City plans to exit the housing business
City Council wants the Harris administration to get out of the housing business and is proposing a ban on future housing projects and the abolishment of the Department of Housing and Community Development.The city administration says it is already headed out the door.
"We believe the structure of the housing department was built for a generation ago," Bob Fishman, city managing director, said yesterday.
"And I think that's one of the problems we're facing. We don't want to pretend that we're going to be in the housing development business when we're not."
Council Chairman John DeSoto, along with budget committee leaders John Henry Felix and Mufi Hannemann, introduced a charter amendment resolution yesterday to dissolve the Housing Department by June 30, 1999. It also proposed most of the department's low-income housing, rent subsidy, and community development programs be transferred to the Department of Community and Social Resources.
Reasons cited for the city to get out of housing: A recent audit that estimates at least a $26.6 million loss by the city in the Ewa Villages Revitalization Project and uncertain costs of other housing projects.
COUNCIL TO SEEK ANSWERS
Get ready for some unraveling as officials at Honolulu Hale pick through the web of controversy that has snared the Ewa Villages Revitalization Project.
The City Council Budget Committee at 9 a.m. tomorrow will hold an informational hearing to have the city administration explain the problems over Ewa Villages and its recent audit.
Budget Chairman John Henry Felix also has asked for a separate accounting of the alleged criminal acts in the project from City Managing Director Bob Fishman.
And city Budget Director Malcolm Tom wants some answers from Office of Council Services Director Diane Hosaka on the critical audit.
Judge overturns verdict of racial harassment
U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor has overturned a federal jury verdict involving a Haleakala Park worker's claim of racial harassment.Jurors had awarded $30,000 in compensatory damages to Eric Nakamura, a Haleakala National Park maintenance worker, who claimed he was fired in 1994 after complaining about racial harassment. But Gillmor found that Nakamura failed to identify any trial evidence which could support a reasonable finding of retaliatory intent underlying his termination.
"The Park Service had a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for the termination of this temporary employee -- simple lack of funds," said Steven Alm, U.S. Attorney.
The court found Nakamura failed to show specific substantial evidence that this reason was a mere excuse used by the Park in the termination, Alm said.
Department of Health issues vog advisory
Vog conditions created by Kona winds have led the state Department of Health to issue advice to people with health conditions that may be adversely affected by volcanic pollutants:
"Sulphur dioxide, fine particles in the air and various pollutant mixtures may individually, or in combination, present a health risk, especially to those individuals with respiratory conditions," said Bruce Anderson, DOH deputy director. "Individuals that should take precautions include asthmatics, individuals with bronchitis or emphysema, possibly children and the elderly."
Murder suspect retracts confession
A man who allegedly killed a Wahiawa woman on her routine walk near Leilehua High School June 9 is trying to prevent prosecutors from using his confession when he goes to trial.Frank Charles Janto, accused of second-degree murder in the beating death of Bongak "Jackie" Koja, yesterday asked a judge to suppress all statements to police on and after June 14.
William Bento, his attorney, said Janto had asked for legal counsel, but police didn't provide any. "His statement wasn't given freely or voluntarily," he added.
But Deputy Prosecutor Jean Ireton offered as evidence a form dated June 14 in which Janto initialed a line to indicate he didn't want an attorney when he talked to police.
Bento said Janto admitted injuring the 59-year-old Koja in the statement.
Circuit Judge James Aiona Jr. postponed the hearing to Monday.
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Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staff3 gunmen disrupt illegal gambling hall
Police are looking for three men who allegedly held 50 people at gunpoint in a gambling establishment yesterday.At about 1:30 a.m., three masked gunmen entered what police described as an illegal gambling hall at North King and River streets. The gunmen ordered the 50 patrons to the ground while they forced one person to the restroom and took that individual's valuables.
Police said the call came in about three hours after the incident, and the victims were very uncooperative.
Assault suspect threatens suicide
Police Special Services Division and hostage negotiators responded to a call that a man with a gun had locked himself inside his Ewa home last night.When the suspect, 32, was confronted by his sister, 15, about the alleged sexual assault of a relative, the man apparently threatened to kill himself, police said.
He then locked himself in his room about 8 p.m.
Police surrounded the house located on the 91-500 Block of Akua Street by 9 p.m. and then entered. But they found the man had already fled the room.
The man is wanted on two counts of first-degree sexual assault and third-degree sexual assault.
'Free' car scam targets Big Island
Big Island police officials are warning residents about a telephone scam requiring them to wire $150 in return for an expensive automobile.The man identifying himself as Steven Shirley of American Family Publishers says the $150 is to pay for licensing fees.
Police said two residents were called yesterday evening and told they would receive a Jaguar if they paid the licensing fees, which could be wired through Western Union at Hilo's Sack 'n Save Foods supermarket.
Police said the caller left a Las Vegas 800 number but when residents called back, they got only an answering machine.
Earlier this year, a similar scam occurred on the Big Island. Police said several residents paid shipping fees, only to receive nothing in return.
Anyone receiving these telephone calls is asked to call Big Island police at 961-2213.
Lahaina woman dies in Maui crash
WAILUKU -- A Lahaina woman became the 10th traffic fatality of the year in Maui County, compared with 30 for the same period last year.The woman, 58, died less than an hour after the crash at 7:20 a.m. Saturday on Honoapiilani Highway near Hanakaoo Beach when the vehicle she was driving north swerved into oncoming traffic.
Her vehicle was struck broadside by a pickup truck.
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