High surf advisory in effect for west-facing shores
A high surf advisory is in effect for west-facing shores of Hawaii Island through 6 p.m. today, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu. The advisory may be upgraded to a warning, forecasters cautioned Tuesday.
The service forecast waves ranging in height from 5 to 8 feet along the Kona and Kohala coasts.
The service categorized the surf’s impact as “moderate,” advising the public to expect strong breaking waves and strong rip currents that can make swimming dangerous. Beachgoers, swimmers and surfers should heed all advice given by ocean safety officials.
Waimea man arrested for alleged stalking incident
A 55-year-old Waimea man is in police custody while detectives investigate a harassment by stalking incident that reportedly took place last week.
On Dec. 17, police received several calls reporting that a green sedan was being chased through Waimea by a green Dodge van, according to the Hawaii County Fire Department. Investigation revealed that the driver of the van attempted to pull over the new boyfriend of his ex-girlfriend to instigate a fight.
The van attempted to block the car and collided with it on several occasions until the victim was able to make his way to the parking lot of the Waimea police station, according to police. At that time, the suspect fled in the van.
On Monday, South Kohala patrol officers, who were conducting a seat belt enforcement operation in Waimea, stopped the suspect in the Dec. 17 incident, and arrested him on suspicion of five counts of first-degree terroristic threatening, one count each of criminal property damage, reckless driving, accident involving a vehicle and property, harassment by stalking, driving without a license, promoting a detrimental drug, two counts each of promoting a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia, according to police.
West Hawaii Today is not identifying the 55-year-old man arrested Monday because he has yet to be charged with a crime. He is being held at the Kona police cellblock while detectives continue to investigate the incident.
Man arrested in connection with Kona burglary, assault
A 22-year-old man is in police custody for allegedly assaulting a police officer and burglarizing a condominium in Kailua-Kona.
At 7:16 a.m. Monday, police received a report of a burglary at a condo on the 75-6000 block of Kuakini Highway in Kailua-Kona, according to the Hawaii County Police Department. Sometime during the night, an unknown person had entered a unit in the condo through an unlocked door and stolen several items — including a jewelry box, ukulele and cellphones — while the residents were asleep.
At 9:25 a.m. Monday, investigating officers were called back to the same condo complex in response to a report of a man sleeping behind a garage. An officer made contact with the man and noticed items in his possession matching the description of items taken during the burglary, according to police.
While the officer attempted to place the man under arrest, the man allegedly resisted and struck the officer in the head, causing a laceration and swelling, according to police. A second officer arrived at the scene and assisted the first officer in subduing the suspect and placing him under arrest.
Hawaii County Fire Department personnel treated the officer, whose injuries were described as minor, at the scene.
West Hawaii Today is not identifying the man, who has no permanent address but frequents the Kailua-Kona area, because he has yet to be charged with a crime.
He was arrested on suspicion of first-degree burglary, second-degree theft, resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer and terroristic threatening, according to police.
Police urge the public to keep their doors locked when they are asleep or away from home.
Police investigating ATV theft
Hawaii Island police are asking for the public’s help identifying a man who was captured on surveillance camera around the time an all-terrain vehicle was reportedly stolen from a feedlot in the Hamakua District.
Sometime between 6 p.m. Nov. 27 and 6:46 a.m. Nov. 28, someone entered the property on Paauilo Cane Haul Road, damaged a fence, forced open a storage barn and removed an ATV, according to the Hawaii County Police Department.
The ATV is described as a green 2002 Honda Foreman 500 ES with a front-mounted winch and basket, according to police. It also has a crack on the front left fender.
An unknown man with a flashlight was observed on surveillance video sometime after 4 a.m. Nov. 28, according to police. He was wearing a ball cap, jacket, shorts and a backpack.
Anyone with information on the man’s identity or the whereabouts of the ATV should call the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-8300 in Hilo and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
Governor appoints acting Hawaii health director
HONOLULU — Gov. Neil Abercrombie has appointed an acting health director, nearly two weeks after the death of Loretta Fuddy.
Fuddy was the sole fatality in a plane’s crash landing in the ocean off Molokai. The pilot and seven other passengers survived without major injuries.
Abercrombie on Tuesday announced the appointment of Gary Gill as acting director of the state Department of Health.
Gill worked with Fuddy as her deputy director for environmental health. He was appointed to the position in 2011.
The governor’s office said Abercrombie has until Feb. 9 to name a permanent director.
Authorities said Fuddy’s cause of death hasn’t been determined. Funeral services were held over the weekend. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the Dec. 11 crash landing.
Hawaii hotels reach October revenue record
HONOLULU — Hotels across Hawaii set a revenue record of $269 million for the month of October.
Hospitality Advisors LLC released figures Tuesday saying October’s statewide room revenue was about 7 percent higher than the previous year. Average daily rates increased nearly 10 percent to reach a new October high of nearly $209.
The company said the records were reached despite a drop in occupancy to nearly 73 percent, attributed partly to a 1.2 percent decline in visitor arrivals.
Kauai was the only major island to see an increase in occupancy in October. Occupancy rose 1.2 percentage points to 69 percent.
All the major islands reported October records for average daily room rates. Maui’s rate was the highest at about $235 while the Big Island’s was the lowest at nearly $194.
Michelle Obama helps kids track Santa by phone
HONOLULU — A handful of kids calling to pinpoint Santa’s progress on his Christmas Eve journey may have been surprised to hear Michelle Obama’s voice on the other end of the line.
The first lady is vacationing with President Barack Obama and their daughters in Hawaii, but spent about a half-hour Tuesday manning the phones for the North American Aerospace Defense Command. The agency’s NORAD Tracks Santa program takes calls each Christmas from children wanting to ensure their presents are on track for timely delivery.
Around the time the first lady was taking calls, NORAD’s tracker showed Santa and his reindeer making their way through Europe.
It’s the fourth year she has taken part in the tradition.
Children can track Santa by phone, Twitter, Facebook or email.
Maui man charged with sex assaults, kidnapping
WAILUKU, Maui — A Maui man is accused of binding and repeatedly raping a woman over a two-week period.
Phillip Robbennolt-O’Connell has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of first-degree sexual assault and kidnapping.
The Maui News reported the 48-year-old Pukalani man was arrested last week after a woman reported to police that he bound her hands with a leather belt and choked her until she nearly lost consciousness.
The 40-year-old Makawao woman told police the assaults happened in remote areas of Haiku and Kipahulu after befriending him Dec. 1 at a shopping center.
She told police the ordeal ended a day or two before he was sentenced on Dec. 13 to a year of probation for the misdemeanor assault of a 20-year-old Kula woman.
His trial is scheduled for Feb. 24.
Barriers go up on Oahu’s North Shore
HONOLULU — State road crews have installed cement barriers to block off parking at Laniakea Beach despite local opposition.
KHON-TV said traffic was backed up along Kamehameha Highway on Oahu’s North Shore Monday as crews with the Hawaii Department of Transportation installed the barriers.
The North Shore Neighborhood Board and Laniakea Task Force voted earlier this year against installing the barriers.
The Department of Transportation plans to block off the parking area for one month to see whether the barriers will improve pedestrian safety.
Locals have complained that tourists and others have been parking in the lot and walking across the highway to see turtles at the beach. They also worry the barriers may become permanent.
North Shore residents would prefer a road realignment project.
By local and wire sources