Newswatch
By Star-Bulletin Staff
Tuesday, October 15, 1996
Okinawans complain about the U.S. military stationed there, the Japanese government pays them money to keep quiet, and the foreign troops stay.
Sakihara, a World War II veteran of the Imperial Army and professor of Okinawan history at the University of Hawaii, believes providing more education on Okinawan culture to Americans serving there is a key to improving the situation. So does the U.S. military.
Since the September 1995 rape of a 12-year-old girl that outraged Okinawans and put three American servicemen in Japanese prisons, military commanders have beefed up their orientation and education for arriving troops and family mem bers. They also raised the drinking age for troops from 18 to 20, following Japanese law. And they set new restrictions on the sale of alcohol on base and liberty hours in popular bar areas off base.
The result: Okinawa police reported a dramatic decrease in crimes committed by Americans connected to the U.S. bases since the rape.
In 1995, 62 Americans were arrested for various offenses. In the first eight months of 1996, Okinawa police reported 22 incidents involving Americans, with only 12 arrests.
"We've focused more attention on being good neighbors in Japan," said Lt. Col. Craig Meyers, Marine staff judge advocate on Okinawa. "We're doing everything we can to address issues that Okinawans feel are very serious."
Elizabeth Savage, 30, yesterday pleaded guilty to four counts of second-degree forgery and four counts of second-degree theft.
Savage, a police officer who resigned in March after six years on the force, also pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree theft, a misdemeanor. All counts reflect four separate cases from Feb. 1 to April 7.
Circuit Judge James R. Aiona Jr. set sentencing for Jan. 6 for Savage, who is free on bond.
Stefanov, 37, was not injured.
He was driving on Farrington Highway between Hookele Street and Hakimo Road about 6:10 p.m. when he heard a noise. He later discovered a bullet hole in the bed of his pickup. Waianae police recovered bullet fragments but have no suspects at this time.
Stefanov, a self-proclaimed member of the Hawaii Unorganized Militia, has strongly defended what he calls his constitutional right to bear arms.
His trial began last week on two felony firearms counts.
He was arrested last April for carrying a loaded .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol in a holster and two seven-round ammunition clips when he entered the Waiau Zippy's restaurant.
Police later searched his car and found an unloaded semiautomatic rifle in a gun case in his truck as well as other ammunition.
The suspect, reportedly a heavy crystal methamphetamine or "ice" user, was in his room at 1175 Hoihoi Ave. before 8 p.m. when "voices" told him to start the fire, he told police later.
Damage was estimated at $4,000 to the struc ture and $1,000 to contents, police said.
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