In Brief | Big Island & State | 5-28-14

Hokulea departure delayed again

Departure of Polynesian Voyaging Society canoes Hokulea and Hikianalia from Hilo has been delayed for a second time because of a lack of wind, according to the society’s website.

“In the real-life sailing scenario, everything is driven by the weather, everything is driven by the wind,” pwo (master) navigator Kalepa Baybayan said.

The crew is hoping favorable wind conditions for departure from Palekai, aka Radio Bay, to Tahiti either today or Thursday. It was originally hoped the double-hulled canoes, which are on a world voyage called Malama Honua, would depart Saturday.

“Delaying departure is a common thing for us because of safety. We don’t want to leave where the winds can be so strong where someone can get hurt. If we were just to leave Hilo, and there was no wind, we would just be floating in the bay for a day or two,” navigator Keahi Omai said.

“It’s the winds that’s going to take you home or take you to where you want to go. So we just need to be patient for the right shift in the right direction,” Baybayan said.

Police make DUI arrests

During the week of May 19 to Sunday, Hawaii Island police arrested 18 motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Four of the drivers were involved in traffic accidents. Five were younger than 21.

So far this year, there have been 506 DUI arrests compared with 530 during the same period last year, a decrease of 4.5 percent.

There have been 637 major accidents so far this year compared with 560 during the same period last year, an increase of 13.8 percent. So far this year, there have been seven traffic fatalities on Hawaii Island compared with 13 during the same period last year, a decrease of 46.2 percent. To date, four fatalities were related to drugs, alcohol, or a combination of both.

DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue islandwide.

Police identify crash victim

A 30-year-old Hilo man died Sunday from injuries he suffered in a one-vehicle crash on the Puainako Street extension between mile markers 4 and 5.

The driver was identified as Palani B. Cobb-Adams of Hilo.

Responding to a 4:21 a.m. call, South Hilo patrol officers determined the man was operating a 1994 Toyota pickup truck and traveling west on the Puainako Street extension when he crossed the centerline and collided with a street sign and embankment.

Fire Rescue personnel took him to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 5:21 a.m.

Police believe alcohol may have been a factor in this crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone with information about this crash to call Officer Casey Cabral at 961-8889.

This is the seventh traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with 13 at this time last year.

Nobriga charged with escape

A 37-year-old Puna man has been charged with escape and other offenses after he failed to report to a correctional facility last year as required.

Aaron Nobriga of Mountain View was scheduled to report to Hale Nani on Nov. 4, after an extended work furlough, but he never appeared.

An officer located him May 17 in a sport utility vehicle in the Kukui Camp area. Nobriga fled from the officer, smashing into the officer’s car as he drove away.

On Wednesday, police located Nobriga in a stolen car in Mountain View. He was arrested and taken to the Hilo police cellblock while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.

At 6 p.m. Thursday he was charged with escape, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, first-degree criminal property damage and second-degree criminal property damage. His bail was set at $70,000.

Old Puako Road one lane Saturday

In conjunction with the Ironman 70.3 Hawaii qualifier event for the Ironman World Championship, there will be a temporary one-way traffic pattern on Old Puako Road in the South Kohala District, the police department said.

Traffic will be allowed to flow in the southerly direction on Old Puako Road between the entrance to Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area and the entrance to Waialea Bay, 69 Beach.

The one-way traffic pattern will be in effect 4:30 to 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

Hawaii-based military command under investigation

HONOLULU — A Hawaii-based military command responsible for finding, recovering and identifying missing-in-action service members is being investigated for money spent on a gravel road in Papua New Guinea.

The Defense Department confirms an investigation is underway but officials won’t reveal the actual expenditure for the roadwork.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Tuesday the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command known as JPAC is being investigated for spending as much as $12 million on a 3.4-mile road to reach a World War II battlefield in Papua New Guinea. But officials say it’s not clear how many missing American service members’ remains can be recovered.

American and Australian forces fought the Japanese on the Papuan Peninsula in late 1942 and early 1943.

Norovirus sickens about 100 at Waikiki hotel

HONOLULU — State health officials are supervising disinfection measures at a major Waikiki hotel after about 100 guests and workers became sick from norovirus.

Royal Hawaiian Hotel spokeswoman Stephanie Dowling said the affected people received medical attention and one guest required hospitalization, but it’s not clear if the hospitalization was because of the virus.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported health officials confirm the illnesses are because of norovirus. According to the Centers for Disease Control, norovirus causes inflammation of the stomach, intestines, or both, leading to stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The hotel kitchen was closed temporarily. State Epidemiologist Sarah Park said closing the kitchen was a precautionary measure to halt any potential spread.

Guam anticipates $22M Medicaid funding shortfall

HAGATNA, Guam — Public health officials on Guam are anticipating a $22 million funding shortfall in its Medicaid program this fiscal year.

The Pacific Daily News reported Tuesday that the shortfall could create problems for Guam Memorial Hospital, one of the largest care providers for patients under the Medicaid program.

Federal funds are available to pay for Medicaid patients, but that money can’t be released until local funds are identified to pay a percentage of each claim.

Tess Archangel, director of the Public Welfare Division at the Department of Public Health and Social Services, has requested $8 million in federal funds. But those funds do not currently have local matching funds available.

She said if enough local funds are identified, that will decrease the projected shortfall in Medicaid this fiscal year.

Group: Guam adults referred to protective services

HAGATNA, Guam — A Guam coalition says 172 of the island’s elderly residents or disabled adults have been referred to protective services as victims of abuse between January and April.

Pacific Daily News reported the Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence has launched a social media campaign focused on senior citizens on the group’s Facebook page.

According to the coalition, 30 percent of those referred to adult protective services in the first four months of the year were victims of emotional or psychological abuse.

The group said another 28 percent were victims of property or financial exploitation.

By local and wire sources