Newswatch
By Star-Bulletin Staff
Wednesday, April 17, 1996
The state Board of Education is moving closer to endorsing student uniforms in public schools.The proposed policy - passed unanimously by the board's Student Services Committee yesterday - would not require uniforms, only make them voluntary.
Schools could have uniforms as long as a majority of the community wanted them - and they didn't financially burden families. Parents could seek waivers for their children.
School board member Darrow Aiona says uniforms are a great idea.
But Jesse Palmer, a Kahuku High School senior, says he thinks most students, especially older ones, would oppose dressing alike.
The school board will vote on the proposal at a later date.
The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers' class-action suit also alleges that "illegal and/or unethical behavior and conduct engaged in by the conspirators" were either not reported or were covered up by those receiving preferential treatment.
Named as defendants were Hawaii County and its Police Department, retired Chief Victor Vierra, current Chief Wayne Carvalho, retired Assistant Chief Francis DeMorales, and retired East Hawaii District Maj. Richard Carter Sr.
The suit seeks $10 million in general damages with punitive damages to be determined at trial.
Officers were investigating a burglary at 1088 Kinau St. around 9:45 a.m. when a resident spotted a man fleeing a neighbor's apartment. She called the officers, who caught the suspect on Pensacola Street.
Two residents identified jewelry found in the man's pocket as theirs.
Detectives gathered evidence that pointed to the suspect as also responsible for a March 19 burglary on Kumukoa Street.
At about 1 a.m., the resident awoke to noises in an adjoining bedroom and confronted a man rummaging through a dresser. The man fled.
Clifford Lapenia, 48, yesterday was charged with stabbing a 42-year-old man near Kaaahi and Kaamahu streets. Officers arrested him at his nearby apartment and recovered a knife.
The victim, who lives at the Institute for Human Services, is in fair condition at Queen's Hospital.
- Child with matches starts fire at Ewa Beach residence
- Coast Guard copter picks up ailing fisherman at sea