Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Monk seal on Kauai spotted without hook
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Officials spotted a monk seal snagged by a fishhook off Kauai Saturday night and said the hook came out on its own.Brad Ryon, a NOAA Fisheries marine mammal biologist, said the hook -- 3 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide -- went through the seal's lip and was attached to a short length of line.
Officials had been searching for the seal, identified as RH40, since it was spotted near Poipu late last week. It was seen without the hook near Kapaa Saturday night.
Another monk seal, TT40, was airlifted to Oahu from Kauai on Friday. The seal swallowed a fishhook and is at the Kewalo Research Facility awaiting surgery.
"At some point early this week, we will try to determine where the hook is and what damage is associated with the hook, and attempt to remove it," said veterinarian Robert Braun.
Marine officials have yet to confirm a third hooked monk seal that was seen Friday on Oahu's North Shore.
"We're pretty sure there is a hooked seal, but we haven't been able to locate it," said Ryon.
Biotech park pioneer will speak at UH event
The University of Hawaii College of Business will feature guest speaker Bob Olson, a biotechnology park pioneer, in a free lecture 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Kakaako Gateway Park.Olson helped transform an abandoned Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colo., into a $4.3 billion development for the biotech industry. Olson, former head of Colorado's Fitzsimons Redevelopment agency, will discuss how Hawaii can learn from his experience in his talk titled "The Fitzsimons Experience -- Building a Life Sciences Community."
The lecture is a part of the "Kipapa i ke Ala" series, a forum for international business experts to share their knowledge.
To reserve a seat, call 956-5507 or e-mail ikeharaj@hawaii.edu. Parking is available at Kakaako Waterfront Park.
Waikoloa showcases a versatile artist
Discover Waikoloa Art Gallery will host a public reception 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday to kick off an exhibition of works by artist Karen Thrasher. The exhibition runs Wednesday to June 30.Thrasher's two- and three-dimensional artwork includes silk paintings, oils, acrylics, ceramics, glass and photography.
The gallery is in the Lagoon Tower of the Hilton Waikoloa Village and is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
For more information, contact gallery director Martina Stephens at 808-886-2199.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffLEEWARD OAHU
A 79-year-old woman died yesterday after a two-car collision at an intersection in Waipahu.
Collision in Waipahu leaves 1 deadPolice said the woman, in a tan 1999 Toyota, turned Ewa-bound onto Farrington Highway from Awamoku Street about 6:55 a.m.
A 29-year-old man driving a 1997 white Dodge sedan was traveling town-bound on Farrington and struck the Toyota.
Police said the woman was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in guarded condition but was downgraded to critical condition when she arrived at the hospital. The woman later died after she suffered a cardiac arrest.
Police said the 29-year-old man was also taken to Queen's, in stable condition.
Speed is a factor in the accident, police said.
This is the 32nd traffic-related death on Oahu this year compared with 36 deaths at the same time last year.
CENTRAL OAHU
Police are looking for a man who allegedly sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl Saturday in Mililani. The victim told police that she was sexually assaulted by a man in an empty lot on Makaimoimo Street about 7:29 p.m. Police said the man is described as in his 40s to 50s.
14-year-old alleges sex assault in Mililani
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
