Neighbor Island briefs

Advertiser Staff

Prison escapee back in custody

KIHEI, Maui — Prison escapee Gerald M. Villanueva, 42, surrendered without incident yesterday in Kihei.

He turned himself in to police at 10:40 a.m. at the Menehune Shores condominium after a week as a fugitive, said Lt. Glenn Cuomo of the Maui Police Department Criminal Investigation Division.

Villanueva, serving a 20-year sentence for robbery and other charges, was discovered missing April 4 from his dormitory at the Maui Community Correctional Center in Wailuku. In his escape, Villanueva scaled a 20-foot fence topped with razor wire.

Escape charges are pending against Villanueva, who was due for tentative parole May 11.

Maui County pool closed for repairs

KAHULUI, Maui — The county's Kokua Pool in Kahului is closed while work is done to fix a leak caused by a tear in the pool liner.

The pool is next to the Kahului Community Center off Uhu Street. The Department of Parks and Recreation says the pool should reopen at 9 a.m. Monday, barring any unexpected events.

Whale sanctuary advisers sought

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for six openings on its 25-member Sanctuary Advisory Council.

Applications are being accepted for the following seats: Hawai'i County, City and County of Honolulu, Kaua'i County, Maui County, education and research.

The council, formed in 1996, advises the sanctuary manager on management and protection of the sanctuary. The council, through its members, also serves as liaison to the community regarding sanctuary issues.

The deadline for submitting applications for the positions is June 1.

For an application, call Kellie Cheung at the O'ahu sanctuary office at 397-2651 or e-mail kellie.cheung@noaa.gov. The application can also be downloaded at www.hihwnms.nos.noaa.gov.