Congressional hopefuls spent $10 per vote

U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa spent nearly $1.2 million in her successful re-election campaign in November against former congressman Charles Djou, or about $10.29 a vote.

Djou spent more than $977,100, or about $10.09 a vote, according to federal campaign-finance reports.

Hanabusa, D-Hawaii, raised more than $1.2 million for her campaign. Djou, a Republican, brought in more than $695,600 and carried over money from previous campaigns.

Hanabusa defeated Djou 53 percent to 44 percent in their rematch in urban Honolulu’s 1st Congressional District.

High surf advisory posted across state

A high surf advisory is in effect for the north and west shores of Oahu, Kauai and Niihau, the northern shores of Molokai and Maui, and the western shores of Hawaii island until 6 p.m. today.

The National Weather Service said a west-northwesterly swell would build Friday night and Saturday, and remain at advisory levels through the rest of the weekend.

Surf is expected to reach 10 to 16 feet for north shores and 8 to 12 feet for western shores, peaking Saturday.

Kamchatka poses Pacific tsunami threat

The latest trove of information being retrieved after decades of Soviet-era secrecy has far-reaching implications for the Pacific Rim, according to a University of Washington professor of earth and space sciences.

Information on seismic and volcanic activity in the Kamchatka Peninsula and Kuril Islands is relatively scant, in part because Soviet officials shut down outside access to what is now called the Russian Far East. However, examination of tsunami deposits and other evidence of prehistoric events in the area over the past decade have revealed that the area is a hotbed of activity, one that has the potential to trigger tsunamis in the rest of the Pacific Basin, according to Jody Bourgeois, who last week addressed the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco.

A magnitude-9 earthquake in the Russian Far East in 1952 caused significant damage elsewhere in the Pacific. Powerful earthquakes also struck the central Kurils in 2006 and 2007, producing local tsunamis as tall as 50 feet. Demonstrating the far-flung effects of such activity, a tsunami triggered by the 2006 quake caused more than $10 million in damage in Crescent City, Calif.

Bourgeois said more research will help scientists better understand the region’s seismic and volcanic threats.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Exam ordered for man charged in shooting

A Hilo judge has ordered a mental evaluation for a 72-year-old Hawaiian Beaches man accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend four times in Panaewa on Mother’s Day.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports that Circuit Judge Glenn Hara on Thursday ordered an evaluation of Joseph Amormino Sr. by a panel of three mental health professionals. He scheduled a hearing on the findings for Jan. 8.

Amormino, a retired Hawaii Community Correctional Center adult corrections officer, pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the shooting on May 13 of 56-year-old June Shirshac, a greeter at the Hilo Walmart store. The charges against Amormino, Shirshac’s former boyfriend, include first-degree attempted murder, two counts of second-degree attempted murder, burglary and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

He remains in custody in HCCC in lieu of $656,000 bail.

Amormino was arrested shortly after the shooting at 1197 Auwae Road, where Shirshac lived in the same house with her 63-year-old ex-husband, Francis Makaiwi, whom Amormino also allegedly tried to shoot. A Honolulu police sergeant who interviewed Shirshac at the Queen’s Medical Center testified during a preliminary hearing that Amormino shot Shirshac two days after she broke off their relationship.

Kihei park remains closed

The Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation will keep Kihei Skate Park closed until Thursday for extended repairs.

Work crews began repairs to the park on Monday and now say work is needed on the park’s ramp.

For details, call district supervisor Mary Kielty at 879-4364.