NOAA funds study of false killer whales

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, Cascadia Research Collective and Hawaii Pacific University a three-year, $1.2 million grant to continue the study and management of Hawaii’s endangered false killer whales.

The grant will support tagging research on the movements and habitat use of false killer whales, and will also examine the potential overlap of the species with state fisheries, the state agency said. Work in June by Cascadia Research Collective included tagging three false killer whales.

In addition, the grant will allow the DLNR to build on its work with shoreline fishermen to help reduce harmful interactions with monk seals and turtles.

State responds to sewage spill on Maui

An undetermined amount of sewage spilled near South Kihei Road and St. Theresa’s Church on Monday, according to the state Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch.

The sewage entered a storm drain and a pond next to the church.

Warning signs were posted and water samples were collected, according to a Clean Water Branch report.

The public is advised to stay out of the pond until further notice.

Information sought in Hilo burglary

Hawaii island police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect in the burglary of a Hilo residence.

Surveillance video captured the suspect entering a house on the 800 block of Kukuau Street in the Sunrise Estates subdivision in Hilo without permission.

The suspect appears to be a male in his late teens to early 20s, wearing a black T-shirt with white lettering on the front, black athletic shorts with a vertical blue stripe on the legs each leg, white shoes and a black baseball-type cap with a red letter “R.” He was also carrying a gray backpack.

Police did not specify when the burglary occurred.

Police ask anyone with information about this case or the identity of the person in the photos to call Officer Christopher Jelsma at 961-2284 or 961-2221, or the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide CrimeStoppers number, 961-8300.