Tropical Storm Fausto forms off Mexico
MIAMI »Tropical Storm Fausto has formed over the Pacific Ocean far from Mexico’s coast, and forecasters say it poses no immediate threat to land.
The five-day track of Fausto shows it remaining a tropical storm when it moves into the Central Pacific by Friday.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Monday afternoon that Fausto has formed about 1,145 miles southwest of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. The center says Fausto is moving toward the west near 13 mph and has maximum sustained winds of about 40 mph, with higher gusts.
Forecasters say the storm should gradually strengthen in the coming 48 hours and take a turn toward the west-northwest starting Wednesday.
There are no coastal watches or warnings currently in effect for Hawaii.
Candidates for U.S. House to debate on TV
All seven Democratic candidates for Hawaii’s soon-to-be vacant Congressional District 1 seat have agreed to take part in a live, televised debate on KITV-4 later this month, the station confirmed Monday. The debate takes place 8 to 9 p.m. July 23, KITV News Director Chuck Parker said.
That’s less than three weeks before the Aug. 9 primary.
Expected to appear are Honolulu City Council members Ikaika Anderson, Stanley Chang and Joey Manahan; state Sen. Will Espero; state Senate President Donna Mercado Kim; state Rep. Mark Takai; and human rights activist Kathryn Xian. Early polls show Kim ahead.
The high-profile Republican vying for the seat, former U.S. Rep. Charles Djou, is not appearing.
They are seeking the job now occupied by Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa, who is forgoing re-election in favor of a Senate run.
It will be only the second live TV appearance by the crowded field of Democrats. The seven are expected to appear on "Insights" on PBS Hawaii from 8 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Inmate caught trying to flee before hearing
An inmate being taken to Circuit Court in Wailuku made a run for it Monday.
But a corrections officer caught him within 100 yards.
The inmate, Khristopher Sharrott, will be charged with escape, Public Safety Department spokeswoman Toni Schwartz said.
Schwartz said Sharrott was being taken to a pretrial hearing on charges of first-degree robbery and second-degree theft.
When the van arrived at court at 8:25 a.m., corrections officers were unloading the van, and Sharrott ran off, she said. Schwartz said Sharrott was fully shackled during the transport but somehow managed to get his left shackles off.
That is under investigation, she said.
Camper who disappeared remains missing
Maui police and fire crews continue to search for a Kula man last seen sleeping in his car Friday at a campsite in Kaupo.
John Flavin, 44, is described as Caucasian, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 190 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair, He was wearing a colored T-shirt and tan shorts.
Friends camping with Flavin noticed him missing at about 9 a.m. Friday, police said. His car was left at the Plenty Keawe campsite.
Police and fire crews and the Air 1 helicopter searched the area but found no sign of him. Anyone with information is asked to call 244-6400.
