Rifle range closed after bullets stray
Following two reports of stray bullets, the city is shutting down its rifle range at Koko Head to repair the protective berm behind targets.
The range at the Koko Head Shooting Complex will remain open to other weapons, including pistol, archery, skeet and trap shooting.
Mayor Kirk Caldwell said Friday that the city wants to repair the rifle range berm behind the targets. The berm, which has eroded over the years, absorbs bullets.
A stray bullet hit a car inside Koko Crater, and another struck a window of a house in a neighborhood by Sandy Beach, the city said.
The city said it didn’t know whether the bullets came from the rifle range but that it was taking the cautious route, and that the two cases are being investigated by police.
Parade helps launch City Lights display
More than 60 units will participate in the annual Honolulu City Lights Public Workers Electric Light Parade slated for 6 p.m. today in Chinatown and downtown.
The 29th annual Christmas parade features work vehicles decked with lights and other decorations.
Among the units are fire and police vehicles, TheBus, a refuse truck, a fire engine, city service vehicles, 18 high school marching bands and entries from Honolulu City Lights sponsors.
The parade along King Street will begin at 6 p.m. at River Street. It will proceed past Honolulu Hale, ending at Kawaiahao Street. Decorated vehicles will park at the end of the parade’s route for public viewing until 8:15 p.m.
The kickoff event, which is free to the public, will feature "The Ambassador of Aloha" Danny Kaleikini as emcee and a performance of "Honolulu City Lights" by the Brothers Cazimero. Mayor Kirk Caldwell will flick on the light switch for the city’s 60-foot Norfolk pine while simultaneously illuminating the entire downtown corridor. Other activities planned in the City Hall area include keiki rides, an anime-themed Christmas tree exhibit, a wreath contest and a holiday concert at Sky Gate featuring Henry Kapono, Makua Rothman and other performers.
Hospitalization of princess cancels lecture
An art lecture that was to be presented by Princess Akiko, a member of Japan’s royal family, on Tuesday at Hawaii Pacific University has been canceled because she has been hospitalized in Japan.
According to the Japanese Consulate in Honolulu, "The Imperial Household Agency announced yesterday (Dec. 6, Japan time) that Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa momentarily fainted and was admitted to a hospital as a precaution. The agency also announced that her scheduled visit to Hawaii has been canceled."
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Park publishes bilingual guide
The National Park Service has published a new visitors guide to Haleakala National Park written in Hawaiian and English.
Park Superintendent Natalie Gates said this is the first brochure in the 401-unit national park system written by community members in the native language of the community.
“Uncle Les” Kuloloio, representing the kupuna, shared Hawaiian and English passages from the Kumulipo (a sacred, ancient chant), excerpts of which are in the brochure, Gates said.
Tax exemption deadline nears
The Maui Department of Finance reminds the public that the deadline for filing real property tax
exemptions, condominium use classification declarations and requests for agricultural use valuations for the 2014-2015 tax year is Dec. 31.
For deployed active-duty military personnel, a claim for exemption must be filed on or before June 30 of the tax year for which such exemption is claimed. Proof of deployment is required.
County items to be auctioned
Kauai County officials have announced that the annual equipment auction will be held Dec. 16.
Items offered in the sale are situated at various county locations and can be inspected by appointment only on Wednesday and Thursday. Items for sale include vehicles, refuse trucks and trailers, miscellaneous equipment and office supplies.
On Monday a complete listing of items will be on the county’s website at www.kauai.
gov at the link Bids and Proposals.
For more information on the auction, call Raina Bautista-Balai at 241-4291.
