Bring in that lawn furniture and tie down any loose objects outside.
National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu warned Friday that a “very windy weekend” awaits the islands.
“Loose outdoor objects may become airborne under these strong winds,” forecasters said in a special weather statement. “Prepare now by securing these objects before winds increase. The strong crosswinds may bring hazardous driving conditions, especially for high profile vehicles. If you have outdoor plans for the weekend, be prepared for very windy conditions. If your plans involve marine activities, you may want to consider postponing them.”
Northeast winds were expected to strengthen overnight and reach gale force — 39 mph and up — by this afternoon due to a cold front passing across the area, the weather service said. A gale warning will be in effect from noon today to 6 a.m. Sunday, with winds reaching 29 to 40 mph this afternoon.
Seas will rise to 14 from 10 feet by this afternoon, prompting a small-craft advisory in effect until noon, the agency said.
In a separate high-wind watch, the weather service said strong northeasterly winds will accelerate over terrain and down the leeward slopes of most islands and might reach dangerous levels this afternoon through tonight. Gusts could top 60 mph.
Information sought on 1996 murder
Hawaii island police are seeking the public’s help for any information on an unsolved murder involving an 18-year-old Keaau man.
On Aug. 12, 1996, Glenn Guerrero died of a gunshot wound in the head. According to a Honolulu Star-Bulletin brief, the shooting occurred in a grassy area behind the Keaau ballpark that afternoon.
In a news release Friday, police said “witnesses reported seeing Guerrero in the passenger seat of a pickup truck that was leaving the area of the ballpark” earlier that day. Police have yet to identify the driver or locate the truck Guerrero was last seen in.
Detective Lt. Gregory Esteban said the murder case has remain unsolved for 21 years despite advances in forensic technology.
“We’re still hopeful that with passage of time and changes in relationships, individuals may be more willing to come forward with useful information that may lead to a resolution to this investigation,” Esteban said in the release.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Derek Morimoto at 961-2380 or derek.morimoto@hawaiicounty.gov. Individuals also may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300.
KAUAI
Man from Idaho, woman from Netherlands die in separate incidents
Kauai police said a 64-year-old visitor from Idaho drowned Thursday afternoon in waters off Moloaa Beach.
The victim was identified as Michael Tremblay, who was swimming at about 12:15 p.m. when he disappeared and his family called for help. He was found unresponsive a short time later about 150 yards from shore.
Lifeguards on mobile watercraft brought him to shore, and he was transported to Wilcox Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police said volunteers from Life’s Bridges are assisting Tremblay’s family with grief counseling.
Meanwhile, Kauai police have identified the body of a woman found in waters off the Na Pali Coast as 39-year-old Ramona van Schendel of the Netherlands.
Police said personal watercraft riders found van Schendel’s body Wednesday about 20 feet from a rocky shoreline below the Kalalau Trail.
Police said she likely was hiking along the trail when she fell from an area known as Space Rock, roughly 3 miles from the Kee Beach trailhead. An autopsy determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma consistent with a fall.
Detectives and Department of Land and Natural Resources officers hiked the trail Friday and discovered the spot where they think van Schendel lost her footing. Her belongings, including her identification, were also found there.
Investigators said van Schendel had a permit to camp in Kalalau Valley.
