UH names Meisenzahl chief media liaison

Dan Meisenzahl has been tapped to serve as the main media spokesperson for the University of Hawaii system, the university announced last week.

Meisenzahl, who joined UH in 2012 as director of media production, said the appointment represents additional responsibilities to his existing position.

"I’ll be working with the (public information officers) of all of our campuses to assist with media relations, with crisis communication, and also helping promote the myriad great stories at UH," he said.

He added that the position is aimed at helping improve transparency under UH President David Lassner and Manoa Chancellor Robert Bley-Vroman.

Meisenzahl previously served as the spokesman for the state Department of Transportation and has 20 years of media experience working as a news anchor, reporter and producer in local television news.

High surf to produce perilous shores, harbors

The National Weather Service has issued a high-surf warning for north and west shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Molokai; the north shores of Maui and west shores of the Big Island effective until 6 p.m. Sunday.

Surf was expected to reach 20 to 25 feet by Saturday night on north and west shores.

The public is advised to expect ocean water occasionally sweeping across portions of beaches, very strong breaking waves and strong longshore and rip currents. Breaking waves may occasionally impact harbors making navigating harbor channels dangerous.

Death investigated as possible murder

Maui police are investigating the death of a 56-year-old man found unresponsive at Maliko Gulch on Thursday as a possible murder.

Derrick M.H. Kualaau of Maliko was found unresponsive and with "suspicious" injuries near the Mile 10 marker on Hana Highway around 6 p.m., police said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 242-6966, Maui Police Department Central Dispatch at 244-6400, or the Criminal Investigation Division at 244-6425.

Maui hiker brought to hospital after fall

Maui firefighters rescued a 21-year-old hiker who fell about 20 feet off the side of the Waihou Springs Trail in Olinda on Saturday.

According to fire officials, the woman was hiking near an area known as Caves when she fell and injured her ribs.

Rescue personnel used a single-wheel basket to transport her about 1 mile back up the steep, switchback trail to the trailhead, where paramedics were waiting.

The woman was transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Swimmer in distress is rescued on Kauai

Kauai firefighters rescued a 27-year-old man from the waters near Queen’s Bath on Kauai’s North Shore on Friday.

The man, a visitor from Maryland, was swimming when he became distressed around 1:20 p.m.

Two firefighters jumped into the rough water with a rescue tube, but the man had a difficult time holding on.

Lifeguards arrived with a personal watercraft and brought the man safely to shore.

The man showed signs of exhaustion and abrasions. He was taken to Wilcox Hospital for further treatment.