Baby dolphin, an online hit, is named Lehua
WAIKOLOA, Hawaii » Officials in Hawaii have named a baby dolphin whose birth captured on video became a viral hit.
Lehua is one of three baby dolphins born recently at Dolphin Quest Hawaii at the Hilton Waikoloa Village resort on Hawaii island.
Footage from Lehua’s birth shows the baby dolphin’s tail moments before she emerges from her mother. Once she is born, she shoots up to the water’s surface to take her first breath.
Dolphin Quest Hawaii held a naming contest for Lehua and two other babies born in the man-made lagoon after closely monitoring their first months of life. Dolphin Quest is an exhibit where guests can swim with and touch the dolphins, while those outside the water can see the animals up close.
Dolphin Quest officials say more than 1,200 names were submitted by the public.
The winning name was suggested by Kapua Smith of Keller, Texas. "Lehua" means "beautiful flower" in Hawaiian.
The other dolphins are named Malu and Nahele. Malu means "peace" in Hawaiian. It was a name suggested by two people at the same time. Nahele means "forest" in Hawaiian.
The contest winners won free dolphin swims.
Officials said Lehua and the other dolphins are doing well and interacting with trainers.
Lehua’s birth was a smash hit online, with millions of views. In the video, Lehua seems to instantly recognize her mother and swim with her after taking her first breath.
Man accused of witness’s death on trial
Jury selection has begun in the trial of a Kauai man accused of killing a witness who was expected to testify against him in a robbery case.
Vicente Kote Kapika Hilario is charged with murder in the death of Aureo Moore, 34, at Anahola Beach Park on Dec. 17, 2010, the Garden Island reported.
Hilario has pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors allege that Hilario killed Moore to keep him from testifying against him and two others in connection with a robbery.
2 containers, vehicle burn near sugar mill
Two Matson containers and a vehicle near the old Kekaha Sugar Mill were destroyed in a fire Monday night.
Firefighters responded to the 11:07 p.m. fire along Kekaha Road. The blaze was put out within a half-hour, the Kauai Fire Department said in a news release.
Damage to the containers, vehicle and other miscellaneous items on property across from the sugar mill was estimated at $300,000.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Maui to dedicate carport facility and PV system
Maui’s largest photovoltaic system and the island’s first commercial-size carport photovoltaic system — both in county buildings — will be dedicated by Mayor Alan Arakawa at 9 a.m. Monday, the Office of Economic Development said Tuesday.
The newly installed array of panels at the Kihei Wastewater Treatment Facility is the largest PV system on Maui, and the carport PV system at the Kihei Aquatic Center is the first on the island, Maui officials said.
