Heavy rains flood Kauai's North Shore
LIHUE >> Torrential rainfall hit Kauai yesterday, causing flooding and landslides along the North Shore and reducing traffic to a crawl in Lihue.County officials announced at midafternoon that the Haena lifeguard station had been closed because of flooding at the popular county park and camp site. Landslides were reported in the Lumahai area just west of Hanalei.
The National Weather Service reported 2.25 inches of rain fell at Hanalei between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Later in the evening, forecasters said the storm system had moved east over the ocean and seemed to be dissipating. An urban small-stream flood advisory had also been canceled at 8 p.m.
U.S. House defeats Mink welfare measure
The U.S. House struck down an amendment to a welfare reform measure that was offered in the memory of the late Hawaii Congresswoman Patsy Mink.The House approved the Republican welfare reform bill yesterday, which would require more single mothers to work and provide hundreds of millions of dollars to promote marriage. The passage came after lawmakers defeated two Democratic alternatives that would have spent more money on child care, restored welfare benefits to legal immigrants and given states more money to run basic programs.
The House voted 300-124 to defeat a measure offered in Mink's memory that would have provided even more money for child care and more money for states to run their basic programs. It would have allowed states to continue benefits for people longer than five years if they were complying with welfare rules.
"I certainly supported it," said Democratic Rep. Ed Case, who succeeded Mink to represent Hawaii's 2nd District. "It was referred to as the Patsy Mink welfare bill on the floor today -- it was an amendment to the welfare reform bill that Mrs. Mink worked long and hard on.
"I felt that this was something that I should see through as her successor."
Mink died Sept. 28 after a month-long battle with pneumonia brought on by chickenpox.
Chevron Hawaii plant is fined for violations
Chevron USA Inc. Hawaiian Refinery has been fined $37,000 by the state Department of Health for alleged violations of state hazardous-waste rules.A Health Department complaint and order against the company alleges the violations occurred at 91-480 Malakole St. in Kapolei. After routine hazardous-waste inspections on March 22 and April 3, 2001, the department cited the company for failure to make a hazardous-waste determination, treating hazardous waste without a permit and failure to properly complete a biennial report.
Chevron was ordered to comply with hazardous-waste rules. The company has 20 days to respond to the order.
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>> The Web site at www.islandcraftconnection.com is the sole property of Jared Tanouye, owner of eProject Direct, which launched the site. "TheBuzz" column on Page C1 Wednesday incorrectly stated that crafters had created the site. Corrections and clarifications
>> Dora Cooke Derby's first name was misspelled as Dara in a story obituary on Page C5 yesterday.
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.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
EAST OAHU
Police seek suspect in real estate scam
Investigators are looking for a man who is awaiting trial on eight different criminal charges.Ronald Ken Dufrene is under indictment for charges including theft, identity theft, burglary, forgery and operating a stolen vehicle. He is also wanted on a $20,000 contempt warrant issued in Maui on Jan. 28 and for questioning in a real estate scam in Hawaii Kai.
Police said in the Oahu case, Dufrene allegedly placed a rental ad for a Kaumakani Street home and presented himself as the real estate agent to those interested in the property. However, during a police sting operation this week, detectives said Dufrene was scared off by neighbors.
Police recovered the stolen vehicle Dufrene was driving a few blocks away but found no sign of the suspect.
Police said Dufrene is a surfer and may be staying in Hawaii Kai or the North Shore. He is described as in his 30s, 6 feet tall, 170 pounds, with an athletic build, dark wavy brown hair and brown eyes.
Police said Dufrene also goes by the names David Aaron Taub, Allan Terence Hamlin and Jeff Lansford.
Detectives said if anyone believes they may have fallen victim to a similar scam involving the suspect they can call Detective Robert Cravalho at 529-3873. Anonymous calls may also be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
HONOLULU
Parole violator caught with gun and ammo
CrimeStoppers officials announced that fugitive Wayne Uehara was arrested yesterday morning in Honolulu.Police said they also recovered a handgun and ammunition during Uehara's arrest and that he could face additional criminal charges.
Uehara, a six-time convicted drug felon, was wanted by police for a parole revocation warrant.
