Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Box jellyfish keep Hanauma Bay closed
Ocean Safety officials closed Hanauma Bay for a second straight day yesterday because of a box jellyfish invasion.A few box jellyfish were also found yesterday at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki. The box jellyfish are usually found close to shore eight to 10 days after a full moon.
For updated information on Hanauma Bay, call 396-4229.
Hawaii boaters urged to watch for whales
State and federal officials are urging isle boaters to keep on the lookout for humpback whales in an effort to avoid collisions.Boaters are also being reminded to operate their vessels at speeds of 15 knots or less in nearshore waters during the humpback season, which runs from December through April.
The advice comes from the state Department of Land & Natural Resources and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
"It's important for boaters to be extra-cautious during whale season, for their own safety as well for the whales' protection," DLNR Director Peter Young said last week.
A study by the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission indicated vessel-whale collisions are much less likely when vessels are traveling 15 knots or less. The study also found that damage caused by slow-speed collisions is usually much less severe.
Ala Moana city office will close Feb. 25-28
The Ala Moana Satellite City Hall will temporarily close for four days Feb. 25-28, the city announced.A previous announcement gave incorrect days for the closure.
The closure allows a neighboring tenant in Ala Moana Center to reinforce a wall.
The nearest other satellite city halls are at 1000 Fort Street Mall downtown, 1199 Dillingham Blvd. in Kalihi and 660 Kalanianaole Highway, Suite 100, Hawaii Kai.
Cane harvest fires begin today on Maui
WAILUKU >> Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. is scheduled to begin its 2004 harvest on Maui this morning.The company, a subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin Inc., plans to burn sugar cane fields in the upper Paia area from 6 to 9 a.m. today and tomorrow.
About 16,500 acres of sugar cane fields will be harvested in around-the-clock operations, said General Manager Stephen Holaday.
Residents who want to be advised of planned harvesting near their homes for health reasons may call 877-6988 or log onto the company's Web site at www.hcsugar.com to request to be put on the notification list.
The company cultivates about 37,000 acres of sugar cane on Maui and produces 80 percent of the state's raw sugar.
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[Taking Notice]
>> Mc A. Blasdell has been named chairman of governors at Hawaii Preparatory Academy, replacing outgoing Chairman Michael K. Fujimoto, now vice chairman. The Phoenix native chairs the student union construction committee, which is overseeing progress on the Big Island school's newest facility, and has extensive experience working with nonprofit organizations.>> Dianne Simmons, a retired financial planner on the Big Island, has been elected chairwoman of the board of the American Cancer Society Hawaii Pacific.
>> The Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation has elected as its president Ronald K. Migita, president and chief executive officer of City Bank.
Other elected officers are executive vice presidents: Robin Campaniano, president of AIG Hawaii Insurance, and Mike Cusato Jr., vice president of circulation at the Honolulu Advertiser.
Vice presidents: Francis Hatanaka, president of Complete Financial Planners, and Mark Uranaka, vice president of Data House Inc.
Secretary: Russell K. Okata, executive director of the Hawaii Government Employees Association.
>> Emi Manuia, a Kamehameha Schools student from Honolulu, won the 2004 Hawaii Junior Miss title, a $5,000 cash scholarship and $500 scholarships in scholastics and overall fitness.
Stephanie Yoshida, of Hono-lulu, first runner-up, received a $2,500 cash scholarship, and a $500 scholarship in the talent category.
Stacy Shimata, of Aiea, the second runner-up, received a $1,500 scholarship, a $1,000 scholarship as the overall interview winner and a $250 scholarship for poise.
Kari Tanimoto, of Waipahu, was the overall scholastics winner, with a $1,000 scholarship. Sharaya Llanes, of Waianae, received a $1,000 scholarship for overall interview. Rhea Sanchez, of Honolulu, received a $1,000 scholarship for overall talent and the $500 "Be Your Best Self" award.
Lauren-Nicole Muraoka, of Honolulu, won a $500 scholarship for overall fitness and a $500 scholarship for best exemplifying the spirit of Junior Miss. Christine Gamayo, of Kailua, won a $500 scholarship for overall poise.
>> Lanakila's Meals on Wheels was awarded $10,000 from the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Inc. as part of the foundation's annual "Sharing the Joys of the Holiday" celebration. The money will be used to support the group dining and home delivery programs, which face an increasing demand. Meals on Wheels provides 1,800 meals a day to seniors 60 years and older.
>> The Hawaii Community Foundation has awarded $380,077 in grants to fund 33 community projects through its "Mo' Bettah Together" program.
On Oahu, projects included the Adult Friends for Youth, $20,000; American Civil Liberties Union, $20,000; American Friends Service Committee, $7,000; Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, $13,432; Chaminade University of Honolulu, $10,000; Good Beginnings Alliance, $20,000.
Greater East Honolulu Community Alliance, $4,800; Hawaii Intergenerational Network, $17,900; Ho'ala School, $10,200; Moanalua Middle School, $9,000; Olomana Foursquare Church, $3,000; Parent Participation Nursery School, $5,750; Planned Parenthood of Hawaii, $10,100; Punahou School, $7,500; and YMCA of Honolulu, $8,000.
On the Big Island, projects were the Church of God, $4,000; Community Development Pacific Inc., $15,000; Five Mountains Hawaii, $7,130; Hawaii's Volcano Circus Ltd., $20,000; Ocean View Community Development Corp., $12,180; Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii, $11,000; Island of Hawaii YMCA, $20,000; and Waimea Outdoor Circle, $7,830.
On Kauai, Garden Island Resource Conservation & Development Inc., $18,000; Good Beginnings Alliance, $1,400; West Kauai Business & Professional Association, $3,500; and YWCA of Kauai, $12,925.
On Maui, Kipahulu 'Ohana Inc., $10,000, and Maui Family YMCA, $20,000.
On Molokai, Bishop Museum, $4,000, and Mediation Center of Molokai, $6,610.
Statewide: Hawaii Special Olympics, $19,820.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHONOLULU
Teenager arrested in assault on officer
Police arrested a 17-year-old Kaneohe boy Sunday after he allegedly hit a police officer who was trying to arrest him in a shoplifting case.An officer chased the boy after items were taken from a Honolulu liquor store, police said.
After the officer, 27, caught the suspect, the teenager tried to hit him several times, police said. When the officer grabbed the suspect, the teenager hit him in the eye, police said.
The suspect was arrested for first-degree assault of a police officer and fourth-degree theft.
He was released that afternoon pending investigation.
Kaimuki man charged in abuse of girlfriend
Police have charged a 30-year-old man for allegedly kidnapping and abusing his 18-year-old girlfriend.Earlier this month, Michael Lopes, of Kaimuki, allegedly forced his girlfriend out of a vehicle, struck her and dragged her to his home on 12th Avenue.
According to police, Lopes padlocked the victim in a room and left. Police said the victim escaped after she used a screwdriver and dug through the drywall to remove the lock.
Lopes was arrested Saturday on suspicion of second-degree theft when police discovered he was wanted for kidnapping and abuse offenses. He is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail.
Biker killed in crash is ID'd as Kailua man
A city medical examiner identified a motorcyclist who died after he slid into a guardrail on the Moanalua Freeway onramp Saturday as Stephen Dunham, 22, of Kailua.Police said Dunham was traveling at a high speed when he lost control of his motorcycle at a sharp bend in the road and slid into a guardrail about 10:50 a.m.
Dunham was pronounced dead at the Queen's Medical Center.
LEEWARD OAHU
Boy, 14, is suspected of Ewa school burglary
Police arrested a 14-year-old Ewa Beach boy suspected of burglarizing an Ewa Beach school Sunday afternoon.Police said that at about 1:55 p.m., officers responding to an alarm found the boy holding a bag of school supplies in a classroom at Holomoa Elementary School.
The suspect was arrested for second-degree burglary and later released pending investigation.
Male suspect sought in pizza robbery
Police are looking for a man who allegedly robbed a deliveryman of his pizza Sunday night in Waianae.The victim, 19, told police he was stopped by two men on a mo-ped between 9:30 and 9:50 p.m. He said one of the men claimed that the deliveryman hit their mo-ped with his vehicle and demanded two pizzas as compensation.
The victim gave the suspect the one pizza he had and offered him a coupon for another free pizza, police said.
The suspect is described as 6 feet tall and weighing about 180 pounds.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
