North shores under high-surf warning
A new northwest swell that could bring waves up to 25 feet along the north shores of some Hawaiian Islands has prompted officials to raise the high-surf advisory issued Thursday morning to a high-surf warning effective through 6 p.m. today.
The warning is in effect for the north and west shores of Kauai, Molokai, Niihau and the north shores of Oahu and Maui, according to the National Weather Service.
The west shores of Oahu and Hawaii island remain under a high-surf advisory and could see surf of 12 to 18 feet and 6 to 8 feet, respectively.
Beach-goers and boaters should exercise caution and expect strong breaking waves and shorebreak, as well as strong longshore and rip currents.
A small-craft advisory also is in effect for isle waters, with northeast winds of 23 mph and waves of 8 feet forecast.
Father gets 1-year term for tot’s death
A shaken-baby death in 2003 led a Hawaii County judge Friday to sentence the father to a year in prison.
West Hawaii Today reports that Gilbert G. Dancel Jr. pleaded guilty Jan. 15 to second-degree assault in connection with the death of his son, Kaikela Medeiros-Dancel, age 2 months.
"I was too strong with my son," Dancel, 34, told Circuit Judge Ronald Ibarra. "I shook him. I would never have done this if I knew it would result in his death. I feel horrible inside."
Ibarra also ordered Dancel to serve five years’ probation, pay $324.65 in fines and fees, pay restitution to be determined, and write an apology letter to the child’s mother, Gerilyn Medeiros.
A Hawaii island grand jury originally indicted Dancel in 2012 on a manslaughter charge. Prosecutors amended the complaint after Dancel’s public defender moved to have the cased dismissed for lack of a speedy trial.
Deputy Prosecutor Kauanoe Jackson said Friday the office has no excuse for the delay. She said prosecutors agreed to the plea deal due to a "high probability" the case would be dismissed.
"Some justice is better than no justice," she said.
