Whale watchers count 4,000 humpbacks
Volunteers counted about 4,000 whales in Hawaii waters Saturday in the second of three annual surveys that attempt to document the humpback whale population.The total count is likely inflated by multiple sightings of the same whales, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which coordinated the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count.
More than 600 volunteers at 63 shoreline sites on Oahu, Kauai, the Big Island and Kahoolawe participated over four hours Saturday, the NOAA said.
The next count is scheduled for March 29. The three counts will be analyzed and final results will be released in the fall, the NOAA said.
Applicants sought for legal disciplinary panel
The Hawaii Supreme Court's Nominating Committee is looking for nonlawyer community representatives to serve as voluntary members of the Disciplinary Board for three-year terms starting July 1.The board investigates allegations of attorney misconduct and takes appropriate disciplinary action. It also issues private reprimands and recommends public censure, suspension or disbarment to the Supreme Court for final ruling.
The board is funded by the annual licensing fees paid by the state's practicing attorneys.
Qualifications are sound judgment; ability to be just and impartial in analyzing complaints and recommending discipline; and diligence in learning about methods and organization of the board. Members must attend monthly meetings.
Applicants should send their resume and reason for wanting to serve to Faith P. Evans, Chair, Nominating Committee, 687 Ululani St., Kailua, HI 96734-4431. The deadline is March 14. The Supreme Court will appoint people from a list of applicants recommended by the Nominating Committee.
Arts competition open to Windward students
The Windward Arts Council is inviting Windward high school students who excel in the arts to apply for its annual $300 Arts Achievement Awards.Categories include instrumental and vocal music, theater, dance and Hawaiian arts, including hula, literature and visual arts. Applicants must attend a Windward high school and have the recommendation of their arts teacher.
Applications are accepted until Saturday. The council will present awards at a public concert and exhibition April 27.
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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. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Big Island firefighters battle 3 wild blazes
PAHALA >> Big Island firefighters are fighting three wild fires in the Kau District this morning, fire officials said.The largest fire covers about 500 acres of pasture land in the coastal area below Pahala village, fire department spokesman Lloyd Narimatsu said. About three-fourths of the fire was contained by this morning, he said.
A second fire has burned more than 100 acres of forest reserve land, located about the 5,000-foot elevation of Mauna Loa at Kapapala, to the north of Pahala, Narimatsu said.
Lightning may be the cause for both fires, which broke out yesterday, officials said.
A third fire, which began Saturday below Pahala, has burned 40 acres of grass and brush in an area surrounded by old lava flows, Narimatsu said.
HONOLULU
2 suspects arrested in van, purse thefts
Two robbery suspects, who were arrested after one accidentally ran over the other's foot Saturday, have been charged in connection with breaking into a car and taking a woman's purse in Waialae.Stuart Kyung Calistro, 39, Hawaii Kai, was charged with second-degree robbery. Bojangles Arman Schaubert, 28, Kaimuki, was charged with auto theft and drug possession. Each was being held in lieu of $25,000.
Police said a 20-year-old woman and her father spotted Calistro breaking into her vehicle parked at City Mill, 3086 Waialae Ave., about 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
They tried to stop him but Calistro allegedly shoved the woman to the ground and tried to flee with her purse, which was taken from her vehicle, police said.
Schaubert, who police said was driving a getaway van, ran over Calistro's foot and fled. Police said the woman's father and a witness held Calistro until police arrived. The woman suffered minor scrapes and bruises.
Police later found the van and arrested Schaubert. Police said the van was stolen on Feb. 14 from the Car Quest parking lot at 1901 S. King St.
Alleged threat with gun leads to man's arrest
Police arrested a 48-year-old man after he allegedly threatened another man with a gun in Waialae-Kahala yesterday.A 49-year-old man told police that he was talking to a friend in a parking lot at 4237 Keanu St. at 12:30 a.m. when the suspect approached them with a black semiautomatic handgun and threatened to shoot them.
Police said the suspect left the parking lot and the victim called police. Police arrested the 48-year-old man on suspicion of first-degree terroristic threatening and a firearm violation. Officers recovered a 9 mm handgun.
Police arrest dad, 60, in reported sex assault
A 60-year-old Honolulu man was arrested Friday for allegedly sexually assaulting his 15-year-old daughter over a period of two years.The girl reported to police and to Child Protective Services that she had been sexually assaulted from Aug. 24, 2000, to Oct. 29, 2002.
Police said the man was arrested at his home for two counts of third-degree sexual assault and three counts of fourth-degree sexual assault. He was released pending investigation.
LEEWARD OAHU
Woman killed in H-1 collision is identified
The Honolulu Medical Examiner has identified Johnelle Tapu, 36, of Waipahu, as the woman who died Saturday from injuries she suffered in a traffic collision on the H-1 Freeway.Police said Tapu was traveling east on the freeway near the Aiea Heights overpass Friday when a pickup truck struck her car from behind. Tapu had slowed to a stop to avoid another collision. She was taken to Queen's Medical Center in critical condition and later died.
The driver of the pickup truck was arrested for investigation of driving under the influence of alcohol and negligent injury.
