Briefs 02-16

Missing Puna teen sought

Big Island police are searching for a 17-year-old Puna man reported as missing since Jan. 26.

Chye Robert Kulakauka Galante is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing about 130 pounds with short black hair and brown eyes, according to the Hawaii Police Department.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts 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. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

Police seek 6 known to frequent Kona area

Big Island police are asking for the public’s help in locating six people, known to frequent Kona, who are wanted on outstanding bench warrants.

Alfred Sanches, 25, is known to frequent the Kona area. He is described as “local,” 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 155 pounds with a dark complexion and possibly a shaved head, according to the Hawaii Police Department.

Jacob Gonzales, 29, is known to frequent the Kona area. He is described as “local,” 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 145 pounds with a dark complexion and possibly a shaved head, according to police.

Garry Carvalho, 51, is known to frequent the Kona area. He is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 185 pounds with a dark complexion and black hair that is possibly worn long, according to police.

Victoria Piper, 32, lives in Kealakekua. She is described as Caucasian, 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 115 pounds with a fair complexion and long blond hair, according to police.

Matthew Akina, 22, was last seen in the Kailua-Kona area. He is described as “local,” 5 feet 9 inches, weighing 170 pounds with a fair complexion and short black hair, according to police.

Hakunaalii Kane, 18, is known to frequent the Kailua-Kona area. He is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds with a dark complexion and short black hair, according to police.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts 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. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

High surf forecast for west-facing shores

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a high surf advisory for the Big Island’s west-facing shores through 6 p.m. Friday.

The service said waves could range in height from 6 to 10 feet. The surf is expected to peak today and linger into Friday.

A high surf advisory means high surf could affect beaches in the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach erosion, according to the service.

Police investigate livestock shootings

KAUNAKAKAI, Molokai — Police are investigating the shooting deaths of livestock on a Molokai ranch.

Richard and Roxanne French say a horse and three cows were shot and killed in December. Then last week, two pregnant mares, a stud and a cow were shot in a breeding pasture. One of the horses is clinging to life, while the other animals have died.

Maui County police are investigating and there are no suspects.

Roxanne French says each mare is valued at $25,000 but the emotional loss runs deeper. She says she’s angry, while her husband is distraught. They’re working on putting together a reward for information.

The French family leases land near the Kalaupapa Lookout on the north side of the island.

Bank class-action settlements approved

HONOLULU — A state judge has approved a $9 million settlement between Bank of Hawaii and 160,000 customers in a class-action lawsuit over improper overdraft charges.

A separate $1.2 million settlement between Central Pacific Bank and 10,000 class members was approved last month.

Lawyers say customers who were charged at least two overdraft fees for ATM and debit card transactions on the same day will receive a portion of the settlements.

Each Bank of Hawaii customer could receive about $42, while each Central Pacific Bank customer could get about $90. The amounts will vary depending on amounts of overdraft charges.

The lawsuits stemmed from the method used to maximize debit and ATM overdraft fees by reordering transactions from the highest dollar amount to the lowest.

Rescued Canadians meet with Coast Guard

HONOLULU — The Canadian brothers and 9-year-old boy rescued from the ocean off Hawaii when their sailboat sank during a voyage from Mexico met with Coast Guardsmen who helped coordinate the mission to save them.

Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu staff told Brad James, his son, and James’ brother how they were able to divert the cargo ship Horizon Reliance to pick the three up.

The Coast Guard said in a news release Wednesday the family’s use of lifejackets was a major factor in their survival.

The three hit a series of storms while sailing from Mexico to Hawaii. High winds snapped their mast and choppy water overheated their engine about 300 miles from their destination.

Cruise line to pay back wages to Hawaii workers

HONOLULU — Norwegian Cruise Lines has agreed to pay more than $526,000 to more than 2,000 cruise workers in Hawaii after federal officials investigated minimum wage and overtime violations.

The U.S. Department of Labor said Wednesday its investigation found Norwegian paid employees straight time for mandatory Saturday emergency drills, regardless of the number of hours they had worked weekly.

The investigation also found workers were paid less than minimum wage because Norwegian took large meal and lodging credits. Housekeeping staff weren’t paid for time spent cleaning cabins between cruises. And employees weren’t paid for hours worked before their scheduled shifts.

The Pride of America is the only U.S. flagship in the Miami-based company’s fleet. The vessel’s ports of call are in Hawaii.

Norwegian did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

UH fire caused by electrical wiring

HONOLULU — Faulty wiring is being blamed for a fire in a building where University of Hawaii records were stored.

Fire officials say it appears electrical wiring in the fiscal building at the Manoa campus overheated Sunday, causing an estimated $1.25 million in damage and concerns over the records and documents inside.

University officials have said payroll and student loan functions were backed up electronically and will continue without interruption.

The fire has been classified as unintentional.

State lawmakers considering soda tax

HONOLULU — Coca-Cola and Pepsi are united in opposition of a proposal that would assess a surcharge on all sugar-sweetened beverages sold in the Hawaii.

Last year, Gov. Neil Abercrombie proposed a soda tax as a method to fight obesity and balance the state budget.

This time, the idea comes from senators, although state Department of Health Director Loretta Fuddy said the administration appreciates the intent of the bill.

According to Fuddy, a tax on sugary beverages is one of several public health policies recommended by prominent national organizations to fight obesity and the over-consumption of sugar.

Health professionals also lent their support to the proposal, which has drawn opposition from beverage and retail industry groups, as well as soft drink companies.

Senate Bill 3019 will be heard Wednesday.

Hawaii high court to convene at high school

HONOLULU — The Hawaii Supreme Court will be hearing arguments at a Honolulu high school.

The state Judiciary says this will be the first time that the court has convened at a high school. On Thursday, the court will hear oral arguments in a case at Farrington High School’s auditorium.

Convening at the school is part of a new community program to educate students and the public about the role of the Judiciary.

About 200 students from Farrington and Mililani high schools will be in the audience to hear the arguments, which will also be open to the public.

Capitol artwork will be on display March 2

HONOLULU — The 4th annual Art at the Capitol event gives the public an opportunity to view more than 460 pieces of art on display in legislative and executive offices.

The event will be held in conjunction with the First Friday art walk on March 2.

The pieces showcased in lawmakers’ offices have been purchased through the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Some of the artists will be present at the event.

In addition to viewing artwork, the event is a chance to talk to legislators, take a historical tour of the Capitol and listen to student quartets play chamber music.

For more information, call 586-6460 or email artatthecapitol@gmail.com.

Suspect killed woman then self

HALEIWA, Oahu — Police are investigating the shooting deaths of a man and woman on Oahu’s North Shore as a murder-suicide.

A police spokeswoman says a man broke into a home Wednesday morning and fired multiple gun shots. An officer in the area heard the shots, went to the home and found the bodies of a man and woman in the garage. A second man had been shot at, but wasn’t hit. He was treated for minor injuries.

Police say the suspected gunman then fatally shot himself. A gun was recovered at the scene.

Feds OK Hawaii’s revised education plan

HONOLULU — Amendments to Hawaii’s Race to the Top plan have been approved but the U.S. Department of Education still wants to see progress in reforming public schools.

In December, Hawaii was warned its $75 million grant is in jeopardy because of unsatisfactory progress. Hawaii must now prove that progress is being made when officials from Washington, D.C. visit the islands next month.

The Honolulu Star-AA letter to the governor from the Education Department says Hawaii must provide “clear and compelling” evidence of progress.

Recently approved changes include using $3 million to develop a teacher evaluation system that takes into account student academic growth instead of using the money for implementation.

A labor dispute with teachers and the lack of a collective bargaining agreement are major obstacles to reforms.

By local and wire sources