HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Leeward Coast water main busts
Advertiser Staff
A 24-inch water main that supplies the entire Leeward Coast broke yesterday morning at around 7:45 a.m. on Farrington Highway near the entrance of Ko Olina Resort.
The Board of water Supply is urging all Wai'anae Coast residents from Honokai Hale to Makaha, to limit water use to essential needs such as drinking, cooking and bathing while crews work to fix the break at 92-500 Farrington Highway near Ali'inui Drive.
"I was going to Kapolei for gas this morning at around 8:30 and you could see the water just billowing out right near the off- ramp," said Ko Olina resident Tony Davidson.
"Traffic was backed up and cars were crowding into the left- hand lane because they'd have been axle deep in water otherwise."
Repairs crews are expected to continue working on the problem through today, officials said.
A water wagon will be at 92-460 Farrington Highway at the Waimanalo Gulch landfill. According to the BWS, the broken main, which is 44 years old, has been the focus of a main replacement project.
FEDERAL JAIL GUARD FACES DRUG CHARGE
A 27-year-old guard at the Federal Detention Center in Hono-lulu has been charged with providing drugs to an inmate.
Akoni S. Kapihe was charged Wednesday with supplying an inmate methamphetamine and marijuana in August and September this year, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court. Kapihe made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Kevin Chang yesterday.
Chang agreed to release Kapihe on bond and under several conditions, including an electronic monitoring device that he must wear. Kapihe's next court appearance will be a preliminary hearing Jan. 3 before U.S. Magistrate Leslie Kobayashi.
BUS FIRM PROBING DUCT-TAPE CASE
The lawyer for a Kailua-based school bus company whose driver has been accused of mistreating a special needs student earlier this month says the company is investigating the matter and will turn its findings over to the state Department of Education.
The student's mother, Sherry Martinez, accused the bus driver and his male aide of duct-taping her 11-year-old son's mouth shut Dec. 6 and then verbally and physically abusing him for several days running after she filed a complaint with the school — and later with police.
Officials at Kailua Local Taxi and Windward Service have referred questions about the case to company attorney Marie Riley.
"They take such allegations very seriously, and that type of behavior would not be condoned by the bus company," Riley said yesterday.
Riley said the aide no longer works for the company, although the driver does.
The driver was arrested on an outstanding and unrelated traffic warrant after he went to the Kahuku police station to give his side of the story, police have said.
CALL FOR BLANKETS TO HELP HOMELESS
Mililani Middle School Girl Scout Troop 171 will collect new or gently used blankets for the homeless from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. today at Mililani Town Center.
Everyone who donates a blanket will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win an Apple iPod Shuffle, $50 gift certificate to Pearlridge Center and a family movie pass.
Call Suzie Yamamoto at 626-7360, ext. 288.
