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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, December 31, 2001

O'ahu briefs

Advertiser Staff and News Services

HONOLULU

Boaters warned of flare misuse

The Coast Guard will conduct patrols today and board vessels as boaters are reminded not to set off flares during fireworks displays.

Boaters should use flares only when in trouble.

"Don't use flares as fireworks," said Robert C. Schmidt, officer in charge of Station Honolulu. "Flares communicate distress."

Any sighting of a flare will be treated as a distress call.

The Coast Guard also will issue citations to boat operators who are intoxicated.


Police plan checkpoints

Honolulu police are conducting checkpoints every night through Jan. 2 at unannounced times and locations to help deter drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drug use.


CENTRAL

Fire damages Waikele firm

A late-evening fire damaged a Waikele business on Saturday, burning through the roof and causing an unknown amount of damage.

Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada said firefighters would consult with the tenants, Le Sportsac, to determine the value of the loss.

The blaze appeared to be electrical, but more investigation is necessary, he said.

Tejada said the person who reported the fire misinterpreted the situation and thought a sign above Waikele Center was burning. When firefighters arrived about 11 p.m., they found a stubborn blaze burning about 50 feet of the building's roof.

Le Sportsac had been in the building only briefly, on a five-week lease, he said.


Utility poles disrupt traffic

Kunia Road near the Hawai'i Country Club Golf Course was closed to traffic yesterday afternoon and well into the evening after one utility pole fell and two others came close to falling.

HECO crews continued to work on restoring downed lines and righting the poles late last night, said spokesman Bruce Benson.

One pole was down across the road, a second was leaning a badly and a third was leaning slightly, he said. Crews had not determined what caused the poles to come down.

Police stopped traffic between Anonui Street and Foote Gate at Schofield Barracks.

Benson said power was disrupted to eight commercial customers at various points during the afternoon and evening.