Woman killed in New Year’s Day fireworks explosion ADVERTISING Woman killed in New Year’s Day fireworks explosion HONOLULU (AP) — A fireworks explosion at a large New Year’s Day gathering on Oahu left one woman dead and a man critically
Woman killed in New Year’s Day fireworks explosion
HONOLULU (AP) — A fireworks explosion at a large New Year’s Day gathering on Oahu left one woman dead and a man critically injured, authorities said.
The pair was lighting illegal fireworks during the gathering when the explosion happened, police said.
Emergency personnel arrived just after midnight Sunday at the Campbell Industrial Park in Kapolei to find the two victims injured. The 38-year-old woman was taken to a hospital in critical condition and died from her injuries. The 36-year-old man remains in critical condition.
Police opened an unattended death and prohibited explosive device investigation, but no one has been arrested or cited. Honolulu Police Department spokeswoman Sarah Yoro said Monday no further information was being released at this time.
Honolulu’s Emergency Medical Services said the woman’s death was among dozens of other fireworks-related incidents during the weekend. The agency responded to 28 calls within the first hour of 2017.
The Honolulu Fire Department also had a busy weekend, Fire Capt. Kevin Mokulehua said.
“The Honolulu Fire Department responded to 19 fireworks-related incidents which doubled last year’s incident totals,” Mokulehua said. “Most of the incidents were wildland fires, some structure fires and other miscellaneous fires.”
Coast Guard calls off search for missing Cessna
HONOLULU (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for a small plane that went missing with three people onboard.
The Coast Guard said Sunday it found no trace of the Cessna during its search covering nearly 1,500 square miles.
The search began Friday evening when the Coast Guard received a call that the Cessna disappeared from radar while en route to Molokai from Honolulu. Bad weather hampered the initial search.
Onboard were pilot Michael Childers and passengers John Mizuno and Whitney Thomas. All three were in their 20s.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane’s last known position was about 35 miles east-southeast of Kaneohe, Oahu.
Lihue Airport to get $18 million in improvements
LIHUE, Kauai (AP) — The state Department of Transportation announced plans to complete $18 million worth of improvements and upgrades at Lihue Airport on Kauai.
Funds for the improvements to the airport’s hold room, passenger check-in area and ticket lobby are part of the state’s executive $28.8 billion budget for fiscal years 2017-19. Taxpayers will pay $10 million for rehabilitation work of the airfield.
State officials say the improvements will reduce congestion at the state’s fourth-busiest airport and improve the passenger experience.
“HDOT’s mission is to provide a safe, efficient, accessible and sustainable intermodal transportation system to ensure the mobility of people and goods and to enhance the quality of life throughout the state,” said DOT spokeswoman Shelly Kunishiege.
The ticket lobby and hold room improvements are expected to be complete by the end of 2018, with the remaining construction work scheduled for completion by 2019.
The Lihue Airport served 2.8 million passengers in fiscal year 2016.
“Construction work will be done in off peak times to accommodate travelers,” Kunishiege said.
