Newswatch
SBA clears Oahu for tsunami loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved disaster loans for Oahu residents and businesses who were affected by the tsunami March 11.
The agency’s disaster declaration for the state now covers Oahu as well as the counties of Hawaii, Kalawao and Maui, which previously qualified for aid.
The assistance allows qualified homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits to receive low-interest disaster loans to repair structures damaged by the tsunami.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie said Tuesday that people are still recovering from the effects of the tsunami more than a month since it hit, causing an estimated $30 million in damage.
Oahu qualified for assistance after additional damage assessments by state civil defense.
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2 indicted in attempt to rob store
Karl Acosta was described in court yesterday as the mastermind of the failed armed robbery of a Waikele jewelry store earlier this month.
"He chose the location, instructed the others what to do, how to burn the (getaway) car and where to sell the stolen jewelry," Deputy City Prosecutor Patricia Kickland said after an Oahu grand jury returned an indictment against Acosta, charging him with being an accomplice to first-degree robbery in the April 9 incident at Zales Outlet. Acosta, 46, was released after posting $50,000 bail. Police said he drove the getaway car.
The indictment also charged Trey Akana-Pulido, 21, with first-degree robbery, second-degree arson, carrying a firearm without a license and being a felon in possession of a prohibited firearm.
He is on probation in two separate cases for auto theft, assaulting a law enforcement officer, burglary and escape. He was also free on $75,000 bail for a burglary and unauthorized entry into a vehicle in a case that was set for trial this week. He remains in custody unable to post $150,000 bail.
Police said Akana-Pulido was one of two masked men who tried to rob the store during business hours when two employees were present.
They said the other man was Mark Ahnee, 28, who died in a shootout with police April 14.
