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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff
and wire service
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Lifeguards issue alert for stinging jellyfish
Officials from the Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division issued a box jellyfish warning for today and tomorrow.
The influx is expected to dissipate by Wednesday.
Officials reported a small influx of box jellyfish in beaches off Waikiki yesterday, according to an advisory. Several stings were reported and treated by 2 p.m. Signs were posted at beaches where box jellyfish were seen.
Other areas known to be affected by box jellyfish include Ala Moana Beach Park, Hanauma Bay, Pokai Bay, Makaha Surfing Beach and Waimea Bay. Ocean safety officials said occasional sightings or stings have occurred at other North and West Shore beaches.
Those who are stung by box jellyfish are advised to flush the affected area with large amounts of white vinegar, according to the Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division. Any person who experiences breathing problems, muscle cramps or spasms, or persistent pain should seek medical attention immediately.
Lifeguard stations are equipped to treat box jellyfish stings.
For information on ocean conditions, advisories and warnings, call the Ocean Safety Division at 922-3888, ext. 51.
UH-West Oahu offers B.A. in pre-K teaching
The University of Hawaii at West Oahu is starting a degree program for students interested in teaching preschool, the university said in a news release.
At a meeting last week, the Board of Regents approved the establishment of UH-West Oahu's Bachelor of Arts in social sciences degree with a concentration in early childhood education.
"Research has shown that the most important period of learning takes place in the first five years of a child's life, and yet, in Hawaii, we face a shortage of highly qualified teachers who are trained in early childhood education," said Gene Awakuni, UH-West Oahu chancellor, in a written news release.
Awakuni added that many states are now requiring four-year degrees for teaching children from birth through age 5.
The new program will enable community college students to attain a bachelor's degree in early childhood education without losing credits when moving between the community college and UH-West Oahu. At present the University of Hawaii system only offers undergraduates the opportunity to earn an Associate of Science degree with an emphasis in early childhood education at four of the community colleges (Kauai, Honolulu, Maui and Hawaii).
The College of Education at UH-Manoa also offers a number of courses in early childhood as part of its elementary education program. It also offers a master's degree in early childhood education.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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Pickup hits and kills Big Isle pedestrian, 69
A 69-year-old pedestrian died yesterday after he was struck while trying to cross Ainaloa Drive on the Big Island, police said. He was identified as Dominador Macanas of Hilo.
Police said the accident happened at about 6:45 a.m. when Macanas was struck by a 1996 Mazda pickup while trying to cross Ainaloa Drive outside a marked crosswalk.
The pickup truck driver, a 57-year-old Hilo man, was not injured.
Police said Macanas was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 7:10 a.m.
The traffic fatality is the third on the Big Island this year, compared with none at the same time in 2005.
350 acres burn in fire blamed on lightning
Big Island firefighters believe lightning started a brush fire at Puuwaawaa Ranch on Saturday. It had burned more than 350 acres by last night.
Witnesses reported seeing multiple lightning strikes just before the fire started at 4:40 p.m. Firefighters were still working to put out the blaze last night, and requested a state helicopter for this morning.
None of the ranch's buildings were threatened in the fire, Big Island firefighters said. The ranch is set back about a mile from Mamalahoa Highway. Firefighters said the area's rough terrain hampered their efforts.
Big Island man, 82, missing since Friday
Big Island police are asking for the public's help in locating an 82-year-old man who has been missing since Friday. According to a news release, police said Norven Crandell of Hilo left his home at about 9 a.m. Friday. He was last seen walking on Hookano Street and being picked up by a brown van.
Crandell is described as 6 feet tall, with a medium build. He has short brown hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing light brown pants and a Hawaiian print T-shirt.
Anyone with information on Crandell's whereabouts is asked to call Officer Robert Stewart at 961-2213. Those who want to remain anonymous can call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
HONOLULU
New Year's Eve gunfire leads to charges
Police charged a 45-year-old Kalihi man after he allegedly fired gunshots into the air on New Year's Eve while a couple of juveniles and many children were nearby. Police identified him as Nicasio Semetara Jr.
Police said Semetara pulled a handgun from his car and fired six gunshots in the air. Police said two male juveniles, ages 13 and 15, were about five feet from the suspect along Pahukui Street when the gun was fired. Many children were also in the area watching fireworks. There were no injuries.
Semetara's actions placed the children and the juveniles at risk of serious injury or death, police said.
Officers from the Crime Reduction Unit of District 5 located Semetara at his Pahukui Street home and arrested him Friday. Police charged him Saturday with reckless endangering in the first degree. He is being held in lieu of $2,200 bail.
Man is held in alleged assault on 3 officers
Police arrested a 24-year-old man after he allegedly assaulted three police officers and a man in Waikiki yesterday.
At about 1 a.m., police said, a 24-year-old man was sitting in the driver's seat of his car at Kaiulani and Kuhio avenues when he was approached by the suspect. The suspect challenged the victim to a fight.
After the victim did not respond, police said, the suspect punched him.
Police arrived and arrested the 24-year-old suspect on suspicion of unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle. As he was being placed in the police car, the suspect kicked three police officers. He was also arrested for suspicion of three counts of assault of a police officer in the first degree.
Motorcycle fatality was Honolulu man, 36
A 36-year-old man who died in a motorcycle crash Thursday was identified as Olufunso Olowofoyeku of Honolulu.
At about 10:25 a.m. Tuesday, police said, a vehicle driven by a 79-year-old Honolulu man was traveling south on Isenberg Street near South King Street. The car turned left into a business driveway into the path of Olowofoyeku, who was traveling in the opposite direction.
Police said Olowofoyeku broadsided the vehicle and was ejected from his motorcycle. He was transported to a hospital in critical condition.
He died two days later. Police said Olowofoyeku was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision. An autopsy performed Friday determined Olowofoyeku died of multiple internal injuries.
This is the fifth traffic-related fatality on Oahu this year compared with four at the same time in 2005.
