Stadium settlement nets state $12.1 million
The state has received $12.1 million from a steel company in an out-of-court settlement over the construction of Aloha Stadium.The settlement is with USX Corp., formerly known as U.S. Steel, which was one of the companies that supplied the so-called "weathering" steel that was not supposed to require paint, but was to develop a thin, protective layer to shield the stadium from corrosion. But the rust worsened, requiring sandblasting, painting and extensive repairs.
USX denied any wrongdoing, contending the steel was suitable for the facility and that the damage was the result of faulty design and maintenance.
Richard Clifton, USX's lawyer, said the steel performed according to specifications and that the problems were because of "the stadium's bad design and poor maintenance." He said his client settled to avoid paying more in attorney's fees and the risk of a huge judgment.
USX is the final defendant in the state's 16-year effort to recoup taxpayer money spent to repair the rust damage to the stadium.
About 20 other individuals, and steel companies, engineering firms, architects and contractors previously settled with the state for undisclosed sums.
FBI investigates death of inmate
The FBI is investigating for possible civil rights violations in the April 23 death of Halawa Correctional Facility inmate Antonio Revera.Revera, 27, was found dead in his cell after having been subdued by prison guards. An autopsy showed he suffered head injuries.
Prison officials said Revera was being transferred out of the medical unit when he became unruly, bit a guard and had to be restrained by other guards.
In addition to the FBI probe, other investigations include a police homicide inquiry and an internal investigation by the Department of Public Safety.
Public Safety Director Keith Kaneshiro has called Revera a problem inmate with mental problems. Revera was serving a 10-year sentence for kidnapping and attempted sexual assault.
UH department picks pair of new directors
The University of Hawaii's School of Hawaiian, Asian and Pacific Studies has appointed two new directors.Edward J. Schultz will take over as director of the Center for Korean Studies. Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa will become director of the Center for Hawaiian Studies. Both appointments take effect July 1.
Schultz is a professor of Asian history at UH West Oahu, where he has taught since 1976. He is the author of two books and numerous articles on Korea and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship there. He succeeds Chung Lee.
Kame'eleihiwa is an associate professor in Hawaiian Studies, where she has been since 1987. She is author of three books, and she was the scriptwriter for the documentary "An Act of War: The Overthrow of the Hawaiian Nation." She succeeds Haunani-Kay Trask.
Bangladesh asks help on Marianas situation
The government of Bangladesh has asked the United States to protect its citizens who are among the migrant workers who have complained about mistreatment in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas.Bangladeshi workers have been lured to take contract jobs in Saipan and other islands north of Guam. They arrived to find no jobs or lower pay than promised, are forced into substandard living and working conditions and are unable to pay their way home, according to a release from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka is one of the authors of bills to extend U.S. immigration and minimum wage laws to the commonwealth.
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Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffWoman carrying rifle interrupts interview
A 36-year-old Waipahu woman was arrested yesterday when she reportedly threatened to kill her husband with a rifle.A police officer responded to an argument at the couple's Village Park residence at 4:45 p.m., detectives said.
As the officer was interviewing the man, the woman came out from the bedroom carrying a loaded .22 caliber rifle. She allegedly pointed the weapon at her husband and said, "I'm going to kill you," detectives said.
The officer tackled the woman and wrestled the rifle away.
She was booked for first-degree terroristic threatening.
Rave manager accused of stealing $8,200
Police yesterday arrested the manager at Rave stores for allegedly stealing money from the business since February.The 38-year-old woman, the district manager of Rave stores of Hawaii, had reportedly taken money during the nightly deposits on several occasions, police said.
The total amount lost is estimated at $8,236.84.
Man facing rape charge held in lieu of $160,000
A 32-year-old man was charged yesterday in connection with raping his 22-year-old girlfriend on Sunday morning.Shawn Janoschka, who has no address, was charged with three counts of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of third-degree sexual assault. He is being held in lieu of $160,000. Police said the suspect allegedly raped the woman near Honolulu Airport after she refused to have sex.
Man robs Liliha bank claiming he has weapon
Police and the FBI are seeking a man who robbed the Liliha branch of First Hawaiian Bank yesterday.The bandit in the 12th bank robbery this year matched the description of the suspect in an April 30 holdup of the Bank of Hawaii at Pearlridge.
The robber claimed to have a weapon in the demand note he presented at 12:33 p.m., but no weapon was seen, according to an FBI release.
He was described as being about 30 years old, with brown curly hair and mustache, and a bad complexion. He wore a T-shirt with Mickey Mouse on the front.
Missing California man last seen on Molokai
Police are seeking information on a California man who disappeared last week while visiting Molokai.Todd G. Hamamoto, 24, of Huntington Beach was last seen April 26 near Maunaloa town.
He was described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, 185 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He is of Hawaiian-Chinese-Irish ancestry.
Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300, Molokai Police at (808) 553-5355 or Honolulu police detective Sgt. Wallace Choy, 529-3115.
Rescue crews resume search for Hilo hunter
HILO -- Police and fire rescue personnel were to resume a search today for a hunter reported missing at 9:18 p.m. yesterday, they said. John "Archie" Kaawa, 31, of Hilo was dropped off with two dogs earlier in the day on Saddle Road and failed to return at 7 p.m., his wife told police.
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