Raw sewage spill flows to Mililani storm drain
An estimated 3,600 gallons of raw sewage was spilled into a storm drain in Mililani Friday night, the city reported yesterday.
A contractor working on a city sewer rehabilitation project in Mililani was unable to contain incoming flows, resulting in a spill that lasted from 7:45 to 8:45 p.m., a city news release said.
The area was disinfected by city workers and the state Department of Health was notified.
Though the spill did reach a storm drain that leads to Waiahole Ditch, the drain was dry at the time, the city reported.
Greeters likely to stay restricted at airport
Allowing non-ticketed passengers past airport security checkpoints for lei greetings or to bid aloha to friends and family won't happen in Hawaii anytime soon, a state transportation official said.
Pittsburgh International is being considered to become the nation's first major airport to get the OK to abandon the post-9/11 rule that says only ticketed passengers are allowed past security checkpoints.
In Hawaii, that meant no more greeting arriving passengers with leis nor gathering the family together to say goodbye to a mainland-bound loved one at the gate. Since then, the alohas have been said at baggage claim.
What happens at Pittsburgh could become a model for other airports -- but not in Hawaii because it "isn't feasible," state Transportation Department spokesman Scott Ishikawa said.
He said the state and federal authorities have worked to cut the wait time at Honolulu International Airport's checkpoints from a peak of 1 1/2 to 2 hours immediately following the 2001 terrorist attacks to an average wait now of 15 to 30 minutes.
If the rules are changed, people without tickets would have to go through security checkpoints just like passengers. They would be checked with metal detectors and would have to empty their pockets and handbags and take off their shoes.
"If you have nonpassengers in that line, you're going to increase the wait again," he said. "Our priority is the traveling public."
H-1 Freeway work forcing closures
Night construction on the H-1 Freeway will require the closure of two lanes between the 11th Avenue onramp and the King Street offramp beginning tonight, the Department of Transportation announced.
The work will take place between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. tonight and from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. tomorrow night through Thursday.
Meanwhile, work continues on the Likelike Highway. All lanes in the Kaneohe-bound direction will be closed from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. tonight through Friday.
There will also be single-lane closures in both directions on the highway between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. between the Wilson Tunnel and Valley View Drive tomorrow through Friday.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staff
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
4 men arrested after Big Isle drug raid
Big Island police arrested three men on drug charges Thursday after a raid on a residence in Waiohinu in Kau.
Officers seized 468 grams of crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," a small amount of marijuana and an unknown powder substance, 15 unknown pills, drug paraphernalia, $566 cash and a vehicle.
A fourth resident was arrested Friday after he was located working at an elementary school.
The suspects arrested were: Gary Delos Santos, 56, of Waiohinu; Michael Delos Santos, 25, of Waiohinu; David Akana, 57, of Pahala; and William Lawson, 53, of Honolulu.
Man charged after counterfeit bills found
Big Island police arrested and charged a 27-year-old man Friday for allegedly passing counterfeit currency and forgery.
Weslie Malani, of Waimea, was arrested for trying to pass five counterfeit $20 bills and one $10 bill at a South Kohala business at 1:25 a.m. Thursday, police said. Detectives recovered another nine counterfeit $10 bills from the suspect, who is being held on $4,100 bail.
An investigation determined that Malani was also allegedly responsible for a forgery and theft on April 6 using counterfeit money at a South Kohala business. U.S. Secret Service agents assisted in the investigation.
WAIKIKI
Stabbing incident leads to man's arrest
Honolulu police arrested a 70-year-old man near the Ilikai Hotel, after he allegedly stabbed a 44-year-old hotel groundskeeper with three writing pens at 7:30 a.m. yesterday.
The groundskeeper had confronted the man about some unattended items when the man became upset and stabbed the groundskeeper with three pens bundled with rubber bands, police reported. The man was charged with misdemeanor assault and released yesterday afternoon.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers