Newswatch

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Thursday, April 11, 1996

"We are reviewing the federal regulations to try to come up with local rules that make some common sense," said Mayor Jeremy Harris. "As with so many federal mandates, this one is designed for mainland big cities whose storm drains discharge into their drinking water supply. We need rules that make sense for Honolulu, and don't place an undue burden on our citizens."

The city had recently begun notifying condo owners of the regulation, spurred by the federal government's 1987 Clean Water Act. Condo dwellers objected to the ban, contending they were being unfairly singled out.

Last year, the city broke down a hollow-tile wall at the parking lot that provided cover for night drug transactions. It plans to pave over the parking lot for its development plans.

Ben Lee, deputy city managing director, says the plans include an enclosed basketball court - something he says many area residents want.

But Downtown Neighborhood Board member Christine Brown says residents want a park and child-care center there. She says the city promised residents the park 16 years ago.

The victim was identified as David Ako, 41, of Kailua-Kona.

Ako's 10-wheeler truck overturned on Aloha Boulevard, a private subdivision road, about 9:39 a.m., police said. He was taken to Kona Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 1:25 p.m.

Three of six teen-agers in a car driven by a 17-year-old Waialua High School student were thrown from the vehicle and landed in a deep ravine. They were transported by helicopter to Queen's Hospital and are in serious condition.

Three other teens, who were in the back seat of the car, are in stable condition at Wahiawa Hospital.

A 25-year-old Army officer, who was driving the vehicle struck by the car, was taken to Schofield Barracks by military ambulance.

The crash was reported at 1:46 p.m.