WASHINGTON — On the heels of last month's much-reviled defacement of cemeteries in Hawaii, lawmakers here have revived a proposal calling for stiff penalties for anyone who desecrates a veterans cemetery. Veterans cemetery defacement
may become federal crimeA similar proposal last year, prompted by the theft of bronze markers from a California veterans cemetery, went nowhere in Congress.
But backers are hoping fresh outrage over the Hawaii incidents will help push their proposal through Congress as early as Memorial Day.
"This is a sad commentary that we need a law like this," said Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Honolulu, who was not involved in last year's bill but is a leader in this year's effort. "But the event last month in Honolulu ... demonstrates the necessity for it."
Federal officials have taken a major step in development of a $99.5 million federal detention center in Hawaii with a lawsuit to condemn four acres of state land on the edge of Honolulu Airport. Condemnation lawsuit filed
for federal detention centerState officials have agreed to $9 million for the property.
"The long-awaited detention facility is now taking a giant step forward," said U.S. Attorney Steven Alm yesterday.
The suit describes the airport land parcel as roughly bounded by Elliott Street and Aokea Place on the Hickam Air Force Base side makai of Nimitz Highway.
But before the condemnation can go through, the federal government must remove a claim by Perfect Title Co., which claims dozens of state land titles are defective, to the property.
HILO —- The Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund has appealed a 10-year permit for a helicopter tour operator to run a heliport on the border of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Sierra Club objects to renewal
of Big Isle ’copter permitThe Hawaii County Planning Commission granted the permit to ManuIwa Airways in March over the objection of a Sierra Club lawyer that the company's previous five-year permit was intended to give the company time to move from the site on the park boundary.
The Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, on behalf of Citizens Against Noise, asked the county Board of Appeals to overturn the permit and to rule that county zoning prohibits continuation of the heliport at the site.
Since its first permit in 1984, "ManuIwa has earned the reputation as the single most disruptive tour operator in the national park," the Sierra Club's statement said.
Subdivision residents have also complained about its noise, it said.
ManuIwa manager David Okita said 70 percent of his company's flights over the park are government-contracted. Regarding complaints by subdivision residents, he said about half the community supports the heliport and half oppose it.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffA gunman who robbed the Mapunapuna branch of Central Pacific Bank of an undisclosed sum yesterday got away on foot in the makai direction on Mapunapuna Street. Gunman robs
Mapunapuna bankThe suspect, who appeared to be in his early 20s, entered the 960 Mapunapuna St. outlet about 1:25 p.m.
He passed a note demanding money and pointed a black revolver at the teller.
Witnesses said he was about 5-feet-8 and 130 pounds. Clean-shaven, he had brown hair and brown eyes and was clad in a white T-shirt with a blue and white aloha shirt draped over his shoulder. He also wore a tan baseball cap.
The bank robbery was the 20th this year. Anyone with information on this holdup is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or the FBI at 521-1411.
Police are investigating a shooting early yesterday outside Schofield Barracks in which a 29-year-old Honolulu man was shot in the buttocks by an unidentified man. Honolulu man
shot in buttocksThe victim and a male companion, 23, were in the parking lot of Kemoo Farms about 5:15 a.m. when the older man allegedly went to the rear of a car to urinate, police said.
He was confronted by a man brandishing a handgun who demanded to know what he was doing. The suspect allegedly fired several rounds into the air and as the victim attempted to flee, shot him in the back, police said.
The victim was taken to Wahiawa General Hospital, where doctors removed a bullet in his left buttock. He was later released.
The victim's companion, who was not harmed, was arrested on outstanding warrants, police said.
Other Police/Fire headlines
in today’s Star-Bulletin:
- McCully Baskin-Robbins robbed
- Charges sought in June holdup
- Swimmer critical after accident
- Man asleep in driveway arrested
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Info] section for subscription information.
