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Humpback sightings drop off in latest count

Far fewer sightings were reported in the second installment of this year's Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary ocean count, officials said.

An average of only three whales were sighted per 15-minute count period Saturday, compared with eight Jan. 29, sanctuary officials said.

Two factors may have played a role in the lower tally, they said.

A couple of counting sites experienced severe weather, especially on Oahu, leading to the cancellation of the count by midmorning. At other sites, windy conditions led to poor visibility, which in turn affected whale sightings.

Some 628 volunteers gathered data from 62 sites along the shores of Oahu, Kauai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island.

The third and final installment of the 2005 count is set for March 26. Final results of the count will be available in the fall after they are compiled and analyzed.

Hawaii waters provide critical breeding habitat for an estimated 5,000 whales, or about two-thirds of the North Pacific stock of humpback whales, the sanctuary said.

The agency monitors the status of the whales that migrate in the winter to Hawaii waters to breed, calve and nurse.

Foundation plans party to help Jarrett School

The Jarrett Foundation is marking the 50th anniversary of Jarrett Middle School with a dinner and auction on Thursday to raise money for the school.

All alumni, from the class of 1955 to the most recent graduates, are encouraged to take part. The goal is to raise $50,000 to support programs and projects on the Palolo campus, such as its Olelo studio.

The dinner will be held at the Japanese Cultural Center and includes a silent auction, entertainment and door prizes. Tickets are $35 each. For more information or to pitch in, call Warren Motosue, 733-4027 (days) or 988-7253 (evenings).

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

KAILUA-KONA
Wheelchair athlete dies in crash

One of Hawaii's most outstanding wheelchair athletes was fatally injured Friday in a collision with a vehicle on Queen Kaahumanu Highway.

Randy L. Caddell, 37, of Kailua-Kona, was struck about 4:30 p.m. as he was traveling on his racing wheelchair/bicycle north along the road through town, according to police on the Big Island.

A 37-year-old Kailua-Kona woman driving a 2003 Mazda was attempting to turn left from the highway onto Malulani Street when her vehicle struck Caddell's cycle, police reported.

Caddell was transported to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:08 p.m., police said.

Caddell, who lost the use of his legs in a 1987 motorcycle accident, was a seven-time finisher of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kailua-Kona. He won the handcycle division in 2001 and 2002.

Most recently, he was the top Hawaii finisher in the wheelchair division of the Honolulu Marathon in December.

Nicknamed "The Animal," he competed in triathlons and marathons around the world and spoke to youth groups about overcoming challenges and making good decisions regarding alcohol.

Speed and alcohol were not considered factors in the fatal accident, but police opened a standard negligent-homicide investigation.

LEEWARD OAHU
Diver separated from group is found dead

A scuba diver was found floating in the water yesterday at Kahe Point Beach Park.

Fire Capt. Emmit Kane said the diver, a tourist in his 40s, was diving with three other people, and the group became separated.

The Fire Department's Air One helicopter located the diver floating about two miles from the shoreline sometime before 4 p.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

EAST OAHU
Repairs completed on broken sewage main

City crews completed repairs yesterday to a sewage main in Niu Valley that ruptured Saturday.

Workers replaced a 20-foot section of the 16-inch water main.

On Saturday an estimated 3,000 gallons of sewage entered the storm drain that empties into the ocean. It was the third time this month that sewage spilled from a rupture in the pipe, which carries sewage from the Niu Wastewater Pumping Station under Kalanianaole Highway toward Honolulu.

Officials said the rupture appeared to be caused by corrosion.

The city has started planning for installation of a temporary surface bypass for the Niu Valley main, as well as a permanent underground replacement.

State health officials have been notified of the spill. Warning signs have been posted at affected areas.