Shark sightings have city issuing cautions
Beachgoers were warned to stay out of the water at Nanakuli Beach Park and Yokohama Bay on Sunday following a second day of confirmed shark sightings.
City ocean safety officials confirmed a sighting of a 6-foot shark at about 2:30 p.m. at Nanakuli Beach Park, and warning signs were posted until sundown, said Shayne Enright, spokeswoman for the city Department of Emergency Services. Officials on Saturday confirmed a shark sighting at the beach at about 4:45 p.m.
Also Sunday, an 8-foot shark was seen at about 3 p.m. at Yokohama Bay, where warning signs also were posted. An amateur video shows the shark’s dorsal and tail fins slicing through the shallow shorebreak.
Surf again forces Hanauma Bay closing
Lifeguards and city officials closed Hanauma Bay for a second day Sunday because of high surf and strong rip currents inside the reef.
Waves of up to 6 feet made conditions dangerous for swimmers and snorkelers, and underwater visibility was poor, officials said Sunday. Lifeguards closed the bay Saturday because of similar conditions.
The National Weather Service has extended a high-surf advisory for the east shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii island until 6 p.m. today.
Strong tradewinds upwind of the islands will continue to produce 8- to 12-foot surf, the agency said. Waves should decrease to between 7 and 10 feet today.
A small-craft advisory also remains in effect through 6 p.m., with southeast winds of 11 to 22 mph and seas of 8 to 13 feet.
Meanwhile, the chance of rain will increase today as a front approaches from the northwest. Light winds and drier weather will return by midweek, followed by another cold front reaching the islands Friday and Saturday, the weather service said.
Chao wins Narcissus Queen pageant
DFS product sales manager Diana Chao was crowned the 2013 Narcissus Queen on Saturday night at the Hawaii Theatre Center.
Chao, daughter of Shih Hwa Chao and Steven Liu, is a graduate of Roosevelt High School and Chapman University.
Laurabeth Mae Lin Yuen was named first princess. The other finalists included Heather Wai Yan Koo, Kristin Yen Sum Loo and Mei-Lin Bridget Yung.
Chao was also named Miss Congeniality and took top honors in the talent competition with her piano rendition of "The Storm."
Tracey Sin-Man Zhang was named Miss Popularity.
Man hurt in fall on hiking trail
A 22-year-old Lahaina man fell and injured his back Saturday while hiking with friends on the Makamakaole Trail in West Maui, fire officials said Sunday.
Fire rescue officers took him to Maui Memorial Medical Center where he was in stable condition.
The incident occurred shortly after 12:30 p.m.
Violations net $30,500 in fines
The Hawaii County Planning Department has fined a landowner $30,500 for building within a shoreline setback and other violations.
Scott Watson disputed the majority of violations and filed an appeal of eight citations related to construction of a multimillion-dollar home in Pepeekeo, according to West Hawaii Today.
A county site inspection Nov. 29 found that Watson had started breaking ground within a shoreline setback. Other violations included not having a silt barrier in place, changing the location of a pool and not allowing enough open space.
The county issued a $20,000 fine and a stop-work order.
Watson contends the department incorrectly calculated the shoreline. He filed an appeal Dec. 31.
"I haven’t done anything wrong," he told the newspaper. "I know the rules. I’ve been doing this a long time along the coast."
The fines include $10,500 for building a helicopter landing zone without a permit.
Watson’s lawyer, Steven Strauss, said he has met with planning staff on the issues and believes a resolution will be reached before the case goes to the county Board of Appeals.
