O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
EAST HONOLULU
Waipahu diver found dead
A 49-year-old Waipahu diver was found dead early yesterday after overnight searches by Honolulu Fire Department rescuers.
The man had been diving with two friends off Kahala Avenue Saturday evening, but 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. When he did not, they decided to see whether he had gone ashore.
They looked around on shore for another hour before calling 911. The call was transferred to HFD at 11:21 Saturday night.
More than a dozen firefighters searched until shortly after 1 a.m., when rescuers decided poor visibility made further efforts fruitless.
Shortly after 7 a.m. yesterday, as Rescue One, the HFD helicopter, was making its second pass over the area, rescuer spotted the man's body floating 10 to 15 feet offshore near Royal Place. An autopsy is scheduled today.
CENTRAL
Armed pair rob jewelry store
Two men robbed a jewelry shop at gunpoint yesterday before jumping into a car and fleeing, police said. No one was injured during the 3 p.m. robbery.
The men, described as in their 30s, walked into J T Jewelry & Watch at Pearl Kai shopping Center at 98-199 Kamehameha Highway, posing as customers.
One pulled a small, chrome-colored handgun on the clerks and both then scooped up jewelry from a display case. The men ran from the store and store clerks chased them.
The clerks told police the men ran down a bike path toward Pearl Harbor and then jumped into a black compact car.
Police had not apprehended the robbers as of yesterday evening.
HONOLULU
Jellyfish sting eight 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. Other areas affected include Hanauma Bay, Pokai 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 have raised $1.9 million for Aloha United Way's 2001 general campaign.
The "pacesetter companies," as they are known, including Alexander & Baldwin, Servco and Outrigger Enterprises, were part of a summer campaign designed to inspire others to give and to "set the pace" for the overall campaign, which officially 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 Punahou Street off-ramp will remain open during work.
The night work and the closure of two of the three lanes will shorten the concrete pavement work by at least four days.
Alternate routes during this lane closure include Punchbowl Street, Kinau Street, Bingham Street and University Avenue off-ramps.
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, running for nine consecutive Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Class 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.
