O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Fugitive arrested at post office
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An alert postal employee yesterday morning recognized a fugitive sex offender, who was then arrested for parole revocation.
Shawn Thomas was wanted by California authorities.
Shawn Thomas, 41, convicted of felony sex offenses against children in San Francisco, was arrested by uniformed Honolulu police officers at the main post office near Honolulu International Airport at 9 a.m. He faces extradition to California.
Thomas had been known to change his appearance to hide his identity and claimed to be disabled. Prior to yesterday, he was seen on O'ahu at an airport hotel on Oct. 15.
Rain expected to slack off
Rain that peppered the island yesterday should be gone or slacking off this morning, according to the National Weather Service.
Roy Matsuda, lead forecaster, said the day's persistent precipitation was caused by a sheer line or old cold front moving through the area.
Four-tenths of an inch of rain was reported yesterday at Honolulu International Airport.
Although the rain will drop off today, Matsuda said, wind likely will be brisk and the air will be cooler.
"Maybe not enough for the Mainlanders to feel the difference," Matsuda said. "But I think anyone who has spent a couple of winters here will notice."
American Samoa seeks boat law
The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council has recommended that no new large longline boats be allowed into the American Samoa longline fishery.
The council, responding to concerns that the fast-growing longline fleet will threaten Samoan cultural activities, voted Thursday to ask the National Marine Fisheries Service to ban new entry of longliners longer than 50 feet.
The council recommended that the ban remain in effect until a limited-entry program is developed for the region.
American Samoa's longliners traditionally have been smaller catamarans but, within the past year, many big new boats have entered the area.
Samoan officials said they fear that the aggressive growth could deplete tuna in Samoan waters.
Bar's liquor license remains revoked
The Honolulu Liquor Commission has upheld its decision to revoke the liquor license of a hostess bar on Ke'eaumoku Street.
The commission in June revoked the license of Golden Dolls Showgirls after club owner Yvonne Dang was found guilty of 14 liquor law violations. The charges included allowing a minor to dance nude and permitting unregistered dancers to perform.
But the attorneys for the club filed a motion with the commission to reconsider its decision. They argued that Dang received permission in June 2000 to exempt the bar's second floor from commission rules. The alleged violations occurred during a police undercover investigation on the second floor in September 2000.
The commission has denied to motion to reconsider. Dang has been given 15 days to seek a stay of the revocation in Circuit Court.
Army gets approval to burn carbon
The Army has received Environmental Protection Agency approval to burn used carbon from its ventilation system at the Johnston Atoll chemical munitions disposal facility.
The EPA approved the use of a new hazardous waste incinerator, called a Carbon Micronization System, to destroy the carbon.
The Army is in the process of shutting down the Johnston Atoll Chemical Agency Disposal System, following 10 years of destroying weapons and containers that used nerve and caustic chemical agents.
In a news release, EPA officials said they expect the micronization system "to finish closure and cleanup" of the Johnston facility more quickly.
Cave creatures topic of meetings
State historic preservation officials are holding public meetings on plans for preserving creatures that live in caves.
Sessions are scheduled from 7 to 10 p.m. tomorrow in Yano Hall in Captain Cook; Tuesday in the Department of Accounting and General Services office on Aupuni Street in Hilo; and Friday in the County Building in Lihu'e. O'ahu and Maui meetings have been held.
The Hawai'i Caves Task Force has developed draft language for a law that may be recommended to the Legislature. For details call the historic preservation division at 692-8015.
License plates go patriotic
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| Mayor Jeremy Harris said there has been a resurgence of patriotism in the city.
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"There has been a resurgence of patriotism throughout our city, and these special plates reflect that pride in our nation, as they pay tribute to those innocent victims of the terrorist attacks," Harris said.
The plates are designed with all characters set to the right, and a red, white and blue decal on the left designed by Darryl Soon of the city's customer services department. Text on the decal reads, "America United, September 11, 2001."
Harris acknowledged that license plates are usually designed by states, but said police chiefs of all Hawai'i counties approved the new plates.
On O'ahu, the plates cost $5 plus the regular cost of license renewal, or $5.50 if purchased before renewal is due. The prices cover the cost of manufacturing the plates, Harris said.
Other counties will set their own prices.
LEEWARD
Wai'anae party next weekend
The annual Wai'anae Veterans Day Parade and Ho'olaule'a will be held Saturday starting at Ulehawa Beach Park in Nanakuli and will proceed 1.6 miles down Farrington Highway to Nanakuli Beach Park.
The ho'olaule'a will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Nanakuli Beach Park and will include live entertainment, food and craft booths, exhibits and displays.
For parade information, call Dan Madeira at 696-9675. For ho'olaule'a information, call Charmaine Mokiao at 696-2754.
WINDWARD
Help wanted for parade
Waimanalo residents are planning their annual Christmas parade for Dec. 15, and are seeking candy and donations, participants and volunteers for the event, which includes an after-parade potluck lunch for the community.
For details, call Andrew Jamila Jr. at 259-7342 or Patty Teruya at 527-5749. The parade entry deadline is 4:30 p.m. Nov. 9.
Donations should be made out to the Waimanalo Christmas Parade American Savings/Hawai'i Kai and sent to 2001 Christmas Parade, c/o Waimanalo Construction Coalition, 41-640 Poalima St., Waimanalo, HI 96795.
Your costume could be best
Ghosts, goblins and Cinderellas will vie Tuesday for best costume at the Waimanalo Community Halloween Costume Contest & Treat Street at the Waimanalo District Park Gym. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m.
Contestants from three age groups will compete for prizes for the spookiest, most adorable and most original costumes.
After the contest, Treat Street will open in the gym, offering the whole family trick-or-treat booths, make-and-take crafts and carnival games. Call 259-7436 or 259-8926.
