HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Kayaker reports shark encounter
Advertiser Staff
A kayaker reported a close encounter with a large shark yesterday a mile or more off Pu'u Ola'i in Makena.
The unidentified man was with another kayaker when a shark estimated at 15 to 18 feet bumped his kayak, said Russell Sparks of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Aquatic Resources Division.
The kayaker said the shark followed him for 10 to 15 minutes before the 32-foot dive boat Kai Anela approached, Sparks said.
The boat, owned by Maui Dive Shop, took the kayakers aboard and dropped them closer to shore.
Sparks said the animal was likely a tiger shark. Because the incident took place far from shore, no action was taken to warn beachgoers, he said.
A tiger shark is suspected in a Dec. 21 attack off Kihei, Maui, in which a San Diego swimmer lost part of his left hand.
WAIKIKI
ALA WAI PARKING TO BE RESTRICTED
Parking will not be allowed on the canal side of Ala Wai Boulevard from 8:30-11:30 a.m. on Mondays and Fridays so city crews can conduct roadside cleanup regularly.
The ban, which went into effect Monday, addresses public complaints and environmental concerns about curbside trash, city Facilities Maintenance director Laverne Higa said.
In years past when parking was banned during morning rush hour, street sweepers could go in and clean the roadway, Higa said. The daily morning parking ban was lifted after a landscaping project along the banks of the canal was completed.
"The continuous presence of vehicles parked along the curb lane prevents us from properly cleaning Ala Wai Boulevard," Higa said.
Cars parked in the prohibited zone on Mondays and Fridays will be cited by police and towed by city contractors.
