Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Hawaiian seal project discussions start today
A series of meetings about a proposed National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration study of endangered Hawaiian monk seals in the main Hawaiian Islands begins today on Molokai.Robert Braun, a marine mammal specialist, will lead the project to find out more about the monk seal's health, foraging ecology and habitat use.
Historically, monk seal research has focused in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, where most of the 1,300 remaining animals can be found.
"Comparatively little is known about the monk seal in the main Hawaiian Islands," said Jeff Polovina, acting director of NOAA's Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center in Honolulu. The research program will "help fill this void to better conserve and manage the species."
Meetings are set for 6 p.m. today in Kalaupapa and at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai. Additional meetings will be held on Oahu and Kauai in coming weeks. For more information, contact Delores Clark at 532-6411 or visit www.noaa.gov.
Residents on Molokai invited to "Talk Story"
WAILUKU >> Gov. Linda Lingle and Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona will be holding a "Talk Story" meeting on Molokai tomorrow.The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Kaunakakai School cafeteria.
The meeting is one of more than a dozen held on various islands to receive comments from residents and respond to their questions.
For more information, contact Lingle's senior communications adviser, Lenny Klompus, on Oahu, 586-7705.
Hawaii plant threatens South Carolina turtles
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. >> Turtle experts say they are worried about potential dangers from a Hawaii plant that is covering South Carolina dunes.The plant is commonly called a round-leaf chastetree or a round-leaf vitex. It is a low-lying shrub with blue and lavender flowers.
Betsy Brabson, a South Carolina United Turtle Enthusiasts volunteer from Georgetown County, said some local landscapers had recommended the plant as a ground cover and dune protector. The plant can choke out native plants that local animals need to live and does not provide any protection for dunes.
"While it's a pretty plant, it's not meant for near the beach or on the beach," Brabson said. "It's like kudzu."
Sally Murphy, turtle projects coordinator for the state Natural Resources Department, said the plant could cause trouble for nesting turtles.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffWINDWARD OAHU
Police arrested a 25-year-old man who allegedly threw a beer bottle at a 49-year-old Kahuku woman Saturday night.
Man held in alleged beer bottle batteryThe suspect entered the woman's yard at about 11:10 p.m., police said, and yelled for her son to come out. The woman confronted and argued with the suspect.
Police said that when the woman started to phone police, the man threw a beer bottle, striking her left arm, then fled.
The woman told police she knew the suspect. Police found the man at his home and arrested him for second-degree assault. He was released pending further investigation.
The woman was treated at Kahuku Hospital for pain in her left arm and hand, police said.
CREWS AID IN
PUNALUU CRASH
BARRY MARKOWITZ / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-BULLETIN
Hauula firefighters and Kahuku rescue workers moved a victim of a three-car collision in Punaluu yesterday to a gurney before taking her to Kahuku Hospital. Traffic was backed up for miles in both directions for approximately 45 minutes.
HONOLULU
Police were seeking charges yesterday against three men arrested Saturday for beating a man at a Kalihi ATM machine and stealing his vehicle.
3 men arrested after robbery at Kalihi ATMThe men, ages 19, 20 and 22, allegedly robbed a 22-year-old man who had taken cash from an ATM machine and was reversing his vehicle at 10:38 p.m. Friday.
Police said the suspects blocked the victim in with their vehicle, damaged the his vehicle and beat him with a baseball bat. The victim fled on foot and the suspects took the vehicle, police said. Police were able to recover the vehicle.
The suspects, who are in police custody, were arrested for first-degree robbery, three counts of criminal property damage, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, second-degree assault and first-degree reckless endangering.
LEEWARD OAHU
A fire that burned the exterior of two portable buildings at Waianae Elementary School last night was brought under control within minutes.
Fire singes portables at Waianae SchoolFirefighters arrived on the scene five minutes after the 7:16 p.m. alarm and had the fire under control by 7:29 p.m.
Damage to the exterior of both buildings was estimated at $10,000, said fire Capt. Emmit Kane.
There was no damage to the contents of the buildings and no sign of burglary, Kane said.
An investigator was called to the scene at 85-220 McArthur St. to determine the cause.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
