HAWAII BRIEFS
Auto theft suspect pursued, arrested
Advertiser Staff
Police yesterday arrested an 18-year-old man on suspicion of auto theft in Halawa.
Police said the suspect has ties going back five years to an auto-theft ring that has been stealing autos in 'Aiea, Halawa and Pearl City for years.
In yesterday's case, police dispatch received a call about a hazardous driver on the H-3 Freeway. A check of the license number showed the car had been reported stolen. Patrol units and HPD's helicopter located the vehicle on the freeway and tracked it.
The helicopter followed as the driver headed onto Moanalua Freeway, where he hit a guardrail. The driver ran off but was found by police hiding in bushes off Moanalua Freeway in Halawa at 4 p.m.
TRUCK OVERTURNS, SPILLING SEWAGE
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — The driver of a septic truck suffered minor injuries yesterday when the truck overturned, spilling its load of untreated sewage on Kainahola Road. Police say the 46-year-old Kapa'a woman who was driving the truck was taken to Wilcox Memorial Hospital for treatment.
They say excessive speed may have been a factor when she lost control of the truck filled with about 3,200 gallons of sewage and it rolled onto its side between Kainahola Reservoir and the Kapa'a Poi Factory. Kainahola Road was closed for about 90 minutes as police and the Kaua'i Fire Department's hazardous materials team responded to the scene.
State health officials were notified of the accident.
TASK FORCE NABS 91 WANTED FELONS
A federal, state and county law enforcement operation on the Big Island led to the arrest of 91 wanted felons last week.
U.S. Marshal Mark Hanohano says the four-day operation that ended Friday was led by the Hawaii Fugitive Task Force.
More than 50 officers from 10 agencies were involved, 130 warrants were executed and 13 new criminal cases were opened.
The operation targeted fugitives with warrants or criminal histories related to narcotics violations, crimes of violence or sexual assault.
Hanohano said the capture of career criminals will result in a reduction of crime and safer communities.
KAUA'I BRIDGE PROJECT BEGINS
The 10-month Kilauea Bridge replacement project on Kaua'i will start tomorrow and sections of Kolo Road and Lili'uokalani Street will be closed through the end of January 2009.
County officials advise motorists to allow additional travel time while driving to and from Kilauea, and to follow the posted speed limit and other traffic signs while driving in the area, particularly at the intersection of Kolo Road and Kuhio Highway.
The road closure is at the following locations:
For more information, call Alex Pascual of the Kaua'i Department of Public Works at 808-241-6153 or Kenn Hallquist with Kiewit Pacific Co. at 808-828-6511.
KE'EHI DETOUR FOR H-1 TRAFFIC
Westbound traffic on the H-1 Freeway will be detoured at the Ke'ehi Interchange onto Nimitz Highway this week from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., for bridge expansion joint replacement work. Work is scheduled to end Thursday morning.
The H-1 Freeway Airport Viaduct connector ramp will be closed from the Nimitz Highway off-ramp, just beyond the Middle Street Tunnel, to the Kakoi Street overpass. Westbound H-1 traffic will be detoured onto Nimitz and will be able to rejoin the H-1 Freeway at the Valkenburgh Street on-ramp.
Westbound motorists are advised to use alternate routes including Moanalua Freeway or the Nimitz Highway on-ramp near Sand Island Access Road.
HEARINGS SET ON DRIVER'S EXAMS
A series of public hearings regarding language changes to rules related to driver's license examinations are being held this week. The first was yesterday on Kaua'i. Other meetings will be as follows.
Maui: Today, 9 to 11 a.m., Maui Highway District Office, 650 Palapala Drive, Kahului.
Big Island: Tomorrow, 9 to 11 a.m., Hilo airport training room.
O'ahu: Friday, 9 to 11 a.m., Ali'iaimoku Hale, 869 Punchbowl St., fifth floor.
MEDIA CAMP ON MAUI FOR STUDENTS
Akaku: Maui Community Television will hold a "Young Reporters Media Camp" for middle and high school students over spring break.
The weeklong camp will run from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. weekdays from March 17 to 21. The cost is $200, with scholarships available.
Participants will learn about video journalism and be certified to use Akaku cameras and editing equipment to contribute content to "The Maui Daily" current events program.
To apply or for more information, call 808-871-5554, or e-mail Sara Tekula at sara@akaku.org.
HALAWA SITE OF EASTER EGG HUNT
The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt/Teen and Adult Games on March 15 at Halawa District Park.
About 300 children are expected to hunt for real, hard-boiled, dyed Easter eggs. There will be four age groups: 3 years and under, 4 years to kindergarten, grades 1 to 3 and grades 4 to 6. Games for teens and adults will follow the egg hunts.
The event will start at 8:30 a.m. and admission is free. Eggs Hawaii/Hawaiian Maid Eggs is supporting this annual Easter Egg Hunt. For more information, call 483-7850.
