Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
AN EVENING OF DINNER AND DANCING
Chizuko Kawaji, left, and Sandra Hiramatsu talked story Saturday night during a break between dances at the Kahuku Hongwanji Centennial Bon Dance celebration.
State ID office to close temporarily this week
The state Identification Office will be closed temporarily on Wednesday and Thursday for staff training because of the installation of a new state ID system.The office will reopen on Friday, but long lines are expected, so it will be open on Aug. 14 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For information on the state ID card program, call 587-3112.
Group seeks support in land preservation
A Hawaii Kai group opposed to more developments in East Oahu is calling on residents to testify in support of a City Council resolution urging the preservation of Kamilonui Valley's agricultural lands."This Tuesday is 'D-Day' for Kamilonui Valley," reads a Hawaii Kai Hui e-mail sent to community members last week.
The hui wants City Council members to stop any plans to rezone the farm lands for residential use.
Stanford Carr Development has approached farmers in the valley about buying out their leases, and many have said they are seriously considering the company's preliminary offers. The developer has not yet gone before the City Council on the issue.
A resolution set to come before the City Council's Planning Committee tomorrow at 1 p.m. will also be introduced to the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board tomorrow at 7 p.m.
Hilo posts new record for July temperature
The temperature in Hilo reached 91 degrees Friday and Saturday, setting a new record high for July. The previous high temperature for July was 87 degrees, set in 1997, according to the National Weather Service.A combination of hot summer sun with little cloud cover contributed to the sweltering conditions, said Derek Wroe, meteorologist for the NWS. The afternoon showers common to the Hilo side of the Big Island were also absent on both days, which intensified the conditions, Wroe said.
Yesterday afternoon, the temperature was back to a normal 84 degrees.
Volunteers sought for marsh restoration
The Nature Center is seeking volunteers to help with cleanup and restoration of Pouhala Marsh in Waipahu, which it uses as a wetland program site.Service projects will be held 8:30-11:30 a.m. on the following Saturdays: Aug. 14, Sept. 25, Oct. 16, Nov. 13 and Dec. 4.
Work will involve pickleweed removal. Workers should bring work gloves and water; wear a hat, sunscreen, covered shoes or rubber boots and long pants; and expect to get wet and muddy.
For more information, contact Pauline Kawamata at 955-0100, ext. 18.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffNEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Residents of three homes in Kona were evacuated yesterday afternoon because of the threat of flooding from heavy rain, Big Island fire officials said.
3 Kona homes evacuated because of flood threatThe homes were along St. John's Road near Kealakekua. No injuries or damage were reported.
Between 2 and 6 p.m., Kealakekua received 2.66 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service. The rain came in sudden, heavy bursts, which caused the flooding, meteorologist Bob Farrell said.
At 8 p.m. last night, the system that caused the wet weather had moved offshore, and the rain had subsided, Farrell said. However, the conditions that caused the sudden rain will persist throughout the week and could intensify later in the week as the remnants of Hurricane Celia pass over the state, he said.
EAST OAHU
Police are investigating the death of a 21-year-old man who was found dead at his Waialae Nui home.
21-year-old found dead after partyingPolice said he was last seen alive about 5 a.m. Saturday when he and his roommates returned home at Halekoa Drive from a night of partying. At 5 p.m. his roommates discovered he was unresponsive in his bedroom. Emergency Medical Services personnel were unable to revive him.
Police said there were no signs of foul play.
NORTH SHORES
A 23-year-old skydiver was airlifted to the Queen's Medical Center in serious condition yesterday after making a hard landing at Dillingham Airfield.
kydiver airlifted after hard landingThe accident occurred at about 3 p.m. when the man was coming down from a jump with Drop Zone Hawaii, according to an Emergency Medical Services supervisor and a secretary with the sky diving company.
The man was described as an experienced jumper and had an injury to his back, police said.
LEEWARD OAHU
A dog bit a 9-year-old Waipahu boy yesterday afternoon, leaving him in serious condition with lacerations to his head and arms, police said.
Boy, 9, hospitalized following dog attackThe incident occurred at 94-1198 Halelehua St. at about 2:16 p.m. An Emergency Medical Services supervisor said the boy was taken to the Queen's Medical Center.
HONOLULU
Police charged Romeo Andres Jr. of Kalihi, 34, with second-degree assault in connection with a shooting at a home near Stadium Mall last week.
Kalihi man charged in shooting incidentPolice said a 40-year-old man accused his wife of having an affair with Andres during a confrontation at about 11:45 p.m. Wednesday. The man and his two brothers began fighting with Andres when one of the brothers was shot, police said.
The victim, who was shot in the stomach, was taken to the Queen's Medical Center.
Andres was also charged with firearm violations. His bail was set at $100,000.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
