A Kahuku seaweed farm has been cleared by the state Department of Health after being shut down because of salmonella contamination.
Marine Agrifuture LLC (Olakai Farm), had been ordered to stop selling and distributing its fresh seaweeds — “Kahuku Ogo,” “Robusta Ogo” and “Kahuku Sea Asparagus.” The Health Department said tests had revealed salmonella bacteria in saltwater in packing and processing tanks at the Kahuku farm.
There had been 14 cases of salmonella on Oahu linked to eating poke prepared with raw fish and limu (seaweed) from the seaweed farm. The salmonella cases involved children and adults, who developed diarrheal illness from mid- to late October. Four cases required hospitalization.
MAUI
Man is sentenced to 20 years for trying to sell meth and pot
WAILUKU >> A Maui man convicted of attempting to sell methamphetamine and marijuana out of his van has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Harold Hodges, 61, was sentenced Friday on several charges, including promotion of a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia, the Maui News reported.
Hodges was arrested in December 2015 after police pulled him over and searched his van. Authorities say they found more than 2 grams of meth, 55 grams of marijuana and 42 oxycodone pills inside the vehicle. They also found a gallon-sized plastic bag containing several empty packets, two digital gram scales and nearly $4,000 in cash.
In handing down Hodges’ sentence, Judge Rhonda Loo cited his lengthy criminal history. She said Hodges has 61 arrests and 11 convictions.
Hodges, who represented himself during trial, argued in support of the sale of illegal drugs, saying it helps support the U.S. economy.
HAWAII ISLAND
Kilauea Night Market to return to new spot, Anaina Hou park
Kilauea Night Market will reopen Friday at Anaina Hou Community Park after a two-month hiatus.
The event was discontinued because construction in Kilauea led to a shortage of parking places.
“Anaina Hou Community Park offered to take it on and it’ll have a permanent home over there,” Courtney Puig, who traditionally organizes the event, told the Garden Island newspaper. “We’re so grateful they stepped in and offered to support the event and take it on as their own.”
Kilauea Night Market is usually on the last Saturday of every month, and in January that schedule will resume.