Caution urged along all east-facing shores
High surf along the east-facing shores of all islands has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a high surf advisory.
A long-period north-northwest swell combined with strong local winds is stirring up higher-than-normal surf along affected shores, weather officials said. The advisory is in effect through 6 p.m. Saturday.
Waves are expected to reach 6 to 8 feet along east-facing shores, officials say.
Beachgoers are advised to heed advice given by ocean safety officials and exercise caution.
Bayfront Highway in Hilo was closed Friday to traffic between Pauahi Street and Waianuenue Avenue due to high surf and might be closed through the weekend, depending on surf conditions.
Caldwell Cabinet member steps down
City Community Services Director Pam Witty-Oakland resigned from Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s Cabinet this month for personal reasons.
Witty-Oakland, a key point person for Caldwell’s sometimes controversial programs on homelessness and affordable housing, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that she wants to spend more time with her aging parents on the mainland. Her last day was Sept. 17.
Gary Nakata, Witty-Oakland’s deputy, is serving as acting community services director until a permanent replacement can be found. Managing Director Ember Shinn and housing coordinator Jun Yang have been the public face for the city on housing and homeless issues in recent weeks.
Witty-Oakland joined Caldwell’s Cabinet shortly after he was sworn-in as mayor in January 2013. Caldwell’s term runs through 2016.
Caldwell officials could not be reached for comment late Friday to discuss any potential timetable for a replacement. An advertisement for the position has run in the Star-Advertiser.
Woman charged in Pahoa attack with scissors
Hawaii County police charged a 29-year-old woman Friday in connection with a scissors attack on a 21-year-old woman at a Supercuts location in Pahoa last month.
The incident took place Aug. 25. According to police, Taniamae Faris of Pahoa entered the Supercuts business on Keaau-Pahoa Road, where the victim works, threw the victim to the ground and pulled and cut the victim’s hair. Faris also cut the victim’s arm with scissors, threatened further harm and stole the victim’s phone before fleeing on foot, police said.
Police said Faris and the victim are acquaintances.
Faris was located and arrested in Pahoa on Thursday. She was charged Friday with second-degree robbery, third-degree assault and first-degree terroristic threatening. She is being held in lieu of $37,000 bail.
Work on road will be done on weekends
Starting Saturday, reconstruction on Wells Street in Wailuku will be done on the weekends, according to a Maui County news release.
Work will take place from 7 to 8 a.m. Major construction is expected to be completed by Oct. 19 with minor weekday work expected to be completed by the end of November.
Work will not take place during the weekend of the Maui Fair, Oct. 4-5.
The first phase of construction will take place between High Street and Church Street. Phase 2 will take place between Church and Kinipopo streets; Phase 3 will take place between Kinipopo Street and Waiale Road.
