A couple in their 50s were victims of a carjacking yesterday in the parking lot of the Waipahu Daiei store, police said.

A man with a gun walked up to a Ford Explorer at about 3:15 p.m. He threatened the 51-year-old man and 58-year-old woman with a gun, robbed them of money and personal property and forced them out of the vehicle, police said.

Police said the robber hit the man on the head with the gun. The man was not seriously injured.

The robber then drove off in the vehicle.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

MAKAPU'U

MAN DROWNS ON SNORKELING TOUR

A 49-year-old Michigan man pulled from the water yesterday morning while snorkeling off Makai Pier died at Castle Medical Center, officials said.

Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city Department of Emergency Services, said the man was on a snorkeling tour when the incident occurred on the left side of Makai Pier near Sea Life Park. City lifeguards performed CPR until paramedics arrived and took over.

The apparent drowning victim from Royal Oak, Mich., had traveled here with his wife, said Jessica Lani Rich, president and executive director of the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii. The couple was visiting a son stationed on O'ahu with a branch of the military, Rich said.

SEWER WORK AT STATE PARK

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is set to begin sewer improvements at 'Akaka Falls State Park.

Officials said the lookouts for 'Akaka and Kahuna falls will remain open once the work begins Aug. 1, but a section of the parking area next to the comfort station will be blocked off, resulting in limited parking for cars and a temporary closure of the turn-around area for buses.

Portable toilets will be provided when the comfort station needs to be closed for the sewer connection.

The $239,357 project by Ludwig Construction Inc. is expected to be completed by January. The improvements include a new septic tank and leach field facilities, better drainage and tree removal where the work is being done.

The new work follows improvements made last year for accessible restrooms, parking, a picnic table, signs, a passenger-loading zone and parking lot resurfacing.

UH INTERIM DEAN HEADING TO TEXAS

Samuel Shomaker, interim dean of the University of Hawai'i John A. Burns School of Medicine, has accepted an appointment as dean of Austin Programs at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Austin, Texas. His appointment is effective Sept. 1.

Shomaker joined the medical school in 2000 as associate dean and was named acting dean in February 2005 when then-dean Edwin Cadman went on medical leave. He was then named interim dean when Cadman announced a few months later that he would not return to the job because of a continuing illness.

A search advisory committee for a permanent dean for the medical school has been meeting since May. The committee is chaired by UH-Manoa vice chancellor for Research Gary Ostrander and Dew-Anne Langcanon, chief operating officer at PacifiCap Management.

DAY ON THE BAY SET FOR SATURDAY

Kane'ohe is throwing its annual waterfront party with its seventh Kane'ohe Day on the Bay from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Kokokahi YWCA, 45-035 Kane'ohe Bay Drive.

With the theme "Drug Free In Diversity," the event celebrates the culturally diverse groups that make up Kane'ohe and the community's commitment to being drug-free.

Activities include sailing, kayaking, free interactive children's activities, contests, games, giveaways, food booths, rides and free entertainment by Brother Noland, Princess Ilona, Shaka Reves, Ike Pono and more. Free parking is available.

The event is sponsored by Community Works in 96744, Kama'aina Kids, PACT/Kane'ohe Community Family Center, Honolulu Community Action Program, Kane'ohe Bay Cruises, Marimed Foundation, Pali & Kahalu'u Lions clubs, Windward Ahupua'a Alliance, YWCA of O'ahu and The Ark.

LIBRARY OFFERING FREE WORKSHOPS

Kahuku Public & School Library will host a free lei workshop and a cooking demonstration in its conference room at 10 a.m. Friday.

Author and crafter Roberta Wong will share her techniques of crocheting a lei. "Lei in Crochet" is suitable for people age 5 to adult.

Chef Hector Morales of Turtle Bay Resorts will prepare one of his local shrimp specialties in "Tasty Temptations — Kahuku Shrimp" at 6:30 p.m. July 25. The one-hour program is suitable for ages 12 to adult.

Both programs require registration by calling the library at 293-8935 or visiting the library circulation desk. The library is located on the Kahuku High & Intermediate School campus.

DOCTOR ADMITS TO TAX EVASION

A Hawai'i doctor faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 after pleading guilty to tax evasion.

Stephen B. Wilson pleaded guilty Friday before U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor to under-reporting his income in 1998. The U.S. attorney's office said that year Wilson earned $376,969 and owed taxes of $138,552. Instead, Wilson reported $46,915 of income and paid $9,840 in taxes.

Under the plea agreement, the government will drop a charge that Wilson under-reported his income in 1999 as well. Gillmor scheduled sentencing for Oct. 26, 2006.

FIRE NEAR HOME LEADS TO ARREST

Police arrested a 51-year-old woman Sunday morning in the Wai'anae area after she allegedly set fire to the brush behind a home belonging to a 55-year-old man.

Police were called to the home on Farrington Highway about 3:40 a.m. and were told the man and woman had been having a domestic argument. The woman set a piece of cardboard on fire, walked to the back of the property and set fire to brush behind the home.

Police and firefighters were called to the home and the fire was quickly extinguished. Police arrested the woman on suspicion of second-degree criminal property damage.