn what needs to be done to protect neighboring communities.
Representatives from Brewer Environmental Industries, which was responsible for the spill, will speak, as well as the Health Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Honolulu Fire Department, Campbell Industrial Park and the public.
To testify, call 586-7330.
Islands' water carries traces of contaminants
WAILUKU -- State health officials have found trace amounts of chemical contaminants in water systems in west Maui, west Molokai, and parts of the Big Island.But officials say none of the chemical levels exceeded drinking water standards.
Officials said they found dibromochloropropane in the Lahaina water system and HCCPD at the Kilauea Military Camp on the Big Island and Maunaloa in west Molokai.
DBCP was used to kill nematodes in pineapple cultivation, and HCCPD is found in various pesticides and in the chlorination of water.
Officials said cadmium was found in the water catchment system in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and isophorone in the North Kona water system.
Cadmium is a contaminant in metals used to galvanize pipes and generally enters the water as the pipes corrode.
Isophorone is used in some herbicides and pesticides and as a solvent in paints.
Felix protests removal of city staff in appeal
City Councilman John Henry Felix is opposing the hiring of outside lawyers to defend the city's position against him before the Zoning Court of Appeals.Felix is appealing a decision by the city Planning and Permitting Department that he is illegally holding weddings in the Aina Haina housing complex where he lives.
Felix maintains that the weddings are allowed under the city land use ordinance's definition of "home occupation."
A resolution authorizing Corporation Counsel David Arakawa's request to pay for outside attorneys will be before the City Council tomorrow.
Arakawa said an opinion from the state Office of Disciplinary Counsel recommended that his office not handle the Felix case.
The duties of Arakawa's office include defending Council members.
Correction
The state Board of Land and Natural Resources will hold a public hearing Thursday on the city's redevelopment plan for Hanauma Bay. A story yesterday said incorrectly that the board was scheduled to vote on the plan.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Police hunt 2 after shots fired in Kona auto chase
OCEAN VIEW, Hawaii -- Kona police are looking for two men who allegedly shot at and hit a police car chasing them for a traffic violation.The incident began at 9:15 p.m. Sunday when the 1985 Nissan sedan sped away from an officer on Hawaii Belt Road near Milolii, South Kona. The officer chased the car into the huge, mostly undeveloped Ocean View subdivision.
The passenger in the Nissan then shot at the officer, hitting his car but not injuring him, police said.
The officer halted the chase, but police were able to find the Nissan in the subdivision yesterday, they said. The car was towed back to the police station.
The case is being investigated by detectives as an attempted murder. Anyone with information is asked to call Kona police at 326-4232.
Robbers hit businesses in Wahiawa and Haleiwa
Police are investigating whether two convenience store robberies that occurred less than an hour apart are related.At 11:40 p.m. last night, police were told, a man entered the Arco service station in Wahiawa with his hand under his shirt. He ran away after receiving an undisclosed amount of money.
About 45 minutes later, two men robbed the Haleiwa 7-Eleven and ran away with 10 cartons of cigarettes, police said. One of the suspects was armed with a handgun.
No arrests were made.
Man arrested in stabbing discovered after wreck
Police have arrested the 22-year-old man allegedly involved in Sunday's crash at Diamond Head for attempted murder.He was arrested yesterday after being released from Queen's Hospital at 4:30 p.m., police said.
The suspect and a woman, also 22, were found at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, ejected from a vehicle that had struck a tree near the entrance to Diamond Head Crater.
Rescuers found the woman had several stab wounds. She was taken to Queen's Hospital in critical condition.
Box jellyfish alert posted for Friday-Sunday
City ocean-safety officials are warning beachgoers about an expected influx of box jellyfish at popular swimming areas this weekend.The influx, which normally occurs nine days after a full moon, is expected to begin Friday and peak over the weekend. Most of the stinging jellyfish should be gone by Monday.
Areas that can be affected include Ala Moana Beach Park, Waikiki Beach, Hanauma Bay, Pokai Bay and Makaha Surfing Beach.
City officials say lifeguards will assess the beaches and post warning signs if necessary.
Stings can be treated with vinegar, but can require more medical attention if pain persists.
17-year-old allegedly hit 15-year-old on TheBus
Police arrested a 17-year-old boy accused of attacking a 15-year-old boy for harassing his uncle.The younger boy was harassing a bus driver yesterday near Farrington Highway and Kahualii Street in Waipahu, when the suspect realized the bus driver was his uncle, police said. According to the police report, the suspect then struck the boy, causing cuts and bruises to his head.
Moiliili home fire blamed on electrical short
An electrical short caused the blaze that destroyed a Moiliili home on Sunday, fire investigators said.Meanwhile, the American Red Cross and the Hawaii Disaster Action Team is providing a family of two adults with lodging, clothing and food.
No one was inside the home at 917 Hausten St. when the fire started. Damage is estimated at $200,000.
Courts
New Year's Eve murder suspects face March trial
Two cousins charged in a New Year's Eve murder in Kalihi will go to trial March 28.Harvey and Rodrigo Ababa, charged in the shooting death of Richard Tambua, both pleaded not guilty yesterday in Circuit Court to four charges, including first-degree attempted murder and second-degree murder.
Tambua's death allegedly resulted from a confrontation between members of rival gangs.
Another man was critically injured in the shooting but survived.
Trial set for man charged in fund-raiser theft
A man charged with stealing fund-raiser money from Manoa Pop Warner football teams faces trial March 28 in Circuit Court.Shane Santos was indicted earlier this month on additional theft charges for money he allegedly stole to take his family on a five-day trip to Las Vegas. He pleaded not guilty.
Santos is the father of one of the players and was in charge of a $10-a-ticket kalua pig fund-raiser.
The Manoa Pop Warner teams were raising money to attend a bowl game in Las Vegas.
