Diabetes help in Hilo

Big Island residents are invited to attend weekly seminars at Hilo Medical Center on how to manage diabetes. The program meets each Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon. The first session was last Wednesday, but people may join at any point in the 10-week course. For more information, call Becky Stubbs at 933-0743.

Isle-born man dies in Washington

A Hawaii-born 27-year-old man was a victim in a double homicide in Washington state last week, investigators from the Vancouver Police Department said.

On Feb. 1, Christopher M. Haske, 27, was found dead with another man, Kenneth W. Koltz, 32, at a home on Northeast 40th Circle in Vancouver, Wash.

Both men died due to a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Clark County Medical Examiner.

At about 3:15 p.m. that day, Vancouver police responded to a call from a relative of one of the men who had visited the home and discovered the two bodies. The relationship of the two victims is unknown at this time, police said.

The Vancouver Police Department Major Crimes Team is investigating the case and interviewing possible witnesses but has released few details, including how the two men were allegedly killed.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Kauai police launch new online service

The Kauai Police Department is allowing the public to report suspicious activity or request services online.

"This is one part of a larger effort to foster better communication between the Police Department and the public," said Police Chief Darryl Perry. "We are especially excited about this new tool as it allows the public to report suspicious activity anonymously."

The website effort was headed by Paul Applegate, the department’s community relations sergeant.

The public also can submit online forms to request a speaker or one of the many services offered by the community relations sergeant. Special requests for other topics or services also can be arranged.

Applegate added that people should call 911 in an emergency, not use the online form. The forms are at www.kauai.gov/police.

Comments on wind farm are sought

The federal government is accepting additional comments on how a proposed expansion of a Maui wind farm would affect nene and other species.

First Wind LLC plans to build 14 turbines on 143 acres in West Maui southeast of the company’s existing windmills at Kaheawa.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said yesterday the public comment period for First Wind’s habitat conservation plan closed in December, but it is reopening the comment period for another 30 days at the public’s request. The new deadline is March 10.

The plan outlines the company plans to minimize, avoid and mitigate impacts on four threatened or endangered species: the ua’u or Hawaiian petrel, a’o or Newell’s shearwater, the nene and the ‘ope’ape’a or Hawaiian hoary bat.