Maintenance crews clear several parks
City maintenance crews early Friday continued to enforce the new sidewalk nuisance ordinance removing two more tents belonging to (de)Occupy protesters from the sidewalks at Thomas Square.
In addition to Thomas Square, city crews, using both the sidewalk nuisance ordinance and another law banning private property on city property, cleared Moiliili Park, Kalo Park on Beretania Street and the Ala Wai promenade.
More clearing operations are planned for next week, city officials said.
The city began using the sidewalk nuisance law July 1 and has hit the Thomas Square area three times, clearing the sidewalks on South Beretania Street across from the Honolulu Museum of Art.
Friday’s Thomas Square operations began at 4:15 a.m.
Septic tank problem closes shooting range
The Koko Head Shooting Complex was closed Friday due to a problem with the septic tank.
Officials said a private vendor was trying to identify the problem.
The Department of Parks and Recreation officials said they hope the problem could be cleared so the shooting range could open today.
Rip current halts swimming
Nukumoi Point off Poipu Beach on Kauai’s South Shore was closed for swimming Friday because of a dangerous rip current.
Kauai ocean safety officials said signs were posted to warn beachgoers of the rip current, and lifeguards were advising swimmers to stay out of the water in that area. Swimmers were instead encouraged to head to calmer waters fronting the Poipu lifeguard tower.
“A tombolo, or sandbar, that usually exists between the shoreline and Nukumoi Point is a popular attraction for beachgoers,” said Ocean Safety Bureau Supervisor Kalani Vierra. “However, strong ocean conditions created by Tropical Storm Flossie have eroded that sandbar, and that erosion is causing an extremely dangerous rip current from the shoreline out to the point. As a precaution, Poipu lifeguards are prohibiting swimming in this area until conditions improve.”
The current will be monitored daily, but conditions were expected to last several days, officials said.
Clues sought in tractor theft
Hawaii County police are seeking information about a tractor, valued at more than $4,000, that was stolen in Hilo in June.
Police said a John Deere six-wheel Gator 6×4 with black seats was taken from a private road off Kaiwiki Road in the Wainaku area of Hilo between 7:30 p.m. June 27 and 5:30 a.m. June 28.
Anyone with information about this case or the location of the tractor is asked to call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
