Pier 29 getting grant for upgrade

On Friday, Admission Day, Gov. Linda Lingle and state Department of Transportation officials will announce the awarding of a federal grant to upgrade and modernize Pier 29 in Honolulu Harbor to improve cargo operations. In February the state said it would be receiving $24.5 million in federal stimulus funds to reconstruct the pier.

Abuse case dropped against man, 64

Prosecutors have dropped charges against a Hawaii Loa Ridge man accused of abusing his estranged wife.

Prosecutors did not have enough evidence to prove Ira Gordon, 64, was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, an official with the prosecutor’s office said.

Gordon’s wife alleged he threw her down, choked her and told her he would kill her.

The case was formally classified "no action" on Aug. 5, and Gordon’s $1,000 bail was refunded to him.

Authorities investigate pony’s death

Police and the Hawaiian Humane Society are investigating the death of a miniature pony that belonged to a Waiahole Valley farm.

At about 3:30 p.m., Kaneohe police officers responded to a dangerous-animals case along Waiahole Valley Road. Police found that two hunting dogs had killed the pony, which was named Mango.

The dogs, which appear to be pit bulls, are currently being held with the Humane Society. Its owner was not known as of last night. Humane Society officials could not comment because of the ongoing investigation.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Signage law under review

WAILUKU » A spate of complaints about signs in Maui business windows is leading to a review of the island’s signage law.

Maui County received 51 complaints during the first seven months of this year, more than the 43 complaints in 2009 or 36 complaints in 2008.

Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares says the county is not cracking down on illegal business signs, but it has to investigate complaints.

She says business owners, mostly in Kahului, have been reporting one another.

The signage law is intended to protect Maui’s natural beauty and prevent commercial centers from looking tacky. Tavares acknowledges that the rules about window signs can be confusing.

Unification celebrated

KAWAIHAE, Hawaii » Hundreds celebrated the 200th anniversary of the unification of the Hawaiian Islands last weekend at the place where King Kamehameha built a temple in hopes of ending war.

The event at Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site featured hula dancing, lei making, canoe rides and other cultural activities.

"This is really important for our children and will help them to be connected to the aina for years to come," said Edie Hanohano, a Hilo resident who attended the festival with her 10-year-old grandson, AJ Yomes-Hooks. "It helps to perpetuate the culture."