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Newswatch
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OLAF'S AFTERMATH
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2 Hawaiian goslings born in Canadian zoo
WINNIPEG, Manitoba » The population of the endangered Hawaiian goose has grown by two with the birth of a pair of nene at the Assiniboine Zoo.The goslings, born three weeks ago to the zoo's resident pair of nene, will be sent to another zoo.
"There is a waiting list, so we will have to see who asks first," said Bill Wrigley, curator of the Assiniboine Zoo, which has been breeding nene for decades.
The nene's closest relative is the Canadian goose.
"The thought is that some of them, when they were migrating, got lost when they were coming in along the west coast of North America and ended up in Hawaii and started to breed there," Wrigley said.
Each year at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, only 12 to 15 goslings survive long enough to be added to the flock of 150 nene that live in and around the park. Just 1,300 nene have been identified across the state.
Maui coastal land conveyed to county
WAILUKU » A 73.2-acre coastal property in East Maui including the site of a former summer residence of King Kalakaua has been purchased by Maui County.The nonprofit Trust for Public Land has conveyed the land at Muolea Point to the county.
Funds for the land, worth more than $4 million, came from a number of sources, including the county, a state grant, a grant from the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs, private donations and federal conservation funds secured by U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye and U.S. Rep. Ed Case.
The land between Hana Town and Kipahulu also includes remnants of a Hawaiian temple or heiau, a site tied to the legend of a shark man, and one of the few coastal beaches in the area.
"This is a success story for the people of Hana who depend on the land for their way of life," Inouye said.
The trust used its funds temporarily to purchase the property last July to protect it from private sale, then held the land until private and public funds could be secured for its permanent purchase.
Private and corporate foundations contributing to the effort included the McInerny Foundation, LEF Foundation, Maui Electric Co., Mellam Family Foundation, Alexander & Baldwin Inc. and the Charles Englehard Foundation.
Taking notice
» The Hawaii Library Foundation has received $9,950 from the Verizon Foundation for the Computer-Assisted Learning Center at the Hilo Public Library. The funds will be used to update the literacy software programs and to underwrite a literacy program for new voters. The center in Hilo serves about 100 adults, teaching them reading, writing, math and computer skills.» The Hawaii Library Foundation has received a third grant of $3,000 from the Hawaiian Electric Co. and the Hawaiian Electric Industries Charitable Foundation to buy books for the Hawaii State Public Library System's energy resource collection.
» Large and small business on Oahu and community donations have contributed to a record $20,000 to help pay for immunizations, physical exams and general medical care for needy children. The funds will go to the Waikiki Health Center's Back to School Campaign to cover the cost of more than 1,000 medical visits for school-age children whose parents are of low-income, uninsured or homeless.
Large donors included Hawaii Dental Service, which contributed $5,000; Hawaii Medical Service Association, $2,000; Rotary Club of Waikiki, $2,000; Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, $1,000, and Kmart, $1,000.
By Star-Bulletin staff
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Kahului man dies after free-diving
WAILUKU » A diver died Sunday in waters off a remote area in southeastern Maui.Russell Mau, 38, of Kahului was pulled unconscious from the water, and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, police Lt. Michael Kahoohanohano said.
A diving friend noticed that Mau was floating near the surface, and a call was made to police at 1:55 p.m., Kahoohanohano said.
Fire rescue workers arrived at about 2:42 p.m. Mau, who was free-diving without tanks, had been camping with friends and family members in the remote area near Kaupo, authorities said.
No foul play is suspected in the death, police said.
LEEWARD OAHU
Waianae man dies in tractor accident
A 50-year-old man died Sunday at the Queen's Medical Center after a tractor accident in Waianae.The Medical Examiner's Office identified him as Eugene M. Wilkerson of Waianae.
About noon Sunday, Wilkerson was working on the tractor's engine at a site on Hakimo Road when he stepped on the tractor's tire, which caused the engine to engage, said police.
Police said Wilkerson suffered severe head and chest injuries after he was crushed under the tire. He was taken to Queen's where he later died.
An autopsy will be performed.
CENTRAL OAHU
Police seek alleged sex assault suspect
Police are seeking a man who allegedly sexually assaulted a 21-year-old woman Sunday at a party in Mililani.The woman told police she got drunk at a party and was resting in a bedroom when a man in his 20s entered the room and sexually assaulted her sometime between 12:45 and 1:30 a.m.
The woman went to Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, where she underwent an examination.
The suspect faces arrest for alleged first-degree sexual assault and kidnapping.
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