The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is reminding the public that an alcohol ban will go into effect this weekend at the Kaneohe Bay sandbar, also known as Ahu o Laka.
DLNR says state law prohibits possession, use or consumption of alcohol within the Ahu o Laka safety zone. The rule also prohibits anyone under the influence of alcohol, narcotics or drugs from remaining in or entering the safety zone, and prohibits disorderly behavior while in the safety zone.
Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers will be at Heeia-Kea small-boat harbor and at the sandbar to ensure compliance. They will also be checking operator permits, vessel registration and safety gear requirements.
The law applies only to three-day holiday weekends, including Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. It was initiated in 2012 after numerous reports of problems caused by intoxicated boaters.
Dog stolen from shelter is found
LIHUE >> A Kauai animal shelter is welcoming back one of the six dogs stolen from the facility after the animal was found wandering along a highway.
The Garden Island reported Thursday that Matthew Richardson with the Kauai Humane Society says the 2-month-old Labrador mix named Arianna was found and returned Wednesday by a group of teens who spotted her along the roadway in Kekaha.
Officials at the shelter say Arianna, three female pit bull mixes and two female Airedales were taken after someone broke in by cutting a lock on a gate and climbing through a window late May 14 or early May 15.
The Humane Society is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.
Man dies after being hit by van
A 78-year-old man died Friday after being struck by a van driven by a woman suspected of driving drunk at the Keaau Transfer Station, Hawaii County police reported.
Police identified the man as Gary S. Ambrose of Keaau.
Ambrose was facing west at a trash chute to dump garbage when he was hit at about 11:13 a.m. by a 1990 Dodge van driven by a 66-year-old Hilo woman. He was pronounced dead at 2:40 p.m. at the Hilo Medical Center.
The woman was treated and released to police custody.
Police arrested her on suspicion of first-degree negligent homicide and driving under the influence.
She remains in custody while police investigate.
The incident did not occur on a public roadway, so it is not counted as a traffic fatality for statistical purposes, police said.
