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WAILUKU -- The state has denied a Kauai boat operator's request to have more than 49 passengers on a cruise off the pristine Na Pali Coast. Na Pali boater loses
bid to expand toursAndrew Evans of Captain Andy's Sailing Inc. asked the Board of Land and Natural Resources to allow his company to bring in about 100 passengers in state regulated waters.
Board members yesterday indicated that they did not want to set a precedent and increase the potential number of visitors without conducting a comprehensive study.
Evans has a lawsuit pending in federal court in Honolulu, challenging the 49-passenger limit the board established.
Lunar eclipse starts tonight at 1:57 a.m.
If skies are clear, residents will see a total eclipse of the moon starting at 1:57 a.m.By 3:05 a.m., the moon will be within the Earth's dark inner shadow. The total eclipse will last one hour and 47 minutes.
It will be the last lunar eclipse visible here for seven years and should be beautiful if it's visible, according to Mike Shanahan, Bishop Museum Planetarium manager.
Viewers should look to the western part of the sky when the eclipse is beginning.
It will be the longest lunar eclipse since 1859 and the longest until the 22nd century, he said.
Comet LINEAR also may be visible without binoculars. It will be in the faint constellation of Camelopardalis during the lunar eclipse.
Waikiki beachboys can stay for now, city says
The Palekaiko Beachboys are back in the sun, sand and surf of Waikiki today, the result of an agreement reached with the city that allows them to continue operating.Palekaiko Beachboys Club Inc. appeared in court yesterday seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the city from evicting them from the Kuhio Beach concession stand they've been running since March 1999.
The city yesterday told state judge Sabrina McKenna it will not evict Palekaiko until it comes up with new rules to award the concession contract.
"The city is willing to allow them to remain until the matter is resolved," deputy corporation counsel Caron Inagaki said.
Beachboys Tom Copp and Ralph Martin said they are "elated" they won't be evicted, at least not yet.
The city notified Palekaiko they would be evicted because of a challenge from losing bidder, Hawaii Beach Service, which had run the concession since 1995.
Porsche driver faces drunk-driving charge
A man who was driving a Porsche 911 that slammed head-on into another car July 3 on Kamehameha Highway near Kamananui Road will be tried on charges related to first-degree negligence and drunken driving.A 9-year-old girl, a passenger in the car that was struck, had to have her spleen removed.
District Judge Faauuga Tootoo ordered Raymond Baca to be tried in Circuit Court. Baca's arraignment and plea is set for July 27.
A police specialist testified that Baca's blood-alcohol level was 0.17. The legal limit is 0.08.
Drought plan will help isles prepare, respond
Hawaii has taken steps to minimize drought.Gov. Ben Cayetano has approved preparations to study the rainfall shortage and seek ways to counter it.
The Hawaii Drought Council, with input from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, is preparing a basic blueprint and strategy, and the first phase could be completed today.
The council came into being last year after the governor called for the state Department of Agriculture to begin work on an anti-drought plan.
"This is not the first year, nor will it be the last, that our state will feel the devastating impacts of a drought," Cayetano said. "The Hawaii Drought Plan will provide a strategy for effective preparedness and coordination of response measures to lessen the impact of droughts."
Public comment may be offered in workshops next month.
Clarification
A story on citrus black flies Thursday incorrectly suggested there are no predatory wasps to fight fruit flies in Hawaii. State entomologist Ken Teramoto says more than 20 types of wasp have been released to fight fruit flies since 1913. The wasps have controlled the flies but not eliminated them, and more types of wasp are being sought.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Man fires two shots at Makiki resident
Police are searching for a man who fired shots at another man in Makiki last night.A 30-year-old man opened the door to his Poki Street apartment and was confronted by an unknown man with a handgun at 11:45 p.m., police said.
The resident fled toward a stairway as the man fired two rounds from about five feet away, but missed, police said.
71-year-old accused of assaulting boy
A 71-year-old Aiea man is in custody, accused of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old boy at a fast-food restaurant in Pearl City yesterday, police said.Amadco Acupido was charged with third-degree assault, police said. He is being held on $5,000 bail.
The boy reported he was assaulted in the men's bathroom at about 8 a.m.
Jeep overturns on lava rocks, killing tourist
KAILUA-KONA -- A tourist was killed and her male companion seriously injured in a one-car accident on Mamalahoa Highway north of Kailua-Kona yesterday, police said.Their Jeep Wrangler, driven by the man, went off the road and overturned in lava rocks at Puuanahulu about 3 p.m., police said.
The woman, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from the car. The man, who was wearing a seatbelt, was critically injured. He was taken to Queen's Hospital.
Gunman in green ski mask robs Hilo bank
HILO -- A masked gunman robbed a First Hawaiian Bank branch on Waianuenue Avenue in downtown Hilo yesterday, police said.The man fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash following the 4:28 p.m.robbery.
He was described as being between 5 feet 2 inches and 5 feet 5 inches tall, slim, with a dark complexion. He was wearing a green army jacket, a green ski mask, blue jeans, and white shoes.
Police seeking driver who hit girl on bicycle
HILO -- Police are looking for the driver who hit a 9-year-old girl on her bicycle in Leilani Estates subdivision yesterday afternoon, they said.The girl suffered minor injuries. She was treated at Hilo Hospital and released.
The girl described the woman driver as being about 5 feet 10 inches tall, slim, wearing a brightly colored dress with black prints. She was driving a sedan with light blue metallic paint, the girl said.
