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Federal grant to help reduce pesticide use

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the University of Hawaii $36,609 recently to help the state's small farmers find ways to reduce their use of pesticides in trying to control melon flies.

The money will be used by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources' (CTAHR) Kaneohe Cooperative Extension Office.

Melon flies cause significant damage to more than 80 crops. Hawaii farmers are not allowed to export many fruits and vegetables to the U.S. mainland and most foreign markets because they may be infested with four types of fruit flies found here, including the melon fly.

The state Department of Agriculture and CTAHR have made strides in recent years in controlling fruit flies without the use of pesticides, thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Koolau heritage trail plan to be presented

An informational briefing on the proposed Koolau Greenbelt and Heritage Trails System will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at the KEY Project, 47-200 Waihee Road, Kahaluu.

The Koolau Greenbelt & Heritage Trails System advocates for restoration, protection and public access to Windward Oahu mauka lands and supports locally owned, sustainable economic activities.

The proposed Heritage Trail would run 15 miles along existing roads, streets and highways in the 96744 ZIP code, from Castle Junction at the base of the Pali Highway to Kualoa Ranch.

For more information, see the Windward Ahupuaa Alliance Web site at www.waa-hawaii.org.

Big Island water and land grants available

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting grant applications from farmers and ranchers for its Lower Hamakua Ditch Land Treatment Program until May 6.

The program assists producers in the Lower Hamakua Ditch Watershed with water and land conservation measures on a cost-share basis.

For information, contact the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service field offices in Hilo at 933-8381 or Waimea at 885-6602.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

CENTRAL OAHU

Driver hears shots from vehicle on H-1

A motorist told police he heard gunshots coming from another vehicle that had pulled alongside him along the H-1 freeway Sunday night.

The driver, a 31-year-old man, told police he first saw the suspect vehicle speeding and weaving in and out of traffic while driving along Kunia Road about 10:15 p.m. The man then headed Koko Head on the H-1, police said. He told police he saw the same vehicle pull alongside him, then heard two gunshots and saw two flashes of lights coming from inside the other vehicle.

The man then followed the vehicle, got its license plate number and called police. When officers stopped the suspect vehicle, they found a flare gun inside but no spent casings, police said.

Police arrested a male in the vehicle for investigation of first-degree terroristic threatening and later released him pending an investigation.

EAST OAHU

Man swept out to sea while helping woman

A 43-year-old man apparently drowned while trying to help a friend out of the water near the popular surf spot known as China Wall off Portlock in Hawaii Kai on Monday.

The victim had been fishing and was swept into the ocean by a large wave while attempting to help a female friend out of the water about 2:20 p.m. The friend managed to return to the rocks, but the victim did not.

Surfers in the area later found the floating body. Bystanders attempted unsuccessfully to revive the victim, officials said. He was taken to Straub Clinic & Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.