Reward for seal killer doubles to $10,000
A reward for information leading to the conviction of whoever is responsible for the killing of a young female Hawaiian monk seal on Kauai has doubled.
Due to contributions from the Humane Society of the United States, Conservation Council of Hawaii, Center for Biological Diversity and the Monk Seal Foundation, the reward is now $10,000.
The initial reward offered Tuesday was $5,000.
In a news release Wednesday, William Aila, director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, said, "The support these organizations are providing to help identify, arrest and convict the individual(s) responsible for this heinous act is invaluable in raising public awareness."
Identified as RF58, the female monk seal was born June 28 near Larsen’s Beach on Kauai.
The seal was found dead Sunday on a beach in Anahola, bludgeoned on the side of the head. A necropsy revealed RF58 died from blunt force trauma and internal bleeding.
The organizations are also offering $10,000 rewards for information on four other suspicious monk seal deaths — two on Kauai and two on Molokai — that occurred from November 2011 to April 2012.
Anyone with information on the monk seal deaths is urged to call the DLNR Tipline at 1-855-DLNR-TIP.
Striped mullet off-limits till March 31
The fishing season for striped mullet is closed for the next three months, during the fish’s peak spawning time.
Fishing for amaama, or striped mullet, will be allowed again beginning March 31.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources said violations of the season restrictions can result in fines of up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail, plus up to $100 for each fish taken. In addition, an administrative fine of up to $1,000 per violation may be assessed by the department.
William Aila, DLNR director, said: "The annual winter closure is designed to help the fish reproduce successfully and protect the species from overfishing."
Police seek tips to solve storm burglary
Hawaii County police are seeking information about a burglary during Tropical Storm Iselle in which a generator and chain saw were stolen.
Police said a yellow Durostar generator model DS4000S and a Stihl 14-inch chain saw were stolen Aug. 22 from the Hawaiian Shores Community Association’s warehouse.
The generator was on loan during the Tropical Storm Iselle emergency from the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency.
In a state of emergency, like the one declared during Iselle, enhanced penalties apply to certain crimes.
Man to spend life in prison for 2012 murder
HILO » A Hawaii island judge has sentenced a man to life in prison for a 2012 murder in Puna.
Kawena Krause pleaded no contest to second-degree murder for the killing of Dante Gilman.
Krause’s attorney, Christopher Bridges, told the judge his client is remorseful but didn’t act deliberately. Bridges said Krause was tricked by his cousin into going to Gilman’s home in Hawaiian Acres.
He says the cousin hit Gilman in the face with a gun and forced Krause to "silence" him. That’s when Krause choked Gilman.
At his sentencing Tuesday, Hilo Circuit Judge Glenn Hara challenged Krause to hold his breath for a minute. Hara noted Krause choked Gilman for more than two minutes.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports Krause’s cousin, Claude Keone Krause, is scheduled to be sentenced Monday.
