Sub commander praised on way out

Navy Cmdr. Jacob Foret has assumed command of the Pearl Harbor-based submarine USS Santa Fe, relieving Cmdr. Timothy Poe.

During a ceremony Friday, Poe was awarded the Legion of Merit medal for his performance as skipper since November 2012.

The ceremony’s guest speaker, Rear Adm. Phil Sawyer, deputy commander of the Pacific Fleet, praised Poe for bringing out the best in his crew. "You and your team have succeeded across the board; success for the submarine force, the Pacific Fleet, the U.S. Navy and for our nation," Sawyer said.

Foret is former executive officer of the ballistic missile sub USS Louisiana.

Tiger shark sighted but does no harm

A tiger shark, estimated at 8 to 10 feet long, was spotted Sunday afternoon by surfers at the "Old Mans" break in Waikiki.

According to Ocean Safety spokeswoman Shayne Enright, the shark was nonaggressive, and all the surfers were able to safely leave the water.

The shark was seen around 4:55 p.m. at the break off the Outrigger Canoe Club. Lifeguards were patrolling the water and warning signs were posted at Kaimana Beach.

Kauai Council seeks reduction in airfare rates

Kauai County is asking the state to promote competition and help make interisland travel cost less.

The Garden Island newspaper reports members of the Kauai County Council unanimously approved a resolution last month asking the Legislature to step in.

Councilman Ross Kagawa says he’s spoken with officials on other islands, and he thinks they will pass similar resolutions.

"I think it’s an important issue," he said. "We need to speak up already. Right now this is a serious problem."

The resolution points to the benefits of having two airlines operating from 1946 to 2008. Hawaiian Airlines is the dominant interisland carrier since Aloha Airlines ceased operations.

"I think it’s a statewide no-brainer that people are upset with airfares on the islands," Kagawa said.

Ann Botticelli, senior vice president of communications for Hawaiian Airlines, said prices are fair and based on a variety of factors.

"There has been no average fare inflation over the last three years," Botticelli wrote in an email. "We offer several flights every day that run on time with exceptional service, and we are very proud of that. We also very much value our Neighbor Island commuters."

State Rep. Derek Kawakami said in an email that the market might not support two airlines.

"That is one of the reasons why Aloha Airlines went out of business, and that is why companies like the Superferry wanted to enter the market," Kawakami said. "Another challenge is that we can incentivize industries to promote growth, but we can’t incentivize any one particular company."