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Hike in parking fees goes into effect today

Parking fees at seven municipal parking lots go up beginning today.

The parking rate increase will apply to attendant lots at Harbor Court, Marin Tower, Kukui Plaza, Hale Pauahi, Harbor Village, Chinatown Gateway and Kekaulike Courtyard.

From 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, the fee will now be 75 cents per half hour for the first two hours. Each half-hour after that the rate will be $1.50.

From 5 p.m. to midnight and on weekends and holidays, the rates will be 50 cents per half hour to a $3 maximum. The monthly parking rates will range between $80 and $50.

The City Council approved the rate hike in June to help balance the city's operating budget that began July 1 and to pay for the city's on- and off-street parking program.

New airport security contractor not ready

Akal Security will continue to provide security at the Honolulu Airport for another month.

The state Department of Transportation extended Akal's contract to the end of September because of a delay in awarding the new contract to Securitas Security Services and because the new contractor needed more time to start operations, said Scott Ishikawa, state transportation spokesman.

Securitas was the low bidder to provide airport security on Oahu when the bids were opened June 23. The bid was $35.9 million for three years with two one-year options. But the state was not able to award the contract because Akal later filed a protest claiming the specifications were not clear.

Akal's protest was rejected last week and the state signed the contract with Securitas yesterday.

2 Maui snake traps have been stolen

WAILUKU >> Someone is stealing the snake traps put out by state officials in hopes of catching a snake in dense tropical brush on Maui.

The Maui Invasive Species Committee said officials found two of the 24 traps owned by the federal government and worth about $100 each were missing Monday morning.

Committee spokeswoman Mele Fong said the thefts hurt efforts to capture the snake last seen on Aug. 10 crossing the road in Hamoa between Hana Town and Kipahulu. The three-week search assisted by snake experts from Guam and the Northern Marianas is scheduled to end tomorrow.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

HONOLULU

Woman arrested for alleged check fraud

Honolulu police arrested a 39-year-old woman who allegedly tried to cash a check from a bank account that no longer exists.

Police said the suspect went to a Mapunapuna bank and attempted to cash a check just before 1 p.m. on Monday. When bank employees checked the account, they discovered it had been closed for more than two years.

Bank employees also contacted the 33-year-old man who had held the account and were told that he did not write the check. Police were called and arrested the woman for suspicion of second-degree forgery.

WINDWARD OAHU

Electrical trouble cited as likely cause of fire

Fire investigators have determined the Kaneohe fire that killed a 12-year-old Marika Quirit on Sunday was probably caused by an electrical problem.

Capt. Kenison Tejada said the 3:26 a.m. fire began in the girl's bedroom at the rear of the 45-324 Kulauli St. home. Other family members escaped uninjured. The fire caused an estimated $180,000 in damage to the house.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Fire in Kihei causes $17,000 in damage

WAILUKU >> A fire caused an estimated $17,000 in damage to a cottage and its contents in south Maui.

Acting Assistant Chief David Thyne said the cause of the fire at 40 Waiohuli St. in Kihei was under investigation. Thyne said a preliminary investigation found people who lived in the cottage had an argument earlier in the day but he did not know if the dispute had any connection to fire.

He said the fire was confined to the bedroom and took 43 minutes to extinguish after the initial alarm at 2:17 p.m. yesterday. There were no injuries.

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Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers