USS Missouri Association to honor millionth visitor
The USS Missouri Memorial Association said it expects its millionth visitor at the Battleship Missouri Memorial on Monday.When that happens the association will hold a surprise ceremony and will present the visitor with a mounted piece of the ship's teak decking, the association said yesterday.
The memorial opened in January 1999 about 300 yards from the USS Arizona Memorial. The association renewed its lease for the berth alongside Ford Island in Pearl Harbor earlier this month. Unlike the Arizona, which is a national park, visitors must pay to tour the Missouri, the site of the Japanese surrender that ended World War II.
Central Maui residents asked to conserve water
WAILUKU >> Central Maui residents are being asked to conserve water from 10 p.m. today through 10 a.m. tomorrow as county officials test the Iao Aquifer to determine its sustainable yield.People may use water for cooking, bathing and sanitation but have been asked to halt nonessential uses. Central Maui includes Maalaea, Waikapu, Wailuku, Waihee, Waiehu, Paia, Kahului and South Maui.
Vehicle restrictions on Haleakala roads lifted
WAILUKU >> Federal officials have lifted restrictions on large vehicles, trailers and bicycles as work on the roads at Haleakala National Park nears completion next week.But officials warned motorists to remain cautious because workers are still installing reflectors and re-striping the road. The $2 million work, which took more than three months, included repaving the Summit Spur Road and parking lots at the summit and at Haleakala Visitor Center.
State to search Maui pond for birds killed by botulism
WAILUKU >> State wildlife officials plan to conduct a search Monday for native birds that have died of avian botulism at Maui's Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Refuge.More than 30 endangered native birds have been found dead since the botulism bacteria poisoning was discovered in early July.
State wildlife biologist Fern Duvall said the rate of deaths has gone down since workers have been recovering carcasses and slowing the spread of the disease in the 240-acre pond.
Duvall said the state officials have also been pumping brackish water into the pond to increase circulation of water and reduce the chances of oxygen-deprived mud breeding botulism.
The dead birds include 10 koloa, or Hawaiian ducks, 14 alae keokeo, or Hawaiian coots, and 10 aeo, or Hawaiian stilts.
The last search, on Aug. 10, found two dead birds.
Duvall said the outbreak this year was not as bad as in 1997 and that state workers are better trained and have the equipment to perform their duties.
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
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Keaau woman, 57, killed in single-vehicle accident
PAHOA >> A 57-year-old Keaau woman was killed Thursday in a single-vehicle accident near Pahoa on the Keaau-Pahoa Highway.Responding to a 3 p.m. call, Puna police reported that the victim's 1994 four-door Mercury Tracer station wagon was traveling south when it ran off the right side of the road about 0.8 miles south of the seven-mile marker and overturned, ejecting her from the vehicle.
The victim, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was taken to the Hilo Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 5:30 p.m.
The victim was not wearing a seat belt, and alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash, police said.
Firefighters battle flames in area near Olinda Road
WAILUKU, Maui >> Firefighters and state conservation workers were battling a brush fire in the forest above Olinda Road last night.Initial reports indicated the fire was in an inaccessible area and not threatening any homes.
At least two helicopters were making water drops, and fire companies from Makawao, Kula and Kahului were helping to put out the blaze.
WINDWARD OAHU
Rescue crews find body of 44-year-old kayaker
Fire rescue crews found the body of a missing kayaker yesterday afternoon in waters off of Kualoa Beach Park.Fire officials said the 44-year-old male victim was at the park with his family and was reported missing at about 3:26 p.m. after family members found the kayak without the victim.
Jet boat rescuers found the man's body at about 4:15 p.m. near a reef about 200 yards offshore.
Domestic dispute turns into threat against cops
Honolulu police arrested a 50-year-old Kaneohe man yesterday after he allegedly threatened a police officer with a kitchen knife.
The incident started with a domestic argument at a residence on Wailehua Road.
Police said the suspect got into a verbal argument with his 49-year-old wife when it escalated, and he grabbed two kitchen knives and threatened to kill her.
The wife called 911, and when officers arrived the suspect threatened to kill himself with one knife and threatened a police officer with the other, according to police.
The suspect finally surrendered and was taken to Castle Medical Center's emergency room for a psychiatric evaluation.
Police later arrested the suspect on two counts of terroristic threatening.
A bicyclist fell 20 feet off of Aiea Loop Trail yesterday and landed with a tree branch impaled in his right leg, according to Honolulu fire officials.
LEEWARD OAHU
Bicyclist impaled by tree but drives self to hospitalThe accident was reported to fire rescue crews at 3:41 p.m. and happened about two miles into the trail.
With the help of a friend, the victim managed to meet incoming rescuers halfway on the trail, where he was treated by Emergency Medical Services personnel. Fire officials said the victim refused to be transported by ambulance and drove himself to a local hospital in his friend's vehicle.
Fire almost scorches buildings at health center
A fire near Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center came very close to buildings last evening, according to fire crews. The fire was reported at 6:24 p.m. by a number of witnesses with cell phones who said flames were visible from Farrington Highway.Fire crews said the fire was located between two health center buildings and burned less than an acre.
