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Moi fishing season closes on Wednesday

Beginning Wednesday, it will be illegal to catch moi until the end of summer.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources is reminding fishermen that the moi fishing season is closed from Wednesday until Aug. 31.

"In recent years the competitive uses of shoreline areas coupled with increased fishing pressure have resulted in a decrease in moi catch by local fishermen. The closed season helps sustain its populations by protecting it during the critical summer spawning season," said DNLR Chairman Peter Young in a written press release.

Copies of Hawaii's fishing regulations are available at DLNR's Aquatic Resources offices and at most fishing supply stores.

To report fishing violations, call 587-0077 on Oahu. Neighbor island residents can call toll-free by dialing the operator and asking for Enterprise 5469.

Postal workers eclipse record in food drive

Postal workers collected 366,863 pounds of food, a record amount, during the "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive on May 14, according the Hawaii Foodbank.

The amount of food collected in Hawaii represents an increase of more than 30,000 pounds over last year's total.

"Everyone has a lot to be proud of," said Brett Schlemmer, food donations coordinator at the Hawaii Foodbank. "The various agencies we serve have a lot to be thankful for, as we can now provide more valuable nutrition to those in need for months to come."

Schlemmer reported that the Pearl City Post Office, which serves the Pearl City and Aiea communities, collected the most food, more than 40,000 pounds. The Hilo Post Office led the Big Island with more than 19,200 pounds of food; Wailuku topped Maui with more than 9,400 pounds; and the Kapaa Post Office led Kauai with more than 1,600 pounds.

More than 240,000 letter carriers collected food donations from residents in more than 10,000 cities and towns across the country during the 2005 Food Drive.

The Hawaii Foodbank serves about 118,000 people -- including 43,000 children -- across the state through a network of more than 250 provider agencies.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

WINDWARD OAHU
Driver hospitalized after hitting utility pole in Punaluu

The driver of a car who apparently lost control and hit a utility pole in Punaluu last night was taken to Kahuku Hospital in extremely critical condition.

The accident happened about 8:30 p.m. fronting Ching's Store at 53-3360 Kamehameha Highway in Punaluu.

Police said the utility pole fell over the roadway, backing up traffic for miles. Police closed Kamehameha Highway in both directions from Green Valley to Punaluu Beach Park for hours while they cleared the roadway and investigated the crash. The victim's age was not immediately available.

Fisherman finds old military canister

A portion of Kahuku Golf Course near the eighth hole was closed off yesterday after a fisherman found an old military canister, which began emitting a white smoke.

Police identified the rusted canister as a "military marker flare." The fisherman found the object about 12:30 p.m. He was apparently fishing in waters directly behind the golf course.

Hazardous materials firefighters were called to secure the area, and Schofield Barracks officials came to identify the canister's contents and take it away for disposal.

3 are hospitalized in Kaneohe crash

Three people were taken to the Queen's Medical Center with serious injuries last night after a two-car crash at the intersection of Kahekili and Likelike highways.

A fourth person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

The accident happened about 7:53 p.m. after one of the cars apparently collided into the side of the second car. Police closed the road to investigate the crash last night.

An Emergency Medical Services supervisor said three of the victims were women, ages 45, 18 and 23. The man involved in the accident was 52 years old.

LEEWARD OAHU
17-year-old crashes car into house

A 17-year-old was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in serious condition last night after driving his car into a house in Waianae.

Police could not say how much damage the house, at 84-375 Jade St., received in the incident.

The accident happened about 8 p.m.

14-year-old injured by car in Waianae

A 14-year-old girl was seriously injured last night after she was struck by a car near the intersection of Jade and Lahaina streets in Waianae, police said.

The accident happened about 8:06 p.m., and police closed the road from Hanalei to Lahaina streets during the investigation. The girl was taken by ambulance to the Queen's Medical Center.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Boyfriend is arrested after 22-year-old dies

A 22-year-old woman died at the Queen's Medical Center yesterday from head injuries she allegedly received from her boyfriend.

About 11:36 p.m. Saturday, police responded to a call about a fight that occurred between the victim and her boyfriend, 24, at Hotel Molokai located on Kamehameha V Highway where they had attended a concert.

A paramedic said the victim was unconscious and had suffered a head injury when she was taken to Molokai General Hospital. Police said she was then flown to Queen's where she died at 3:54 a.m. yesterday.

A woman at Hotel Molokai declined to comment.

Police arrested the 24-year-old man at Molokai General Hospital yesterday on suspicion of abuse of a household member and second-degree murder. The suspect did not sustain any injuries.

The suspect and the victim lived together in the Kamiloloa area. Members of the community also said the victim was a mother. An autopsy is expected to be performed today to determine cause of death.

Police are continuing their investigation, said acting Lt. Keith Kawano, of the Molokai Police Department.