Neighbor Island briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
BIG ISLAND
Hamakua woman dies of injuries
HILO, Hawai'i — A 56-year-old Hamakua woman died Sunday night at the Queen's Medical Center from injuries suffered in a crash last week on the Big Island.
Rita Jose of Pa'auilo was driving a 1988 Honda Accord in South Kohala near the 8-mile marker outside Waimea when a 2000 Honda Civic in the opposite lane crossed the center line and struck her vehicle. The driver of the Civic, David Carse, 22, of Kailua, Kona, was arrested for drunken driving, having an open liquor container, no auto insurance and three counts of negligent injury.
Jose's death was the 16th on the Big Island this year, compared with 20 at this time a year ago.
Raid captures eight Big Island residents
KEALAKEHE, Hawai'i — Police arrested eight Big Island residents Saturday night at a Kealakehe home.
Lt. Robert Hickcox said the suspects — six men and two women — range in age from 22 to 41. The raid yielded 100 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 15.1 grams of cocaine and two grams of marijuana, and police also impounded six cars, $8,600 in cash and a shotgun.
The eight remained in custody at the Kona District police station cellblock yesterday.
Water restrictions lifted in Hamakua
HONOKA'A, Hawai'i — Hawai'i County water officials yesterday lifted water use restrictions in the Hamakua district after repairs were completed to a pump at the Haina well.
The pump broke down June 14 and customers were asked to cut water use by 25 percent.
Water department spokesman Daryl Ikeda said the system is back to normal, and the restrictions are no longer necessary.
LANA'I
Contract awarded for Lana'i repaving
LANA'I CITY, Lana'i — Rimrock Paving Co. has been awarded a $488,931 state Department of Transportation contract to resurface Kaumalapau Highway.
The work will be done in the vicinity of Lana'i Airport toward Lana'i City starting next month.
KAUA'I
Study links teen moms, child abuse
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — A large number of teenage mothers were sexually abused as children, according to a Mainland survey, and the figures are probably similar here, a Hawai'i public health researcher said.
"People think that it can't be happening here, but it is," said Department of Health nurse Mary Jo Sweeney.
Sweeney works with the nonprofit group Malama Kaua'i, which provides outreach services to young mothers.
The group hopes to involve community leaders, counselors, ministers and others in a workshop aimed at addressing abuse and adolescent pregnancy issues.
The "Maltreatment and Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting: Issues, Resources and Community Action" workshop July 19-20 at the Sheraton Kaua'i Resort will feature Mainland experts on adolescent sexuality, violence against women and child abuse.
It is sponsored by Malama Kaua'i, the Kaua'i Rural Health Association, Area Health Education Center, YWCA Sexual Assault Program, Friends of the Children's Advocacy Center and other groups. For details, call Sweeney at (808) 241-3427.
