Ala Wai docks to be replaced

A corroded concrete dock system at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor will be replaced in a six-month project that begins Monday, according to state officials.

Crews will demolish the cross dock and floating docks B, C and D, which were installed in 1972. They will replace them with corrosion-resistant aluminum-framed floating docks topped with plastic composite decking that sit on heavy-duty floats, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The new docks use a modular system that allows portions to be reconfigured and repaired, department officials said.

Portions of the old dock were neglected for decades and determined to be unsafe and beyond repair.

During construction, vessels will be relocated to other areas of the facility. The $2,850,000 project is expected to be finished in May.

Medicare agency warns of fraud

Medicare members in Hawaii are warned not to give personal information over the telephone to anyone claiming to represent Medicare.

SMP Hawaii, the Medicare fraud prevention program in the state Executive Office on Aging, points out that Medicare does not sell products or services or ask for personal information over the telephone.

The caller in some cases says he needs information from the Medicare member to mail a new Medicare card and threatens to cancel Medicare benefits if the member doesn't provide information.

Medicare is not issuing new cards unless the member requests a replacement, says SMP Hawaii and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

In another type of fraudulent call, Medicare members are told if they make a one-time, lump-sum payment, Medicare premium deductions from the member's Social Security benefits will be stopped. The member must provide a bank account number to accept the offer.

When a Medicare member calls Medicare or the Social Security Administration, information must be provided so Medicare and SSA can verify identity. But Medicare members should not volunteer information to anyone calling them, said SMP Hawaii and CMS.

If they suspect someone of asking for their Medicare number or personal information to make false claims to Medicare, they should call SMP Hawaii at 586-7281 or (800) 296-9422. Members who think they may have given their bank account number to a scam artist should immediately call their bank.

If you suspect a Medicare-fraud solicitation, call SMP Hawaii at 586-7281 or (800) 296-9422 to report the incident. For more information about what Medicare covers, call the state’s Sage PLUS program at 586-7299 or (888) 875-9229.

Top picks for police chief named

HILO » The Hawaii County Police Commission has selected Deputy Chief Harry Kubojiri and retired Capt. Chadwick Fukui for final consideration to become the new police chief, the commission announced.

The successful candidate will replace Lawrence Mahuna, who will retire Dec. 3 after 35 years with the department and six years as chief.

The commission will take public testimony on the two applicants in three meetings:

» King Kamehameha Beach Hotel, Kona, Thursday, 5 p.m.
» Aupuni Center Conference Room, Hilo, Nov. 18, 5 p.m.
» Waimea Center Conference Room, Nov. 20, 2 p.m.

Written testimony may also be sent to 101 Aupuni St., Suite 313, Hilo, HI 96720. No date was announced for a vote on a decision.

Big Isle vote on pot law debated

HILO » Hawaii County police and federal authorities say they will continue enforcing marijuana laws on the Big Island despite the passage of a ballot initiative making it the lowest priority for law enforcement.

Voters approved the measure 34,957 to 25,464 in Tuesday's election.

Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna said the measure is a resolution, not a law. He said there will be no change how police prioritize the enforcement of marijuana, that the resolution does not invalidate federal law and does not legalize marijuana. He also said marijuana is still a Schedule 1 controlled substance.

“;We will continue in our efforts to reduce the availability of illegal marijuana,”; he said.

County Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida disagreed with Mahuna's assertion that the approved measure isn't a law.

The County Charter states an initiative approved by voters becomes a county ordinance, or law.

Ashida said that under the new law, the County Council can't accept funds for marijuana eradication programs, and the county clerk must send an annual letter to state and federal elected officials requesting that “;government remove criminal penalties for the cultivation, possession and use of cannabis for adult personal use.”;

Meanwhile, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency said passage of the initiative won't change its approach to the enforcement of federal law.

“;In a nutshell, we're going to continue to enforce the drug laws, which includes marijuana,”; said Tony Williams, DEA assistant special agent in charge, speaking from Honolulu. He said the focus will remain on those who cultivate marijuana and distribute narcotics.

The measure was pushed by the group Project Peaceful Sky, whose director, Adam Lehmann, said it doesn't decriminalize marijuana.

“;It's only for adult personal use on private property,”; he said.