Fire departments’ pact renewed
City and Navy officials renewed a partnership between city and federal firefighters when they signed a new agreement Wednesday afternoon.
Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle and Navy Region Hawaii Commander Rear Adm. Frank Ponds signed a memorandum of understanding that defines and outlines the responsibilities of the Honolulu Fire Department and the federal Fire Department when dealing with joint operations.
The memorandum renews an existing agreement that allows each department to decide whether it can send equipment and personnel to assist the other department when there is a fire or other emergency near or on military bases, and then retain authority and command over their respective resources.
The fire chiefs also are allowed to seek reimbursement for firefighting costs above normal operating costs when delivering services under the agreement.
Spilled sewage closes beach
Kauai County officials said they anticipate Kalapaki Beach will remain closed until at least this afternoon because of a sewage spill Wednesday night at the Lihue Wastewater Treatment Plant.
An estimated 400,000 to 500,000 gallons of partially treated sewage flowed from the plant, situated above Kauai Lagoons Golf Course, into the storm drain system that leads into Kalapaki Bay, officials said.
Officials said the spill resulted from a partial power failure involving a circuit within the facility at about 5 p.m. The sewage that spilled had completed secondary treatment but not tertiary treatment.
Public Works officials closed the beach, and crews took water samples to determine water quality. Signs warning of the spill were posted along the beach.
"Our main focus at this point is public health and safety," County Engineer Larry Dill said. "We understand and apologize for the inconvenience to our residents, visitors and surrounding business and we are working diligently to get the beach reopened as soon as it is prudent to do so."
Officers seek ID of 911 caller
Hawaii County police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a female caller who made a 911 call May 3 to report a dead person at a Volcano home.
After the woman made the call, officers discovered the body of 52-year-old Patrick Barrionuebo at his home on Paalii Street.
The case is classified as a coroner’s inquest. Autopsy results are still pending.
Police request that the 911 caller or anyone who knows her identity contact Detective Norbert Serrao by phone at 961-2383 or by email at 0@co.hawaii.hi.us.
