Bodyboarder still missing

Hawaii County firefighters plan to continue searching this morning for a bodyboarder who disappeared Monday in high surf off Pahoa.

Police identified the missing man as Paul Currier, 33, of Pahoa.

Witnesses reported seeing the man sink in rough water and resurface face down before losing sight of him at Kaimu Beach fronting Kalapana Village Cafe about 4 p.m. Monday, firefighters said.

Firefighters looked for the man from the air and from land about a half-mile in each direction before suspending the search because of darkness.

A Coast Guard helicopter from Barbers Point Air Station on Oahu flew to the Big Island yesterday morning and helped search along the shoreline and up to a couple miles offshore, said Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael De Nyse.

There were no sightings of Currier or his belongings, he said.

The Coast Guard suspended its search about 4 p.m. yesterday, De Nyse said.

Council opens bag-ban talks

LIHUE » The Kauai County Council today will discuss the law banning plastic bags.

The County Attorney’s Office had asked for an executive session to discuss the intent of the law, which goes into effect Jan. 11.

But the Garden Island newspaper reported Councilman Jay Furfaro requested the meeting remain open and most of his colleagues agreed.

Beginning Oct. 25, three public information meetings will be held to discuss the draft rules of the ordinance.

When the law takes effect, retailers will be prohibited from giving plastic bags to consumers at checkout.

The law states that the purpose of the legislation is to encourage customers to bring reusable bags when shopping.