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Officials Forecast 25-Foot North Shore Waves
(KITV 4 News) (12.30.05)
The National Weather Service issued a high surf warning for parts of the Hawaiian Islands through Sunday night. The warning is for the north- and west-facing shores of Niihau, Kauai and Oahu. The warning is also for the north-facing shores of Maui. The waves on the north shores should go from 15-20 feet on Friday night to at about 25-30 feet by Saturday afternoon, according to forecasters. They said the waves on the west shores should hit about 8-12 feet on Friday night and get as high as 18-24 feet on Saturday.
Still no sign of Portland man missing in Hawaii
(KATU 2 News NW) (12.30.05)
Now missing for well over a month, Daniel Marks was last spotted at the Kalalau Lookout, a point 4,000 feet up in the soaring mountains of Kauai and at the head of a steep, 11-mile trail winding past sea cliffs and waterfalls into the thick forest below. On Nov. 10, the 24-year-old, experienced hiker from Portland, Ore., who preferred trips on his own, chatted at the panoramic lookout with a Ft. Collins, Colo., couple about how his brother, Ron, lived in the same city, said Sue Marks, Daniel's sister. Hikers in the area continue to call in sightings - such as a watch found in the forest - that might be clues, but nothing has lead the Marks family closer to finding Daniel.
Kauai dry spell is resulting in flare-up of fires
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (12.30.05)
Kauai firefighters have been responding to a record number of brush fires this month, and six brush fires in just the past four days. Kauai Fire Chief Robert Westerman said an extreme dry spell is to blame for the flare-ups all over the Garden Isle. 'We've been drying out over the past few months,' Westerman said yesterday in a meeting with reporters. 'It wouldn't take much for a fire to spread rapidly, given the current conditions.'
Helicopter pilot charged with reckless death of 3 on Kauai
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (12.28.05)
A former Kauai helicopter pilot was indicted last week on manslaughter and other charges in a September crash that caused the death of three people. Glen Lampton, the Heli USA pilot, is accused of 'recklessly causing the death' of Mary Soucy and Catherine Baron of Maine and Laverne Clifton of Ohio 'by piloting the helicopter in an unsafe manner and/or in unsafe conditions,' according to the indictment. Lampton, who is in Las Vegas, was also charged with making false statements to investigators and tampering with evidence, as well as recklessly endangering the lives of the two survivors.
Pilot Of Fatal Kauai Chopper Crash Indicted
(KITV 4 News) (12.27.05)
For the first time in Hawaii's history, a pilot has been indicted for manslaughter after a deadly crash of a tour helicopter. The crash happened on Kauai's north shore on Sept. 23. Pilot Glen Lampton and five passengers survived the crash. However, three passengers were killed when the Heli-USA flight went into the water.
Kauai Chopper Pilot Dies From Crash Into Lake
(KITV 4 News) (12.27.05)
A pilot whose helicopter crashed on Kauai on Sunday died Tuesday morning at Wilcox Memorial Hospital. The chopper went down at about 5:40 p.m. in Lihue's Kapaia Valley on Christmas Day. It was a five-seater operated by Inter-Island Helicopters. Jonathon D'Attilio was helping to fight a brush fire when he crashed into a lake, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
It's 'treecycling' time again in all counties
(Honolulu Advertiser) (12.26.05)
Christmas trees in Hawai'i can continue to serve a purpose long after the holiday season. 'Treecycling' turns thousands of trees each year into wood chips, mulch and other products that benefit the landscape. All four counties have programs in place to collect discarded Christmas trees, and some even provide free chippings or mulch as a reward.
Many on Kaua'i working today
(Garden Island News) (12.25.05)
If you're reading this in the comfort of your living room, or at your kitchen or dining-room table, consider yourself lucky. Several of your fellow Kauaians are toiling today, scheduled to work on Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25. Many businesses on Kaua'i, including hotels, restaurants, airlines, convenience stores, The Garden Island newspaper, and others, operate seven days a week, including holidays, so have crew members on duty while many other Kauaians are relaxing at home, celebrating the holiday.
Apisa would trade Realtor award for a little respect
(Garden Island News) (12.25.05)
Donna Apisa, president and principal broker of Oceanfront Realty on the North Shore, would happily trade her 2005 Realtor of the Year award for a little bit of respect for her chosen profession, she said. 'We're kind of seen as a greedy bunch,' she said. 'I would like people to know that we give back.'
Oh, no! A zit!
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (12.25.05)
SCIENTISTS have found diseased coral in the ocean off Maui, Oahu, the Big Island and Kauai, and even in the remote and pristine Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. And in some places, disease seems to be spreading. Coral disease shows itself in the form of abnormal growths (tumors) or discoloration, some nicknamed 'zits' by researchers; by the loss of algae that live in the coral (bleaching); and by death of the coral animal itself, leaving behind only its calcium skeleton.
Visitors go overboard for Na Pali Coast
(Orlando Sentinel) (12.25.05)
The second time we capsized, my canteen went east and our kayak headed west. 'Better grab it,' said my boat mate, Carlos Holguin, as the Nalgene bottle bobbed in 4-foot swells. Our guides had said we would need two quarts of water for the 17-mile paddle along Kauai's dramatic Na Pali Coast. Now half my supply was at sea. Of course, they also had told us to get back on the two-person kayak immediately if we capsized. After snagging the canteen, I could see why. The wind-driven swells that helped propel us were taking our ride west without us.
Often-cited 'wettest spot on Earth' has dry year
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (12.24.05)
Mount Waialeale, the 'wettest spot' on Earth, is not living up to its nickname this month. Mount Waialeale, which sees about 350 days of rain each year and more than 45 inches of rain in an average December, has received about an inch and a half so far this month, according to the rain gauges listed on the National Weather Service Web site.
Forecasters Issue High-Surf Warning For Islands
(KITV 4 News) (12.23.05)
A high-surf warning is in effect until 4 pm Saturday for the north and west facing shores of all islands, except Lanai. North shore waves could reach 25- to 35-foot face heights by Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. Waves on the west shore are forecast to peak at 15 to 25 foot face heights.
KIUC committee seeks applications for directors
(Garden Island News) (12.23.05)
Those interested in running for the three seats on the Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative board of directors have until Tuesday, Jan. 3, to let members of a nominating committee know their intentions. The three seats, currently filled by directors whose terms expire in March of next year, are currently held by board Chairman Gregg Gardiner, Vice Chair Ronald D. Kouchi, and Susan Stayton. The election in March will be for those three seats, for three-year terms on the board.
Arinaga put on 'forced vacation'
(Garden Island News) (12.23.05)
Kaua'i Police Department Assistant Chief Clayton Arinaga showed up at the office Thursday, ready for work, but was told by supervisors that he was put on forced vacation, according to his attorney. 'He went in, expecting to be reinstated, and they said that 'you are going to be put on forced vacation,'' said Arinaga's attorney, Margery Bronster. Mary Daubert, Kaua'i county's public information officer, pointed out that county officials cannot comment on personnel issues. It is also KPD leaders' policy not to comment on active cases, due to confidentiality concerns, Daubert said.
Island Air: No Mainland beer
(Pacific Business News) (12.23.05)
Island Air will serve only Hawaii-made beer on all its flights from now on, the interisland carrier said Thursday. 'The change was made to give passengers a unique experience, as well as to support Hawaii's breweries,' the airline said. It served domestic beer before. The airline offers Mehana Mauna Kea Pale Ale, brewed by Mehana Brewing Co., Hilo's only craft brewery, and Keoki Gold beer, by Keoki Brewing Co. on Kauai.
Lawyer who allegedly embezzled is disbarred
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (12.23.05)
The Hawaii Supreme Court has disbarred former Kauai lawyer Andrew Lichtenberg and ordered him to repay nearly $400,000 restitution to a cancer-stricken Louisiana resident displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The Supreme Court, in its announcement this week, said the lawyer's 'multiple ethical violations' included misappropriation of proceeds from a real estate sale and his client's retainer.
Record low rainfall recorded on Wai'ale'ale
(Garden Island News) (12.22.05)
'The wettest spot on earth' isn't even the wettest spot on Kaua'i or in Hawai'i this month, as Mt. Wai'ale'ale near the center of Kaua'i and other parts of the island are on pace to mark record low rainfall amounts in December, according to National Weather Service Hydrologist Kevin Kodama. Normally, Wai'ale'ale gets 476 inches of rain a year, and over 45 inches in December, but through earlier this week only 1.52 inches of rain in December, and is on pace to easily break the low-rainfall December record of 3.07 set in 1983, Kodama said.
Unique waves draw best pros to Pipeline
(The Detroit News) (12.21.05)
With wounds on his head still fresh, the 46 staples in his scalp removed just days earlier, Tamayo Perry of Hawaii stood at the water's edge trying to find some semblance of inner tranquility. It was the first day of the 35th annual Pipeline Masters, the final and most prestigious event on the world championship tour, and the Pacific Ocean had come alive with 15-foot surf. No stranger to the life-and-death nature of Pipeline, Perry, who suffered a severe head injury when struck by another surfer's board on the first sizable northwest swell of Hawaii's winter big-wave season, ranks among the small but elite group of surfers making a name for themselves at the surf break.
Whipping winds lead to outages
(Garden Island News) (12.20.05)
Powerful winds associated with southwest (Kona) winds Sunday are blamed for power outages that knocked two radio stations off the air for around 16 hours, and left debris on island roadways. No injuries were reported. Power outages attributed to the wind were reported in Ha'ena, Princeville and Kilauea Sunday night, said Anne Barnes, Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative spokes-persons. Oftentimes, when gusty, non-tradewind conditions move across the island, trees come into contact with power lines, sometimes causing outages.
Theft puts the 'arm' in 'farmer'
(Garden Island News) (12.19.05)
As a farmer, Sherwood C. Conant knows the trepidation firsthand when the fence creaks from the weight of trespassers, and the dog's knowing bark sounds the alarm. At his Kilauea farm on this occasion, he is armed, which presents another set of potential problems. Does he fire a warning shot, and risk being shot at himself by the unknown encroachers?
Triple Crown means the world to Irons
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (12.18.05)
Andy Irons already knew this year would end without him claiming the surfing world title for the first time in four years. But that didn't mean the champ suddenly forgot how to win big or finish strong, either. Irons won the season-ending 35th annual Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters yesterday, and with the victory also took this year's Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series championship. The 27-year-old from Hanalei, Kauai, has now won the Pipeline Masters and Triple Crown in three of the last four years. He also won both in 2002 and 2003, when he picked up the first two of his three straight world championships.
It's an all-Irons display at Pipe
(Garden Island News) (12.18.05)
Hanalei's Andy Irons had a day to remember yesterday when he claimed victory in the Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters and the coveted Vans Triple Crown Of Surfing title. For Irons, it was a fantastic ending to an amazing year and a tremendous finishing reward after relinquishing his Foster's ASP Men's World Tour crown to Kelly Slater back in Brazil. Finishing behind Irons was Mick Fanning, his younger brother Bruce, and Kalani Chapman.
Saint Bethany in a sea of sharks
(The New Zealand Herald) (12.17.05)
Bethany Hamilton has become a powerful symbol of Christianity. There is a warning sign along the track leading down to the beach: 'Leave this side clear for Emergency Vehicles'. Behind me, steep serrated green crags are stacked like immense teeth. This is where it happened, I can't help thinking as I stroke out over the disturbingly shallow reef. Here at 'Tunnels' on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, about 8am on the morning of Halloween, October 31, 2003, 13-year-old Bethany Hamilton was floating on her board, dreaming of the perfect wave, when a 4.5m tiger shark knifed up through the water alongside her.
Scientists step up battle to save wiliwili
(Honolulu Advertiser) (12.15.05)
Hawai'i researchers and plant experts are working in laboratories, gardens, native forests and soon even in Africa toward a common goal of saving the embattled Hawaiian wiliwili tree, which is being threatened across the state by a mysterious bug called the erythrina gall wasp. The almost microscopic wasps appeared in Hawai'i only this year and have invaded all the main islands. They are soon expected to be everywhere wiliwili is found in the wild landscape.
John Bandmann dies from electrocution
(Garden Island News) (12.14.05)
John Bandmann, one of the founding members of the board of directors of the Kaua'i Island Utility Cooperative, died from electrocution Tuesday morning while taking down transformers from a electrical transfer station in Kekaha that once served the old Kekaha Sugar Company mill. Bandmann was working with three members of a group that are part of the Agribusiness Development Corporation, which manages the mill, when the accident occurred.
Bethany Hamilton: Triumph of a free spirit
(The Independent - UK) (12.14.05)
There is a warning sign along the sandy track leading down to the beach: 'LEAVE THIS SIDE CLEAR FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES'. Behind me, steep serrated green crags are stacked up like immense teeth. This is where it happened, I can't help thinking as I stroke out over the disturbingly shallow reef.
Marks family fears fatal fall
(Garden Island News) (12.13.05)
The father of missing hiker Daniel Marks left to return to the Mainland yesterday, with a range of emotions from that of a grieving father to those of someone who said he will never forget the kindness of Kauaians during his ordeal. Judge Ronald Marks Sr., of Youngstown, Ohio, and some of his family members who searched in vain for Daniel Marks, said 'all evidence points to an accidental fall,' probably on or around Thursday, Nov. 10, the last day anyone on Kaua'i reported seeing Daniel Marks, by the Kalalau Lookout in Koke'e State Park. ... NSK Forums Posting
Baseball league erred in stranding deaf player
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (12.12.05)
RARELY has any sports organization tripped over itself like the PONY baseball league did in the bungling of a 10-year-old deaf boy's needs. The league deserves every bit of scolding it has received for blocking his father from the dugout as an interpreter -- an extreme case of enforcing the rules of the sideline far beyond their purpose. The blunder occurred five months ago when Justin 'Pono' Tokioka was denied a qualified interpreter -- father and Kauai County Councilman James Tokioka -- to sit beside him in the dugout at a state tournament in Hilo, where the boy was a member of Lihue's all-star team. The state director for PONY -- ironically, an acronym for Protect Our Nation's Youth -- said only three coaches are allowed inside the dugout, and James Tokioka would have been the fourth.
The going rate: $100 to rent a Hyundai
(MSNBC) (12.11.05)
This Christmas season you could pay as much as $100 a day to rent a car in Hawaii. That's if you're lucky enough to find one. Hawaii is headed for one of the busiest holiday tourist seasons ever and some car rental chains, especially on the Neighbor Islands, are already sold out from Christmas through New Year's. For the cars that remain, customers will pay dearly.
2 more on Kauai sue for Council documents
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (12.11.05)
Two more Kauai residents have filed suit against the Kauai County Council for failing to disclose meeting minutes from sessions that are closed to the public. They say the public has a right to those minutes, and the county has both dragged its feet releasing them and ignored a state agency which told the county to release them. Dr. Raymond Chuan and Walter Lewis, self-described 'nitpickers' of the council, were the third such group to file suit against the county for failure to disclose minutes of various Council meetings held in the past few years.
Smaller surf greets Pipeline challengers
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (12.11.05)
The 35th annual Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters' main event began yesterday. But the main course has yet to be served. All 48 international surfers in the draw hit the water at the famed Banzai Pipeline on Oahu's North Shore for the main event's first round, the only non-elimination round in the longest-running and most prestigious professional contest in the world. Surfers who won their three-man heats yesterday automatically advanced to the third round, and the others were relegated to the second round, where four-man heats begin with eliminations for the bottom two in each.
Mahelona emergency room opens today
(Garden Island News) (12.10.05)
Beginning today, Saturday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m., and continuing until further notice 24 hours a day, seven days a week, medical professionals at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital (SMMH) are in the emergency-medicine business. The firstever Mahelona emergency room opens today, with a board-certified, emergency room physician on duty 24 hours a day, and registered emergency room nurses on duty 24 hours a day as well, said Llewellyn Wynne, hospital assistant administrator and clinical operations officer. The move is to better serve residents from Ha'ena to Wailua, and visitors in those areas, and is a pre-cursor for Mahelona receiving a federal, critical-access-hospital (CAH) designation, she said.
Chapman joins Pipeline Masters
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (12.10.05)
The Banzai Pipeline upheld its part of the bargain yesterday by offering up the huge and hollow waves it is famous for. Four professional surfers seized the opportunity by delivering the huge scores necessary to emerge from the Rip Curl Code STL Trials and gain coveted entry into the main event of the 35th annual Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters, the longest-running and most prestigious professional contest in the world. Hawaii's Kalani Chapman, Dustin Barca and Makua Rothman, and Brazil's Bruno Santos, made it through the 12- to 20-foot-face surf and a loaded, 40-man international field of Pipeline specialists, former superstars and up-and-comers to become part of the 48-man Pipeline Masters draw.
Lihue Wins Pee Wee Super Bowl
(KGMB 9 News) (12.9.05)
The Lihue Patriots are national champions tonight. Kauai's Pop Warner team beat the Hollister Vikings to clinch the Pee Wee Division II Super Bowl. The local boys got here by winning a regional playoff game last month that put them among the top eight teams in the country. Now the 11- to 13-year-olds truly are the best of the best. The local boys in red rocked Hollister 14-0. It was a defensive battle most of the way, but Lihue's Taran Tani scored two touchdowns in the final five minutes of the game.
Pipeline Masters Begin on North Shore
(KGMB 9 News) (12.9.05)
The most prestigious surf contest in the world is underway. The Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters began Friday in waves measuring six to ten feet Hawaiian style. Hundreds of people packed Ehukai Beach to witness the action. The Pipeline Masters is the longest running professional surf contest in the world. 'It's pretty nice. It's got some nice trade winds on it so it makes for off-shore and barreling,' Kauai surfer Evan Valiere said of conditions after advancing from his preliminary heat.
2005 Rip Curl Pipeline Masters: Event Preview
(Surfing Magazine) (12.8.05)
Well, the world championship hype is over. The world title has been sealed by Kelly Slater before the tour even made it to Hawaii. So I guess the rest of the tour is just pretty boring and hum-drum from here on out, right? HELL NO! We still have one of the greatest surf contests that ever existed to run. The 2005 Rip Curl Pipe Masters may not have a world title decided at it this year, but that doesn't mean that there won't be any edge-of-your-seat drama.
Kauai, Hawaii Native Preeta Shows the World the Joyful Energy of Living and Loving 'In This Moment'
(Business Wire) (12.7.05)
Singer/songwriter Preeta's name means 'beloved' in Hindi, which fits in perfectly with her lofty musical and spiritual goals. 'My mission through my music is to give love and uplift people from the trap of dwelling on the negativity of life,' says the native of the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. Her other chief goal, living truly and fully day to day 'In This Moment,' is such a driving force in her life that there was no other possible title for her first full-length recording -- a collection of feel-good pop music, reggae and funk produced and engineered by Brian Reeves, who has worked with Billy Idol, U2, and the currently red-hot band Rooney. ... Official Preeta Website
Snake snatches World Cup victory
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (12.7.05)
HAWAII supposedly doesn't have any snakes. But a certain one comes each winter and thrives in the big surf on Oahu's North Shore and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Jake 'The Snake' Paterson of Australia won the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing, the second jewel in the 23rd annual men's Triple Crown, at Sunset Beach yesterday. It was the second World Cup victory in the last three years (he also won in 2003) for the 32-year-old from Yallingup, who increased his career Triple Crown event win total to three (he also won the 1998 Pipeline Masters).
Kauai median home price: $695K
(Pacific Business News) (12.6.05)
The median price for a home on Kauai rose to $695,000 in November, nearly 20 percent higher than at the same time last year. Sales dipped to 39 homes in November, according to Hawaii Information Service, compared to 51 at the same time last year. In October, the median home price was $652,000. In November 2004, it was $415,000.
Terminal cancer patient fined $2,000 for marijuana
(Honolulu Star-Bulletin) (12.6.05)
A cancer patient with a medical marijuana license from California said he was relieved that he avoided jail time after being sentenced last week for promotion of marijuana. Keith Bierlich of Kilauea was instead fined $2,000, despite using the marijuana for medical purposes. Bierlich has asbestos cancer in his stomach and esophagus, according to his lawyer. Bierlich was arrested last year with 1.2 pounds of marijuana that was shipped to him from the mainland. That is well above the legal amount for someone with a medical marijuana license to legally possess.
Only fraction of drug house complaints dealt with
(KHON 2 News) (12.5.05)
Lawmakers said fighting ice was a priority this year, yet they failed to fund the team that's supposed to shut down drug houses statewide. Hundreds of people complaining about drug houses in their neighborhoods are just left to wait and wait. The sad thing is that these houses can be shut down. Things used to be rough in one part of Halawa. One resident even had to carry a rifle with him just to get his mail.
Trackers use copter in Marks search (NSK Forums)
(Garden Island News) (12.5.05)
Tracking specialists from Hawai'i and the Mainland took to the air and ground yesterday as the search for missing Oregonian Daniel Marks intensified. He hasn't been seen since Nov. 10 on Kaua'i, and a brother and sister have been looking for him since Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 24. Yesterday, searchers concentrated efforts in the area between Kalalau Beach and the Kalalau Lookout at Koke'e State Park, where Marks apparently told local residents he was heading when they picked him up as he was hitchhiking sometime during the second week of November. ... NSK Forums Posting
Kauai County Council to investigate island's police force
(KPUA AM 670 Hilo) (12.5.05)
The Kauai County Council is investigating the island's police department, Chief K-C Lum, and the Kauai Police Commission amid public complaints and budget problems. The council voted unanimously last week to authorize the investigation. It cited low morale, public complaints, possible lawsuits, and budget problems for its move.
German visitor is 10th drowning victim
(Garden Island News) (12.4.05)
A 38-year-old male visitor from Hamburg, Germany drowned in waters off Polihale State Park on Kaua'i's Westside Friday, county officials confirmed yesterday. Scanner reports of a body washed up on shore somewhere on the island could not be confirmed before presstime for the Saturday paper. According to officials with the Kaua'i Police Department, witnesses reported that the victim was swimming in the ocean when a large wave washed over him.
Kaua'i stars in national advertising campaign
(Garden Island News) (12.4.05)
The sky was blue, the sun was shining, but the popular Lydgate Park pool was deserted Friday. Meanwhile, 10 Subway champions from throughout the nation were working with Subway national spokesperson Bethany Hamilton of Princeville as cameras rolled for the filming of a national commercial that will start appearing starting in January. Eddie Abubo of Hanalei, owner of Kauai Productions, said the filming of the national ad involves representatives of three different agencies, including bLittle and Co. of New York, Rum Productions out of New Orleans, and Kauai Productions.
Surf, Shave Ice and Sunsets on Kauai
(New York Times) (12.3.05)
'WE are on Hawaiian time. Every shave ice is made custom for you. So please relax - enjoy and aloha!' So reads the sign at Wishing Well Shave Ice in Hanalei, Kauai. It is a fair assessment of how things work in this laid-back hamlet, situated between the Pacific Ocean, soaring green pali (cliffs) and elegant taro fields on the verdant North Shore of Kauai: nothing moves as fast as it does on the mainland.
Redman-Carr Wins 2005 O'Neill Women's Challenge At Sunset Beach
(Surfing Magazine) (12.1.05)
Women's surf contests are cool. After years of taking notes on the dudes, what with their steely eyed glares, unbreakable game faces and subdued gentleman's claps after a fellow competitor's mindless ride, I was pleasantly surprised to find the scene at the O'Neill Women's Challenge ... well, different.
Kaua'i far from immune to epidemic
(Garden Island News) (12.1.05)
State officials call the spread of HIV and AIDS in Hawai'i an 'epidemic.' The facts are that there are 124 known AIDS patients on Kaua'i registered with officials at Malama Pono-Kauai AIDS Project, and several hundred more who have HIV or AIDS and haven't been tested for it, know they have it and haven't come in to register, or are in denial that they have it so feel no need to register, said Leiko Someda, Malama Pono executive director.
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