Lawmaker to seek snake checks

State Rep. Barbara Marumoto plans to introduce legislation this year that would enable officials to resume cargo inspections to prevent brown tree snakes from sneaking into Hawaii on planes and ships from Guam.

Marumoto (R, Kalani Valley-Diamond Head) said in a statement Tuesday that budget cuts have allowed Hawaii’s inspection program to lapse. She says dogs used for cargo inspections have been given away.

The federal government funds a program to trap and poison the snakes on Guam and to pay inspectors to search cargo leaving the island.

Brown tree snakes would threaten Hawaii’s environment if they ever became established here.

The reptile native to Australia and the Solomon Islands ate into extinction nine out of 11 forest birds on Guam since it was accidentally introduced there after World War II.

Hanamaulu man dies after being hit by pickup

A Kauai man died Wednesday morning after he was hit by a truck while crossing Kuhio Highway in Hanamaulu, the county police said.

Police identified the man as Nepumuceno Kabigtin, 69, of Hanamaulu.

Kabigtin was not in a marked crosswalk when he crossed Kuhio Highway near the Laukona Street junction at about 5:45 a.m., police said.

A northbound Toyota pickup truck driven by a 59-year-old man struck him.

He was taken to Wilcox Hospital, where he died. The driver was not hurt.

Police closed Kuhio Highway between Laukona and Laulima streets until about 8:15 a.m.

Trolling to be allowed near Kahoolawe

Trolling (fishing by dragging lines from a boat) will be allowed in normally restricted waters around Kahoolawe Jan. 14-15 and Jan. 28-29, the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission announced.

Boats must register annually with the commission before entering the area.

To register or for more information, contact Dean Tokishi at 243-5889 or dtokishi@kirc.hawaii.gov, or visit kahoolawe.hawaii.gov to download a registration packet. Registration packets are also available at the Division of Boating and Recreation at 101 Maalaea Boat Harbor Road and at Maui Sporting Goods at 92 Market St. in Wailuku. There is a $25 registration fee.

Fishermen are also required to file a catch report with the commission.

Access to the ocean around Kahoolawe is restricted because of the presence of unexploded ordnance, as well as to protect marine resources within the reserve.