Gov. David Ige will travel to Japan this week to promote Hawaii tourism.
He will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Cabinet ministers to discuss the possible pre-clearance of flights from Japan to Hawaii, according to a release issued Saturday. Visitors from major cities in Canada, for instance, clear customs before their departure.
"We want the people of Japan to know that the people of Hawai‘i welcome them to the Hawaiian Islands," Ige said in a statement. "Japan is Hawai‘i’s biggest international market, accounting for 47.5 percent of international travelers to Hawai‘i and the trip is an investment in that relationship. Japan and Hawai‘i enjoy a special connection, and I want to honor this enduring relationship." He returns Friday.
The estimated cost of this trip is $9,800 for air, hotel and ground transportation, his office said. Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui will be acting governor while Ige is out of the state.
Temperature at airport ties date’s record
Honolulu tied a high temperature record Saturday as hot weather with light wind continues.
The high temperature of 90 degree recorded at Honolulu Airport tied a record for June 13 set in 2005.
Forecasters expect more hot weather with little relief from cooling tradewinds Sunday and Monday. The high at Honolulu Airport is expected to reach 89 degrees.
The forecast for the South Shore of Oahu calls for mostly sunny skies with a north wind of 10 to 15 mph, shifting to the east in the late morning and afternoon.
The light wind will allow sea breezes and clouds to form because of daytime heating. There’s a chance of isolated late-morning and afternoon showers in leeward slopes.
Stronger tradewinds are expected to return Tuesday, and the high temperature at the airport is forecast to be 87.
Police probing shootout death
Maui police are investigating the death of a man who exchanged gunfire with police.
The incident happened on Lower Main Street near Hookahi Street in Wailuku at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
The shots were fired after patrol officers pulled over an SUV in the parking lot of Discount Mini Mart.
An adult male immediately left the vehicle and shot at the officers, police said.
"The officers returned gunfire striking the (man) responsible," police said in a statement Saturday.
The suspect was taken to an area hospital, where he died.
Witness Alfred Ayers told Hawaii News Now that the man shot himself after shooting at police.
"I think the cops got him in the leg, and he fell down," Ayers said. "When he fell down, that’s when he turned the gun on himself."
Police said an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death. The name of the deceased was being withheld pending notification of family.
Police said the driver of the SUV was taken into custody for questioning and later released pending further investigation.
No injuries were sustained by police officers or bystanders, police said.
Discount Mini Mart owner Romel Abut said he was in his office when he heard about 10 shots.
Abut said he didn’t see anything because he stayed inside.
Abut said he was able to leave his store at 10 p.m., about an hour after he normally leaves on Saturdays.
On May 22, 2012, Maui police shot and killed Marshall Langford, 31, of Wailuku in the parking lot of the Mana Kai Resort when they responded to a report of a stolen vehicle. Police said Langford drew a handgun.
