Posted on: Thursday, April 7, 2005
HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Police on lookout for two escapees
Advertiser Staff
HILO, Hawai'i — A 38-year-old man who allegedly violated the terms of his extended furlough from the Hawai'i Community Correctional Center has been declared an escapee, police said.
Meanwhile, Big Island police continue to look for Abraham Verece, 25, who escaped Monday from the minimum-security Hale Nani Correctional Facility in Hilo.
Call the police nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311, or Crime Stoppers in Hilo at (808) 961-8300 or in Kona at (808) 329-8181.
HILO, Hawai'i — The Hawai'i County Council reorganized yesterday, removing Gary Safarik of Puna as chairman and replacing him with Hilo member Stacy Higa.
Council members had expressed frustration with what some regarded as Safarik's heavy-handed leadership style. Higa made similar complaints at a news conference he called earlier this year to complain about Safarik's handling of an appointment to a minor county panel.
When asked why he voted for the reorganization yesterday, Higa said: "I just feel the council needs to move in a different direction."
Safarik did not attend the session that included the reorganization vote.
Vice Chairman Bob Jacobson, who represents South Kona and Ka'u, resigned after the vote to remove Safarik. The council then voted 8-0 to name Kona Councilwoman Virginia Isbell as vice chairwoman.
WAILUKU, Maui — The cause of a power outage that affected 951 customers in Wailuku yesterday morning is still under investigation, Maui Electric Co. officials said.
Electricity was lost to customers for 19 minutes, starting at 9:04 a.m., in the business section of Wailuku town on Main, Market, Vineyard streets, as well as Pi'ihana and Mokuhau roads, according to MECO.
Construction crews will be closing Nimitz Highway and Ala Moana lanes from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Saturday.
The state Department of Transportation is doing stripping and traffic signal work on Nimitz Highway from Valkenburgh to Fort Street and on Ala Moana from Punchbowl Street to Hobron Lane.
The retail hours at post offices in Kailua, Kane'ohe and Wai'alae-Kahala were recently extended by 13 hours a week.
These offices now are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
"The purpose of this extension of hours is to offer greater convenience for our customers," said Nancy Wong, Honolulu District retail manager. "With extended hours, self-service Automated Postal
Centers, and such online services as ClickiN-Ship and Carrier Pickup available online through our Web site — USPS.com —we're making it easier than ever to do business with us."
Other post office locations may extend their hours, Wong said.
A historical and archaeological tour of sites in Kailua will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
Participants will visit the Ulupo Heiau complex, early historic village settlements on Old Pali and Auloa roads, and the Queen Lili'uokalani Retreat in upper Maunawili Valley.
The tour is co-sponsored by 'Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi and the Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation. A $5 donation will be accepted. The tour is limited to 25.
Call Chuck Burrows for reservations at 595-3922 or e-mail chuckb@hawaii.rr.com.
With three months to go until the third Hawaiian Island Vintage Surf Auction on July 23, organizer and North Shore promoter Randy Rarick has begun the search for the best of Hawai'i's surf memorability to put in the auction, which raises money for the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association's Junior Lifeguard Program.
Although Hawai'i surf collectibles are hot around the world, Rarick says he's convinced "the best Hawaiian surf memorabilia still are in Hawai'i ... tucked away in a garage or attic."
Those who would like to auction surfboard and accessories from the 1930s through the 1970s are urged to contact Rarick at 638-7266 or surfpro@hawaii.rr.com. Item owners keep 90 percent of the auction money. The remaining 10 percent goes to the Junior Lifeguard Program.
Nani 'O Wai'anae, a volunteer organization dedicated to picking up litter on O'ahu, is gearing up for Keep Hawai'i Beautiful Day activities from 8 a.m. to noon April 30.
Katy Kok, volunteer executive director of the O'ahu affiliate of Keep America Beautiful Inc., said she needs site coordinators all over O'ahu, and is asking any group, club, school, church or individual interested in sprucing up a park, beach, stream or any other neighborhood location to contact Nani 'O Wai'anae.
Nani 'O Wai'anae provides banners, bags, gloves, posters and information fliers. Call 696-1920 or 484-1000.
A panel discussion titled "Common Legal Problems of the Homeowner" will be telecast 6:30 to 8 p.m. tomorrow on 'Olelo, Channel 55. The segment of "You and the Law in Hawai'i" will show how to resolve disputes between neighbors.
A team of lawyers will discuss a homeowner's options during a neighborhood standoff. Other topics will include boundary disputes, defective construction, condominium issues and resolution of disputes without costly litigation.
The show will rebroadcast 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Correction: Nimitz Highway and Ala Moana roadwork continues tomorrow and Saturday. A headline in a previous version of these briefs was incorrect.
Christopher Nasario failed to report his whereabouts to prison staff, and he was reported missing Saturday. He is described as 5 feet 6 and 160 pounds with brown hair and eyes.
Christopher Nasario
County council replaces leader
Power failure hits Wailuku
Roadwork continues through Saturday
Three sites extend postal sale hours
Historical tour offered in Kailua
Vintage surfing items sought
Anti-litter group needs volunteers
TV talk on issues of homeowners
