Nonpoliticians in charge of campaign spending panel
For the first time in the Campaign Spending Commission's almost 20-year history, the nonpoliticians are in charge.Because of a 1995 change in the law, the commission's five members are no longer members of the state's political parties.
The change means that four of the five members are new.
"We got a good bunch of people, very public-service minded," says Robert Watada, the commission's executive director.
"In the past we got political party people and that really narrows the scope of who can serve."
The only holdover on the board is May Oshiro, who had been a Republican nominee.
The commissioners are appointed by the governor from a list of 10 nominees submitted by the Judicial Council. Commissioners serve a four-year term and can be reappointed for one term. They serve without pay.
Nagasako Supermarket, Lahaina's first, closes after over 30 years in business
LAHAINA - Lahaina's first supermarket, founded by the family of a Japanese immigrant candy maker, closed last week after more than 30 years in business.Nagasako Supermarket General Manager Richard Nagasako said the family-owned store lost a significant amount of business from residents affected by labor cutbacks at Pioneer Mill Co.
Supermarket chains have also been competing for a share of the west Maui business, including Foodland, Safeway and Napili Market.
Star Market is planning to open a store in Honokowai in 1998.
"That cuts up the pie into smaller pieces," said Nagasako, 55.
Nagasako said the family is redirecting its energy into operating Nagasako General Store, located near the old supermarket at Lahaina Shopping Center.
Helping him in the business is his wife Bobbi, brothers Wallace and Miles, his sister Jean and three nieces.
'Regis & Kathie Lee' taping on Kauai
POIPU, Kauai - Morning talk-show hosts Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford escaped from New York to Kauai's south shore this week to broadcast "Live with Regis & Kathie Lee.""We're used to police sirens and people running for their lives," Lee said, "not the sound of waves lapping on the shore."
"I feel loose and free and unencumbered," said Philbin, hamming it up for reporters. "I feel like a stud-puppy."
Four hour-long shows, two yesterday and two today, are being taped and broadcast to 5 million viewers nationwide today through Thursday.
The show follows last week's PGA Grand Slam golf tournament, also in Poipu, broadcast to 100 countries. Kauai tourism officials are banking on the back-to-back television coverage to provide a shot in the arm for Kauai tourism.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffWaipahu man charged with firing at girlfriend
Police yesterday charged a 22-year-old Waipahu man with first-degree terroristic threatening and a firearms violation in connection with a shooting Friday night on Leokane Street.Grant Kaai of 94-171 Leokane St. is being held in lieu of $40,000 bail.
Kaai allegedly fired two shots at his 18-year-old girlfriend as she drove out of their apartment complex parking lot at 9:40 p.m. following an argument.
The woman was not injured.
Suspect allegedly drove car at wife, daughter
Attempted first-degree assault charges are pending against a Kaimuki man who allegedly drove a car at his estranged wife and teen-age daughter yesterday.The girl, 17, suffered a fractured hand in the 5:40 p.m. incident on the 4000 block of Hoku Avenue in Kahala, police said.
Her father, 37, was arrested at his 14th Avenue residence.
Police also arrested the suspect's brother, 39, for hindering prosecution but later released him pending further investigation.
During an argument between the suspect and his wife, 39, who have been separated since November 1996, the man allegedly drove his car at the woman. She was pulled out of harm's way by a witness, police said.
The man then allegedly reversed the car in the direction of his daughter.
He missed the girl, then allegedly tried to hit her again with the car, police said.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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