Ocean swell due today for 5 islands
The first of three swells in the surf forecast for this week will push waves to advisory levels today along north- and west-facing shores of Oahu, Kauai, Molokai and Niihau as well as the north shore of Maui.
A high-surf advisory is posted from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.
Forecasters say surf will peak in the 12- to 16-foot range today on north shores and that west shores will see waves with 8- to 12-foot faces.
A significantly larger swell will begin to arrive Thursday and will produce surf well in excess of high-surf warning levels through Friday.
A third swell is expected to arrive this weekend with more warning-level surf.
Forecasters say beachgoers should expect strong, breaking waves and currents that will make swimming difficult and dangerous.
Beachgoers, swimmers and surfers should heed all advice given by ocean safety officials and exercise caution.
Policy on use of county vehicles criticized
The Kauai County auditor has said a 2002 policy that governs the use of county government vehicles is inadequate.
The audit was conducted by PKF Pacific Hawaii LLP to examine the use and oversight of county vehicles in 2011-2012.
In a news release issued Tuesday, county Auditor Ernesto Pasion said the 2002 policy on the use of county vehicles is "inadequate, leading to possible noncompliance, abuse, waste and inefficiency."
The county implemented a new take-home vehicle policy and a comprehensive motor vehicle policy in July and August concerning accountability for drivers that use county vehicles or their personal vehicles for county purposes, according to a news release.
Tax implications related to the use of "take-home county vehicles" were not addressed from the establishment of the 2002 policy up to the implementation of the new policies, Pasion said.
According to Pasion, the use of a county vehicle is considered an employment benefit. "As a result, those who were assigned take-home vehicles as well as the county may be liable for additional payroll withholding taxes," he said.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Inmate escapes, is re-arrested, on Hawaii island
Hawaii County police are investigating an escape from a Hilo correctional center Tuesday morning and the inmate’s subsequent arrest.
At about 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to the Hale Nani Correctional Facility in Hilo after receiving a report that a female inmate had scaled a fence and fled on foot from the minimum-security facility. According to police reports, after running along nearby Route 11 and into its Puna-bound traffic lanes, the inmate stopped a blue van and jumped into a passenger-side window. State correctional officers were able to prevent the van from leaving the area and took the inmate, Mary Lolita Santos, 40, into custody. The van then left the area.
At 1:30 p.m. Santos, of Mountain View, was arrested in the second-degree escape. She was being held at the police cellblock Tuesday while detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section investigated.
Detectives want to interview the van’s driver, who was described as an older Filipino man. He was driving a blue Honda Odyssey that may have been a taxi, as it was described as having the letters “PUC” on its exterior. Police ask anyone who witnessed this incident or may know the identity of the driver to call Detective Norbert Serrao at 961-2383 or send an email to nserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us.
Work to startat Lydgate Beach
Demolition work is expected to get underway this week at Lydgate Beach Park on Kauai.
A $570,000 refurbishment project slated for the park includes comfort station upgrades and reconstruction of pavillion areas. Construction work is expected to be completed by late May.
