Advertiser Staff and News Services
MAUI
Worker admits to embezzlement
A worker on Maui has admitted that she stole nearly $48,000 from the state.
Esperanza Asuncion pleaded guilty Thursday to first-degree theft and nine counts of forgery.
She was accused of forging nine checks from the checking account of West Maui Soil and Water Conservation District, where she was associate director and secretary.
The money, from a federal grant, was to be used by the West Maui Soil and Conservation District for various soil conservation projects in West Maui.
Asuncion is to be sentenced by Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza on April 26.
Haleakala Park seeks volunteers
HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK, Maui — Volunteers are needed to adopt a trail or fence in the summit or Kipahulu areas.
The park will provide training, tools and a shirt.
Activities include inspecting, repairing and marking trails, eliminating shortcut trails, documenting feral animals and alien plants, and litter pick-up.
Volunteers are expected to work at least once every three months. Applications must be received by April 16, with those coming in after that date being held on file until openings are available. For more information, call (808) 572-4452.
AIDS talk to be held on Maui
WAILUKU, Maui — The Maui AIDS Foundation will present "Understanding HIV/AIDS in the Hawaiian Community’’ from 3 to 4 p.m. Friday, March 16, at the Community Learning Center.
The center, which contains a health and wellness resource library, is located in the Simply Healthy Cafe at the Cameron Center, 95 Mahalani St.
For more information, call Napua Spock at (808) 249-9787.
Free job training, placement available
WAILUKU, Maui — Free job training and placement is being offered by Ka Lima O Maui, with the next training session scheduled for Monday.
The services are financed by the state Department of Labor. Priority will be given to people recently enrolled in public assistance programs.
For more information, call (808) 244-6519.
Sierra Club plans Maui events
WAILUKU, Maui — The Sierra Club Maui Group is sponsoring several outings this month.
There will be a 9 a.m. snorkel trip Sunday at Kahekili Park in Ka‘anapali. Register via voice mail at (808) 669-9602.
On March 18, there will be a 9 a.m. hike to the Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Center in remote Kanaio. Call (808) 572-8331 to register.
"The Earth-in-Space Walk’’ fund-raiser for the Sierra Club Maui Group, featuring astronomer Harriet Witt-Miller, will be at 7 p.m. Friday, March 23, at Haycraft Park in Ma‘alaea.
Cost is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. No registration is necessary.
BIG ISLAND
Big Isle family reports scam
SOUTH KOHALA, Hawai‘i — Police have received a complaint from Big Island residents about a possible scam promising debt consolidation and other financial services.
The complaint was made by a family who responded to a newspaper classified ad offering "debt consolidation, personal and business loans." The ad, listed under "Financing," went on to say: "Bad credit and bankruptcy accepted" and urged readers to call a toll-free number.
Upon calling the number, the family was told to wire the "lender" $100 for each $1,000 wanted, said officer Marvin Troutman. After the family had wired $450, they received nothing from the lender, he said.
Attempts to reach the lender failed, and police were informed that the number listed in the ad had been disconnected.
Troutman said anyone who has lost money in the apparent scam should call the police nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311. He cautioned residents to be wary of companies or people offering financial loans from outside the state.
Check with the Better Business Bureau before sending any money, he said.
Police crack down on blue lights
HILO, Hawai‘i — Big Island police are warning drivers with blue lights to halt their use or face jail time and a fine.
Even though the blue lights can be purchased at auto stores, they are restricted to police use, and others who employ them could face a $1,000 fine and a year jail, warned Sgt. Randy Apele of the Hawai‘i County Police Department traffic division in Hilo.
Apele said police are concerned the lights might be used to impersonate police.
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