Grant to fund sensor network for volcanic emissions ADVERTISING Grant to fund sensor network for volcanic emissions HONOLULU (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is awarding a $750,000 grant for the construction of a low-cost air pollution sensor network
Grant to fund sensor network for volcanic emissions
HONOLULU (AP) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is awarding a $750,000 grant for the construction of a low-cost air pollution sensor network that will test for volcanic emissions on the Big Island.
The EPA said Tuesday that Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientists will develop the network to track how Kilauea volcano’s emissions affect air quality.
Air quality near Kilauea can be poor because the volcano emits high levels of sulfur dioxide. Fine particulate matter mixes with the sulfur dioxide, making volcanic smog or “vog.” The vog negatively affects human health and crops.
The scientists will study the accuracy of data produced by sensors and explore how the data can be gathered and used by communities.
Judge dismisses Oahu gambling operation case
HONOLULU (AP) — A judge threw out felony charges for the second time against three men accused with illegal gambling operations in Oahu game rooms.
Judge Rom Trader dismissed the case against Tracy Yoshimura, Eugene Simeona Jr. and Michael Miller Jr. on Tuesday, saying the state took too long to bring them to trial. The dismissal was made with prejudice, meaning prosecutors can’t charge the men a third time, but the ruling can be appealed.
The men were indicted in the high-profile case in 2014 on more than 400 gambling counts involving nearly 80 seized gaming machines. That case was dismissed after two prosecutors admitted presenting false testimony to the grand jury.
The three men were scheduled to stand trial this month on the second indictment handed down in February.
One of the defendants in the case was a distributor of arcade machines, while the other two were arcade owners.
In response to the judge’s finding that the state violated the men’s right to a speedy trial, Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro released a statement saying he is “deeply disappointed.”
Six arcade workers who were also charged in the case are scheduled to face trial later this month.
