Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Wet weather chances dwindle across state
The wet weather that was expected to persist for much of the state through tomorrow has let up, with only isolated thunderstorms forecast for Maui and the Big Island today, according to the National Weather Service.Earlier, meteorologists had said thunderstorms would probably sock the state in through the weekend.
But the instability and moisture associated with the low pressure trough that caused wet weather on most islands Thursday, focused on Maui County and the Big Island Friday and yesterday, said weather service lead forecaster Tim Craig.
He said the trough spurred only short-lived thunderstorms on Maui and the Big Island yesterday and was expected to do the same today.
A flash flood watch was in effect yesterday for Maui and the Big Island, but Craig said the likelihood of flooding had been lowered when the expected duration of the rain shortened.
Craig said any thunderstorms that developed over areas of the Big Island and Maui County yesterday would likely dissipate within 30 to 45 minutes.
"They're not staying over any particular place for very long," he said.
Craig said he would "play it conservative" and extend the flash flood watch for Maui and the Big Island through 4 a.m. today, just in case thunderstorms developed over parts of the islands this morning.
The moderate swell associated with the front came in as expected yesterday, heightening surf on Oahu's North Shore to about 15 feet.
Businessman resigns from UH regent board
Honolulu businessman Duane Kurisu resigned from the University of Hawaii Board of Regents Thursday, citing increased demands on his time because of his business interests.Kurisu's term on the board, which oversees the UH system, ends in June 2005. He was appointed to the board by former Gov. Ben Cayetano in 2001.
"I myself dreamed that perhaps I would be part of a new generation of Regents that would help leap-frog the University to new heights in governance and academic affairs. However, with the standards I have for myself as a Regent, I believe that Hawaii would be better served by someone who will have the time to commit to the demands required to achieve such lofty ideals," Kurisu said in his resignation letter to Gov. Linda Lingle.
Kurisu is a partner in the real estate investment firm of Kurisu and Fergus and is the owner of Pacificbasin Communications. He also owns radio station KKEA, which holds the contract to broadcast UH games, and is a minority owner of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
Bu La'ia plans to fight Maui assault charges
WAILUKU >> Hawaii comedian Shawn Hill, also known as Bu La'ia, plans to fight the charges that he threatened two animal control officers and assaulted one of them, deputy public defender Jon Apo said."He's insisting on his innocence and that the Humane Society shouldn't have been on his property to begin with," Apo said.
Hill, 38, whose trial is scheduled for March 29, was being held in a Maui jail in lieu of $15,000 bail.
Hill had been freed after posting a bail bond on the charges on Jan. 8, but the bond was withdrawn after he was arrested on an unrelated domestic abuse charge.
Hill faces two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening and first-degree assault of an enforcement officer at his Hawaiian Homes residence in Kula on Nov. 18.
Waipahu High School gets construction funds
Gov. Linda Lingle has released $4.7 million to design and construct a classroom building and to make related site improvements at Waipahu High School on Oahu.Lingle previously released $300,000 to hire a design consultant for the structure.
The new building will included eight classrooms, a faculty room, a room for a student services coordinator/educational assistant and a custodial service center.
"It's critical that we provide our students and teachers with an environment that is conducive to learning, and that includes ensuring the classrooms and school facilities are in top shape," Lingle said in a news release yesterday.
Bidding for the project is expected to begin in June, with construction slated to start in January of next year, the governor's office said.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffWAIKIKI
2 men arrested after alleged hit-and-run
Police arrested two men who were in a Chevy Blazer that allegedly hit a tourist couple crossing the street in Waikiki yesterday morning and fled the scene.Police said a man, 76, and a woman, 65, visiting from North Dakota were crossing Ala Moana at Hobron Lane in a crosswalk about 9 a.m. when they were hit by the Blazer traveling west on Ala Moana.
The man was listed in serious condition and the woman was in guarded condition at the Queen's Medical Center.
Police said after the Blazer hit the pedestrians, the driver fled the scene but later returned. The driver and a passenger, both 21, were arrested on numerous traffic offenses, police said.
LEEWARD OAHU
4 in serious condition after Makakilo crash
Four people, including a pregnant woman, were taken to the Queen's Medical Center yesterday in serious condition after a two-car crash near Panana Street in Makakilo, the fire department said.The crash occurred about 1 p.m. Few details were available last night. Fire dispatchers said one of those hurt was a woman who was eight months pregnant.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
