He says a desire to end the city’s planned $5.27 billion rail transit project prompted him to come out of retirement to run for mayor. Navy chief: Asia-Pacific to be focus ADVERTISING PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The head of
Navy chief: Asia-Pacific to be focus
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The head of the Navy told sailors Thursday that the Asia-Pacific will be the service’s focus in the future, and he views Hawaii as the gateway to the region.
“Let me give it to you straight, right here. The focus of this department in the future is the Asia-Pacific region, where you are,” Adm. Jonathan Greenert told more than 500 sailors during a visit to Pearl Harbor, one of the Navy’s largest bases. “I look at Hawaii and I say it’s the gateway — it’s the most strategic base — out into the Asia-Pacific.”
Police investigate purloined urn
HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu police are investigating a burglary of a home where the only item taken was an urn.
Elaine Takano said when she returned home from a vacation Tuesday, the urn holding the ashes of her husband, Noboru, was gone. She was away since mid-December.
The 90-year-old widow says it appears someone climbed through a back window of the house, opened the door and went through everything inside.
The Takanos were married for 64 years before he died in 2010.
Fewer applicants attend job fair
HONOLULU (AP) — Organizers of a Honolulu job fair say more employers and fewer job hunters indicate an improved labor market.
Wednesday’s Job Quest fair drew about 3,500 people, down from 5,900 last year. The number of recruiters rose to 150 from 135.
Hawaii Pacific Health was among those looking for workers. It operates several hospitals in the state and has openings for more than 200 health care workers, which could absorb some laid-off from the recent closures of Hawaii Medical Center’s two Oahu hospitals.
Police seek armed robbery suspect
MILILANI, Oahu (AP) — Honolulu police are looking for a man who is suspected of trying to rob a central Oahu jewelry store at gunpoint.
The suspect is described as more than 6 feet tall, weighing about 260 to 270 pounds. In surveillance footage police released Thursday, the suspect is seen towering over the storeowner, chasing him with a handgun and pushing him over a display case while owner is heard screaming.
Police say the suspect entered Gold Club and Gifts in Mililani on Wednesday, asking to see jewelry. He brandished the gun after a display case was opened. The owner tried to run away, but the suspect chased after him and hit him. The suspect fled empty-handed into a residential area.
A nearby high school was briefly under lockdown.
Former gov. runs for Honolulu mayor
HONOLULU (AP) — Former Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano is running for mayor of Honolulu.
Cayetano announced his candidacy Thursday, joining incumbent Mayor Peter Carlisle and former acting mayor Kirk Caldwell in the race.
He says a desire to end the city’s planned $5.27 billion rail transit project prompted him to come out of retirement to run for mayor.