Lt. Cmdr. Nic Iannarone, chief of enforcement for U.S. Coast Guard in Hawai'i, focuses on protecting whales through March 31 in Hawaiian waters. |
OPERATION KOHOLĀ GUARDIAN IS UNDERWAY through March 31 with the U.S. Coast Guard partnering with NOAA Office of Law Enforcement and state Division of Conservation & Resource Enforcement. The aim is reduce risk to humpback whales in Hawaiian waters.
A Coast Guard statement says that "Operation Koholā Guardians is a focused mission that occurs during peak whale season, from January to March, that was designed to monitor and protect humpback whales, enforce humpback whale regulations, provide outreach and education to the community, and respond to distressed whales."
Thousands of humpback whales seasonally use the waters around the Hawaiian Islands as their principal breeding and calving wintering grounds. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is one of 15 National Marine Sanctuaries designated as special areas set aside for long-term protection and conservation and provides extremely important habitat for humpback whales.
Mariners and visitors are reminded that the following activities are prohibited and unlawful:
A vessel, individual, or drone approaching within 100 yards of any humpback whale.
Operating an aircraft within 1,000 feet of any humpback whale, except as necessary for takeoff or landing from an airport or runway.
“Operation Koholā Guardian is a shining example of how the Coast Guard, alongside our invaluable partners at NOAA and the Hawai'i Division of Conservation & Resource Enforcement, effectively safeguard the fragile marine ecosystems of the Hawaiian Islands,” said Lt. Cmdr. Nic Iannarone, chief of enforcement at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “Through collaborative efforts, shared intelligence, and coordinated patrols, we ensure the safety of protected and iconic species like humpback whales, while simultaneously fostering responsible practices amongst ocean users. This collaborative approach is not only crucial for enforcing regulations, but also for educating the public and fostering appreciation for the delicate balance of our marine environment."
Those who see a violation or are involved in a collision with a whale, call the NOAA Hotline at 1-800-853-1964. If a phone call is not possible, hail the Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16.
A partnership between U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA and DOCARE protects humpback whales this season in Hawai'i. Photo from U.S. Coast Guard |
Derrick Camacho received the maximum sentence of 15 years for robbery and tying up the owner of Kahuku Gift & Garden Shop. Photo from County Prosecutor |
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Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen said, “Our Office shares in our community’s concern regarding the unwarranted release of individuals facing serious felony charges. Nevertheless, judges often times refer to HCCC’s overcrowding as the basis to release offenders over prosecutors’ objections. This practice does not promote trust and confidence in our criminal justice system, instead creating doubts, fear, and concerns for public safety. Hawai‘i Island is in dire need of new and improved correctional facilities with the infrastructure to both house serious offenders and accommodate rehabilitative care and treatment, social services, cultural education, and reintegration assistance for incarcerated individuals to reduce recidivism and promote public safety.”
According to the State of Hawai‘i, Department of Public Safety’s website, HCCC is a 226-bed facility
County Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen |
For more information on HCCC, the Corrections Division, and Hawai'i's other correctional facilities, visit: https://dps.hawaii.gov/about/divisions/corrections/
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"At about 9:30 a.m., a verbal altercation took place while police and school staff were present. School staff and police noted that the altercation was quickly turning physical, and took action to stop the altercation from escalating, but during a potential brawl between two students, a police officer collided with a 51-year-old female administrator who was knocked to the ground while trying to separate the two students. The administrator did not receive any injuries, was treated at the hospital as a precaution, and later released. The involved students were suspended from school.
"In all, five students received suspension days in accordance with the Department of Education Chapter 19 Rules of Conduct.
"The incident was captured on various cellular devices and posted to social media outlets, quickly popularizing and overplaying the incident with police and the school administrator, indicating that she was injured and is in critical condition. This is completely false.
"Assistant Police Chief Kenneth Quiocho credited the school resource officer at the school for being there and in a position to get additional resources to quell the incident early on. Quiocho said 'it was disappointing to see the social media posts. The posts take away from the seriousness of what is occurring in our schools, and it is hopeful that the public will look at the incident and not believe everything they see and read on social media without supporting facts. This incident was serious and it was more alarming that this kind of altercation takes place in our schools.'”
The HPD statement said that police "will continue to monitor any further potential incidents and take preventive measures to stop similar incidents from occurring. This particular incident demonstrates how imperative it is in our school system that we have school resource officers present and available as they are vital to the safety of our children in our schools."
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