Report of shots uncovers gambling

Honolulu police, responding to a report of gunfire near Kekaulike Street, uncovered an illegal gambling house yesterday in Chinatown. The gaming room was on the second floor of 162 N. King St.

"It’s a fair-sized operation as far as gambling rooms go," said Honolulu police Capt. Jerry Inouye of the Narcotics Vice Division.

Officers received reports of gunfire, and bystanders also flagged down officers on bicycles about 5:30 p.m., Inouye said.

Responding officers couldn’t find any evidence of a shooting, but did find 12 video slot machines on the second floor and about 12 people inside, Inouye said.

Officers handcuffed about eight people from the building, but they were released, and there were no arrests.

"No one was willing to admit there was any kind of shooting or robbery," Inouye said.

Police said the gambling machines would be confiscated.

The report of gunfire forced police to close North King Street at River Street for about 30 minutes to investigate. No injuries were reported.

Drowning victim was from Japan

A 60-year-old woman who drowned Tuesday while snorkeling at Kaneohe Bay has been identified by the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office as Akiko Toeda of Honcho, Japan.

Toeda drowned in an accident, the office said.

Toeda, who was with a tour group, was found face down in the water off Heeia Kea Boat Harbor about 2:30 p.m. Police said she died at the scene.