UH astronomer sees life potential in planet
A planet around a nearby star has been identified as potentially habitable by a University of Hawaii astronomer working with an international team.
The planet, about 4 1⁄2 times bigger than Earth, is orbiting a dwarf star called GJ 667C, 22 light-years away.
The new planet receives 90 percent of the light that Earth receives, the UH-Manoa Institute for Astronomy said in a news release Thursday.
But most of its incoming light is infrared light — or heat, so the planet, GJ 667Cc, should absorb about the same amount of energy from its star that Earth absorbs from the sun. This would allow surface temperatures similar to Earth and perhaps liquid water, the institute said.
"This planet is the new best candidate to support liquid water and, perhaps, life as we know it," said team leader Guillem Anglada-Escudé, a postdoctoral fellow in astrophysics at the University of Goettingen in Germany.
His UH collaborator is Nader Haghighipour.
The research, due to be published in the Astrophysical Journal, used several instruments, including the Keck Observatory’s High Resolution Echelle Spectrograph on Mauna Kea.
House panel to discuss tourism finances
The House Tourism Committee will hold an informational briefing Monday on the tourism industry’s major pocketbook issues.
Representatives of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Waikiki Improvement Association and hotel industry are scheduled to appear. Topics will include hotel room taxes, the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s marketing funding and the history and the growth of general funding from the Transient Accommodations Tax.
The discussion will be used to guide decision-making on tourism issues throughout the 2012 legislative session.
Two suspects still at large after assault
Hawaii island police are searching for two men in connection with a Wednesday night assault on a 20-year-old man identified as a witness in a manslaughter case against one of the suspects.
Police identified the two wanted men as 21-year-old Waylen Keoni Carenio, who last known address was in Waimea, and 24-year-old Turner Kaimana Au of Hilo.
According to police, the victim was approached by one of the suspects outside Coqui’s Hideaway restaurant and brought to a vehicle where the other suspect was waiting. Once inside the car, the victim was restrained and assaulted. He eventually broke free and escaped.
Police confirmed that the victim, who sustained minor injuries in the assault, is a witness in a manslaughter case against Carenio.
Carenio was indicted last week for allegedly recklessly causing the death of 44-year-old Roy Williams Jr. during a fight outside a bar on Dec. 4.
A bench warrant was issued following the indictment.
Home sustains some damage in night blaze
Hawaii County firefighters extinguished a fire at a Waimea home Friday night, saving about 75 percent of the house from damage.
The fire started on a back lanai and burned a shed and the rear corner of the home on Kipahele Street. A bathroom, a bedroom and attic space were damaged.
No one was home at the time of the 8:26 p.m. fire. Damage is estimated at $140,000. The value of the home and property saved is estimated at $330,000.
The cause is under investigation.
