Honolulu faces robbery spree ADVERTISING Honolulu faces robbery spree HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu police are seeking the public’s help in identifying suspects responsible for a spate of armed robberies in recent months. Police officials said Friday there have been at
Honolulu faces robbery spree
HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu police are seeking the public’s help in identifying suspects responsible for a spate of armed robberies in recent months.
Police officials said Friday there have been at least 11 robberies at convenience stores, 24-hour drugstores and fast-food restaurants since June 30, and there may be at least three individuals or groups involved.
Officials say the suspects are typically masked, wear hoodies or caps, carry rifles or handguns and are careful not to leave fingerprints.
Police are urging the public to call 911 and not to approach possible suspects who may be armed and dangerous. Police say they are seeking the community’s participation because they haven’t received enough tips or leads to identify suspects.
Lanai health center on track
LANAI CITY, Lanai (AP) — Construction of an $8 million health center planned for Lanai could be finished by the middle of next year, with plans to open in 2016, its executive director said.
“We are not at the end yet … but we are moving in the absolutely right direction,” said Dr. Diana Shaw of the Lanai Community Health Center.
Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie released $500,000 for the construction last week, and the Legislature has approved another $1.75 million in state funding.
Part of the project is also being funded with investors attracted by a federal program that allows individual and corporate investors to get tax credits on their investments. The New Market Tax Credit program is designed to attract capital to low-income communities.
Shaw said the project is helped by brisk construction elsewhere on the island since Oracle Corp. co-founder and billionaire Larry Ellison bought most of Lanai’s land in June 2012. Some contractors the health center is working with are already on the island, she said.
The new health center is expected to be five times larger than the current facility. The current facility is in a converted house and serves about 40 percent of Lanai’s population of 3,100 residents, according to the governor’s office.
The health center is run by a nonprofit that targets people who are uninsured or underinsured.
