As Starbulletin.com went to press this afternoon, we received word that former House Speaker Daniel Kihano has been found guilty on 15 of 21 money laundering counts. Two deadlocked counts -- of mail fraud and obstructing justice -- have been dismissed.
The court is still in session, deciding on the forfeiture amount.
Details in tomorrow's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
Gorbachev spokesman to join EWC as visiting fellow
The chief spokesman for former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnaze has joined the East-West Center as a visiting fellow.Gennadi Gerasimov, who worked as a journalist in Prague, New York and Moscow before joining the Gorbachev government from 1986-1990, is in the center's Media Program through May.
Gerasimov will conduct research on the Russian Far East and its role in global affairs.
He will also write, lecture and work with journalists who participate in the Jefferson Fellowships and other media-related projects at the center.
Gerasimov became a familiar face on international television, explaining Russian government reforms such as perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness) and how the changes would affect Moscow's relations with the rest of the world.
Battle is on against banana virus on Kauai
KILAUEA, Kauai -- State agriculture officials began killing banana trees in Kilauea yesterday as part of a plan to prevent the spread of the banana bunchy-top virus to other parts of Kauai.Department of Agriculture workers went door to door asking residents' permission to inject an herbicide into the trees. Nearly 600 residents, or 90 percent of the Kilauea population, have consented so far, said department spokeswoman Ann Takiguchi.
The virus was discovered in a commercial banana field Sept. 12. Although banana bunchy top is widespread on Oahu and the leeward side of the Big Island, officials believe they can eradicate it on Kauai.
The virus is spread by the banana aphid.
State backs role in saga of abused boy
Four-year-old Reubyne Buentipo Jr., hospitalized in August after alleged abuse by his mother, did not fall through cracks in the Child Protective Services system, says state Human Services Director Susan Chandler.The child's mother, Kimberly Pada of Kailua, was charged with attempted murder after the boy was taken to Castle Medical Center unconscious with severe injuries.
He is now in Kapiolani Hospital.
Family Court records released yesterday show the state Human Services Department had been involved with the child and his mother since his birth.
The child was in and out of foster homes because of injuries and the mother's drug and alcohol problems.
Social workers and an attorney representing the boy recommended he be returned home.
Federal laws require that abused and neglected children be reunified with their families whenever possible, Chandler said.
"But it is never at the expense of child safety," she said.
Maui schoolteacher allegedly punched boy
WAILUKU -- A Kalama Intermediate School teacher has been disciplined as a result of allegedly assaulting two eighth-grade boys in separate incidents in the last two weeks.Maui District School Superintendent Ralph Murakami, citing laws protecting employees in personnel matters, declined to discuss details of the disciplinary action or the name of the teacher.
But Murakami confirmed that the teacher will be undergoing training in anger management and has been removed from the classroom for at least a week but not more than two weeks.
The teacher, who met with Murakami and Kalama principal Stephen Yamada on Friday, was not in school yesterday.
Murakami said under state Department of Education rules, a teacher is not allowed to administer corporal punishment or use profanity against a student.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffPolice investigating shooting of homeless man
Police are investigating last night's shooting of a homeless man on the 400 block of North King Street.The man, 35, intoxicated and under the influence of drugs, was found with a wound to his back at 8:50 p.m., police said. He was taken to Queen's hospital, where he is in critical condition.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Info] section for subscription information.
