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Swimmers warned of jellyfish bites

City lifeguards are warning swimmers to be on the lookout for jellyfish for the next few days.

The city's Ocean Safety Division has issued a box jellyfish advisory for today and tomorrow.

The areas commonly affected include Waikiki Beach and Ala Moana Beach.

Breakage closes pools in Manoa and Palolo

Two city pools have been shut down temporarily due to water pump problems.

The Palolo Valley District Pool closed about two weeks ago after a motor for a water pump short-circuited, said Les Chang, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation.

A mechanical pump also broke at the Manoa Valley District Pool, prompting its closure Sunday.

Chang said the pump's motor at the Manoa pool had to be rebuilt. "We should be able to have the pool ready by Friday," he said.

The water pump at the Palolo pool is new and under warranty. Chang said they hope to have the Palolo pool reopened by the end of the week, too.

The renovated Palolo pool reopened in September after a delay of several months due to tile problems and rain.

High court upholds life term in shooting

The Hawaii Supreme Court has upheld the life sentence without parole for Miti Maugaotega, a 17-year-old who broke into a Punchbowl home and shot the homeowner in the chest when he arrived home.

Maugaotega was facing a life term with parole for second-degree attempted murder in the June 2003 shooting that nearly killed homeowner Eric Kawamoto. However, Circuit Judge Patrick Border sentenced Maugaotega to life without parole after finding he was a "multiple offender" whose actions were so extensive that an extended term was necessary for the public's protection.

He also ordered Maugaotega to serve 10 life terms with parole in four other burglaries, including one in which he sexually assaulted and beat a 55-year-old woman. The charges normally carry a 20-year prison term.

The justices disagreed with Maugaotega's assertion that the extended terms were illegal because the judge had made findings not found by a jury, as required under a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2000.

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Taking Notice

» Wendell Jung of the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa was given the Loss Prevention Director of the Year Award for the Hawaii Region by Marriott International. The award is given to directors who demonstrate exemplary technology and business leadership and other qualities. He also received an honorable mention at this year's Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association's Annual Na Po'e Pa'ahana Awards.

» DFS Galleria Waikiki has won the 2005 National Shop America Salutes Innovation Award in the retail category, which recognizes an outstanding retailer that excels in tourism marketing. It was recognized for its 2004 Oshogatsu promotion, which was held to increase sales during the New Year's holiday.

» U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie has recognized Hawaii physicians Dr. Cynthia Goto and Dr. Marian E. Melish for being named Local Legends by the American Medical Women's Association, which also celebrated its 90th anniversary.

Melish is a professor of pediatrics, tropical medicine and medical microbiology at the University of Hawaii, and chief of the Infectious Disease Division at Kapiolani Medical Center.

Goto is a second-generation OB-GYN practitioner and, like her father, Dr. George Goto, is a champion of women's reproductive rights and public health services for women and infants.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

HONOLULU

Blaze heavily damages abandoned 2-story building

Fire investigators and police were looking into the cause of a blaze that heavily damaged an abandoned two-story wooden structure that might have been occupied by homeless persons.

Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada said the fire struck an old antiques shop about 7:20 p.m. in a row of abandoned buildings. The fire heavily damaged both levels of the building.

Tejada said the building was cluttered for an abandoned building.

Tejada said shortly before 9 p.m. that firefighters had cleared the upstairs area after making a thorough search and were working to make sure no one was in the downstairs area.

Eight fire companies had the blaze extinguished at 8:45 p.m.

The building, at 2909 Old Waialae Ave., is near the intersection Waialae Avenue and Kapiolani Boulevard.

Details released on suspect who stole safe

Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a male suspect caught on surveillance video stealing a metal safe early Saturday morning at Aloha Tower Marketplace.

Police said an 18-by-24-inch metal safe was taken from Don Ho's Bar & Grill, 1 Aloha Tower Drive, sometime between 5:15 and 7:30 a.m.

The suspect is described as being about 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with an average build. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime- Stoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cell phone.

Man, 43, arrested in girlfriend's assault

Police arrested a 43-year-old Kalihi man after he allegedly assaulted and robbed his girlfriend Monday.

Police said the suspect and the victim, 36, were arguing in the suspect's vehicle while he was driving at about 9:20 a.m. During the argument, the victim attempted to get out of the vehicle while it was moving but was restrained by the suspect, police said.

While restraining his girlfriend, the suspect allegedly punched her in the head. The suspect then stopped the car and both parties got out. Police said the suspect ripped his girlfriend's purse from her and then drove away. The suspect was found later near North School Street and Gulick Avenue and arrested for investigation of kidnapping, second-degree robbery, and abuse.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Visitor from California dies in 2-vehicle crash

Kauai police said an Oakland, Calif., girl died after the car she was in collided with a Nissan pickup truck yesterday in Omao.

Police said the girl was one of four occupants of a Chevy sedan that struck the pickup truck about 3:30 p.m. yesterday on Kaumualii Highway at mile marker 4.

The female driver of the pickup, who is from Koloa, was the sole occupant and received minor injuries.

One of the other passengers of the Chevy suffered serious injury. All were visiting from Oakland, police said.

Occupants of both vehicles were taken by ambulance to Wilcox Memorial Hospital.

Hilo police seek man in drive-by shooting

Big Island police are investigating a reported drive-by shooting in Hilo on Friday.

The victim reported that he and two friends were in the parking lot of the Prince Kuhio Plaza when the shooting occurred.

Police said a white, older-model Honda sedan, with white rims, stopped near the victim's car. The male driver brandished a small handgun and fired a single shot at the victim. The suspect then fled and was last seen driving west on Puainako Street, police said.

The suspect is described as in his early to mid 20s, with very short black hair, fair skin, a thin mustache and sideburns.

Police said no one was injured.

Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Duldulao at 961-2213 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311.

Calls may also be made to CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.

Fire damages portion of home in North Kona

A fire in North Kona about noon yesterday damaged part of a two-story house and caused an estimated $220,000 in damage.

Firefighters extinguished the fire within a half-hour of arriving at 77-125 Queen Kalama Avenue in the Kona White Sands subdivision.

Fire crews reported no injuries. No evacuations were necessary, but traffic was redirected to Laaloa Drive for about two hours.

Firefighters determined the blaze originated in a first-floor living room that the owners were renting to a tenant, but were unable to determine the cause.