Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff
Big Island fire moves toward Puna
PAHOA, Hawai'i — A runaway brushfire that started shortly before noon yesterday had burned 100 acres and was spreading toward Maku'u farm lots in central Puna, Hawai'i County Civil Defense and fire officials reported.
The cause of the fire was not immediately determined.
Bill Davis, Big Island Civil Defense administrator, said the fire was not causing immediate evacuations but he urged residents in nearby areas to remain on the alert. The blaze that started near Railroad Avenue in the coastal section of Puna was burning from Hawaiian Beaches toward Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision.
A county fire spokeswoman said 10 units had responded to the blaze in the first three hours and about 25 county and volunteer fire fighters were involved.
County helicopters were dumping water on the fire because of its relative inaccessibility, according to police who said they had not established any roadblocks.
Drive to restore theater's facade
A $1 million state appropriation has been presented to the Hawai'i Theatre Center as part of a capital campaign drive to restore its facade and retire the theater's mortgage.
The $10 million drive has also been given a $500,000 Kresge Foundation Challenge Grant which will be presented after the theater raises another $1.5 million. The "Light Up the Hawai'i!" drive has raised $8 million so far.
"We plan to start construction after the first of the year to complete the restoration of the Bethel and Pauahi streets facades, install a new lighted 1930s-style marquee and reinstall a vertical Hawai'i sign on the corner," said theatre chairman Robert Midkiff.
To contribute to the Kresge challenge, call Sanae Tokumura at 396-6070.
Charges postponed in pet cruelty case
WAILUKU, Maui — The arraignment of a Ha'iku couple charged with animal cruelty for keeping 96 dogs and cats in their home has been delayed until Aug. 6 to allow defense attorneys to obtain records in the case.
Wailuku District Court Judge Rhonda Loo yesterday granted the request for the postponement by defense attorney David Sereno, representing Jean Bermudez, and by Deputy Public Defender Adriel Menor, representing Timothy Bermudez.
Meanwhile, animal control officers have started weekly inspections of the couple's West Lelehuna Place home to ensure that new animals acquired by the pair are being treated humanely.
The Bermudezes are charged with 85 counts each of cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Hunting licenses now available
Hawai'i hunting licenses are available from license vendors and the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
The new licenses are valid from July 1, 2002, to June 30, 2003. Hawai'i resident licenses cost $20, while nonresident licenses cost $105. The fee includes a $10 charge for a Wildlife Conservation Stamp, which is required to validate the license.
Licenses may be purchased on-line at www.ehawaiigov.org/dlnr /hunting. For information, call the Division of Forestry and Wildlife on Kaua'i at 247-3433; O'ahu, 587-0166; Maui, 984-8100; Moloka'i, 553-1745; Lana'i, 565-7916; Hilo, 974-4221; and Kamuela, 887-6063.
