HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Grounded ship's fuel monitored
Advertiser Staff
The Coast Guard yesterday continued monitoring the removal of fuel from a fishing vessel that ran aground Friday evening at Kawaihoa Point, near the southern tip of Ni'ihau.
Two men aboard the 44-foot Wahine Kepaloa II were airlifted by a Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter. Neither man reported injuries. The vessel remains grounded and is breaking up, according to the Coast Guard, which is working in cooperation with the state Department of Health and the Robinson family, which owns the island.
The Coast Guard said an investigator reported no signs of pollution and no visible effect on marine life or birds in the immediate area after a comprehensive assessment early yesterday.
O'AHU
KALAELOA BODY IDENTIFIED
The Honolulu Medical Examiner's Office has identified one of two men who were found dead Saturday in O'ahu shorewaters at separate locations.
The body found off White Plains Beach in Kalaeloa was identified as that of Scot Gomes, 37, of Wai'anae. He was pronounced dead by EMS at around 3:20 p.m.
Another man believed to be in his 30s or 40s was found in the surf off Kapahulu Groin early Saturday morning near a popular Waikiki bodyboarding spot known as The Wall. EMS pronounced that man dead around 5:15 a.m.
Authorities have not identified the Waikiki victim. The cause of death for both men is pending autopsies.
Police investigations are continuing.
MANOA
MAPS AVAILABLE AGAIN AT LIBRARY
Maps salvaged after a Halloween Eve flood swept through Manoa in 2004 are once again available at the University of Hawai'i's Hamilton Library.
The library's map collection has not been available to patrons for more than two years, and many of the maps and aerial photographs now available were professionally cleaned and restored. Many more maps were replaced.
The maps and photos can be viewed at the library by appointment only.
To make an appointment or for more information, call 956-6199.
PEARL HARBOR
FORD MOURNING CLOSES SHIPYARD
Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard will be closed tomorrow in observance of the National Day of Mourning for Gerald R. Ford, the 38th president of the United States.
The closure complies with the executive order of President George W. Bush.
Some federal organizations will remain open for reasons of national security or other essential public business.
At Marine Corps Base Hawai'i, a gun salute is planned in recognition of the day of mourning.
MAUI
BOOZE, FIREWORKS BANNED AT PARK
HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK — Alcohol and fireworks are banned from Haleakala National Park today.
The ban is in effect for both the summit and Kipahulu areas of the park. All park campgrounds and campsites will be open.
The drive-up campgrounds in Kipahulu and Hosmer Grove do not require a permit, but the number of people using Kipahulu is limited to 100, and 50 at Hosmer Grove, with each group of campers limited to no more than 12 people.
Permits are required for backcountry campsites at Holua and Paliku. They can be obtained at Park Headquarters Visitor Center from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the day the camper goes into the backcountry; permits are not issued in advance or over the phone.
When all campsites are full, permits will no longer be issued.
The park entrance fee is $10 per private vehicle, good for three days. An annual pass is $20.
WAIKIKI
M.L. KING PARADE SEEKS PARTICIPANTS
Participants are being sought for Honolulu's 19th annual Martin Luther King, Jr., parade, which is scheduled for Jan. 15 in Waikiki.
Groups that wish to take part in the parade can find an application at www.mlk-hawaii .com.
The application can be faxed to parade chairman Bill Rushing at 672-4129, which is also a phone number for information about the parade.
The parade begins at 9 a.m. at Magic Island and will make its way through Waikiki to Kapi'olani Park.
Participants should arrive by 7:30 a.m.
