Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin Staff
Small jellyfish influx may still pose threat
A smaller-than-expected influx of box jellyfish on the south shores of all islands should taper off today and become negligible by tomorrow.Still, the possibility of being stung remains, and the Ocean Safety Division says those who are allergic or are afraid of being stung should stay out of the water.
On Oahu the most commonly affected areas are Waikiki Beach, particularly Kuhio Beach Park. A few jellyfish were found yesterday morning, and just two at Ala Moana Beach Park. Hanauma Bay, Pokai Bay, Makaha Surfing Beach and Waimea Bay also have been affected.
Some North and West Shore beaches have had occasional sightings or stings.
To treat the sting, flush the area with lots of white vinegar. Anyone with breathing difficulty, muscle cramps or spasms and persistent pain should seek immediate medical attention.
Wildlife Service looks to save native plants
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated critical habitat on three Northwestern Hawaiian Islands for five Hawaiian plant species.All three islands, Nihoa, Necker and Laysan, are federal lands within the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge. They are managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service, and access is by permit only.
Three of the plant species, Amaranthus brownii, Pritchardia remota (loulu) and Schiedea verticillata, are found only on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The other two, Mariscus pennatiformis and Sesbania tomentosa, are also found on one or more of the main Hawaiian Islands.
The five plants and their habitat are threatened by competition from non-native plants; predation by mice and non-native insects; fire; human disturbance; and natural events like storms.
Since there are no private lands in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, the critical-habitat designation has no economic effects, as some designations on the main islands have.
"Our efforts in the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge are already aimed toward protecting and recovering endangered species," said Dave Allen, Pacific regional Fish and Wildlife Service director.
The final rule designating the critical habitat was published in the May 22 Federal Register and can be seen at pacificislands.fws.gov.
800 athletes set for Special Olympic Games
More than 800 athletes will compete in the Special Olympics Hawaii 35th Annual Summer Games from Friday to Sunday.Ranging in age from 8 to 85, the mentally and/or physically disabled athletes will compete in swimming, track and field, powerlifting and softball at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Spectators are welcome.
A Healthy Athletes Village offering oral health and hearing screening will be open throughout the weekend.
The schedule is:
>> Friday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: opening ceremonies, Les Murakami Stadium; parade of athletes, more than 1,000 law enforcement torch runners accompanying the Flame of Hope into the stadium to light the cauldron.
>> Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: swimming, track and field, powerlifting, Healthy Athletes Village, Olympic Town; 5 p.m.: softball finals; 6 p.m.: awards.
>> Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: swimming, track and field; awards ceremony with Olympic-style gold, silver and bronze medals; Healthy Athletes Village, Olympic Town; 1:30 p.m.: closing ceremonies.
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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 Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staff
HONOLULU
Police ask public's help in hit-and-run probe
Honolulu police traffic investigators are looking for witnesses who can provide information about a hit-and-run accident this month.Police said that about 2 p.m. on May 18, a Japanese male in his 60s was walking in a crosswalk in the mauka direction on South Kuakini Street when a sedan heading in the opposite direction hit him and drove off. Police said the vehicle appeared to be driven by a woman.
Police said the suspect then continued makai on Pali Highway. When a witness tried to use his vehicle to block the suspect from entering the freeway, the suspect instead turned onto a side street near the Hongwanji Mission School and was lost in traffic.
The victim in this case suffered a fractured left leg and bruises and scratches on both arms. Witnesses described the vehicle as a champagne or pink American late-model sedan. Damage to the front of the vehicle may have been minimal.
Calls are being taken directly by the Traffic Accident Investigation Section at 529-3499. Anonymous may also be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
WINDWARD OAHU
Abandoned house burns in Maunawili
Fire destroyed an abandoned house at 1250 Maunawili Road near the Luana Hills Country Club yesterday.Five Honolulu Fire Department companies were called to the scene. The first company arrived at 2:55 p.m. The fire was brought under control at 3:35 p.m. and extinguished at 6:21 p.m.
The fire was difficult to put out because there was no water in the area, so firefighters had to shuttle water to the site, said HFD Capt. Kenison Tejada.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Big Isle worker killed in bulldozer accident
A Big Island construction worker was killed Friday when he fell from a bulldozer and it ran over him, Kona police reported.Jesse Young, 37, of Honaunau, was grading a lot in the Makalei Estates Subdivision when the accident occurred. The housing project is being built about half a mile from Mamalahoa Highway near Kailua-Kona.
Police said they did not know how Young fell from the bulldozer, which he was operating. It continued to run through a fence and over uneven ground before it stopped, they said.
Young was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police are investigating.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
