Kauai lights shielded to protect seabirds

Kauai County workers are disconnecting nonshielded exterior lights at all county facilities to prepare for the Newell’s shearwater fledgling season that begins Sept. 15.

Over the past year, the Department of Public Works has shielded hundreds of exterior lights as part of a plea agreement between the county and the U.S. Department of Justice to protect Hawaii’s threatened and endangered seabirds.

Shearwaters are disoriented by bright lights at tennis courts, football stadiums and other facilities that throw the birds off course during the three-month fledgling season. The birds circle the lights and fall to the ground exhausted and are in danger of being attacked by cats or run over by cars.

Under the agreement, Kauai Interscholastic Football games are limited to four evening games during the fledgling season.

Man confesses to bank account ID fraud

A man admitted using bank accounts he opened under false names to move money between Hawaii and Los Angeles for Korean women working in bars and massage parlors, according to a federal grand jury indictment returned Thursday.

Young Mo Sung conducted 254 transactions totaling more than $1.5 million from January 2009 to May this year in amounts less than $10,000 to evade mandatory reporting requirements, the indictment says.

Sung is also facing passport and visa fraud charges.

Gabbard to speak at Democratic convention

U.S. House candidate Tulsi Gabbard plans to speak at the Democratic National Convention next week.

Campaign officials for the 31-year-old veteran likely to win in Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District in November say Gabbard will be part of a segment led by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.

The segment is titled "The Women of the House," and includes six congresswomen and two candidates, including Gabbard.

Gabbard says she plans to speak about the sacrifices of military members, including women.

She says she’s looking forward to sharing Hawaii’s aloha with others.

Gabbard resigned from her post at the Honolulu City Council last month after winning the Democratic primary for the House race. She’s expected to easily win in November against a Republican candidate with no significant backing.