Shark sighting forces closure of Sandy Beach
Authorities closed Sandy Beach yesterday after a 12-foot tiger shark was sighted about 50 yards from the Full Point surfing area.The sighting was confirmed at 4:40 p.m., said Capt. Edmund Pestana of the county lifeguard's Ocean Safety Division.
Shark sighting signs were posted while lifeguards, Honolulu police and officials with the state Division of Land and Natural Resources helped to clear the beach.
"We're definitely going to play it safe and make sure everybody gets out of the water," Pestana said. "We don't want a situation like Florida. These aren't little ankle snappers."
Yesterday's sighting off East Oahu comes three days after authorities in Maui said a large tiger shark was seen feeding on a dead turtle about 400 yards offshore at Kahana.
DLNR officials last week also warned users of Oahu's Makua and Yokohama areas of the Waianae Coast to be alert for sharks after one was seen attacking a dolphin off Keawaula earlier this month.
Maui allots $5.3 million for upgrades in Wailuku
WAILUKU >> Maui Mayor James "Kimo" Apana has announced plans to improve Wailuku town with more than $5.3 million in construction spending.Starting next year, the county plans use a combination of $5.3 million in federal and county funds to develop a 42-stall parking lot behind the Iao Theatre, along with a minipark, police facility and public restrooms.
The county will be also using the money to improve the sidewalks and sewer and water lines along Main and Market streets.
In addition to next year's spending, Apana plans to look at proposals by businesses to redevelop the municipal parking lot.
Apana hopes to double the number of parking stalls to 400.
EPA CHIEF HANDLES POLICY
AND POLITICS WHILE HERE
Prestigious award goes to hygienist
Laura A. Mallery-Sayre of Kailua-Kona is the first Hawaii recipient of the American Dental Hygienists Association's Irene Newman Professional Achievement Award.The award, sponsored by Philips Oral Healthcare Inc., recognizes an association member for outstanding achievement in advancing the art and science of dental hygiene.
Mallery-Sayre practices clinical dental hygiene with her husband, Dr. Frank Sayre, a general dentist, and their associate, Dr. Jack Bunnell, in Kailua-Kona.
A consumer advocate, she is working with legislators to allow dental hygienists to take a more active role in providing access to dental hygiene to the public.
She invented several dental hygiene instruments and serves on advisory boards of various dental manufacturing companies. She is a national clinical researcher for Clinical Research Associations, a nonprofit organization that evaluates dental materials, devices and concepts for efficacy and clinical usefulness.
For 26 years, Mallery-Sayre has been a national and international lecturer on advanced dental hygiene technology, education, research and management. She is serving an unprecedented second term as president of the Dental Hygienists Association of Hawaii.
Aloha United Way kicks off its annual campaign Thursday
Aloha United Way has set its general campaign goal for the coming year at $13.6 million. The campaign runs from Thursday to Oct. 12, with the official kickoff at Aloha United Way's Day of Caring event Sept. 5."AUW brings our community together to take care of each other," said Gary Slovin, 2001 Aloha United Way campaign chairman and a partner in the law firm of Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel. "We encourage everyone to join in and contribute to the success of AUW's mission."
"We live in a community where people truly care for each other," said Irving Lauber, Aloha United Way president. "The more of us who give, the greater our impact will be in improving people's lives."
For more information, call 536-1951 or visit http://www.auw.org.
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
Molokai man arrested in alleged counterfeiting
A 23-year-old Molokai man was arrested at a Honolulu strip club last night for allegedly passing a counterfeit $50 bill and attempting to pass a fake $20 bill.Police said the man entered Exotic Nights at 909 Halekauwila St. about 10 p.m. after paying his and another man's cover charge with a fake $50 bill. When he tried to pass a fake $20 inside the club, a waitress called police.
A doorman detained the man until police arrived. Police said when they arrested the man they found more counterfeit $20 bills in his pocket. The man who entered the club with the suspect left before police arrived.
Cabbie robs second driver in fare dispute
A dispute over a fare led one cab driver to rob another one, police said.Police said a 35-year-old taxi driver confronted a 53-year-old driver over a fare he claimed he was supposed to transport at 4:15 p.m. Saturday in Kalihi.
The younger man got angry and assaulted the older man and took the microphone part of the two-way radio from his cab in exchange for the fare, police said.
The argument escalated, and the suspect also stole money from the other driver, police said. After the suspect left to take another fare, a witness reported the robbery to police, and the suspect was arrested at his home.
Police arrest 3 in Daiei knifepoint robberies
Police said two teenage boys and a man were arrested Saturday in connection with two separate knifepoint robberies at the Daiei Kaheka store Friday and Saturday.In the Friday robbery, two boys, ages 15 and 16, reported being robbed of their wallets, watch and money at knifepoint by two suspects as a third suspect stood by.
The suspects fled on foot and no arrests were made.
At 10 a.m. Saturday, another 16-year-old boy reported a similar knifepoint robbery by two suspects with a third standing by, police said. The victim said the suspects took his backpack and fled on foot toward the Kalakaua housing.
Police were called, and they put out an all-points bulletin. The three suspects were caught and detained at the Kalakaua housing area.
The victim identified the suspects, one of whom was wearing his backpack and shirt and had the victim's watch in his pocket.
All three were arrested for first-degree robbery in the two cases. The victims in the first robbery also identified the suspects in a photo lineup.
Clinton Burns, 18, was charged with two counts of first-degree robbery. A 16-year-old boy was charged with three counts of first-degree robbery. A 17-year-old boy was released.
NORTH SHORE
Man abducts, sexually assaults 15-year-old girl
Police say a 15-year-old Laie girl was sexually assaulted after she was abducted Friday night from a Kahuku bus stop after a football game at Kahuku High School.The girl told police an unknown man forced her into a brown truck with a white camper top and took her to Sunset Beach, where he sexually assaulted her between 11:30 and 11:45 p.m. Friday.
The man threatened her with a sharp instrument, police said.
The girl reported the incident Saturday morning.
WINDWARD OAHU
Makapuu paraglider crashes into mountain
A 29-year-old Waimanalo man paragliding from the Makapuu lookout was rescued by helicopter yesterday after getting caught in a wind gust and slammed into the mountainside, a Honolulu Fire official said.The man was one of six men, all from Waimanalo, who were paragliding off the lookout around 10:30 a.m., said HFD spokesman Capt. Richard Soo.
"A gust of wind pushed him back into the mountain," Soo said. "He landed on the mountain about halfway down."
Soo said the man was taken by the HFD's Air One rescue helicopter to an ambulance waiting at Sandy Beach, but he refused treatment because he did not want to pay for transport to an area hospital.
"He was aware of his situation. He did complain of neck and back injuries, and he did have a bruised shoulder," Soo said.
"He was released, and his friends said they would take him to the hospital."
No further information was available.
LEEWARD OAHU
Man arrested for alleged robbery and sex assault
A 26-year-old Waipahu man was arrested for allegedly robbing, kidnapping and sexually assaulting a male acquaintance Saturday, police said.Police said a 36-year-old Waimalu resident reported the suspect broke into his apartment, restrained him, then sexually assaulted him.
The suspect then stole stereos, video recorders and other electronic equipment, police said.
The victim said the suspect had a gun, but none was found, police said.
The incident took place between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday.
The suspect was arrested shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday at the victim's Waimalu home..
Waianae man caught after stealing away from police
A 43-year-old Waianae man who escaped from the Waianae Police Substation Friday was recaptured yesterday.The man was arrested Friday night on a contempt warrant and under suspicion of abusing a household member. After he was taken to the Waianae Police Substation, the man asked for a drink of water and was allowed to go to the water fountain. Instead of drinking water, the man ran out the front door of the station, police said.
Police found him yesterday afternoon in a car on Mailiili Road. When police approached the car, the man fled into the Mailiili Channel but was caught on the other side after a brief struggle.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Kona suspect charged in suspicious death
KAILUA-KONA >> Police charged John A. Hosek, 25, of Kailua-Kona with second-degree murder in the death of 44-year-old Preston Dela Cruz. Police said Dela Cruz suffered blunt-force trauma to the head, although they said the exact cause of death is undetermined. Police found Dela Cruz's body at his Ililoa Street home on Friday after they were asked to check on his welfare when he did not show up for work earlier in the day.Hosek is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
