Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Puna Geothermal OK'd for Big Isle expansion
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has granted Puna Geothermal Ventures final approval to expand its operation on the Big Island.Puna Geothermal now has three underground wells taking steam from Kilauea Volcano to convert to energy for Big Island use.
Approval of the final permit by EPA enables Puna Geothermal to continue operation of the three wells and also makes possible the construction of up to seven additional wells.
Puna Geothermal will be required to ensure it has effective safeguards to guarantee groundwater protection and safe operation, EPA said.
Puna Geothermal hopes to double its output to 60 megawatts capacity. The 30 megawatts it now provides meets about 25 percent of Big Island electrical needs.
Fasi decides against 3-way mayoral debate
Former Mayor Frank Fasi says he will not participate in a debate with Mayor Jeremy Harris and former City Councilman Mufi Hannemann. All three are running for mayor and were scheduled to attend a Sept. 12 debate sponsored by the Kalihi Business Association.The luncheon event was to be taped and broadcast that evening on KHNL-TV, but Fasi said yesterday that he wouldn't participate because the event was scheduled during the day and the association was charging $25 for the luncheon.
He said if it wasn't free and open to the public at a nonworking time, he would not attend.
Chuck Parker, news director for KHNL-TV, said the station planned to broadcast the meeting whether or not Fasi attended.
"From our standpoint, nothing has changed. We have nothing to do with the administration or format. We were unable to schedule a prime time for the debate," Parker said.
KHON-TV has also tentatively scheduled a debate on Sept. 13, but Fasi has also refused to attend that meeting.
Waimanalo library to offer weekly storytime for keiki
Waimanalo Public and School Library will offer two free, ongoing Children's Storytime programs starting this week and continuing through December.The first regular Wednesday storytelling will begin at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow and is designed for children up to age 7 accompanied by parents or caregivers.
The second program begins at 10 a.m. Thursday and is designed for preschool-age children and their teachers, parents or caregivers.
Kailua Public Library patrons are especially invited to attend these Waimanalo storytellings while the Kailua library is closed for renovation.
McCully-Moiliili closes library for renovations
The McCully-Moiliili Library will close for about one month beginning Sept. 5 for renovation, while the air-conditioning system gets upgraded.McCully-Moiliili patrons should not leave donations outside the library, as staff members will be deployed to other libraries.
The King Street book drop will remain open.
Patrons are asked to visit neighboring libraries -- Kaimuki, Manoa and the main library at 478 S. King St.
The courts
Son indicted in father's stabbing death
An Oahu grand jury has indicted a man for causing the death of his father more than a year ago at their Waimanalo home.Angelito Taca was indicted with second-degree murder on Thursday. He had been charged on Aug. 7, 1999 with second-degree murder in the slaying of Isabelo Taca, 73, who died of a stab wound to his chest.
Taca's daughter had told police she saw her brother stab their father.
Police arrested the younger Taca and recovered three knives, including two that appeared coated with blood.
At the time of his arrest, Taca also had blood on himself.
C. Brewer attorney calls lawsuit 'ridiculous'
C. Brewer says a lawsuit filed by a firm that failed in its attempt to acquire C. Brewer is baseless and without merit.Responding to a suit filed by Strother Timberlands, C. Brewer said the action filed against its parent firm and shareholders is without any legal claim against C. Brewer.
The kamaaina firm says Strother chose to personally attack its executives and shareholders.
Alan Kugle, C. Brewer executive vice president and general counsel, called Strother's suit "ridiculous and reckless and disparaging of Hawaii's oldest company and some of Hawaii's most respected executives."
C. Brewer says it plans to file an answer and countersuit against Strother.
"Those people were given every opportunity to complete the acquisition of C. Brewer and they failed and now they have filed a nuisance lawsuit," Kugle said.
Tomorrow
Some events of interest
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Neal Blaisdell Center, Pikake Room: Federal hearing regarding U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka's native Hawaiian recognition bill. Hearings originally scheduled for the neighbor islands will be held on Oahu.
Corrections
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Messy Job
Man arrested in sexual assault at Waikiki bar
Police arrested a 24-year-old man yesterday for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman at a Waikiki bar earlier this month.The suspect, who resides on Kuhio Avenue, followed the woman into the restroom and reportedly sexually assaulted her on Aug. 13, police said.
He was located yesterday and arrested on suspicion of first-degree sexual assault and kidnapping.
Homeless man held in Waikiki stabbing
A 40-year-old homeless man remains in police custody today for allegedly stabbing another man in the neck with a screwdriver on Sunday.The two men were drinking together near Kalakaua Avenue and Lewers Street in Waikiki when they got into a argument late Sunday night, police said. The suspect allegedly stabbed the victim and fled on a bicycle.
He was apprehended yesterday at 2:50 a.m. for attempted murder, police said. The victim was taken to Queen's Hospital where he remains in good condition.
Body of boy, 15, found near Maui waterfall
WAILUKU -- The body of a 15-year-old boy was recovered yesterday afternoon in about 15 feet of water near a waterfall in the Kailua Stream in east Maui.The boy, last seen at the top of the falls, was reported missing at about 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Assistant Fire Chief Richard Fernandez said fire rescue workers searched the area until 9:30 p.m. Sunday night and resumed the search at 5 a.m. yesterday.
Fernandez said the waters in the stream were raging and fire rescue officials had to wait until yesterday afternoon for conditions that would allow diving.
A fire rescue diver using scuba gear and attached to a rope to keep him from slipping downstream found the body after the dive was authorized at about 4:10 p.m. yesterday.
Fernandez said the boy was from the mainland.
Body found on Maui identified as Hana man
WAILUKU -- The man whose body was found in a streambed below a 15-foot cliff near Ulaino Road in east Maui has been identified as Donald Newbrey of Hana.Police Lt. Glenn Cuomo said Newbrey, 54, whose body was discovered on Aug. 21, had been drinking and suffered multiple injuries.
Cuomo said the cause of the death is pending toxicology tests. An autopsy was conducted Friday.
Victim swept out to sea was UH-Hilo professor
HILO -- Police have identified a man who drowned off Laupahohoe Point Sunday as David Waller, 39, a professor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo who had recently moved from Texas.Waller was swept out to sea about 2 p.m. Sunday.
Onlookers said several boogie boarders went to his rescue, but he went under before they reached him.
They managed to get him onto a board and hold him there until a helicopter reached them, police said. Waller was pronounced dead at Hilo Hospital.
