Big Island police are investigating the theft of three purebred German shepherd dogs from a Puna kennel.
Dogs stolen
from Puna kennel
Big Island police are investigating the theft of three purebred German shepherd dogs from a Puna kennel.
On May 6, a kennel was broken into at a home on 2nd Avenue in the Hawaiian Paradise Park subdivision. The dogs — two males named Kujo and Mondavi and a female named Max — were removed from the property. The dogs are valued at $2,500 each.
Anyone with information about the theft or the location of the dogs should call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or Detective Wendall Carter at 961-2378.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
Pavao named to state water committee
Former Water Department Manager Milton Pavao has been named to the state Committee on Water Resource Management.
Pavao will begin his term as commissioner today at a meeting in Honolulu.
13 arrested for suspected DUI
Police arrested 13 drivers for suspected drunken driving between July 8 and Sunday; five were involved in traffic accidents and one was younger than 21.
Police have made 659 suspected DUI arrests this year compared with 742 during the same period in 2011, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Kona officers arrested five while Puna, South Kohala and South Hilo officers arrested two in each district. Ka‘u officers arrested one and North Hilo officers arrested one.
There have been 728 major accidents this year compared with 793 during the same period last year.
To date, there have been 19 traffic fatalities on Big Island public roadways, compared with 18 fatalities during the same period in 2012, according to police. To date, one of those fatalities was related to drugs, one to alcohol and two were a combination of both.
Police promotions announced
Chief Harry S. Kubojiri promoted six police officers to the rank of sergeant/detective.
Detective Clarence Davies is assigned to the Area I Criminal Investigations Section in East Hawaii. He was previously an officer assigned to the Traffic Enforcement Unit in East Hawaii. He joined the Police Department in October 2003.
Sgt. Zachary O. Fernando, who was previously a Community Policing officer in Hamakua, is now assigned to the Ka‘u District. He joined the Police Department in October 2003.
Sgt. Paul D. Kim, who most recently worked as a Traffic Enforcement Unit officer in East Hawaii, is now assigned to South Hilo Patrol. He joined the Police Department in October 2003.
Sgt. Mekia Rose is assigned to Kona Patrol. His previous assignment was as an Area II Vice Section officer in West Hawaii. He joined the Police Department in August 2004.
Detective Levon P. Stevens is assigned to the Area II Criminal Investigations Section in Kona. His previous assignment was as an officer in the North Kohala District. He joined the department in August 2004.
Detective Dean M. Uyetake, is assigned to the Area I Criminal Investigations Section in Hilo. His most recent assignment was as a patrol officer assigned to the South Hilo District. He joined the Police Department in October 2003.
The promotions took effect Tuesday.
Hawaii gets $703K
for jobless program
The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded approximately $64.3 million to 38 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia to implement or continue re-employment and eligibility assessments for individuals who receive unemployment benefits. Hawaii was awarded $703,100.
“The grants announced today will help individuals and families facing unemployment get back to work quickly,” said acting Secretary of Labor Seth D. Harris. “This is a win-win-win for those looking for work, employers who want to pay less taxes and states struggling to control their budgets.”
The funds will be used to provide UI beneficiaries with personalized, re-employment plans based on the claimant’s career interests and local labor market information. These assessments are done in-person and participants will receive referrals to re-employment services or training provided by the American Job Center.
The program will also allow for a complete review of the claimants eligibility for UI benefits, to help reduce incidences of improper payments. A recent report by Impaq International found strong evidence showing that re-employment and eligibility assessments expedite the return of the unemployed to the workforce.
Hilo Products pistachios recalled over salmonella
HONOLULU — Bags of pistachios made by a Hilo company are being recalled for possible salmonella contamination.
Hawaii News Now reported yesterday the Food and Drug Administration says batches of Hilo Products Roasted & Salted Natural Pistachios may carry the bacteria.
The bags in question were distributed by Los Angeles-based Tom and Glasser Inc. to Hawaii, California and Arizona.
Each bag has a lot code, 0923, that can be found on the back corner next to the seal.
Customers who have purchased the nuts are advised not to eat them. They can return them for a full refund.
The company has also set up an information line at (800) 282-6887.
According to the FDA, salmonella bacteria can cause severe infections that can turn fatal.
By local and wire sources