Council approves bill to create dog parks
Dog lovers will soon be able to let their animals loose in fenced areas designed for canines.The City Council approved a bill yesterday authorizing the parks director to establish off-leash parks around the island.
The Parks and Recreation Department is hoping to establish no less than two parks in each of the island's four parks districts.
Typically, the dog parks would be placed in underutilized areas of between two and four acres that can be fenced, although sections of larger parks may be considered.
For instance, the city's first dog park will be a pilot project in a section of Moanalua Community Park near Moanalua Gardens.
Changes to cockfighting law advance in Council
A bill that would increase the fine for those violating the city's cockfighting ordinance is moving through the City Council.The maximum fine for participating in a cockfight or being in possession of gaffs, the sharp weapons that attach to the spurs of fighting cocks, would increase to $500 from $100.
Deputy City Prosecutor Lori Nishimura said her office recommended the change to give courts more discretion at the time of sentencing. She noted that there have been recent cases involving repeat offenders.
The same bill reduces the maximum jail time to 30 days from three months. Nishimura said the change would close a potential loophole allowing defendants being tried for cockfighting-related offenses to seek a jury trial. She said the change would expedite the judicial process.
A third part of the bill deletes a provision of the ordinance that now makes it illegal to even attend a cockfight. The courts have ruled that provision is unconstitutional, Nishimura said.
The measure received the first of three approvals of the City Council yesterday and now goes to the Planning and Public Safety Committee.
[CITY HALL]
U.S. team with Maui boy hits geography bee finals
VANCOUVER, B.C. >> The U.S. geography team, which includes Nicholas Jachowski of Maui, has advanced to today's finals of the International Geographic Olympiad at the University of British Columbia.Canada, the United States and Hungary were the top-scoring teams out of 12 in the worldwide competition.
Kyle Haddad-Fonda of Bellevue, Wash., 14, winner of the National Geography Bee in May, is captain of the U.S. team. Jachowski, Steven Young of Virginia and alternate Joe Henry Legan of Louisiana are also 14.
Jachowski pointed out that since the United States is the most populous country competing in the Olympiad, he thought the odds were good that the country's top players would be of high caliber.
Big Isle shark sightings prompt state warning
KAILUA-KONA >> A number of shark sightings near Honokohau Harbor, north of Kailua-Kona, has prompted an alert from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.Although no one has been attacked or injured, a large green sea turtle with a third of its body missing was found at nearby Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park on Monday, the department said. "The turtle died, and the only possible cause for the injury was a large shark," the department said.
A large tiger shark was seen eating a turtle carcass at the entrance to Honokohau Harbor a week earlier, state officials said.
Two or three 8-foot tiger sharks and another, larger one have been seen in the harbor in the last two weeks, possibly attracted by fish remains.
"We are asking fishers who use Honokohau Harbor to refrain from cleaning fish or disposing of their remains within the harbor or near-shore waters," said Randy Honebrink, spokesman for the State Shark Task Force.
On Monday a tiger shark estimated at 12 feet long was seen at Keauhou Bay, eight miles south of Honokohau.
Man arrested in destruction of St. Augustine Church statue
A 24-year-old man was arrested yesterday for allegedly destroying the statue of St. Augustine at a Waikiki church in May.The man, who lists no local address, was arrested at the Honolulu Airport.
On May 13, at about 1:20 a.m., witnesses told police they saw a man smash the statue to pieces with repeated blows from a copper pipe. He continued to smash the statue even after witnesses said they yelled at him to stop. He fled before police arrived.
Members of St. Augustine Church, at 130 Ohua St., removed what was left of the statue.
Rev. Thomas Choo plans to replace it with one made of bronze.
The St. Augustine statue was the first of two statues destroyed on Oahu this year.
On June 21, the marble statue at St. Anthony's Church in Kailua was broken into three pieces and toppled it off its granite pedestal. The vandal or vandals had also made off with the statue's head. There have been no arrests in that incident.
Police said the two cases do not appear to be related.
HPD officer arrested for alleged peeping
Honolulu police arrested and charged a 55-year-old HPD lieutenant with invasion of privacy this week after he was allegedly caught near the window of a Hawaii Kai woman's home.Thirty-year police veteran Lt. Craig Clissold was arrested at 12:58 a.m. Tuesday near the victim's Kalanipuu Street home.
"An administrative investigation is ongoing at this time," said police Chief Lee Donohue. "His police powers have been removed, and he has been assigned to nonfield duties."
Clissold lives nearby on an adjacent street and was off duty at the time he was arrested. After being booked, he was released after paying $100 bail.
Donohue said he could not discuss whether the department had any prior problems with Clissold, though Donohue did say Clissold "had a fairly good record."
Clissold is scheduled to arraigned on the misdemeanor charge Friday.
Woman's wellness conference kicking off
Participants from throughout the Pacific, Canada and the mainland are expected to attend a four-day Indigenous Women's Wellness Conference beginning Saturday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.The theme is "Yesterday's Whispers, Today's Outcries, Tomorrow's Voices."
Hawaii women were invited to participate in the 3rd and 4th Aboriginal Women's Wellness Conferences held in British Columbia and "we are honored" to host the 5th conference, said Ho'oipo DeCambra, chairperson.
"We encourage participation from all generations as we exchange knowledge of the nurturing and healing practices of indigenous women and focus on promoting good health and wellness."
Cultural, interactive workshops will be held on traditional ways of birthing, parenting, aging, grieving, healing, educating, language, dance, value systems, plant medicines, storytelling, governing, cultural and political movements, oral traditions and spirituality.
Demonstrations also will be presented of indigenous wellness practices, such as the Hawaiian practices of La'au lapa'au, ho'olomilomi and ho'oponopono.
Indigenous research and oral traditions also will be covered "for a greater appreciation of the importance of the role of women in our cultures yesterday, today and tomorrow."
Free health screenings, a luau at the Bishop Museum, cultural entertainment and other events are planned.
For more information or to register, contact Shannon Kaaekuahiwi, 696-3482, or e-mail skhonu@excite.com.
Costco Pharmacy offers osteoporosis screenings
Bone density screening for osteoporosis will be available to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 18 at three Costco Pharmacy locations.The pharmacy and OnSite Wellness Medical Associates are sponsoring the screening. The special Costco price is $15.
The screenings will be offered at 4410 Lawehana St., Honolulu; 333 "A" Keohole St., Hawaii Kai, and 94-1231 Ka Uka Blvd., Waipahu.
According to estimates, osteoporosis is responsible for more than a million fractures of the hip, spine and wrist each year.
Call a Costco Pharmacy for an appointment. For more information about the disease or bone density testing, call OnSite Wellness Medical Associates, 800-214-2729.
UH nursing programs receive accreditation
The University of Hawaii-Manoa baccalaureate and master's degree nursing programs have won accreditation by two nursing educational accreditation agencies.They are the first nursing programs in Hawaii to be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education granted accreditation for 10 years and the league approved the programs through fall 2008.
The UH-Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene provides students with a wide selection of degree and certificate programs.
Corrections and clarifications
>> The Shriners Hospital "Keiki Fun Fair" takes place 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday. A brief in Monday's Today section incorrectly said it would be Friday.
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 Police Department Crimestoppers
HONOLULU
Police awaiting autopsy of body found in stream
Honolulu police are awaiting autopsy results of a body found yesterday floating in Nuuanu Stream in downtown Honolulu. So far, the case is classified as an unattended death with suspicious circumstances. Honolulu police homicide Lt. Bill Kato said police have tentatively identified the body as that of a man in his 50s who appeared to have head injuries. Kato said the body was found between the Kukui Street and Beretania Street bridges. It was reported to police at 5:41 a.m.
