Posted on: Tuesday, February 15, 2005
HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Woman may be drowning victim
Advertiser Staff
Lifeguards yesterday retrieved the body of a woman that was seen floating in the water off Lana'i Lookout by a motorist about 3 p.m.
The woman, an apparent drowning victim, was between 20 and 30 years old, according to Emergency Medical Services personnel.
City Ocean Safety personnel and Fire Department rescue workers responded to the call. The body was recovered and taken to Hanauma Bay, arriving about 3:25 p.m., said Ocean Safety administrator Ralph Goto.
An ambulance arrived five minutes later, and the woman was pronounced dead at 3:40 p.m.
Two men, ages 42 and 63, told police they were robbed Sunday at a chicken fight in Waialua.
The men said they were robbed about 1:15 p.m. by an acquaintance believed to be in his 30s. The suspect, who was being sought yesterday, is also wanted for suspicion of assaulting the two robbery victims.
The state yesterday closed the Makiki-Tantalus area to pig hunting.
For intervals of three months on, three months off, hunters have been allowed in the area to take pigs which helps protect the watershed and property of private landowners from pig damage, said Peter Young, chairman of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
No pig hunting will be allowed in the area until May 2 through July 29, Young said.
"We also want to thank hikers who followed our recommendations to leave their dogs at home during the hunting period," Young said. "Dogs on leashes are welcome to join their owners on the trails once again."
A federal court hearing on a challenge to a state law that allows authorities to ban people from public property for a year has been rescheduled for March 14.
U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor rescheduled the hearing yesterday after she told attorneys that she has "grave concerns" about whether the American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit challenging Act 50 should be heard. The judge questioned whether the ACLU's plaintiffs have legal standing to pursue the challenge.
The law, which was adopted last year, permits public officials to ban for a year individuals from using public spaces such as beaches, streets, sidewalks and public buildings. State attorneys yesterday said fewer than 100 no-trespass orders have been issued under the law.
The ACLU contends that the law is too vague because it doesn't define what kind of conduct would justify officials issuing the no-trespass orders banning someone from public property. But state attorneys maintain the law is consistent with other trespassing laws.
A 67-year-old man was arrested Sunday for suspicion of interfering with the operation of a public transportation vehicle after he allegedly punched a city bus driver in the side.
The driver told police he picked up the man in downtown Honolulu about 8:30 a.m. and asked him to show a bus pass or pay the fare.
The driver said the man began to search his bag for a pass but became agitated and started making threats.
The driver said he pulled the bus to the side of the road after he was punched in the ribs. The driver called police, who arrived and arrested the man.
Police were searching for a 25-year-old man in Waikiki as a suspect in the sexual assault of a 26-year-old woman.
The woman told police she met the man at a nightclub and went with him about 1 a.m. yesterday to his hotel room. She said she felt uncomfortable after reaching the room and tried to leave, but the man kept her from leaving and assaulted her.
The woman said she was eventually allowed to leave the room about 4 a.m. and reported the incident a short time later. She was taken to the Sex Abuse Treatment Center and police were called.
The state attorney general has filed the first Big Island "nuisance abatement action" in an effort to bar four people from a Nanawale Estates home that has allegedly been a hub of drug-related activity.
Big Island Circuit Court Judge Greg Nakamura signed a temporary order barring the four from the home on O'ahu Road, which was raided by police three times from Oct. 8, 2003 to Sept. 10, 2004.
Authorities contend drugs have been manufactured and distributed at the home, and during the raids police allegedly recovered "evidence of drugs and drug paraphernalia," according to an announcement by the attorney general's office.
First Deputy Attorney General Lisa Ginoza encouraged the public to report suspected drug activity to police, or contact the nuisance abatement unit at the toll free number (800) 9NO-METH (966-6384).
Two men report robbery, assault
Pig hunting halt for three months
'Grave concerns' in ACLU suit
Man allegedly hit bus driver
Suspect sought in sexual assault
Four barred from Big Island home
