Posted on: Saturday, April 16, 2005
HAWAI'I BRIEFS
WWI-era mortar destroyed safely
Advertiser Staff and News Services
The Army yesterday destroyed a World War Iiera mortar that was suspected of containing a chemical used as a choking agent.
The 4-inch mortar round was found in a remote area of the Schofield Barracks impact area during the clearing of unexploded ordnance earlier this week. Crews also recovered a 155 mm artillery projectile, the Army said.
Both were suspected of containing phosgene, an industrial chemical used to make pesticides and plastics that was used in chemical warfare during World War I, the Army said.
The 4-inch mortar was determined to be a hazard because it was fused. A team of experts from Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland assessed the mortar and assisted in its demolition.
The Army said the explosion that destroyed the mortar was of sufficient force to neutralize any of the suspected chemical. Army spokesman Troy Griffin said it was not known if the mortar contained phosgene.
Griffin said the 155 mm projectile is not fused.
The Legislature has approved resolutions calling for an audit of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, which has drawn concerns over staff vacancies and a chronic lack of funding.
The Senate and House yesterday passed without discussion differing audit requests. The Senate focuses on a financial and management audit of the Division of Conservation and Resource Management, the department's enforcement arm that serves all 10 divisions.
The House resolution seeks a review that "goes beyond an ordinary audit to one that addresses the long-term mission of the department and its ability to sustain the resources entrusted to them."
The Senate request says there are conflicting interpretations of enforcement responsibilities between DLNR's Division of Conservation and Resource Management and the county police departments on state property.
DLNR Director Peter Young said his department would fully cooperate.
The Legislature last year cut $4 million and 87 positions from the department's budget, Young said earlier.
Honolulu police are asking for the public's help in locating a 28-year-old man who was last seen leaving an 'Ewa Beach home Thursday night.
Saesam is 5 feet 3, 175 pounds, with black, kinky hair, and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a yellow shirt and gray shorts, and police said he also may have a green backpack and gray suitcase with wheels.
Anyone with information on Saesam's whereabouts is asked to call Officer James Vasconcellos at 479-5452 or 529-3064.
The city Department of the Medical Examiner has identified William Michael Kelly, 29, of Waialua, as the driver who was killed when his Chrysler 300 veered off Kaukonahua Road on Wednesday.
Police said Kelly was driving toward Waialua when his four-door sedan strayed off Kaukonahua about a half-mile north of Poamoho Street sometime before 7:30 a.m.
The car went airborne, hit the ground and flipped once, police said.
Legislature OKs DLNR audits
Police need help finding man
Kham Saesam recently moved to Hawai'i and his family said he is despondent. He was last seen leaving a relative's home on Makalea Street at 8:10 p.m.
Kham Saesam
Crash victim identified
