A citizens group filed a lawsuit today in U.S. District Court seeking to force the Army to remove the 37-foot-tall cross near Kolekole Pass at Schofield Barracks. Group files suit to remove
cross at Kolekole PassThe cross, built in 1962 using taxpayers' money, is a "blatant and obvious violation" of the establishment clause of the First Amendment, said Mitchell Kahle, president of Hawaii Citizens for the Separation of State and Church, the lead plaintiff in this suit.
The group was established to defend the First Amendment principle that government must never promote religion or show any preference for one religion over another.
The plaintiffs repeatedly petitioned the Army since December to remove the cross voluntarily, and nine months later the Army still has not acted despite asking twice for more time to review the request, Kahle said. "They're just trying to stall us."
In the Army's latest communication to Kahle, dated April 1, Lt. Col. Dale N. Woodling, staff judge advocate, wrote: "We do not believe that the cross or the stairs leading up to it violate the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. Accordingly, this command does not intend to remove either the cross or the stairs at this time."
Lee Ferguson, 25th Division spokeswoman, today said, "The Army does not comment on matters pending litigation."
The Army in a letter to one of the plaintiffs said the cross "is not intended to be confrontational or to endorse one religion or belief over others" and that the cross "is one place for a segment of our soldiers and their families to practice their religious beliefs."
Legislators today sought answers from a judge, doctors and members of the state's Child Protective Services to explain why a comatose 4-year-old was not protected by the state's system. Lawmakers probe
child brutalityPrompted by the arrest and charging of a 29-year-old Kailua woman for attempted murder of her son, Rep. Dennis Arakaki and Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, chairman and chairwoman of the House and Senate committees on human services, called for an informational briefing today to look at the policies of the state's Child Protective Services run by the Department of Human Services.
Police said the boy had previously been taken away from the mother, Kimberly Pada, and placed in foster care.
The boy was returned to Pada before Aug. 29, when he was taken to Castle Hospital in critical condition with injuries police list as brain swelling, bruises covering one eye and other parts of his body, cigarettes burns on his body, second-degree burns on one foot and signs of sexual abuse.
Kapiolani physician Dr. Cynthia Tinsley said in court Friday that the boy may never come out of the coma.
Arakaki said the system failed this child and suggested legislators support policies to protect children. "If we're going to send kids back on a tightrope, we need to make sure those children have a safety net before them," Arakaki said.
University of Hawaii scientists working Tuesday on the undersea volcano found a part of its plumbing system spewing 200-degree Celsius water -- the hottest they've ever recorded. Loihi revealing volcanic
wonders to researchersFor the first time at a hot spot anywhere, they also discovered sulfide "chimneys" that form around the vents as particles fall out of the rising water from the openings.
"We're learning in quantum leaps about the system here," said UH oceanographer Gary McMurtry, speaking from the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory ship, the Ka'imikai-O-Kanaloa.
He said this is the first time they have found evidence of a high-temperature system on the fledgling volcano. The previous temperature record was 77 degrees Celsius. "There is definitely a high-temperature reservoir down there," McMurtry said. With fluctuations in temperature, he added that temperatures may be reaching 400 degrees Celsius.
Whether that means Loihi is getting a fresh infusion of magma won't be answered until the researchers get back on dry land and analyze the samples.
Last year, magma drained from the chamber under Loihi, resulting in a massive collapse at the summit, which formed Pele's Pit. McMurtry said that means the magma chamber must now be closer to the surface, raising the possibility of an eruption.
The collapse also allowed the researchers a new peek at the volcano's insides.
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Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffA 51-year-old Waianae man died today when his pickup crashed into the center median on the H-1 Freeway. Pickup crash on H-1
kills Waianae manPolice said shortly after 1 a.m., the man was ejected from his truck when he hit the freeway's median east of the Makakilo offramp.
The man was taken to St. Francis-West Hospital, where he died.
Police said speed and alcohol may have contributed to the man's death. Police said this was the 54th traffic fatality this year compared with 52 last year.
Police charged an 18-year-old man with committing three robberies in 10 days. Suspect is charged
in student robberyPolice arrested Earl Oliphant of Kalunu Street at Farrington High School this week after his latest alleged robbery of a 14-year-old Kamehameha Schools boarding student.
Sunday the victim told police that he was at Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park when Oliphant threatened to beat him up if the victim didn't give him money.
The victim gave Oliphant $7 and then reported the robbery to park police bicycle patrols.
Police said the suspect escaped police by jumping in the water and swimming to Point Panic.
Police arrested Oliphant at school, and the victim identified him in a photograph lineup.
Police from the four major counties in the state and the National Guard yesterday seized 3,438 marijuana plants in a sweep of property from the eastern to northern region of the Big Island. More pot uprooted
on Big IslandAuthorities pulled out the marijuana plants from a number of areas, including Upper Saddle Road, Pahoa, Waawaa and Kukuihaele.
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