Posted on: Friday, February 4, 2005
HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Stuck tanker's fuel being drained
Advertiser Staff
The Coast Guard last night was monitoring the removal of 117,000 gallons of fuel from the 555-foot Chinese cement tanker Cape Flattery, which ran aground about 400 yards off the entrance to Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor on Wednesday.
Once the fuel is removed, another attempt will be made to dislodge the vessel, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Jennifer Johnson. But with so much fuel on board, it could take up to 48 hours to complete the job, Johnson said.
Two attempts to dislodge the vessel on Wednesday failed, and the ship's agent was ordered to remove the fuel. If that doesn't lighten the load adequately, the next step would be to begin removing the cargo of 35,000 tons of cement, Johnson said.
Divers yesterday reported that the vessel was resting on a sandy coral bottom, from the bow to about 400 feet along the ship's keel, the Coast Guard said. No pollution from the stranded vessel was apparent, the Coast Guard said.
Refunds donated to tsunami relief
Survivors of the Indian Ocean tsunami got a helping hand last month from O'ahu residents tired of watching their refundable bottles and cans stack up.
The Hawai'i Chapter of the Sierra Club set up a number of drop-off sites around the island on Jan. 15 and 16 for containers bearing "HI-5" stickers.
The sites collected 150,000 bottles and cans in one weekend, said Jeff Mikulina, director of Sierra Club's Hawaii chapter. The club recycled them and donated the nickel refunds — totaling $7,500 — to UNICEF's tsunami relief fund.
Co-sponsoring the recycling fund-raiser were The Honolulu Advertiser, Victoria Ward Centers, Reynolds Recycling, Sierra Club, Hawai'i Chapter, Waikiki Beach Boys Canoe Club, Manoa Marketplace, Kapi'olani Community College, 1 Day Signs, Island Recycling Inc. and Roll-Offs Hawai'i.
Volunteers from the Civil Air Patrol, Washington Intermediate School, Cub Scouts, Sierra Club and Waikiki Beach Boys manned the recycling centers.
Police still need help from the public to find a second man who they believe was involved in the Jan. 18 hijacking of a tour van at Kahe Point Beach Park.
The second man goes by the first name "Jacob" and is believed to be in his 30s, 5 feet 10, with a muscular build. He is homeless and may frequent Leeward O'ahu beaches.
Call robbery Detective Bert Soria at 529-3357 to report information. Anonymous calls may be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300, or *CRIME on cellular phones.
Five hikers found on trail to falls
Five hikers were rescued last night after they were stranded by rising waters along the Maunawili trail.
The hikers were on the trail that leads to Maunawili Falls when a rain-swollen stream began to rise. They called for help at 7:15 p.m., and several fire companies were sent to scene, said Fire Capt. Emmit Kane.
Kane said rescue workers entered different parts of the trail and began to walk in the direction of the falls. Within 10 minutes, Kane said, firefighters met the hikers and were able to walk them out of the trail. There were no reports of injuries.
Residents who live and play on the Windward side will have a chance to comment on the Ko'olau Greenbelt & Heritage Trails System, which is envisioned as a series of multiuse pathways and trails for various activities along the base of the Ko'olau Range from Makapu'u to the North Shore.
Connected to these mauka trails will be a heritage corridor leading to cultural, historical, educational, recreational, artistic and ocean-base activities provided by local businesses.
The Community Advisory Board for the project is working on Phase 1, which includes planning the heritage trail segment for the ahupua'a touching Kane'ohe Bay.
Two community open houses and receptions are planned for the project from 5 to 6:45 p.m. Feb. 17 in Hale 'Akoakoa at Windward Community College. A presentation of the project to the Kane'ohe Neighborhood Board follows at 7 p.m. at the same location.
The second open house will take place from 5 to 6:45 p.m. at KEY Project, 47-200 Waihe'e Road, Kahalu'u, with a presentation at 7 p.m. to the Kahalu'u Neighborhood Board at the same location.
Talk tomorrow on feng shui
To celebrate the Chinese Year of the Rooster, a feng shui presentation and other free events will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow at Ward Warehouse.
University of Hawai'i instructor Alan S.F. Lum will talk about feng shui, the ancient Chinese art of directing energy to create harmony and prosperity, at 2 p.m. at the amphitheater stage. Other events include lion dancing, food and product booths, and keiki crafts.
Panel offers court nominees
State Human Resources Director Kathleen N.A. Watanabe is one of six people on a list of nominees to fill a vacancy on the Kaua'i Circuit Court.
Other nominees are: Edmund D. Acoba, a public defender; Alfred B. Castillo Jr., a private attorney; Max W.J. Graham Jr., an attorney and per diem Family Court judge; Calvin K. Murashige, a District Court judge; and Trudy K.T. Senda, a District Court judge.
The names were submitted by the Judicial Selection Commission yesterday to Gov. Linda Lingle. Lingle has 30 days to make a selection, which then would need to be confirmed by the Senate.
Watanabe previously served as a per diem Circuit Court judge.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prosecutor Randal K.O. Lee and attorney Dale W. Lee (no relation), the former president of the Hawai'i State Bar Association, are among the six nominees for a vacancy on O'ahu's 1st Circuit Court.
Other nominees are: Colette Y. Garibaldi, a District Court judge; Leslie Ann Hayashi, a District Court judge; James H. Hershey, a private attorney; and Lori H. Wada, a deputy prosecuting attorney.
To comment on the nominees, send e-mail to Governor.Lingle@hawaii.gov or by fax to (808) 586-0006.
O'AHU
Van-hijacking suspect elusive
Ricky Kenui, the man who police investigators believe got behind the wheel of the Dolphin Excursions van and drove off with four tourists inside, was charged Sunday with robbery and vehicle theft in connection with the case.
"Jacob"
WINDWARD
Greenbelt trail briefings set
HONOLULU
KAUA'I
