Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff
CENTRAL O'AHU
Motorcycle crash kills one
One man was killed and another critically injured early yesterday when their motorcycle went out of control and hit a block wall.
At about 1 a.m. yesterday, two Schofield men, one 26 years old and the other 19, were heading north in the right lane of Anonui Street when they lost control of a yellow 2003 Suzuki. Police didn't know who was driving.
The 26-year-old was dead at the scene. The 19-year-old was taken to The Queen's Medical Center in critical condition.
Police said speed is an apparent factor, but they did not know if alcohol was involved. Neither rider was wearing a helmet.
O'AHU
Two power failures strike island
Two power failures on opposite sides of the island knocked out electricity to thousands of customers yesterday.
At noon yesterday, an electrical cable fire in the Davies Pacific Center forced the Hawaiian Electric Co. to cut off power to the downtown commercial area, from the AMFAC building to the Federal Building on Ala Moana Boulevard.
Among the buildings without power were the Harbor Tower residential buildings.
HECO spokesman Bruce Benson said power was turned off so that firefighters could battle the blaze and determine its cause.
On the windward side, Benson said a downed pole on Kanaka Street caused a power failure at about 3:30 p.m. that affected almost 1,600 customers.
Crews were still working last night to restore power.
HONOLULU
Head of firm fined for donations
The head of a local engineering firm has been fined $2,000 for making illegal political donations to the campaign of Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris.
District Judge James Dannenberg also ordered Sam Hyun, president of M.C. International Inc., to pay $50 to the state Crime Victims Compensation Fund.
Dannenberg granted Hyun's request for a deferral of his no-contest plea, which would allow him to get the case dismissed if he stays out of trouble for a year.
In a criminal complaint filed in state District Court in November, prosecutors said Hyun made political contributions under false names and gave more than the $4,000 legal limit to the Harris campaign. The charges are punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of $2,000.
In March, the state Campaign Spending Commission fined Hyun's company for making $30,000 in illegal political donations to Harris, former Gov. Ben Cayetano, former Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono and former Maui Mayor James Apana.
The commission has since reopened its case against the company after it found additional questionable political contributions linked to the firm.
Beach services to be put up for bid
A company that has provided beach services at Duke Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki for 27 years could lose its state permit.
The Board of Land and Natural Resources decided Friday to solicit bids for a five-year beach boy contract for the beach adjacent to the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The contract will have an option to renew annually for up to 15 years.
C&K Beach Services has held a monthly revocable permit from the state for the beach since 1977. The company pays the state $1,170 per month. C&K, which had been seeking a 20-year business agreement with the state, will continue operating its concession until the bidding process is completed.
Apply to group for grants
The Friends of Hawai'i Charities is accepting applications for grants from nonprofit groups for programs that will benefit children, youth and women in Hawai'i.
The Friends' principal fund-raising event is the Sony Open in Hawai'i PGA Tour golf tournament scheduled this week at Waialae Country Club. More than $3 million has been distributed since the group was formed in 1998.
Grants are available in the areas of culture, arts and educational programs; healthcare and basic needs; and social services.
Call 792-9339 or visit the group's Web site at www.friendsofhawaii.org.
LEEWARD O'AHU
Boating course set in Wai'anae
An eight-week boating skills and seamanship course will be offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary beginning Thursday at the Leeward Community College facility in Wai'anae.
The course will cover numerous topics, including equipment, navigation aids, lines and knots, piloting and powering a boat, weather and radio communications.
The class will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is a $55 charge for materials. For information, call Lucy Gay at 696-6378, Ext. 101.
EAST HONOLULU
Hawai'i Kai Drive to get left-turn lane
Schuler Homes Hawai'i will have a left-turn lane installed on Hawai'i Kai Drive by the end of the month leading into the Nanea Kai townhomes.
Residents have been raising safety concerns at recent community meetings since the home project was completed.
The turn lane is intended to make driving into the homes safer on a busy stretch of road that has a blind curve, said Cheryl Soon, city Department of Transportation Services director. The left turn lane will be 140 feet into the townhomes; a 120-foot-long merge lane will be added for motorists to use when exiting the development. The developer will pay for the new lanes, Soon said.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Big Island plans for beach vending
HILO — The Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold hearings on the Big Island this week on its plan to create private concessions to operate some public recreational areas.
Concessions on the Big Island will be sought for the Mauna Kea, Hapuna Beach and MacKenzie state recreation areas. Prospective vendors will submit their proposals for developing, operating and maintaining facilities and providing public services.
Meetings will be held today at the Pahoa Neighborhood Center, Tuesday at the Waimea Community Center, and Wednesday at the Hilo State Office Building conference room. All meetings begin at 6 p.m.
Hanauma cleanup volunteers sought
The Friends of Hanauma Bay is seeking volunteers to help clean the beach, the park and Kalaniana'ole Highway from Keahole Street to the Blow Hole from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Sunday.
Volunteers will meet in the Hanauma Bay upper picnic area near the new visitors center.
Call Harvey Shapiro at 395-1217.
