Neighbor Island briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
MAUI
Two men believed to have drowned
Two men are thought to have drowned over the weekend, one on the Big Island and the other on Maui.
A Big Island diver was thought to be dead after his friend reported seeing him trapped underwater Saturday afternoon, tangled in his own spear gun line.
The friend told Hawai'i County firefighters that the diver was about 30 feet underwater off the Hilo side of Waipi'o Valley when he became entangled. The friend tried to help but was unable to free the diver from the entanglement. He reported the accident to rescuers at about 1:30 p.m.
Rescuers searched for the man, thought to be in his 20s, until nightfall Saturday, then resumed the search yesterday morning. Divers found some of the man's equipment, but not the man.
The search will continue today.
On Maui, a 31-year-old man died Saturday morning, apparently drowning off shore while his family camped nearby. Assistant Chief Alan Cordeiro said family members called 911 shortly before 11 a.m. after they lost track of the man, who was last seen swimming 50 to 100 yards offshore in the area known as Kihei Mud Flats.
The Fire Department launched a search a few moments later, sending out its helicopter and divers. A lifeguard on a jet ski assisted, as did a Coast Guard helicopter from O'ahu.
Shortly before 1 p.m., the Coast Guard helicopter crew spotted the Maui swimmer floating about a half-mile offshore. Crewmen on a Coast Guard boat attempted to revive him, but were unsuccessful, Cordeiro said.
KAUA'I
Solar plane flight reslated for July 5
BARKING SANDS, Kaua'i — The first flight of the solar plane Helios has been rescheduled for July 5.
Officials of AeroVironment, which built the flying wing for NASA, said the delay was caused by difficulties with unique systems built for the plane.
Helios is an unmanned propeller aircraft using high-efficiency electric motors that receive their power from solar cells built into the wings.
Developers hope to take the plane to a record height of 19 miles. At that altitude, the air is 1/100th the density at the surface. The ultimate goal is to refine the plane so it can remain aloft indefinitely. It would be used to take the place of expensive earth-monitoring satellites.
Helios has no traditional aircraft body. It is a flying wing, 247 feet long, with the electric motors spread across its leading edge.
Hanalei Bay fishing will be discussed
HANALEI, Kaua'i — The state Division of Aquatic Resources has scheduled a public meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Hanalei School to discuss fishing issues in Hanalei Bay.
The public is invited to review akule fishing as well as other fishing-related matters.
The division will consider establishing special fishing regulations for Hanalei Bay.
For more information, call Alton Miyasaka in Honolulu at (808) 587-0092 or Wade Ishikawa on Kaua'i at 274-3344.
BIG ISLAND
Police seize 689 marijuana plants
KEALAKEHE, Hawai'i — Police seized 689 marijuana plants in South Kohala, Kona and Ka'u during a series of Green Harvest raids the week of June 10.
The Hawai'i National Guard and agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration joined Honolulu and Big Island police in the operation. There were no arrests.
Big Island United Way drive starts
HILO, Hawai'i — Big Island volunteers have launched their 2001-02 United Way campaign for $1.34 million with pacesetter meetings held in Hilo and Kona earlier this month.
Forty-two companies are taking part in the early phase of the campaign, which runs through July 6.
Alberta Dobbe is serving as campaign chairwoman for the drive to raise money for 33 agencies who rely on the Hawaii Island United Way for a portion of their operating support.
More information about the islandwide fund-raiser is available in Hilo at 935-6393 or Kona at 326-7400.
