Posted on: Friday, August 23, 2002

4-foot snake still loose in Moanalua

Advertiser Staff

A snake was sighted on a grassy hillside near Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center yesterday morning, state officials said.

The snake, spotted by a patient, was between the hospital's parking garage and the roadway that runs along the Moanalua Freeway. The man reported the sighting to a security guard. Police were called about 10:30 a.m.

A police officer and a security guard said they saw what appeared to be a 4- to 5-foot tan-and-brown snake slither into tall grass. Police were joined by state agricultural officials in hunting for the snake.

An intensive search failed to turn up the snake. From the description, agricultural officials believe that the snake may be a nonvenous boa constrictor.

The search is expected to resume today.

People who see any snake should not approach or handle it. Illegal reptiles such as snakes should be reported to the Department of Agriculture's pest hot line at 586-PEST (586-7378).