Royal Kunia Golf Course looks to open this year
The idle Royal Kunia Golf Course will likely be open for play by the end of the year under an agreement approved by the City Council yesterday.The Council voted 8-1 to approve a resolution freeing owner JAC Hawaii from an obligation to pay the city $13 million in community impact fees originally promised by former developers Royal Oahu Resort Inc. and Halekua Development Corp.
The course has remained closed since it was completed in 1994 because only $12 million of the $25 million impact fee required by the city was paid.
Under the new agreement, the owners and creditors will pay the city $2.5 million up front and a dollar per round for the life of the course.
JAC officials said the course could begin play by December. Construction on a clubhouse is expected to begin in the fall and take about a year to construct.
Water main break closes Waipahu street
A water main break at Mokuola Street near Kahuailani Street tied up traffic overnight and this morning in Waipahu.The Board of Water Supply says the 12-inch main was fixed at about 5:45 a.m. but crews would be working for most of the day to repair the roadway.
Red Cross lowering red in their budget deficit
A year-end budget deficit of $114,000 at the American Red Cross of Hawaii has been reduced to $52,000 with contributions."Donors have really come through for us in this time of need," said spokeswoman Jocelyn Collado. The chapter is still accepting donations in hopes of eliminating the entire deficit for 2000-01, she said. Checks payable to the American Red Cross should be sent to 4155 Diamond Head Rd., Honolulu 96816-4417.
Arthritis group recruiting marathon team members
The Arthritis Foundation is recruiting people for a Joints in Motion Training Team for the Honolulu Marathon Dec. 10.Participants are collecting $2,000 in pledges to support the foundation's goal to improve lives through prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases.
Fund-raising clinics and an 18-week marathon-training program by Chet Blanton will be provided to help team members. Benefits include marathon entry, lodging and accommodations at the Ilikai Hotel, team gear, a pre-event carbo-load pasta party and a post-event celebration.
For more information or to register, call 942-3636. Neighbor island residents may call 1-800-462-0743.
Free lecture to discuss how to deal with lupus
George Osakoda, Hospice Hawaii social services and bereavement coordinator, will discuss "Lupus and Loss" from 6:30 to 8 p.m. July 25 at the Liliha Public Library.He will talk about the loss of a loved one and understanding and accepting changes resulting from a chronic illness.
Lupus is a chronic disease that affects more people than cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia and AIDS.
The event is free to the public, but reservations are necessary. To register or for more information, call the Hawaii Lupus Foundation, 538-1522.
Corrections and clarifications
>> Joe Kindrich is president of Hicks Enterprise Inc., a manufacturer and seller of pre-designed homes doing business as Hicks Homes. An obituary Tuesday on Carolyn Hicks, co-founder of Hicks Homes, incorrectly identified the company name and said it was run by Hicks' daughter, Sharon Hicks.>> Ewa Beach Public and School Library will be closed next Thursday. A "Newswatch" item yesterday had the wrong date.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Publisher and Editor in Chief John Flanagan at 529-4748 or email him at jflanagan@starbulletin.com. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHONOLULU Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Lifeguards rescue 15, help over 100 in high surf
City lifeguards rescued 15 people and assisted more than a hundred others yesterday because of high surf on Oahu's south and west shores.There were four rescues in the Portlock area, seven at Waikiki and Ala Moana, two at Kakaako Beach Park and two at Makaha, said Capt. Edmund Pestana, Honolulu Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services.
The rescue at Kakaako involved two cousins, 13 and 16, from Kalihi who were on an inflatable raft that was blown by the wind toward Honolulu Harbor, said Capt. Gilbert Pelletier of the Kakaako fire station. The raft was about 400 yards offshore when a lifeguard helped both girls into the fireboat. Both girls were then taken to Kewalo Basin by jet ski.
Pestana said lifeguards also handled 24 first-aid cases and reported taking 80 preventative actions, like shuttling surfers to the beach and retrieving their boards.
He said surf was in the 3- to 5-foot range with waves of up to 8 feet on some western shores. Lifeguards closed the ledges at Hanauma Bay but kept all beaches open.
Woman arrested in attack with rice paddle on son
A 31-year-old Honolulu woman was arrested for assault Tuesday for allegedly striking her 12-year-old son with a rice paddle in their Kalakaua Avenue apartment.Police said the boy received a large cut on his head and defensive injuries to both his forearms. Police later dropped the case and released the woman after the son refused to prosecute his mother.
CENTRAL OAHU
Kaneohe man arrested in attack at liquor store
A 53-year-old Kaneohe man was arrested for assault Tuesday night after police said the man attacked a liquor store employee with a hatchet for refusing to sell him 15 cases of beer. Police said the man walked into the Pump at 10 N. Kamehameha Hwy. in Wahiawa at 6:20 p.m. and tried to purchase the beer.The employee refused to sell the man the beer because, he told police, the man was intoxicated and did not make any sense. The suspect then attacked the 31-year-old man, striking him twice before the employee was able to take away the hatchet from the man, police said.
The man fled the store but was arrested by officers responding to the call. The employee received minor injuries and refused treatment.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Police warn of fake bills found across Big Island
HILO >> Counterfeit $20 and $50 bills are now being found throughout the Big Island, police warned yesterday. Last week, police said only fake $20 bills were being found and only in Kona.The fake bills can be distinguished by their smaller size, lack of watermarks and magnetic strip, and a different feel from real bills, they said.
Big Isle man dies after fall from back of pickup
HILO >> A Big Island man died yesterday after a fall from the back of a pickup truck while transporting a mattress.The victim, Jacob H. Kauakahi, 39, of Paradise Park, suffered head injuries when he and the mattress fell from the truck on Paradise Drive on Tuesday. He died yesterday at Hilo Hospital. A 16-year-old girl was driving the truck, police said.
The death is not counted as a traffic fatality because roads in the subdivision are private.
