Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Box jellyfish warning is out for Oahu waters
The Honolulu Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division has issued a box jellyfish advisory for today through Sunday.The influx is expected to peak tomorrow and dissipate by Monday.
The most commonly affected areas are Waikiki, primarily Kuhio and Ala Moana beach parks. Other nearshore waters that have been affected include Hanauma Bay, Pokai Bay, Makaha Surfing Beach and Waimea Bay.
Occasional sightings or stings from box jellyfish have occurred on the North and West Shore beaches.
Officials advised beachgoers to stay out of the water if they are allergic to stings from box jellyfish.
Warning signs are posted if box jellyfish are discovered.
Persons stung by box jellyfish are advised to flush the sting area with copious amounts of white vinegar.
For more information regarding ocean conditions, advisories and warnings, call the Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division for a prerecorded report at 922-3888, ext. 51.
Institute allegedly violates pollution law
The state Department of Health's Clean Water Branch recently issued a violation of the water pollution control law to the Oceanic Institute.A notice and finding of violation and order alleged that the institute is discharging aquaculture pond overflow water containing marine life wastes into the ocean at Makapuu without a permit.
A schedule has been set for the institute to construct and operate four injection wells that will be used to dispose of overflow sea water from aquaculture activities.
"We reviewed the situation and felt the best course of action was to not discharge any water at all," said Thomas Farewell, president and chief executive officer of the Oceanic Institute. "There is no identifiable public health hazard."
Waimanalo center has Health Day activities
A variety of activities, from health screenings to beauty and facial consultations, will be offered tomorrow during a special Women's Health Day at the Waimanalo Health Center.The event, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature demonstrations; blood glucose, body mass index and blood pressure screenings; and chiropractic spinal scanning.
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is sponsoring the event as part of Women's Health Month.
Door prize drawings will be held throughout the day.
For more information, call Greig Gaspar, 259-7948, ext. 136.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffNEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Big Isle drug force arrests 17 in 3 weeks
Big Island police announced that members of a newly formed drug task force have arrested 17 people in the last three weeks.The East Hawaii Ice Task Force has also conducted 10 search warrants and seized 174.7 grams of crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," recovered seven firearms and seized $12,843 in cash.
Four of those arrested have been turned over to federal authorities for federal prosecution. Officers also confiscated 159.2 grams of marijuana, 0.2 grams of heroin, 29.5 grams of cocaine and 19 oxycodone pills.
Kauai police arrest 5 on drug charges
KOLOA, Kauai >> Kauai police arrested three women and two men yesterday on multiple drug charges during a raid on an apartment complex.Police believe the occupants of three apartments searched during the raid were selling "ice" and may have been operating as a ring.
Police said they discovered after the arrests that one woman and one man were named in outstanding warrants.
HONOLULU
Moped rider badly hurt in Kaimuki crash
A man was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition after his moped struck a car in Kaimuki on Wednesday.Police said a man in his 50s was traveling westbound on Harding Avenue about 7:30 p.m. on the moped when it collided with the bumper of a gold Nissan Altima driven by a 59-year-old woman who was attempting to make a left turn into Market City Shopping Center.
Police said the man was thrown onto the car's hood and fell onto the road.
WAIKIKI
King of Pop's pants damaged at Hard Rock
A man was arrested Wednesday in Waikiki for allegedly damaging a display case that contained a pair of pants once owned by singer Michael Jackson.Police said two men became disorderly at Hard Rock Cafe at 1837 Kapiolani Blvd. about 6:30 p.m. when one of them damaged the display case.
Damage to the pair of pants and other items was estimated at more than $1,500.
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[Court Briefs]
Tax-return cases get 3 indictments
A Honolulu grand jury has indicted John P. Souza for filing fraudulent income tax returns for 1999 and 2000, resulting in refunds to which he was not entitled. Souza was also charged with two counts of second-degree theft.Filing a false tax return is punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Second-degree theft carries penalties of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The grand jury also charged two people responsible for filing their corporations' annual general excise tax returns.
Dennis K. Makinodan, president of S&D Sales, a wholesale company at Campbell Industrial Park, and the corporation were charged with failing to file annual general excise tax returns from 1996 through 2000 and withholding tax returns for 1997 to 2001.
Makinodan was also charged with second-degree theft of his employee's state tax withholdings.
Makinodan said he was not aware of the indictment and declined comment.
Nonito A. Tadeo, a partner in Mat-Co Motoring Accessories in Pearl City, was charged with failing to file the partnership's annual general excise tax returns for 1999, 2000 and 2001.
Tadeo could not be reached for comment.
Failing to file tax returns is punishable by up to $25,000 in fines and one year in jail or $100,000 for a corporation.
Judge grants deferral of plea in tax trial
A Honolulu attorney who failed to pay his employees' state tax withholdings for 1999 and 2000 was granted a deferral of his no-contest plea to second-degree theft.Circuit Judge Michael Wilson also ordered Michael Lippert on Wednesday to pay a $5,000 fine and restitution of $10,223 and to perform 100 hours of community service.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
