8 seniors receive National Merit Scholarships

The National Merit Scholarship Corp. has announced eight Hawaii students as winners of its National Merit Scholarship.

They join about 7,500 other high school seniors who will receive National Merit Scholarships for college undergraduate study worth over $32 million.

The college-sponsored awards provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study.

The eight National Merit Scholars from Hawaii and where they plan to attend college:

>> Arizona State University: • Joseph K. Among, ‘Iolani School, probable career field: neurobiology

>> University of Southern California: • Kristyn M. Hamasaki, Punahou School, environmental engineering • Kaitlin H. Hori, ‘Iolani School, medicine • Joseph P. Li, Punahou School, medicine • Seo Jin Song, Henry J. Kaiser High School, finance • Caitlin P. Y. Steele, Punahou School, biochemistry • Dominie L. Miyasato, Punahou School, biomedical engineering • Ryan M. Rossio, Punahou School, engineering

KAUAI

Suspect due in Florida over prostitution ring

A Kauai man was arrested last week on suspicion of operating a prostitution ring in Florida.

Police on Kauai arrested 67-year-old Robert Jones on Friday at his home in Kalaheo.

Officials say he owns 13 massage parlors in Florida where investigators found Chinese women offering sex acts in exchange for money after the massages. Investigators are working to determine whether human trafficking is also a part of the operation.

According to reports, Jones has been living in Hawaii for a year. He was being held at Kauai County jail, awaiting extradition to Florida.

He also faces charges of conspiracy to commit racketeering and money laundering.

Police arrested 15 other people in connection with the operation.

MOLOKAI

Brush blaze was accidental, county fire officials say

Molokai firefighters extinguished a brush fire they contend was accidentally started in Hoolehua.

Firefighters responded Saturday afternoon to a call of a potential structure fire on Farrington Avenue, the Maui County Fire Department said.

Firefighters arrived to find about a quarter-acre of brush burning on a residential lot on the north side of Farrington Avenue just west of Puupeelua Avenue.

The fire burned 200 to 300 feet from a home and consumed about a half-acre by the time it was extinguished. There were no reports of damage or injuries.

Fire officials ruled the blaze an accident and said it was likely caused by an agricultural fire that had rekindled.

The property owner thought the previous fire had been extinguished before leaving the property Saturday morning, fire officials said.