Newswatch

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Thursday, July 17, 1997

By Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin
Firefighters from 20 companies were called to battle this
brush fire near Mamoalii Place in Maili. The fire was several
feet from nearby homes before it was brought under control.

Some Maili homes dodge
a brush fire bullet

Joe Masamorel is standing on a tile wall with a garden hose, his back so close to approaching flames that he can feel the heat.

The brush fire closes to within 15 feet, forcing him to jump off the wall. But he continues to spray water onto his rented Mamoalii Place home in Maili, ignoring an order to evacuate.

Throughout the Palm Grove neighborhood, residents are helping one another hose down houses threatened by a fire last night that took 20 civilian and military fire companies 5 hours and 13 minutes to bring under control.

"It got close, boy, real close," said Masamorel, who moved to the Palm Grove on May 29 with his wife and four children. "We were extremely lucky. This was too close for comfort.

"There's a dirt break about 15 feet wide between the keawe and the houses that helped," he added. "If the firemen didn't get back there when they did and if all the neighbors didn't pull together to water down the roofs, we would have lost a lot of houses."

Superintendent
ranks isle schools 44th

Overcrowded classrooms. A shortage of facilities. Increasing enrollment. More students in need of special services.

These are conditions at Hawaii's public schools, yet the state ranks below the national average in funding for public education.

This is one trend noted in the Superintendent's Seventh Annual Report on School Performance and Improvement, released yesterday.

The report covers Hawaii's public school system -- 243 public schools in seven districts -- for school year 1995-96.

"Funding levels continue to be less than the state could possibly afford, based on tax revenues and in spite of difficulties the state has now," said Greg Knudsen, Department of Education spokesman.

Since 1993, the state has spent $1,000 less per pupil -- dropping Hawaii to 44th place. It spent a little more than $4,000 per pupil, or 24 percent below the national average.

Jury clears policeman
of prisoner's death

A father whose 30-year-old son died of a brain hemorrhage when he tried to flee from a Honolulu police officer still believes the officer killed his son.

But a Circuit Court jury yesterday cleared Brian Akonom of all allegations, finding he was not negligent in causing the death of Jack L. Gusman two years ago.

Jurors also found that Akonom didn't commit battery or intentionally inflict emotional distress on Gusman, whose head hit the pavement when Akonom tried to block his escape.

"We thought he should be held responsible," said Ernst Gusman, the victim's father, who filed a civil suit against the City and County of Honolulu. "This guy was past the stage of anger (during the incident). I think he was enraged."

Akonom, previously cleared of wrongdoing by police and prosecutors, said he was relieved by the jury's verdict, but still felt bad for the family in what he described as a "tragic incident."

"Luckily, it's not kept me from doing my job," he said, adding that he hoped it had made him a better officer.

Akonom, with the department since 1988, remains on active duty at the Pearl City Police Station.

Man who assaulted girl
gets prison term

A 9-year-old girl burst into tears yesterday as she read a statement about a man who sexually assaulted her while he was on probation for a sexual offense.

"I was really scared of him," she said, unable to go on as Thomas M. Lomenjkit, the man who assaulted her over three weeks in February, sat with his head lowered.

Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario yesterday sentenced Lomenjkit to the maximum term of 20 years for each of six counts of first-degree sexual assault.

Del Rosario also imposed a mandatory minimum term of 10 years for each count, but ordered they be concurrent, based on a plea agreement.

"I just apologize for all the people I've hurt," Lomenjkit said.

The girl's mother said she wanted Lomenjkit, who had been a neighbor several years earlier, to serve the full sentence without probation.

Probe at Kamehameha
to offer confidentiality

Individuals who can help a fact finder investigate allegations of mismanagement at Kamehameha Schools will be given a "full and fair" opportunity to be heard without fear of having their identity revealed.

An order signed by Circuit Judge Colleen Hirai last week appointing former Judge Patrick Yim as fact finder offers "absolute confidentiality" to witnesses if they request it, said Beadie Kanahele Dawson, attorney for Na Pua a Ke Ali'i Pauahi -- an organization representing students, parents and alumni of Kamehameha.

Individuals have expressed fear for their jobs and for retaliation against their children enrolled at Kamehameha, Dawson said.

Kamani Kuala'au, the student body president, who disclosed earlier this month that he was summoned by trustee Lokelani Lindsey in May to discuss a letter he and another student authored in support of embattled school president Michael Chun, sent a message to others that they can step forward openly and in confidence, Dawson said.

People reluctant to call Yim directly can also call a hotline for information on the investigation process or for information on Na Pua. That number is 521-7767.

See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Info] section for subscription information.

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Police/Fire


By Star-Bulletin staff

Man held for running
over girlfriend after spat

Police arrested a 37-year-old Makakilo man for allegedly running over his girlfriend last night.

Shortly before 8 p.m., police said, the suspect was arguing with his girlfriend as the couple left the Waikele Sack 'N Save grocery store. Police said the girlfriend was hanging on the man's truck as he drove away.

The woman either fell or was pushed off, as the car's rear right wheel rolled over her, police said.

The woman is at Queen's Hospital with a fractured hip.

Other Police/Fire headlines
in today’s Star-Bulletin:

• Authorities hunting man who robbed bank in Hilo
• Concert ticket scam probe continuing on Big Island
• Fire razes small structure in Royal Hawaiian Estates

See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Info] section for subscription information.