Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
LIHUE -- Kauai's famous Lumahai Beach, where the movie "South Pacific" was filmed, is one step closer to becoming a state park and tour boats are banned from Hanalei Bay, after separate votes by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. Kauai beach closer
to becoming state parkThe board issued a use permit yesterday to the Trust for Public Land -- a non-profit group that acquires property that otherwise might be developed -- allowing it to purchase 37 acres of Lumahai Beach, one of the most photographed beaches on the island.
The trust plans to resell it to the state for eventual use as a new state park.
East Lumahai Beach, located west of Hanalei Bay, is popularly called "Nurses Beach." It's where Mitzi Gaynor sang "I'm Going To Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair" to her fellow Navy nurses in the 1957 movie "South Pacific."
Land adjacent to the beach is now privately owned, although many visitors use it without permission.
Teresa McHugh, project manager for the Trust for Public Lands' Hawaii field office, said she could not reveal the sale price at this time but it would become public later.
The deal involves the purchase of small pieces from several owners. McHugh said the state already has set aside the money to repurchase the property. She said the sale should close in December or January.
The land board also effectively banned commercial vessels, except kayaks, from operating out of Hanalei Bay.
Bob Butler, owner of Captain Sundown Cruises, said he would challenge the board's action in court.
He said there is no place for him to go because his boat is too small to operate from Port Allen, where a previous group of evicted tour boat operators relocated, and there are long waiting lists for every other state harbor.
Daylight Savings Time returns on mainland
Most mainland clocks will be set back an hour tonight as Daylight Saving Time ends at midnight.Daylight Saving Time, which began in the United States in 1918 as part of the war effort during World War I and was standardized under the federal Uniform Time Act in 1967, now begins on the first Sunday in April and ends on the last Sunday in October.
Veto could scuttle Hawaii ocean funding
More than $33 million is provided for Hawaii ocean resources and marine research programs in a congressional measure sent to the White House and likely to be vetoed by President Clinton.U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye said the funding was attached to a Senate-passed District of Columbia Appropriations Bill. Initially, it was part of the Departments of Commerce, Justice and State and Judiciary Appropriations bill.
Clinton has indicated he will veto the bill because it doesn't address some important national issues.
Among the largest Hawaii funding items are $13 million for the East-West Center and $8 million for a new research ship to replace the Townsend Cromwell, operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Funds also were provided for coral reef research and conservation, tsunami mitigation, protection of Hawaiian monk seals, fisheries enhancement and ornamental fish aquaculture.
Islands win grants for law enforcement
Honolulu has received $829,000 to support law enforcement and crime prevention programs under a U.S. Department of Justice grant.The Office of Justice Programs also awarded about $83,000 each to Hawaii and Maui counties and $19,000 to Kauai, according to an announcement by U.S. Rep. Patsy T. Mink.
The program supports projects such as bolstering security at schools, multi-jurisdictional law enforcement task forces and establishing or supporting drug courts.
Alzheimer's group honors 4 caregivers
Four caregivers were to be honored today as "unsung heroes" by the Alzheimer's Association, Aloha Chapter, at its 11th Annual Kako'o Awards.Cited for excellent service: Brenda Chaloupka, Windward Seniors Day Care Center; Edith Daphne Flores, Maunalani Nursing & Rehabilitation Center; Myelody Manuel, Convalescent Center of Honolulu, and Sally Coriaga-Taneyo, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.
Janet Bender, executive director of the association's Aloha Chapter, said, "The caregivers who receive this award are often the unsung heroes."
Tomorrow
Some events of interest10 a.m.-6 p.m. tomorrow, McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Beach Park: Taiwanese Cultural Festival.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Police seek help solving two
Two morning bank robberies, likely unrelated, occurred yesterday, and public help is needed to find the suspects.
unrelated bank robberiesA man believed to be in his early 20s robbed the Kapalama Branch of American Savings Bank at 1190 Dillingham Boulevard shortly after 11 a.m., police said.
He passed a note to a teller demanding money, police said. The robber put the money in a fanny pack and ran out.
He was described as 5 feet 3 inches, with a slight build, about 120 pounds, black hair and mustache. He was wearing a beige baseball cap, dark jacket, shorts and athletic shoes. He had a black fanny pack and black backpack. He is believed to be the same suspect who robbed the Liliha Branch of First Hawaiian Bank on Oct. 12.
In the other holdup, a 34-year-old suspect entered the main branch of Central Pacific Bank at 220 S. King St. at about 10 a.m. He displayed what appeared to be a gun to a teller, took an undisclosed sum and fled, police said.He is described as tan-complexioned with short dark hair, 5 feet 4, heavy-set with muscular build, 170 pounds. Clad in a white T-shirt, jeans, a Yankee baseball cap and running shoes, he was wearing a fake mustache and a wig. Anyone having information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or the FBI at 566-4300.
