HAWAII BRIEFS
Visitor dies after dive at Kipu Falls
Advertiser Staff
A 30-year-old man visiting from Philadelphia died yesterday after a dive at Kipu Falls near Puhi in east Kaua'i.
Witnesses told officials that the man jumped off the top of the falls and 20 feet into the pool about 12:30 p.m.
Shortly after surfacing in pool, he appeared to be in distress, witnesses said.
A bystander tried to help but was unable to reach the victim before he went under, county officials said.
Firefighters and rescue specialists from the Lihu'e Fire Station found the man's body at the bottom of the pond.
LIT LAMP STARTED TOWNHOUSE FIRE
A Pearl Ridge townhouse fire yesterday caused $4,000 damage to the building and contents, and was started by a lit reading lamp that fell onto a pile of clothing, investigators said.
Fire Department spokesman Capt. Frank Johnson said the midday fire at 98-809 Kaonohi St. was limited to one of the unit's three bedrooms. No injuries were reported.
FERRY EIS SESSION SCHEDULE REVISED
The state Department of Transportation has revised its schedule of public informational meetings on the environmental impact statement being prepared in connection with Hawaii Superferry.
The intent of the meetings is to share what is planned for the EIS process, such as resources and issues to be studied and a proposed schedule, according to DOT Harbors Division chief Michael Formby.
The schedule is as follows (times are 2-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. unless otherwise noted):
MAUI'S EMERGENCY PHONES SHUT DOWN
All roadside emergency telephone call boxes on Maui will be permanently shut down on Monday, the Maui Police Department said yesterday.
Maui police spokesman Lt. Wallace Tom said the phones are on an analog system and that Verizon Wireless, the company that maintains them, is switching to an incompatible digital system.
For more information, contact Lt. Tivoli Faaumu, commander of the Maui Police Department's Communication Section, at 808-244-6375.
BANDIT AT LONGS WANTS OXYCONTIN
Police and Honolulu Crime-Stoppers are seeking the public's help in identifying a man who tried to rob Longs Drug Store at 925 California Ave. in Wahiawa Sunday at 2:15 p.m.
The man wore a dark-colored mask and black hooded jacket with a white stripe on the back and has scarring or a skin condition on his face.
Police said the man entered the pharmacy area of the store and presented a note demanding OxyContin, a prescription painkiller, and other medications.
The man claimed he had a weapon, but none was seen. He fled in a maroon vehicle without the drugs when confronted by an employee.
