Homeless camp cleared from embankment ADVERTISING Homeless camp cleared from embankment HONOLULU (AP) — A homeless camp that was perched on an embankment above the H-1 freeway on Oahu was cleared. The camp clearing Tuesday morning was part of the
Homeless camp cleared from embankment
HONOLULU (AP) — A homeless camp that was perched on an embankment above the H-1 freeway on Oahu was cleared.
The camp clearing Tuesday morning was part of the state’s effort to clear homeless camps near roadways. At least 80 homeless people live along the highway.
Up until this month, transportation officials said limited money and manpower made it impossible to stop the camping. But $2 million from the state Legislature combined with another $2 million from the state Department of Transportation’s maintenance budget allowed the hiring of a private contractor to keep campers out.
“The focus right now is on the health and safety aspect,” DOT spokesman Tim Sakahara said. “Certainly it’s not a safe place for people to be living and we want to avoid any potential incidents as well with debris or rubbish falling down the embankment, possibly onto the roadway itself.”
Corinna Aipia, who for the past year has lived in one of the cleared tents, said she is going to miss her spot near the Punchbowl exit and is not sure where she will end up next.
Outreach workers have been offering shelter ahead of the sweeps.
Once enforcement is complete, state authorities will be tasked with monitoring the area to make sure no one comes back.
Hungry crowd celebrates return of Dunkin’ Donuts
HONOLULU (TNS) — Dunkin’ Donuts made its return to Hawaii on Wednesday to a crowd of about 250 customers who lined up for doughnuts, coffee, breakfast sandwiches and prize giveaways before the 7 a.m. opening of the new store near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.
The store is the first for the Massachusetts-based chain in Hawaii since a previous Hawaii franchisee closed its last location more than a decade ago.
Jean Grossman, a regional vice president at Dunkin’ Donuts, said she was really excited that Hawaii gas station and convenience store operator Aloha Petroleum Ltd. made the deal to open 15 Dunkin’ Donuts stores statewide within eight years under a franchise agreement.
“Hawaii will again run on Dunkin’,” she said moments before the store opened.
Police: Man has heart attack after girlfriend hits him
WAIANAE, Oahu (TNS) — Police arrested a 32-year-old woman after she allegedly assaulted her 70-year-old boyfriend with a metal pipe in Waianae.
Police said the suspect struck her boyfriend with the pipe at about 4:25 p.m. Tuesday. The man suffered a cardiac arrest and was transported to a hospital in critical condition. His condition was later upgraded to “serious but stable condition.”
Police arrested the 32-year-old woman in Waianae shortly after on suspicion of second-degree assault.
Woman charged in burglary, threat case
WAHIAWA, Oahu (TNS) — Prosecutors charged a 52-year-old woman with burglary and threatening charges.
Police on Monday arrested Velvet Lausterer on suspicion of first-degree burglary and terroristic threatening.
Police said she entered a 50-year-old man’s home in Wahiawa at 11:05 p.m. Sunday without permission and threatened him with a dangerous instrument. Lausterer was previously in a relationship with the alleged victim.
Prosecutors charged Lausterer Tuesday. Her bail was set at $20,000.
Union: Firefighters lacked resources on high-rise fire
HONOLULU (AP) — The president of the union that represents Hawaii firefighters has gotten complaints from members who say they did not have the right resources to respond to a fire at a high-rise apartment complex that killed three, injured a dozen others and damaged hundreds of units earlier this month.
Hawaii Fire Fighters Association President Bobby Lee said the Honolulu Fire Department’s mobile command unit, which handles all communications and management at a fire, was sent to the Marco Polo building but then canceled.
Lee also said he received complaints that rules on asbestos in the building were not followed once firefighters left the high-rise.
Lee also was disappointed that top Fire Department leaders were not present at a blaze this size.
