Sharks seen feeding on whale carcass
Swimmers were being advised to stay out of the water at Kualoa on Friday after sharks were spotted feeding on a whale carcass.
The warning was issued Friday afternoon by both Ocean Safety and the Honolulu Fire Department for waters off Mokolii Island (Chinaman’s Hat) and Kualoa Beach Park. Signs have been placed along the beach.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration began monitoring the whale carcass about four to five miles off Windward Oahu on Thursday.
Fishermen reported seeing a 30- to 40-foot sperm whale carcass Wednesday night.
Engine problems cancel United Air flight
Engine trouble prompted the cancellation of a United Airlines flight from Honolulu to San Francisco on Friday afternoon.
Passengers aboard UA Flight 724 reported hearing a loud bang and seeing smoke coming from the right engine seconds after the plane began rolling down the runway in preparation for takeoff.
The plane returned to the terminal, and the flight was canceled. No injuries were reported.
United Airlines personnel assisted the 325 passengers aboard in making alternate arrangements to get to San Francisco.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Kauai driver gets 18 months for fatal crash
A 35-year-old Lawai man was sentenced Thursday to 18 months in prison for killing one man and injuring another while driving drunk on a Kauai highway three years ago, the Garden Island newspaper reported.
Norman Bukoski Jr. pleaded no contest to first-degree negligent homicide and injury June 24.
On Jan. 19, 2010, Bukoski’s pickup truck crossed into the eastbound lane of Kaumualii highway in Koloa, hitting another truck and killing the driver, Thomas Garcia Jr., and injuring passenger Aaron Marvin.
Bukoski’s blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit of 0.08.
2 on Big Isle are charged in identity theft
Two alleged identity thieves face a variety of charges after their 21-year-old victim tracked them down and called police.
According to police, 30-year-old Brandi McKee and 33-year-old Steven Giatroudakis, both of Hilo, took the victim’s wallet during a visit to an auto repair shop Wednesday. Shortly after, the victim received notice from his financial institution regarding suspicious transactions at two retail stores on Makaala Street. The victim then realized that his wallet, which had been at the repair shop, was missing.
The victim and his wife identified the suspects’ vehicle on Makaala Street and followed it while they called police. Officers stopped the vehicle and arrested McKee and Giatroudakis. The suspects were charged late Thursday with theft of a credit card; second- and third-degree identity theft; second-, third- and fourth-degree theft; and two counts of fraudulent use of a credit card. Bail for each was set at $15,750.
Police were able to recover the victim’s wallet as well as merchandise purchased with his credit card.
