Newswatch
By Star-Bulletin Staff
STUCK IN THE FAST LANE
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
A four-car accident on the H-1 freeway westbound near the Punahou Street overpass snarled afternoon traffic yesterday. There were no critical injuries and the vehicles were soon moved.
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Animals escape harm in Makua Valley blaze
Endangered Oahu elepaio birds and Oahu tree snails escaped harm in last week's fire in Makua Valley, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported yesterday.Biologists determined during visits to the valley this week that while some habitat suitable for the elepaio was burned, it was not occupied by birds, said Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Barbara Maxfield.
The biologists also were able to confirm the Army's earlier assertions that Oahu tree snails were not harmed by the blaze, she said.
The news is not as good for the endangered plants in the valley. A number of plants from three species were destroyed by the fire, Maxfield said. They are kulu'i (Nototrichium humile), 'akoko (Chamaesyce celastroides var. kaenana) and nehe (Lipochaeta tenuifolia).
While "any loss is significant to a botanist," none of the species will go extinct because of the fire, Maxfield said.
On July 22 the Army started a controlled burn of 500 acres of brush in Makua to clear unexploded ordnance and create easier access to cultural sites. The fire went out of control and burned about 2,500 acres.
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[Taking Notice]
>> Pacific Islanders in Communications has awarded scholarships to LeGran Akana, Brigham Young University; Jonel Alepuyo, Maria Cristobal and Rosemarie O'Brien-Sauni, University of Hawaii; and Keoni Fernandez, Art Institute of California.
>> The Hawaiian Historical Society has re-elected Hardy Spoehr president of the board of trustees.
Other officers are DeSoto Brown, vice president, James Waddington, treasurer, and Nancy Morris, secretary.
Mike Durant, Walter H. Ikeda, Linda Menton and C. Dudley Pratt Jr. were elected to the board for four-year terms.
>> Freeman Foundation's Study Grants to Asia have been awarded to 14 students at the University of Hawaii at Manoa: David Doles, Darcy Gibo, Shawn Gray, Amelia Hicks, Scott E. Hovey, Adrienne Lahtela, Kitty Leelaamornvichet, Anthony Loiseleur, Leilani Marquez, Cesare Polenghi and Lisa Tanikawa, of Honolulu; Justin Jiro Sakai, of San Mateo, Calif.; and Michelle E. Isa, of Kailua.
"Taking Notice" runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Please send items to City Desk, Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffNEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Man allegedly shoots at 4 neighbors in Hilo
HILO >> Big Island police are holding a 39-year-old Hilo man in an attempted-murder investigation for allegedly shooting at four neighbors Tuesday.Police said the suspect allegedly fired a .32-caliber revolver at three men and a woman outside of their house, then chased them inside the house while continuing to fire. No one was injured.
Police recovered a gun.
Pahoa store robbed by gunman on bicycle
PAHOA, Hawaii >> Big Island police are looking for a gunman who robbed Pahoa Natural Groceries shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday and rode away on a bicycle.The gunman confronted the night manager and took an undisclosed amount of cash, police said. The getaway bicycle was recovered a short time later, they said.
Big Isle prison escapee surrenders to police
A 24-year-old inmate who escaped from the Hale Nani Correctional Facility in Hilo earlier this month has turned himself in.Big Island police called off their search for Davi F. Alvarez after he turned himself in over the weekend. He had been reported missing on July 8.
WINDWARD OAHU
Single-car crash zaps power to Waimanalo
About 100 Waimanalo homes and businesses were without power for 4 1/2 hours yesterday after a car crashed into a utility pole in front of Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School.Police said no one was injured in the 4:20 a.m. accident. However, the crash caused the pole to lean and drop an electrical line, said Fred Kobashikawa, Hawaiian Electric Co. spokesman. HECO crews repaired the pole by 2:15 p.m., Kobashikawa said.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
