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Box jellyfish invasion on the wane

Significantly fewer jellyfish came ashore at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki today compared with yesterday.

The city's Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Division reported only 17 of the stinging creatures at the Kuhio shoreline by 7:30 a.m. today.

Yesterday an estimated 600 jellyfish were found. The jellyfish advisory was still in affect and signs were posted warning beachgoers of jellyfish. City lifeguards expect the monthly influx to end tomorrow.

And they advise those who are allergic to jellyfish stings to stay out of the water.

Those stung by a box jellyfish are advised to flush the sting area with copious amounts of white vinegar.

For more information, call the Ocean Safety Division at 922-3888, ext. 51.

Future pilots can get taste at Kalaeloa

Students thinking about a career as a pilot can learn about Honolulu Community College's Aerospace Training Center at Kalaeloa Airfield in Barbers Point on Saturday.

Faculty and flight trainers will explain the training and course work involved in the program and current students will share their experiences with interested applicants at an open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

An added attraction is free plane rides for selected students between the ages of 7 and 17.

University of North Dakota personnel will also be available to explain a direct transfer program that enables Honolulu Community College students to transfer into their four-year program. Future students will be able to see the entire facility, including the classrooms and the training planes.

A special career presentation about the aviation industry will be held at 1 p.m.

To get to the facility, take the Kalaeloa offramp from the H-1 freeway. Proceed through the old guard shack and until you hit the airstrip. The hangar will be visible to your right.

Maui wants volunteers for Sister Cities event

WAILUKU » Maui County officials are looking for volunteers to serve on committees preparing for the first Sister Cities Festival on June 8-11.

The festival takes place during a celebration of the county's Centennial Celebration and will include an International Business Expo on June 10 and a daylong cultural festival on June 11 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

The county's 18 sister cities include Tokyo, Hirara City on Okinawa, Sanya County in China, Quezon City in the Philippines, Rapa Nui in Chile, American Samoa, Madeira in Portugal, Dornach in Scotland, Madrid, and Arequipa in Peru.

Meetings to plan the festival are scheduled to be held at 5 p.m. Monday and Dec. 27 at the Cameron Center Auditorium.

Those wishing to entertain during the festival may contact C.J. Ancheta at 385-3571.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

HONOLULU

Police think suspect has fled to Micronesia

A murder suspect in the stabbing death of a 21-year-old Kalihi man in October is believed to be in Micronesia, according to Honolulu police.

Andrew Nakoa Jr. died after he was stabbed in the chest Oct. 15 in front of Fuji's Market on North King Street. Police said the stabbing took place during a fight between Nakoa and a friend, and two other men.

The suspect fled the scene. Police have not released his identity or said whether they are seeking his extradition from Micronesia.

Bank robber last seen fleeing First Hawaiian

Police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying a man who robbed the First Hawaiian bank Makiki branch this weekend.

Police said that the suspect entered the bank at 1111 Beretania St. at 11:46 a.m. Saturday, stood in line, then passed a note to the teller stating that he had a firearm.

After receiving some money, he was seen leaving by the Pensacola Street exit and running in the makai direction.

The suspect is described as in his 30s, 6 feet tall, about 180 pounds, with a muscular build, sandy-blond, shoulder-length hair, a medium complexion, and unshaven. He was also last seen wearing a tan jacket, khaki pants and white athletic shoes.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or by dialing *CRIME on a cellular phone.

2 men arrested in homeless man's death

Police arrested two men Monday who were wanted in the shooting death of a homeless man in Ewa Beach last month.

Officers found Justin Luhia, 24, hiding in a closet of a Lusitana Street apartment about 4:30 p.m., police said. They arrested Alexander Akuna Jr., 29, outside the apartment. Both were booked for investigation of second-degree murder and hindering prosecution.

Luhia and Akuna were wanted for questioning in the death of the 45-year-old homeless man at Oneula Beach Park, also known as Hau Bush. The victim was shot in the mouth with a shotgun at close range on Nov. 19.

Police said the victim was shot by a man in a maroon Mazda van, and that both Luhia and Akuna were identified as passengers in the van. Earlier this month, Chantell Pinero, 28, believed to be the driver, turned herself in to police.

Akuna has 11 prior convictions, mostly felonies, including six first-degree burglary charges, kidnapping and theft. In 1996, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison and resentenced Jan. 29, 1997, after he violated supervised release.

Luhia has five prior convictions, mostly misdemeanors, including two assault cases.

Infant's injuries raise suspicions of abuse

Police are investigating "suspicious injuries" to a 6-month-old boy who was taken to the Tripler Army Medical Center for treatment of a fractured leg Monday.

According to police, the injury took place in the Leeward area at about 8:15 a.m. on Nov. 29. Police said the case is being investigated as a second-degree assault.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Scam turns up with Big Island online sales

Big Island police are warning consumers about an e-mail scam that uses fraudulent checks to pay for items being sold on the Internet.

Police said the scam usually involves the suspect sending a cashier's check for more than the amount of the item for sale -- for example, sending a $2,000 check for a $1,200 computer. The scammer then asks the seller to return the amount overpaid. By the time the check clears and is discovered to be counterfeit, the seller is out $800.

Lt. Randall Medeiros said some version of this scam has been reported several times on the Big Island. In many cases the payment originates from a foreign country, such as Nigeria.

Rain helps crews fight Volcanoes Park fire

HILO » After getting help from the rain yesterday, 40 firefighters and three helicopters were to return to the site of a brush fire in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park today to continue mop-up operations.

But lightning accompanying the rain prompted officials to pull crews from the field in the afternoon, said ranger Mardie Lane.

The size of the fire was again revised downward, with the current estimate putting it at 656 acres, she said. Biologists determined that eight endangered ohai plants, members of the pea family, had escaped the blaze untouched.

The fire was declared 50 percent contained. The biggest danger was seen as a day that turned sunny with gusty winds, threatening a new outbreak of flames in non-native grasses, Lane said.

The fire, in a remote area southwest of Kilauea Crater, was originally mistaken for an eruption, although that area has not erupted since 1974.

Rangers described seeing an "orange wall of light and smoke" at about 8 p.m. Sunday, but the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's instruments showed no signs of an eruption.

The fire burned a "doughnut" around the park's Pepeiau Cabin, but left it untouched, Lane said.