Newswatch
By Star-Bulletin Staff
Thursday, May 30, 1996
Thursday, May 30, 1996
Harris attacked the Council's version of the budget as "just a series of bad budget decisions that were made."
But Council Budget Chairman Duke Bainum defended the plan: "I don't think making government more accountable and streamlined are foolish choices. I consider those right choices."
The main news for Oahu residents is that tax rates aren't going up, something both the Council and administration agreed on.
The key difference between the mayor's proposals and the budget approved yesterday is $17.2 million in equipment purchases. Harris had proposed a lease-to-own program that would have meant a $4 million payment next year; the approved version calls for a one-time cash purchase next year. Bainum said that saves the city $2 million in interest payments over the next seven years.
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply is cautioning but not trying to alarm the public. The problem is not that bad - yet.
Raymond Sato, board manager and chief engineer, says the drop in the water level is caused by record-breaking temperatures and a lack of rain.
The agency wants to make sure that people use water wisely and don't waste it as summer approaches. For the next few months, the board plans to share water conservation advice to help residents not only save water but also save money on water and sewer bills.
Officer Keith Flynn is named as a defendant in a federal lawsuit filed yesterday by Arnold Cabael of Ewa Beach.
Cabael alleges that Flynn and officer Nicholas Oducado entered Cabael's home in June 1994, assaulted and arrested him.
He says the officers flung him across the floor and sprayed his face with Mace or pepper spray before taking him to Queen's Hospital for treatment.
In February, Flynn pleaded guilty in connection with a 1995 beating of a suspect at the Pearl City police station.
By Star-Bulletin staff
The 6:20 p.m. blaze at 47-420 Hoopala St. was extinguished 40 minutes later. Neither father nor son was injured.
Damage was estimated at $50,000 to the structure and $10,000 to contents, fire officials said.
The 29-year-old man was arrested as he tried to flee the home. He allegedly poured a can of gas on the carpet in the home and set fire to it, police said.
He was booked for criminal property damage and reckless endangering. Officers recovered drugs on him while he was being booked, police said.
The suspect was found in his home at 208 Kuahiwi St. - two blocks from the bank in the Wahiawa Town Center - after he was recognized in bank surveillance photos.
Two other men and an 18-year-old woman at the home were also arrested on various outstanding warrants, police said.