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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 11:20 a.m., Monday, August 13, 2001

Police Briefs

Advertiser Staff

EAST HONOLULU

Drowned diver identified

A 49-year-old Waipahu diver found dead early yesterday after overnight searches by Honolulu Fire Department rescuers has been identified by the medical examiner as Laki Fai.

Fai was diving with two friends off Kahala Avenue Saturday evening and became separated from his companions, said Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada.

His friends stood on the reef for almost an hour waiting for him to surface, then decided to see whether he had gone ashore. They searched for another hour before calling 911.

More than a dozen firefighters searched until shortly after 1 a.m., when the effort was called off because of poor visibility.

Shortly after 7 a.m. yesterday, as the fire helicopter was making its second pass over the area, rescuer spotted Fai's body floating 10 to 15 feet offshore near Royal Place.

CENTRAL

Armed pair rob jewelry store

Two men robbed a jewelry shop at gunpoint yesterday afternoon before jumping into a car and fleeing, police said.

The men, in their 30s, walked into J T Jewelry & Watch at Pearl Kai shopping Center on Kamehameha Highway around 3 p.m. posing as customers.

One pulled a small chrome-colored handgun on the clerks, and both men scooped up jewelry from a display case. The men ran from the store chased by store clerks.

The clerks told police the robbers ran down a bike path toward Pearl Harbor, then jumped into a black compact car.

No one was injured in the robbery.

HONOLULU

Jellyfish sting 8 over weekend

Box jellyfish, making their routine lunar-timed visits to Oahu's south-facing shores, stung three Waikiki beachgoers yesterday and five the day before.

Today, the 10th day after the full moon, is expected to be the largest influx, said Rob Miller of the City and County Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services division.

The jellyfish should depart by Wednesday.

Areas commonly affected are Ala Moana Beach Park swim channel and Waikiki Beach, Hanauma Bay, Poka'i Bay and Makaha Surfing Beach.

Lifeguards will post warning signs if jellyfish are spotted.

Box jellyfish stings should be flushed with copious amounts of vinegar.

$1.9M raised for United Way

Aloha United Way announced today that 59 companies on O'ahu raised $1.9 million for Aloha United Way's 2001 general campaign.

The "pacesetter companies," as they are known, include Alexander & Baldwin, Servco and Outrigger Enterprises. They were part of a summer campaign designed to inspire others to give and "set the pace" for the overall campaign, which kicks off Aug. 30.

The corporate donations will help the nonprofit organization reach its 2001 goal of $13.6 million for its Community Care fund, which targets programs benefitting children, families and the elderly.

Work starts on Punahou ramp

State transportation officials are advising O'ahu motorists of lane closures along the H-1 Freeway Punahou Street eastbound off-ramp today through Wednesday for concrete paving on the ramp.

One lane of the off-ramp will remain open during work.

Working at night and closing two of the three lanes will shorten the concrete pavement work by at least four days.

Nearby alternates are the off-ramps at Punchbowl Street, Kinau Street, Bingham Street and University Avenue.

Motorists are advised to anticipate delays, use caution while driving through the work area, allow for extra travel time or to take an alternate route.

'Iolani Palace training set

Friends of 'Iolani Palace will offer a volunteer training course in September. The nine-week course will teach potential volunteers the history of the Hawaiian monarchy, the palace and its restoration. Volunteers will also learn about the palace's priceless artifacts.

Classes begin Sept. 4 and run for nine consecutive Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $40, plus 40 palace guardian hours, and will be held in the Old Archives Building next to the palace. Call Cindy Grace at 522-0821.