Fire Department crews and lifeguards this morning rescued two bodyboarders who were stuck in 15-foot waves as the first big swell of the winter hit the North Shore. Two surfers rescued
from 15-foot wavesThe Fire Department said the bodyboarders at Velzyland treaded water until a rescue helicopter airlifted the men out of the waves.
The Fire Department said two surfers also were stuck in the strong current, but were able to make it in on their own.
Lifeguard Terry Brown said the bodyboarders went into the water earlier in the morning when the waves were probably in the 8- to 10-foot range.
In a matter of hours, the surf rose to 12 to 15 feet.
The National Weather Service has posted a high surf advisory for north and west shores for all islands. Wave heights were expected to reach 18 feet, with some occasional higher waves.
Brown said lifeguards were advising swimmers to stay out of the water while the swell continues for the next few days. He also cautioned that lifeguards are not on duty at city beaches until 9 a.m.
Brown said rescue personnel and lifeguards this morning were "getting ready and gearing up to go save some lives."
He said lifeguards posted warning signs at unguarded beaches.
Lifeguards at city beaches also were posting high surf warnings "before it gets outta control," Brown said.
The swell is caused by Typhoon David off Japanese waters.
While surfers get their waves, everyone should benefit soon from the return of the trade winds, the National Weather Service said.
Magic Island has been deleted from the list of 11 potential off-site parking lots for the State Convention Center. Magic Island spared
from convention center useCity Councilman Andy Mirikitani said yesterday that the Hawaii Convention Center Authority has officially withdrawn Ala Moana Beach Park from its traffic management plan due to concerns by residents over access to Oahu's most heavily used beach park.
With more than 5 million people using the park each year, the state's plan to list the Magic Island parking lot as an overflow site was inappropriate, he said.
Mirikitani on Aug. 21 sent a three-page letter to Alan Hayashi, the center's executive director, requesting that Magic Island be removed from the list. Michael Polovcin, the center's director of operations, in a Sept. 9 letter said the lot was officially removed due to Mirikitani's concerns and because use of the lot was not feasible after a final review.
Other sites listed on the plan include the parking structure at the University of Hawaii-Manoa and the parking lot at Kapiolani Community College. The convention center is expected to open next summer.
The mother of one of five juveniles who will spend a year in federal prison for a January car-jacking said the time behind bars may benefit the teens. Youth's mom says a year
behind bars could help"Maybe it's really good for them to serve one year," Peli Fatea said yesterday after the closed hearing involving her 15-year-old son.
Visiting U.S. District Judge Manuel L. Real sentenced the five juveniles, ages 14 to 17, to the prison terms in the Jan. 31 car-jacking on Waikele Road.
He also imposed probation that would end in five years or when they turn 21, relatives of the five juveniles said.
Federal prosecutors and defenders declined comment on the sentences or case, saying juvenile proceedings are confidential.
If the teens had been sentenced as adults, they would have faced up to 15 years for the offense.
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Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffKAPAA, Kauai -- Police are looking for a man who robbed the Kapaa branch of Bank of Hawaii yesterday. Man with briefcase
robs bank on KauaiThe man wore dark glasses and carried a briefcase when he walked into the bank at 1:45 p.m. and demanded large bills from a teller, said Kauai Police Detective Bill Ching.
Bank officials were counting receipts last night and didn't know how much money was stolen.
The suspect is described as 6 feet tall, 30-40 years old, with a slim build, short dark brown or black hair and a trim mustache. He was wearing a black dress jacket and pants, white shirt and had his hair combed back.
Anyone with information is asked to call Kauai CrimeStoppers at 241-6787.
Other police/fire items:
Police seek suspect in Makakilo assault
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