Parts of H-1, H-3 to close for police training
Parts of the H-1 and H-3 freeways between Honolulu Airport and the Windward side will be shut down this afternoon and again Tuesday night so police can conduct escort training.
The closings will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. today and from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Parts of Kaneohe Bay Drive will also be closed, police said. Motorists are advised to avoid these areas and use alternate routes.
While police would not disclose the reason for the training, President Barack Obama and his family are again expected to visit Oahu and stay in Kailua during the Christmas season.
Sirens to sound in checks of operations
Civil defense will test sirens in four locations from 9 a.m. to noon today. Sirens will sound for 30 seconds at Woodlawn-upper Manoa, Sand Island Park, Honolulu Airport-Aolewa Place and Salt Lake District Park.
Technicians want to learn whether sirens are working or need maintenance.
The monthly statewide siren test will take place at 11:45 a.m. Monday, the first working day of the month.
Oahu residents may call state Civil Defense at 733-4300 if they have any questions or concerns about the test.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Illegal gambling sweep nets 6
Authorities arrested six people on Hawaii island Wednesday on charges that they operated an illegal gambling business or a related offense, the U.S. attorney’s office announced.
Arrested were Eric Ford, 45; Marlo Banasan, 34; Matthew Phillips, 39; Kendale Limahai, 47; Jonah Yardley, 37; and Trevor Carter, 24.
A seventh defendant, Robert Bland, 35, was arrested earlier in Arizona. All had been indicted by a federal grand jury in Honolulu on Nov. 20.
The grand jury also charged Eric and Barbara Ford with 25 counts of structuring financial transactions to evade federal reporting requirements. A penal summons was issued for Barbara Ford.
U.S. Attorney Florence Nakakuni said that according to the indictment, Eric Ford operated an illegal gambling business from at least November 2009 until Nov. 20, 2012, out of a water company in Kailua-Kona. The indictment alleges the operation included sports betting, poker and craps and used an offshore gaming website.
A conviction on the gambling charge or structuring charge each would carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
FBI and IRS agents took part in the case, which was initiated by Hawaii County police.
Lau will fill director spot
Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi on Tuesday named Deputy Managing Director Wally Lau as his new managing director, replacing Bill Takaba, who is retiring.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports Lau will be based at his current office in the West Hawaii Civic Center. Randy Kurohara, Department of Research and Development director, will become deputy managing director, staffing the office in Hilo.
