Hawai'i briefs

Advertiser Staff

HONOLULU

Study sought on radio system

City Councilman Mike Gabbard called yesterday for an independent study of the Honolulu Police Department's long-troubled radio system.

"Honolulu taxpayers have spent over $40 million on this system since 1994 and we're still having problems," he said. "How many 'glitches' does it take to add up to a dead police officer?"

Police say the radio system has generally improved communications, but the department has struggled with various technical difficulties that have interrupted radio transmissions. Problems shut the system down for more than six hours on March 7, and police transmissions were switched to a backup system, according to police union officials.

Gabbard introduced a resolution requesting that the city auditor hire a private consultant to identify problems with the radio system and recommend how to fix them. Gabbard said he would seek to add money to the city budget for the study after determining how much it would cost.

Director named at state library

Florence Yee has been named director of the Hawai'i State Library. Yee, who had been acting director, has been with the Hawai'i State Public Library System for more than 30 years. As director, Yee also oversees the Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Weather delays search for man

HONOKA'A, Hawai'i — Bad weather postponed yesterday's search for a 24-year-old man who was swept out to sea Saturday at Waipi'o Bay.

The Fire Department's rescue helicopter was unable to fly in the rainy conditions, said acting Capt. Kip Albrechtson of the Honoka'a Fire Station. The search may resume today if it clears, he said.

Min-Koo Kang of South Korea, a student at the University of the Nations in West Hawai'i, was crossing a shallow area of rocks where Waipi'o Stream empties into the ocean when he apparently was pulled into a steep drop-off, Albrechtson said.

The helicopter searched for his body without success Saturday and Sunday.

EPA cites Kaua'i project

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited Bali Hai Villas Limited Partnership on Kaua'i for allowing stormwater discharges to occur from a construction site without receiving a permit or installing pollution protection equipment.

"Any stormwater discharges from construction projects must have pollution controls in place to protect ocean habitat," said Alexis Strauss of the EPA. "Erosion and sedimentation from stormwater discharges can cause severe pollution problems for our coastal waters and coral reefs."

Bali Hai Villas is a residential project in the Princeville area. The EPA ordered the developer to install soil stabilization, erosion and sediment control gear or face fines of up to $32,500 per day.