Police searching for missing Kohala man
Hawaii Island police are searching for a 38-year-old Kohala man who was reported missing.
Jonathan Riveira was last seen Sunday afternoon at a Hawi home, according to the Hawaii County Police Department, which noted Riveira has a medical condition that requires medication.
He is 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 145 pounds with brown eyes and short black hair, according to police.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Officer Dayton Tagaca at 889-6540.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-8300 in Hilo and may eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
High surf advisory remains in effect
A high surf advisory remains in effect for north- and west-facing shores of Hawaii Island through 6 a.m. Sunday.
The National Weather Service in Honolulu forecast waves ranging in height from 10 to 15 feet along north-facing shores and surf ranging in height from 6 to 10 feet along west-facing shores. Forecasters said the surf is being fueled by a large northwest swell.
The service categorized the surf’s impact as “moderate” and advises the public to expect strong breaking waves and rip currents that can make swimming dangerous and heed advice given by ocean safety officials.
Police: Diver died from medical condition
An autopsy conducted in connection with the Dec. 12 death of a scuba diver in waters off the Kona Coast determined 55-year-old California resident James Uihlein died from a medical condition, according to the Hawaii County Police Department.
Hilo man facing theft, forgery charges
Hawaii Island police have charged 51-year-old Benjamin Fonseca of Hilo, who was arrested Thursday on suspicion of theft and forgery.
At 2:15 p.m. Friday, detectives charged Fonseca with one count of second-degree theft and 28 counts of second-degree forgery. His bail was set at $58,000.
He is being held at the Hilo police cellblock pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Tuesday.
Homicides highlight homeless dangers
HONOLULU — The state’s coordinator on homelessness said recent killings of five men highlight how dangerous it can be to live on Honolulu’s streets.
Colin Kippen said there needs to be a solution for permanent housing beyond moving people from sidewalk to sidewalk.
Police are investigating the deaths of five Oahu homeless men in the past six months.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Friday that Kippen said a $2.1 million federal grant recently awarded to the state Department of Health should help provide additional case management services.
A homeless count last year found about 3,000 people in shelters and nearly 1,500 without shelter on Oahu.
The most recent death was a stabbing Monday of a man sleeping near a Kailua restaurant. Police are asking the public for help locating a suspect.
Kauai considers curbing barking dogs
LIHUE, Kauai — Kauai is considering new restrictions against dogs that bark too much, but some residents worry that could fuel neighbor-on-neighbor arguments.
The Garden Island reported Friday that the Kauai County Council is considering a bill that would fine dog owners if their dogs bark “continuously or incessantly” for 10 minutes or intermittently over 30 minutes.
Executive Director Penny Cistaro of the Kauai Humane Society said it will encourage neighbors to keep a log of barking episodes to serve as a legal document and help the organization decide what to do. Some Kauai residents said that system would be misused.
Dora Sloger of Eleele said in written testimony that she’s concerned the proposed law would allow the humane society to harass people.
American Samoa begins amnesty program
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa — American Samoa is granting amnesty to immigrants living in the U.S. territory illegally.
The territory controls its own immigration and customs, instead of the federal government.
Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga said the immigration amnesty program is intended to help provide a more accurate count of the island’s population, which showed a 3 percent drop during the 2010 U.S. Census count.
Moliga said it is believed the population was undercounted because of deportation fears.
After a registration period from Feb. 18 to March 14, those living in American Samoa without legal permission will be given an opportunity to legalize their residency status.
Convicted felons are not eligible.
Most people living in American Samoa without legal permission are from neighboring Samoa, an independent country with linguistic, cultural and familial ties.
Elementary school briefly under lockdown
HONOLULU — A Honolulu elementary school was briefly under lockdown Friday morning as police searched the area for an armed man.
Kauluwela Elementary School Principal Clayton Kaninau said the lockdown lasted about 45 minutes. He said police told him it was prompted by a fight at the nearby Times Supermarket at Liliha Square, where a handgun was possibly seen.
He said all was calm while police did a sweep of the school, as students and teachers remained in their classrooms. He said police also searched a nearby park.
State Department of Education spokeswoman Donalyn Dela Cruz said officials are gathering information about what happened.
By local and wire sources