Prosecutors yesterday charged a 26-year-old man with second-degree murder in the stabbing of another man Tuesday aboard a fishing boat docked at Honolulu Harbor.

Taniera Takentarawa is accused of killing Bright Obed, 34, who died from a stab wound to his neck. Police found Obed lying face down aboard the Vui Vui, docked at Pier 36.

Takentarawa was being held at the main police station cellblock in lieu of $150,000 bail. His initial appearance is tomorrow at District Court.

Takentarawa is a Vui Vui crewmember but Obed is not, police said.

INDICTMENT CITES 'GHOST WORKERS'

An O'ahu grand jury yesterday indicted a 58-year-old Honolulu man on first-degree theft charges stemming from an alleged scheme involving payments to "ghost workers" not employed by a firm.

An arrest warrant was issued for Frederick M. Wong.

Wong is accused of obtaining or exerting unauthorized control over funds exceeding $20,000 belonging to Transparent Agents and Contracting Entities Inc., a nonprofit membership association, with intent to deprive the organization of the money.

Wong allegedly paid three people from Aug. 15, 2002 to May 5, 2006 for work not performed. The jobs involved military and government agency contracts.

The names used were of real people, and Wong allegedly demanded kickbacks from them after they were paid.

SOLDIER INDICTED IN DORM BREAK-INS

A Schofield Barracks soldier was indicted yesterday in connection with four break-ins at University of Hawai'i-Manoa dormitories.

The indictment consolidates all charges against Mark Andrew Heath, 20, a scout with the Army's Stryker Brigade.

Heath is charged with three counts of first-degree burglary, one count of unauthorized entry into a dwelling place, one count of attempted second-degree theft and one count of third-degree sexual assault. He was arrested Nov. 25.

His bail totals $250,000.

Health's arraignment date in Circuit Court has not yet been set. He is being held in lieu of bail at O'ahu Community Correctional Center.

40 AFFORDABLE RENTALS AVAILABLE

Kaua'i Mayor Bryan Baptiste yesterday announced that applications are available for 40 new affordable rental units at Kalepa Village Phase III in Hanama'ulu.

The apartment complex, across from King Kaumuali'i Elementary School, is being developed by Kaua'i Housing Development Corp. in partnership with the county. The units will be ready for occupancy in March.

Applications are available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hawai'i Affordable Properties Inc. at 4535 Kalepa Circle. The deadline to submit applications is Jan. 15 at 4 p.m.

For more information, call Hawai'i Affordable Properties Inc. 808-246-4481 or the Kaua'i Housing Development Corp. at 808-245-5937.