State investigating suspicious deaths of albatross
HONOLULU (AP) — State officials have announced they are launching an investigation into the deaths of three Laysan albatross and the destruction of several of the birds’ nests in the Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve.
A report from a concerned citizen prompted a Department of Land and Natural Resources officer to conduct a site visit Tuesday. The officer was joined by the natural area reserve manager, a natural area reserve specialist and a seabird biologist.
As of last week, there were 75 active nests at Kaena. The site visit revealed that 15 nests had eggs that were smashed or missing. Of those nests, 12 of the attending adults are missing and bodies of three adult birds were found.
“We had evidence that several of the birds had their feet cut off,” said Thomas Friel, chief of the department’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement. “It was in such a way that we believe it not to be predation from a wild animal, but rather from humans.”
Seabird monitoring equipment worth more than $3,000 was also reported missing.
The bodies of the three adult birds are being sent to U.S. Geological Survey’s Honolulu office, where a necropsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. The process is expected to take several weeks.
DNLR is working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Honolulu Police Department on its investigation.
DNLR, with the help of wildlife organizations and individuals across the state, is offering a $10,000 reward for an arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the crime.
Audit finds flaws in online system for Obamacare enrollment
HONOLULU (AP) — The state auditor has blamed a “lack of effective leadership” within the Hawaii Department of Human Services for preventing the department’s computer system from meeting the goals of the federal Affordable Care Act.
The auditor’s report released Wednesday says the $155 million Kauhale On-Line Eligibility Application system, or KOLEA, did launch in time to meet a federal deadline on Oct. 1, 2013. However, KOLEA has failed to establish an easy process for enrolling people into health plans and determining eligibility for coverage, according to the auditor.
Human Services Director Rachel Wong has disputed the report’s findings, arguing that the report is “wholly incorrect.” She maintains that the system meets the requirements for a Medicaid eligibility determination system.
Wong said the system accepts online applications and is connected to a federal network that conducts online verification of the data.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has also told the state that the system is running accurately and in a timely manner, according to Wong.
