Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Isles' northwest shores on high-surf warning

A high-surf warning was to remain in effect for the northwest-facing shores of all Hawaiian islands today.

Surf is forecast at 25 to 30 feet, with occasional higher sets for Kauai and Oahu.

Maui, Molokai and Lanai may get 20- to 25-foot surf, with occasional higher sets.

The Big Island is expected to have surf heights of 12 to 18 feet.

The state Civil Defense warns beachgoers to stay out of the ocean and away from the shore break due to dangerous wave action and rip currents.

Residents living along the shoreline should monitor the surf and be prepared to protect themselves and their property.

Whale count draws hundreds

More than 500 volunteers turned out yesterday to count humpback whales from the shores of Oahu, Kauai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island.

The volunteers also documented the surface behavior of the mammals during the first of three Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Counts.

Overall, an average of four whales were sighted per 15-minute count period, good news for the endangered whales, which migrate to Hawaii in winter to breed, calve and nurse, officials said.

"Aside from the numerical findings, the sanctuary ocean count is an important education and outreach project for the sanctuary," count coordinator Christine Brammer said.

"The ocean count is a unique opportunity to learn about Hawaii's humpbacks and to contribute to ongoing research," she said.

The final two counts of the year are scheduled for Feb. 22 and March 29. Final results will be released in the fall.

Studies have shown Hawaii's humpback whale population has been increasing at an annual rate of about 7 percent for the past 10 years.

CAR SNAPS UTILITY POLE

RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM HECO crews worked at the scene of an accident yesterday on Beretania Street near Victoria Street involving a Toyota that crashed into a utility pole, snapping it off at the base. Traffic was snarled for blocks.

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Advice for elder care offered at meeting

Caregivers for family members or friends are invited to attend one of the first meetings of the CARE Club at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Eldercare Hawaii offices, 2909 Lowrey Ave., Suite E.

The club is sponsored by the Franciscan Adult Day Center, organized by the sisters of St. Francis, Hawaii Region, and St. Francis Health Care System Hawaii.

The center has provided adult day care for frail elders since January 1996. It is certified by the state Department of Human Services to provide day care to 35 adults. CARE Club will provide free information and training by health and social service professionals.

The program is aimed at addressing needs of the caregivers and promoting their physical and emotional well-being.

Activities will include "talk story" support groups, counseling, respite assistance and workshops, books and other learning resources.

Call Alex Au at the Franciscan Adult Day Center, 988-5678, or Deborah Jackson at Eldercare Hawaii, 988-6300, to register or get more information.

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Corrections and clarifications >> "Hawaii Five-O" star Jack Lord died in 1998. A "Whatever Happened to..." story on Page A2 yesterday said incorrectly that he died in 1988. >> The salary of Hawaii lawmakers is about a third of the pay of legislators in California, according to state Sen. J. Kalani English. A story on Page A3 yesterday incorrectly said that marriage fees account for a third of California and New York legislators' pay. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Managing Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Earthquake measures 4.5 on Big Island

HILO >> A mild earthquake shook part of the southeastern side of the Big Island yesterday morning.

No damage was reported from the 6:45 a.m. quake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.5, Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Bill Davis said.

A magnitude 4 quake is capable of causing moderate damage.

The trembler was centered one mile south of Halemaumau Crater in the Puna district.

The Big Island has mild earthquakes almost daily, and although the trembler was a little bigger than usual, it was "not a big deal," Davis said.

HONOLULU

HFD airlifts woman off Kuliouou Trail

A 30-year-old woman was rescued by helicopter from the Kuliouou Trail at 8:45 p.m. yesterday, the Honolulu Fire Department reported.

The woman's mother reported about 7 p.m. that she had expected her daughter back sooner, a fire spokesman said.

Firemen were able to reach the woman on her cellphone and guide her to a place where she could be rescued. She had begun her hike at the end of Kalau Place and apparently became disoriented.