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One dead, several missing after dam breach
(Garden Island News) (3.15.06)
Heavy rains added to the causes of a dam breach at Kaloko Reservoir in Kilauea early yesterday morning, sending millions of gallons of water down Wailapa Stream and sweeping a cluster of homes off their foundations, resulting in one confirmed death, even as a search for seven others continues. By yesterday afternoon, the body of a male, around 30 years old, was found about a mile off the coast of Kilauea, according to Coast Guard officials. Coast Guard aircraft had been searching the area around Kilauea Bay all day. The recovery of the body may be connected with the search for the seven missing people. There were unconfirmed reports the seven people were staying in a compound of homes located near the streambed when the surging waters smashed into the structures and took them off their foundations. The exact number of homes was not known.
Man remembers an eerie, rumbling sound
(Garden Island News) (3.15.06)
Al Paterson of Princeville was driving a couple friends to the Lihu'e Airport yesterday morning shortly before 5:30 when he saw a bus stopped near what he thought was a puddle. 'It was dark, so we kept driving down the highway,' said Paterson. 'All of a sudden there was a huge amount of water flowing down the highway around us.' The three adults in the car heard a loud roar and looked out the wind-shield to see a huge wave. 'It picked us up and we started moving quite quickly,' Paterson said. The three climbed out of the Ford Explorer after it died as the water swirled around them filling the cab. One climbed on to the roof while the other two attempted to gain footholds.
Residents, visitors still stranded on both sides
(Garden Island News) (3.15.06)
Residents and visitors remain stranded on either side of Kuhio Highway in the vicinity of Kilauea, with a 'panic city' created at Princeville Airport yesterday afternoon when hundreds of people, mostly visitors, flocked there to try to catch Heli USA Airways helicopter flights to Lihu'e Airport to catch flights out of Kaua'i. Manager Rich Johnson said they had made at least a dozen flights from Princeville Airport to Lihu'e Airport as of around 1:30 p.m. yesterday, and it was 'panic city' at Princeville Airport with people, mostly visitors, eager to catch flights out of Lihu'e Airport. Though there were no takers as of early yesterday afternoon, Johnson offered transportation to emergency personnel like those from the Kaua'i Police Department and Kaua'i Fire Department, and Civil Defense, as well as American Red Cross volunteers and officials, he said.
Video of flood zone ...
(Bruce Smalling / KGMB 9 News) (3.15.06)
Raw video footage of Kaloko Reservoir dam breach
Photos of flood zone ... Path of deadly flood (.jpg)
(Honolulu Advertiser) (3.15.06)
Photo Gallery of Kaloko Reservoir dam breach
News from the first half of March 2006 will be posted shortly.
Summer poi shortage just one taro-industry problem
(Garden Island News) (2.28.06)
Even before last week's flooding blocked Kuhio Highway at the Hanalei bridge, Bino Fitzgerald was predicting a poi shortage this summer. A variety of pests including pocket rot (a disease that forms pockets of rotting tissue in the corm), leaf blight exacerbated by the recent rains, the ever-present apple snails and the rain itself (which slows crop development) continue laying siege to the state's most prolific taro fields.
Shark experts say shark attack numbers are small
(KHON 2 News) (2.28.06)
Police closed Big Beach on Tuesday as a precaution, and turned away hundreds of beachgoers. Officers and biologists scoured the coastline looking for any signs of the shark. This latest incident happened a mile away from where the shark ravaged body of a California diver was found last Friday. The latest shark attack has triggered questions about safety in Hawaii's waters. Are we at a greater risk for shark attacks and are the numbers of attacks increasing?
Residents prep for more showers
(KHON 2 News) (2.27.06)
The National Weather Service says get ready for another round of heavy showers for the islands. 'We're looking at a fairly rainy period for the state of Hawaii, mostly for Kauai and Oahu, beginning sometime tomorrow afternoon, late, and then running through Wednesday and possibly into Thursday moving down into Oahu,' says Nezette Rydell, National Weather Service meteorologist. Forecasters don't anticipate the new storm system to be as severe as last week's, but they say expect flash flooding, thunder and lightning.
Fanning wins all-Aussie heat
(Fox Sports Australia) (2.27.06)
Mick Fanning beat his hero, Mark Occhilupo, and gained revenge on Luke Munro during an all-Australian first-round heat at the world surfing championship tour season-opener on the Gold Coast today. Defending champion Fanning posted a combined score of 15.83 points from his two best waves to defeat wildcard Munro (12.93) and Occhilupo in 1.5m waves at the Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks. Seven-time world champion Kelly Slater and arch-rival Andy Irons also advanced direct to the third round on day one of the $380,000 tournament featuring the world's top 45 surfers.
Volunteers on Kauai get special concert
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (2.27.06)
Kauai County is looking to give back to those who give back, Kauai Mayor Bryan Baptiste announced this weekend. A free concert for Kauai's volunteers, called 'Puuwai Aloha: A Giving Heart,' is slated for April 23 at 5 p.m. It will feature Hawaii entertainers, including Grammy nominee Raiatea Helm, Na Hoku Hanohano award winners Andy Bumatai, Robi Kahakalau, the Makaha Sons and Maunalua, along with Kauai natives Glenn Medeiros and Christi Parangao. Mele Apana will emcee the show. The attendees will be volunteers chosen by their organizations and honored for their hard work, the mayor said.
Hard work will pay off for trip to Kokee State Park
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (2.26.06)
If you don't mind getting dirty when you play, a trip to Kauai's Kokee State Park April 23-29 is the featured getaway posted on Wilderness Volunteers' Web site offering 46 vacations to destinations that welcome traveling volunteers. Wilderness Volunteers partners with federal public land agencies such as the Forest Service, the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management to offer memorable and meaningful volunteer vacations in some of America's most beautiful wilderness areas.
Volcom Surf Team happenings ...
(Global Surf News) (2.26.06)
What are CREEPY FINGERS? Find out as you witness the antics of Bruce Irons, Ozzie Wright, Dean Morrison, Gavin Beschen, Bol, Mike Morrissey, Nate Tyler, Jay Quinn, Alex Gray, Kilian Garland, Dusty Payne, Aron Gieger, Super-Grom Andrew Doheny and more. Watch as Creepy Fingers winds its way through a cinematic foray of beauty, silliness, seriousness and the general debris of human existence. Volcoming March 2006 - also included: Volcom Entertainment CD Movie soundtrack.
Kinimaka 'ohana performs to packed house
(Garden Island News) (2.25.06)
Members of the Kinimaka 'ohana, a family that extends from one end of the island to the other, lives a life of music and dance from generation to generation. Exemplary in their dedication to the perpetuation of the Hawaiian spirit of aloha in all aspects of their lives, many members of this double family showed up to share their aloha with the E Kanikapila Kakou (Let's Play Music) resident and visitor gang recently, organizers said in a press release.
Rain easing up - but only for a little while
(KHON 2 News) (2.24.06)
Heavy showers drenched much of the state this week. We have some numbers to share with you. Here are some five-day totals that ended at eight o'clock Friday morning: On Oahu, the windward coastline saw the most rain -- Ahuimanu Loop recorded six inches of rain, while the Wilson Tunnel saw nearly seven-and-a-half inches, and Maunawili saw nearly eight-and-a-half inches. On Kauai, Hanalei River recorded eight-and-a-half inches of rain, and Mount Waialeale -- the wettest spot on earth -- nearly 20 inches. That's the average rainfall total for Honolulu Airport for the whole year.
Gas cap to rise 4 cents
(KPUA AM 670 Hilo) (2.23.06)
The state's cap on wholesale gas prices for next week is going up four cents. That's according to figures released yesterday by the state Public Utilities Commission. The increase comes after two weeks of decline in the maximum price at which gas can be sold at wholesale in Hawaii. It follows a global increase in the price of crude oil in the past week.
Crews Clear Island Waters Of Debris
(KGMB 9 News) (2.22.06)
You've heard about the clean up effort around the northwestern Hawaiian islands. Tons of trash and fishing nets have been removed from that area. Now crews are looking a little closer to home and are stunned at what they see beneath the surface, especially near the Big Island. Since 1996, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, has been scouring waters off the northwestern Hawaiian islands. In the past four years, more than 540 tons of marine debris has been collected.
Rain Ruins State's Taro Supply
(KGMB 9 News) (2.22.06)
They're just a few spots here and there now, but within a few days, every single leaf on every single taro plant at Fitzgerald Farms in Hanalei will be covered with them. Blights appeared after leaves took in too much nitrogen from the silt that washed up onto the plants. That means all the taro roots from one of the state's largest suppliers will be too small or no good at all. They were ruined after five days of heavy rain and a drenching Monday night turned 26 acres of the Fiztgerald Farms' land into a gigantic lake. Too much rainwater and silt ruined North Kauai's taro crop which makes up 75 percent of the state's entire supply.
Heavy Rains Prompt Widespread Hawaii Flooding
(NBC 4 LA) (2.22.06)
The National Weather Service placed Kauai, Oahu and Molokai under several weather alerts on Tuesday as heavy rains pounded the area. Heavy rains flooded homes and farms on Kauai on Monday and shut down the only road into and out of Hanalei. People who live in Hanalei said it's the worst flooding they've seen there in more than five years. The wettest spot on the island got about 18 inches of rain in a 24-hour period. Hanalei Valley was covered with floodwaters. There were only a few spots where some of the taro grown there was still visible.
Kaua'i student sought for coin design
(Garden Island News) (2.22.06)
The Hawai'i commemorative quarter, it is hoped, will capture much aloha in very little space. Hawai'i is finally getting its chance to design a quarter coin in the 'Fifty States Commemorative Coin Program,' and Kaua'i is being asked by Gov. Linda Lingle to lend a hand in the design. As the last state to ratify the Constitution and join the union in August 1959, Hawai'i has the last opportunity to design the coin that will bring a bit of paradise to everyone's pocket change.
Rain Makes Giant Mess For Kauai
(KGMB 9 News) (2.21.06)
It took heavy machinery to clean up the heavy mess left by the heavy rains that have been falling since Friday night on Kauai. But the efforts seemed almost pointless as the downpours would start just as crews resumed their work. Streets turned into canals and busy roads into parking lots. 'It's just been coming down all night -- some winds, really strong rains,' said resident Toi Pua La'a.
Granger Larsen jams at Pine Trees
(Global Surf News) (2.21.06)
On February 11 and 12, surfers of the NSSA Hawaii Region packed their boards and headed to Pine Trees in Hanalei Bay on the beautiful Garden Island of Kauai. Surf was in the 4'-8' face range. Conditions were challenging as consistent sets fired into the Pine Trees shorebreak and wave selection was key. Evidence of this was John John Florence's and Clay Marzo's 10 point rides that left them short of victory. Both had to settle for less than average back up waves.
Big day for Kaua'i's first homeless shelter
(Honolulu Advertiser) (2.20.06)
Kaua'i's 600 homeless people have always fended for themselves against the elements because they've never had any place to seek refuge. That will soon change, when Kaua'i's first homeless shelter opens. It will provide temporary assistance to 39 people at a time. 'I got a classmate living out here. I got a guy I knew from when I was growing up living out here,' said Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste.
Police commission to decide if chief should be replaced
(KPUA AM 670 Hilo) (2.18.06)
The Kauai County Police Commission came up with a six-step process today to determine whether or not to remove Police Chief K.C. Lum. Mayor Bryan Baptiste asked the commission January 31st to fire Lum. The mayor said he had lost confidence in the chief's ability to provide a 'functional, supportive and cohesive' work environment at the department.
Kaua'i's 'Grand' event returns for another year
(Garden Island News) (2.18.06)
It's going to be a 'Grand' ole time in Po'ipu once again, at least for one more year. After much speculation of a possible move elsewhere, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf will return to the Poipu Bay Golf Course for another year, from Nov. 20-22, the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) announced yesterday. 'We look forward to returning to the Poipu Bay Golf Course and the Grand Hyatt (Kauai) Resort and Spa with the PGA Grand Slam of Golf,' said Julius Mason, PGA senior director of communications and media relations.
Process to remove chief of Kauai police is begun
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (2.18.06)
The Kauai Police Commission started the process yesterday that could lead to the removal of embattled Kauai Police Chief K.C. Lum. The commission, responding to requests from Kauai Mayor Bryan Baptiste and the police union for Lum's removal, decided yesterday how to proceed, commission members announced after a two-hour meeting with their lawyers in executive session. Lum has been under fire for an apparent lack of leadership, poor communication with those in the department and members of the public, and numerous lawsuits, union grievances and instances of infighting during his time as chief.
Missouri Visitor Killed In Kauai Crash
(KITV 4 News) (2.17.06)
Alcohol may have been involved in a crash that killed a woman visiting from Missouri Thursday night, Kauai police said. The woman was struck by a pickup truck while trying to cross Kuhio Highway. Fredrika Weisenthal, 66, was walking across the highway near Papaloa Road at about 7 p.m. when it happened. A motorist slowed down when he saw Weisenthal crossing the road. A truck in the next lane struck the woman.
Accused murderer will stay on Kaua'i
(Garden Island News) (2.17.06)
The Waimea man charged with murdering a retired doctor and attempting to murder his own stepson will remain in prison on Kaua'i. Raymond Earl Ard will stay at the Kaua'i Community Correctional Center in Wailua. He sought a transfer to a medical unit at the O'ahu Community Correctional Center in Honolulu to be treated for copper poisoning. Circuit Court Judge Kathleen N.A. Watanabe denied Ard's transfer on Thursday. She based her decision on an assessment of Ard that was done by an official on KCCC's medical staff.
T and C Womens Pipeline Pro to host top female surfers
(Global Surf News) (2.17.06)
What women want: good waves, clean conditions and 'mana' (Hawaiian for strength/power) to perform your best in the water! As winter rolls through Oahu's North Shore, the women can't wait to jump in and have some fun. In top contention for the shortboard division is last year's champion, 15-year old Alana Blanchard of Kauai. Since last year's event, Blanchard's surfing career has catapulted into mainstream recognition. Returning T and C Surf team riders, 4th place finisher Brenda Fried and semi-finalist charger Helena Suehiro will definitely raise the competition level in the line up.
Kauai parks to get $1 mil upgrade
(Pacific Business News) (2.16.06)
Work to improve Kauai's Kokee State park and Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park begin this week. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will spend $675,000 through the year on renovating Kokee park headquarters, Kokee lodge and museum, the camp, lookout, picnic pavilion and a cabin. No camping permits will be issued during construction at the campsite comfort station.
Hawaiian attempts to block Mesa island service
(Cheap Flights) (2.15.06)
Mesa Airlines' new inter-island Hawaiian service could be in doubt after Hawaiian Airlines began court action to block it. Hawaiian is attempting to enforce a two-year suspension on Mesa entering the island market, claiming that officials used confidential business data when planning the route. Mesa announced recently that it was ready to start operating flights from Honolulu to Hilo and Kona for $46 and to Kauai and Maui from $43. In doing so, the airline was set to become the fourth to offer flights between Hawaii's islands.
Isles ready for ideas on state quarter
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (2.15.06)
When it comes to the minting of state commemorative quarters, being last will not be so bad after all. And because Hawaii completes the nation's set, Gov. Linda Lingle is predicting the quarter will be the most collected of all. 'I really believe that, because it's the last one. It's the one that completes the set. It's the 50th out of the 50 states,' she said, 'And I think it will be in huge demand also because we have so many visitors from around this country and from around the world. Everyone will want to have this quarter.'
Neighbor island home prices continue climbing
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (2.15.06)
While the pace of home sales went down substantially last month in many neighbor island markets, for the most part prices continued to rise as the formerly tumultuous housing market stabilizes. The start of the New Year saw a continued lag in Kauai's housing market. The pace of house sales declined 34 percent, with as few as 35 homes changing hands, according to Hawaii Information Service data released yesterday. However, sales of condominiums grew 32.5 percent: Buyers purchased 53 condominiums compared to the year-ago 40 as more people were priced out of houses.
February fizzles as arrivals slow
(Pacific Business News) (2.13.06)
Arrivals by air so far this month are up only 1 percent from the same time last year, due to much lower Japanese traffic. Through Feb. 12, Hawaii welcomed 260,422 arrivals by air, compared to 257,791 over the same days a year ago, according to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
Kauai Man Recalls the Day a Great White Shark Attacked Him
(KHNL 8 News) (2.13.06)
Kenny Doudt talks about the longest 15 seconds of his life. It happened 25 years ago in the split second moments when he found himself in the jaws of a great white shark. The attack happened in the chilly waters off the coast of Oregon. November 27th, 1979 was a crisp day with waves breaking at Doudt's favorite surf spot off Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast. 'I'm laying on it just like this paddling out. It's top jaw got my back,' recounts Doudt.
Boat parade honors famous harbor pilot Dave Lyman
(KPUA AM 670 Hilo) (2.13.06)
A flotilla of more than six dozen vessels paid tribute this weekend to Dave Lyman, the popular harbor pilot with a walrus mustache. Lyman died January 29th when he fell from a ladder after navigating a cruise ship at Kauai. He was 62. His longtime friend, Captain Bill McAuliffe, said the parade will probably be the biggest event in the history of Honolulu Harbor.
Japanese sell $430M worth of hotels
(Pacific Business News) (2.13.06)
Japanese firms continued their withdrawal from the Hawaii hotel business in 2005, selling $430 million worth of properties. Since 2001, Japanese companies have sold resorts, hotels and golf courses in Hawaii worth about $1.7 billion. Nearly all have been purchased by U.S.-based investment funds, which typically upgrade the properties and sell within three to five years.
Parade to welcome Kauai soldiers
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (2.12.06)
A parade to welcome home Kauai's soldiers fighting overseas will be held March 4, Kauai Mayor Bryan Baptiste announced last week. The approximately 125 troops from the Hawaii Army National Guard and the Hawaii Air National Guard who fought overseas are all invited, as well as various dignitaries and any other Kauai soldiers 'who have been there and should be honored,' Baptiste said. The parade, which will include high school bands, veterans and military representatives, JROTC and others, will begin at around 10 a.m. on Rice Street fronting the Historic County Building, and end at Vidinha Stadium.
Enrollment drop at KCC no concern to chancellor
(Garden Island News) (2.10.06)
A drop of nearly 10 percent in student enrollment at Kaua'i Community College for the current spring semester, from 1,060 last spring to 956 now, doesn't faze Chancellor Peggy Cha, she said. 'Employment is so hot on this island that people are choosing to go to work instead of going to college. That's a good thing,' she said.
Hawaii close to capacity
(CNN) (2.10.06)
Visitors to Hawaii topped 7 million for the first time last year, and the tourism industry is talking about making the islands a little more exclusive. An affordable hotel room on Maui, an empty patch of warm sand on Waikiki Beach, a prime tee time on the Big Island - all are becoming more scarce as more tourists flock here in record numbers.
Gas prices continue to drop
(KPUA AM 670 Hilo) (2.9.06)
The state's cap on wholesale gas prices will go down ten cents next week. That's according to figures released today by the state Public Utilities Commission. This is a significant weekly drop compared to the relatively stable price fluctuations seen in recent weeks. The cap on pretax wholesale gasoline will be one-dollar, 95 cents on Oahu, two dollars and nine cents on most of Maui and two dollars and ten cents in Hilo. Prices will be two dollars and nine cents on Kauai and two dollars, 19 cents on Molokai.
Changing of the guard coming for KIUC board
(Garden Island News) (2.9.06)
There will be a new chair and vice chair of the Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative board of directors, as all three of the incumbents whose terms expire next month will not seek re-election. Chair Gregg Gardiner, considered the driving force behind the purchase of the for-profit Kauai Electric and its conversion to the nonprofit KIUC, has decided not to seek re-election in order to devote more time and attention to his magazine-publishing business, he said.
Rain, High Winds, Big Surf Forecasted For State
(KITV 4 News) (2.8.06)
Winter weather rolled in Tuesday night and should continue through Wednesday as a cold front marches across the state, according to the National Weather Service. The front itself should bring a brief bout of clouds and showers to each island, beginning with Kauai early Wednesday and ending with the Big Island Wednesday night. No flood problems are expected as showers should remain light to moderate and are not expected to sit over any one area for more than 6 hours. Behind the front, strong and gusty north winds should spread over the islands on Wednesday. The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for the island of Kauai and Oahu beginning at 2 a.m. Wednesday and continuing through 8 p.m.
Mayor calls for KPD healing
(Garden Island News) (2.8.06)
The county's top elected official called for the healing process to begin within the Kaua'i Police Department. Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste Tuesday said officers of the department must be brought together again. He pointed out that, no matter what people think about the the situation at the department, all efforts should be put behind the men and women of the department, to bring the department together.
New 'zine to target young professionals
(Pacific Business News) (2.7.06)
The Pacific Edge, a new consumer magazine aimed at young professionals, launched its first issue this month. The publication, printed in Hong Kong, features the lifestyles of working professionals between the ages of 22 and 39 and promotes Hawaii's restaurants, fashion, travel and leisure activities, sports, the arts and nightlife. Publisher Naomi Hazelton of Kauai says this is the only magazine that solely features young professionals. She says it was the brainchild of her practicum for a master's in corporate communication.
Two Drown In Large Surf On Kauai
(KHNL 8 News) (2.7.06)
The latest swell to roll into the state was was both beautiful and dangerous. On the the island of Kauai the waves proved deadly on Monday. Two men drowned after trying to save a woman who was being swept out to sea. While the ocean raged off Oahu creating monstrous mountains of water, northern beaches on Kauai were also taking a pounding. Surf this big not only creates powerful waves,.but all that water moving in also forces strong currents to head out. That's what happened Monday at Anini Beach.
Mesa Airlines plans Hawaii takeoff
(KVOA 4 News - Tucson, AZ) (2.7.06)
Mesa Airlines is moving ahead with plans to begin interisland flights in Hawaii's crowded skies. The head of the Phoenix-based carrier says he thinks Mesa Airlines can offer cheaper flights and be competitive with Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Airlines and Island Air. Chairman Jonathan Ornstein says he doesn't know if the Hawaii market can sustain four interisland carriers. His implication is that one or more of them could eventually die out.
Pipe loaded for Monster final day
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (2.7.06)
Most people would consider surfing at the Banzai Pipeline a death wish. But there are those who consider it the opportunity of a lifetime. Some of the world's best professional surfers seized theirs yesterday on the second of three competition days for the 22nd annual Monster Energy Pipeline Pro. And the famed break on Oahu's North Shore didn't disappoint, offering up heavy waves with faces that averaged 12- to 16-feet and reached even higher on the sets. The last six heats of the second round and 12 of 16 heats of the third were completed.
Kauai's Lum files $1.2M suit
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (2.7.06)
After being the subject of a recent lawsuit and requests for his resignation, Kauai Police Chief K.C. Lum fought back yesterday by suing some of his detractors for $1.2 million. Lum held a press conference yesterday to announce that his lawyer, Clayton Ikei, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Kauai county, the County Council, Mayor Bryan Baptiste and a police commissioner, Leon Gonsalves Sr. Lum acknowledged the lawsuit could make it more difficult to fire him, which is scheduled for a vote at this month's Kauai Police Commission meeting, but he said the suit is about discrimination and retaliation as an American of Chinese descent.
Surf kills 2 men trying to rescue one's wife
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (2.7.06)
Two men drowned Sunday afternoon while trying to save a woman swept out to sea in the extremely large surf on Kauai's North Shore. The men, identified as Glenn Manning of Wichita, Kan., and Ronald Rowlett of Vacaville, Calif., were trying to save Manning's wife, who was on an inflatable flotation device, Kauai officials said yesterday. Her name was not released. The three had been near the Anini River mouth, at the far end of a mile-long reef, when strong currents pulled her out, county officials said.
Kauai Police Chief Fights Accusations
(KGMB 9 News) (2.6.06)
One week after Kauai Mayor Bryan Vaptiste's vote of no confidence in Police Chief K.C. Lum, Lum fired right back. He is now suing the mayor, the County of Kauai and Police Commissioner Leon Gonsalves for $1.2 million in damages, keeping his promise he wouldn't go down without a fight. Lum claims the trouble started just as he was getting set to take office. He blames Gonsalves for an e-mail in which he's described as "Hop Sing," a Chinese character from the television western "Bonanza." The comparison is considered derogatory against Asians.
Kauai police chief suing island's mayor, police commissioner over racial slurs
(KHON 2 News) (2.6.06)
The Kauai police chief is suing the island's mayor and a police commissioner who directed a racial slur at him. The chief is alleging discrimination and conspiracy. This comes just one week after Kauai's mayor called for the chief to be fired. Chief K.C. Lum has been on the job just 16 months. He wants an injunction against county efforts to oust him, and he wants more than a million dollars in damages.
Kauai chief sues, alleging racism
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (2.6.06)
Kauai Police Chief K.C. Lum filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Kauai County and numerous Garden Isle politicians today, alleging he was subject to an ethnic slur, harassment and a conspiracy to discredit him. In the lawsuit, which asks for $1.2 million in compensatory and punitive damages, Lum said that he was subject to an ethnic slur by a police commissioner and then a conspiracy in retaliation to his request for the commissioner to resign. The commissioner, Leon Gonsalves, Sr., said this morning that he would 'rather not comment until I know more about it.'
Sirois sells $93 million in Kaua'i real estate in 2005
(Garden Island News) (2.5.06)
It is normally Andrew 'Drew' Vento of Makai Properties who lets Hannah Sirois know how she's doing in terms of sales. He'll call, and say, 'Hannah, do you know how you're doing this year?' Sirois will answer in the negative, and Vento will let her know. It may be that she is simply too busy to check. It may be that the statistics aren't nearly as important to her as her clients are. Her results in 2005, which she does know about, are stunning.
Huge waves expected overnight and tomorrow
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (2.5.06)
High surf warning is in effect for the north and west facing shores of Oahu, Kauai and Molokai and the north shore of Maui. The National Weather Service is predicting waves of 35 to 30 feet tomorrow on the north shore. Surf along west facing shores is expected to increase overnight to heights of 10 to 20 feet tomorrow. The high surf is expected to last until Monday and start to decline on Tuesday. The surf was generated by a hurricane-force storm about 2,500 miles northwest of Hawaii.
Captain Lyman was a sailor's sailor, and more
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (2.4.06)
Hawaii lost one of its most colorful characters when Captain of Ships David Lyman, 62, was killed in a freak accident last Sunday in Nawiliwili Harbor at Kauai. Lyman was taking a cruise ship out of the harbor and was going down the ship's ladder to the pilot boat when he fell, landed on the boat and rolled into the sea. He was injured by the pilot boat.
Kauai suit alleges silencing
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (2.3.06)
Kauai Assistant Police Chief Clayton Arinaga has filed a lawsuit against the county, the Police Department and its chief for allegedly violating the state's whistle-blower law. The suit, filed in Circuit Court, alleges Police Chief K.C. Lum and the county violated the state Whistleblower's Protection Act after Arinaga tried to tell the chief that police officers were breaking the law. Instead of initiating an investigation against the officers, the department investigated Arinaga for hindering prosecution in a case that occurred in 2000, the suit alleges.
The Hidden Bird Flu Hazards of Backyard Chicken Farms
(PR leap) (2.3.06)
Bird Flu Beacon (http://www.birdflubeacon.com) posted news on the risk of spread of bird flu in the U.S. and other industrialized countries through backyard chicken farms with free-roaming chickens. From the Hawaiian Islands where large numbers of wild chickens populate Kauai to New York City where live chickens and ducks are sold in street markets, the threat of bird flu infection through roaming backyard chickens looms large.
Gas cap to drop 3 cents
(KPUA AM 670 Hilo) (2.2.06)
The state's cap on wholesale gas prices will drop three cents next week. That's according to figures released today by the state Public Utilities Commission. Gas prices have been hovering near this level for several weeks now after rising five cents this week and dropping six cents the week before.
Kauai chief blames politics
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (2.2.06)
Embattled Kauai Police Chief K.C. Lum said yesterday he is not worried about losing his job, despite calls for his removal by the mayor and the police union. In a telephone interview yesterday, Lum said he has a plan to improve sinking morale and end the bitter infighting that has taken over the Garden Isle's 120-member police force. Since he became the full-time chief in December 2004, Lum said, numerous officers, many in senior positions, have 'gone outside the department to change the course of management. ... It is wrong.'
Hawaii Needs Renewable Energy - Now
(Hawaii Reporter) (2.1.06)
Don Newman's piece 'Renewable Energy Reality' ignores reality. The fact is Hawaii as a state imports over 90 percent of primary energy. Being fossil-fuel based the residents of Hawaii are literally 'over a barrel.' Using a specific example, the residents of Kauai import over 93 percent their energy for electricity production. In 2002 the average price of electricity for Kauai was around 7.5 cents per Kwh. See http://www.kiuc.coop
Baptiste wants police chief fired
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (2.1.06)
Kauai Mayor Bryan Baptiste asked the county Police Commission yesterday to fire Police Chief K.C. Lum, who in turn said he hoped to be judged fairly by the five-member board. 'I hope the Police Commission will look at the situation objectively, and make a decision favorable to the future of the Kauai Police Department and the community,' Lum told the Associated Press in a telephone interview.
Architecture students explore Kauai
(Daily Bruin - UCLA) (2.1.06)
For six days last quarter, UCLA students carefully sliced away at the tendrils and vibrant petals of rich tropical foliage on the garden island of Kauai. The students, however, were not majoring in botany, but instead, all were intent on applying what they learned about plants to architectural principles and design.
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