Lizard that’s illegal in Hawaii captured in Waianae
HONOLULU (AP) — State agricultural officials say a lizard that is illegal in Hawaii was captured on Oahu.
The Department of Agriculture says the bearded dragon was caught Friday in Waianae. The woman who found it outside her home initially thought she captured an iguana.
Bearded dragons are native to central Australia and are common pets on the mainland, but it’s illegal to possess them in Hawaii. Those caught with the animals are subject to fines of up to $200,000 and up to three years in jail.
Officials don’t know how the 12-inch-long lizard ended up in Waianae.
Kauai officials close beach after shark sighting
HANALEI, Kauai (AP) — Officials on Kauai closed Hanelei Bay to swimming Tuesday after a shark sighting.
A release from the county said lifeguards reported a 6-foot gray shark was spotted near a surfing spot known as “Grandpa’s.”
The beach was closed until at least Wednesday morning, when lifeguards reassessed the situation.
Parents blame Marine Corps for son’s helicopter crash death
HONOLULU (AP) — The parents of one of 12 Marines killed after two helicopters crashed during training exercises on Oahu say the aircraft he was in shouldn’t have been flying. They also dismissed the search efforts for the Marines as “an embarrassment.”
Mike and Lisa De La Cruz, whose son, 24-year-old Sgt. Dillon Semolina, was the helicopter crew chief, said ongoing maintenance problems should have kept the CH-53E Super Stallions grounded. No trace of their son has been recovered.
Capt. Cassandra Gesecki, a spokeswoman for The III Marine Expeditionary Force, defended the search and said “no time was wasted.”
Just days before the January crash, a Marine general fired the commander of the helicopter squadron. Marine spokesman 1st Lt. Joseph Butterfield had said higher command lost confidence in Lt. Col. Edward Pavelka’s ability to lead Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463. The Marine Corps hasn’t released details about the firing.
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller said during a Senate subcommittee hearing in March that the CH-53 aircraft was probably the “most challenged” because of a shortage. He said the Corps planned for more of the choppers to go through maintenance and make spare parts more accessible.
