Donated buses become living quarters

Six donated buses have been transformed into shelter for Hawaii’s homeless.

Longtime homeless advocate Utu Langi took the buses donated by Roberts Hawaii and turned them into homes parked on state land near downtown Honolulu.

KHON reported Thursday the buses were gutted and transformed with help from volunteers to serve as sleeping quarters for singles and families. Buses with eight beds are used to house men and women separately, while the buses with two beds are for families.

Winds up to 50 mph to hit Kauai and Oahu

The National Weather Service advises Kauai and Oahu residents that they can expect strong winds gusting up to 50 mph from about noon to 6 p.m. today.

Northeast winds will increase this morning to 25 to 30 mph, gusting up to 50 mph, the weather service says. Strong winds are forecast to continue through tonight. Forecasters advise residents to secure any loose objects outdoors or move them inside.

Striped mullet season ends next week

Fishing season for striped mullet in Hawaii ends Thursday, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources is warning the public that violators can be punished by fines or jail time. The fishing season for striped mullet, also known as amaama, will resume April 1.

DLNR Director William Aila said, "The annual winter closure is designed to help the fish reproduce successfully and protect the species from overfishing."

Violating the closure is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and 30 days in jail. Each fish taken can also bring a $100 fine.

25th Infantry getting new commander

Army Maj. Gen. William K. Fuller has been named commander of the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks.

The Army said Friday that Fuller would replace Maj. Gen. Bernard Champoux, who is being appointed assistant chief of staff for U.S. Forces Korea and the deputy commanding general of the Eighth U.S. Army in South Korea.

Fuller is now the deputy commander of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command in Fort Bragg, N.C.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Forgery charges purchased with counterfeit cash

Two Hawaii County men have been charged in connection with the manufacturing and passing of counterfeit U.S. currency in the Hilo area.

At 10:38 p.m. Nov. 19, South Hilo patrol officers arrested Chase K. Tam, 24, of Hilo and Alexander M. Barnett, 27, of Keaau on multiple counts of forgery after they allegedly used counterfeit currency at a Hilo gas station.

Tam was charged Monday with one count each of first-degree forgery and third-degree theft. His bail was set at $5,500, and he appeared in South Hilo District Court on Tuesday.

Barnett was charged Thursday with 36 counts of first-degree forgery. His bail was set at $360,000. He made his initial appearance Friday in South Hilo District Court.

According to court documents, police searched Barnett’s home and found evidence of a counterfeiting operation. During a later search of Barnett’s vehicle, police found 36 separate counterfeit U.S. currency notes. The U.S. Secret Service determined the currency was counterfeit.

Water utility sets meetings on rate hikes

The Kauai Department of Water will conduct four community meetings to discuss proposed rate increases that range from 7.5 percent to 11.2 percent per year for four years.

The rate increases would take into effect Jan. 1. Here is the schedule of meetings:

» Tuesday: Lihue Neighborhood Center

» Wednesday: Kalaheo Neighborhood Center

» Dec. 5: Kapaa Neighborhood Center

» Dec. 6: Hale Halawai in Hanalei

All meetings will begin at 7 p.m.