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Waves of more than 20 feet were expected by this afternoon on the north and west shores of Oahu and Kauai, with smaller wave action on north and west shores of other islands. 20-foot surf expected
on north, west shoresTwo Pacific storms caused large swells, said Bob Farrell, National Weather Service lead forecaster. The first started in the farthest corner of the northwest Pacific, just north of Japan.
"Then there was a much larger storm that had generated another swell," he said. That storm was closer to Hawaii, and its impact was expected to reach here by this morning, Farrell added. The first swell was expected to taper down to under 10 feet overnight.
Oahu's North Shore likely will take the heaviest pounding today, with surf probably exceeding 20 feet in the evening, Farrell said.
Swimmers, surfers, beach-goers and residents should take precautions and follow the directives of lifeguards.
Car fells pole, causes Kaimuki power outage
Hawaiian Electric Co. crews were working this morning to restore power in Kaimuki after a car knocked down a pole and lines near Kilauea and 12th avenues.Police closed the block where the 4:25 a.m. crash occurred.
The electric company reported power outages along Kilauea Avenue from 9th Avenue to the HECO substation on Lauwai Street.
All power, except on 12th Avenue, was expected to be restored this morning.
Arbitrators OK contract for UPW's Unit 10
A three-member arbitration panel has approved an agreement giving corrections officers, paramedics and other emergency service workers, nurses and other assorted government workers a contract similar to those reached with other United Public Workers members earlier this week.The contract for the 2,600 workers in Unit 10 of the United Public Workers calls for 11 percent increases over the next two years.
In exchange, annual vacation and sick-leave provisions are being scaled back for new hires. The union also agreed to a two-strikes-you're-out drug policy and a workplace violence policy.
The contract mirrors the one reached earlier this week by the state and UPW's Unit 1, which represents 8,700 custodial, road, solid-waste and wastewater management employees.
The state said the two contracts, which run through June 30, 2003, will cost the state about $22 million more than current contracts.
Japan cultural center seeks volunteers
The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii is seeking long-term and on-call volunteers in various areas, including data entry and computer support, translating, oral history and special events.Training will be provided for some positions. Long-term volunteers are asked to volunteer three hours a week.
An orientation meeting will be held at 2 p.m., Jan. 29, at the cultural center office for interested volunteers. For reservation, applications and more information, call 945-7633.
One-day seminar helps you trace your Japanese roots
The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii and the Hawaii Hiroshima Heritage Study Group will present the 19th Tracing Our Roots: Japanese Genealogy Workshop on Feb. 10, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center.Participants will be provided with basic information and tools to research their family history. The workshop will consist of two sessions:
Dr. Bernice Hirai, former assistant professor of Japanese at the University of Hawaii-Manoa, is chairperson for the workshop.A general session that will focus on computer research, kamon (family crests) and community agencies and resources in Hawaii.
The workshop will also feature guest speakers and members of the Hawaii Hiroshima Heritage Study Group. Application forms are available at the Japanese Cultural Center.
Registration is required and enrollment is limited. To register or for more information, call the Japanese Cultural Center at 945-7633 or email at 945-7633 or email at jcch@lava.net.
Registration deadline is Feb. 2.
Tomorrow
Some events of interest
Police, Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Illegal fireworks cache spurs Pearl City arrest
A large quantity of fireworks, including some illegal aerials, led to the arrest of a 39-year-old Pearl City man last night for fireworks violations.Police confirmed there were more than 25 pounds of illegal fireworks at the man's Amokemoke Street home, making the case a Class C felony, carrying a possible penalty of up to a $10,000 fine or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.
The fireworks cache was being sorted out and weighed last night. No charge was filed while the investigation continued.
Shooting victim's van found stocked, aflame
Police held a roadblock Thursday night in search of clues in the shooting death of Song Chong Marshall, owner of a Kaneohe liquor store and a Kalihi wholesale business.The fact that Marshall's body was found miles from his burnt-out van may indicate a motive other than robbery, but homicide detectives would not say what. Investigators, however, are not ruling out any motives.
Marshall's body was found 3 p.m. Christmas Day in a trash bin behind Keneke's, a Waimanalo drive-in.
Kyong Marshall told police that her husband planned to go directly to their Kaneohe home after locking up Angie's Market on Kaneohe Bay Drive at 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve.
That was the last time she saw her husband alive as she drove off in her car.
Marshall's van was found parked on a Mapunapuna Street engulfed in flames. The van was filled with merchandise.
The 45-year-old Marshall left the store with cash and receipts.
Autopsies planned in 2 Kauai deaths at sea
LIHUE -- A 50-year-old tourist from Denver was killed shortly before noon yesterday when he was knocked down by a large wave and swept out to sea at Lumahai Beach on Kauai's north shore, officials aid. His body was recovered by lifeguards.The man's brother also was dragged out to sea but survived, Kauai police and fire officials said.
The cause of death is being listed as a probable drowning pending the outcome of an autopsy.
Meanwhile, Kauai police have identified the Hanapepe man who died Thursday while spearfishing at Brennecke's Beach on the island's south shore as Jamie Yamamoto, 22.
Yamamoto's brother found him unconscious in 30 feet of water. The cause of death is to be determined by autopsy.
Baby death, injuries checked by military
Military spokesmen say two incidents this week involving the death of an infant and injury to another baby do not appear suspicious.A 7-month-old boy died of cardiac arrest Wednesday at Tripler Army Medical Center, officials said.
The child's father is a sailor on the submarine U.S.S. Cheyenne, which is out at sea.
The Army is handling the incident because the family lived in Army housing in Aliamanu, but investigators said that at this time the death does not appear to have been the result of foul play.
In another incident, a 19-month-old boy was brought to Tripler on Thursday with burns on his feet and left hand.
His parents told police the boy had turned on the hot water in the bathtub and climbed in. The family resides at the Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Base.
Military police are doing a routine follow-up, but the matter is not being conducted by the criminal investigation division, a Marine spokesman said .
