Police helicopter crashes on Lanai
WAILUKU -- A pilot and three Maui County Police officers survived when their helicopter crashed in darkness, rolled over and burned on hilly ground in north Lanai today.Preliminary reports indicate the Windward Aviation Inc. helicopter was flying between 500 and 700 feet in elevation when the engine exploded, said Thomas Rea, the Federal Aviation Administration's Pacific representative.
Rea said the aircraft had recently gone through "some major maintenance" and that his agency is investigating repair records.
Authorities said the helicopter left Maui at 4:30 a.m. and crashed five miles from Lanai City at about 4:50 a.m. The three officers were on special assignment from the vice division.
One of them, Mollie Cameron, was trapped when the helicopter crashed, said her husband, Don Cameron. He said she escaped before a fire burned the helicopter.
"It's a lucky episode," he said.
Mollie Cameron and another officer were brought back to Maui by a second helicopter on the same mission.
She had a head injury, but was otherwise in good condition at Maui Memorial Hospital this morning, Deputy Police Chief Thomas Phillips said.
The other police officer was also in good condition, he said.
"They're very shaken up," Phillips said. "They're very lucky."
Phillips said the third officer and pilot were treated on Lanai and later flown to the Valley Isle.
The crash caused a fire that burned about two acres of brush.
Hawaii ranks above average in meeting needs of young kids
Hawaii ranks in the top half of the states in meeting the needs of young children, according to a report from the National Center for Children in Poverty.The state was among 24 states with comprehensive programs for infants and toddlers and among 34 states with comprehensive programs for preschoolers, according to the center at Columbia School of Public Health.
Hawaii is among 25 states with comprehensive family support or parent education programs on behalf of young children and families.
It is among the 14 states that have strategies to involve businesses, community leaders and families in decisions to provide services for young children and families.
"This report confirms that Hawaii is doing a very good job of giving young children the services they need," said Gov. Ben Cayetano, who announced the findings in a news release. "While Hawaii is among the top states in some areas, we will always try to do better."
Hilo zoo plans $4 million orangutan sanctuary
HILO -- A $1 million appropriation just made by the Legislature will enable construction of a $4 million orangutan sanctuary at Hilo's Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, says Sen. Andy Levin, who proposed the funding.Levin (D-Puna, Kau, South Kona) described the planned center as an economic development project.
The state funds will be matched by $3 million in construction money from the Los Angeles-based Orangutan Foundation, he said.
Paul Mark Clark, president of Friends of the (Panaewa) Zoo, said the project could turn into a major tourist attraction.
"If that sanctuary gets up and running, it's going to bring a lot of visitors to the zoo," he said.
Even as is, with no major attraction, 60 percent of the visitors at the zoo are from out of state, he said.
The desire to build a Hilo sanctuary for up to 15 animals was announced in 1993 by world-renowned orangutan researcher Birute Galdikas, who divides her time between teaching in Canada and doing research in Indonesia.
Galdikas is known for her studies of orangutans to the same degree that Jane Goodall is known for studying chimpanzees and the late Diane Fossey was known for studying gorillas.
HMSA to cut year-end premium in half
Companies and individuals in Hawaii Medical Service Association plans will have their December 1998 premiums cut in half as the medical insurance provider shares a healthy return on its investments.The HMSA board of directors authorized the dues refund, which will total $22 million, said Fred Fortin, vice president of community relations.
"Given the economy, we felt it was good to share those gains with our members."
The decision came after a thorough review of the nonprofit association's financial status, he said. HMSA has had a positive return on investments over the past several years.
It recently received an A+ rating from Standard & Poor's, indicating its reserves are able to meet any future outstanding claims liabilities.
The one-time 50 percent dues refund will go to employer groups with pre-paid dues plans since July 1997 that are current in payments through December. The saving will also apply to members belonging to qualifying nongroup plans, such as the 65C Plus for senior citizens and other similar plans for individuals. It applies only to commercial, nongovernment business.
The HMSA board voted a similar rebate in 1996, based on strong financial performance in previous years, Fortin said.
"As a mutual benefit organization, we're pleased to share our success with so many members and employer groups at a time when it can make a real difference in people's lives," said Bob Hiam, president and chief executive officer, in a news release.
HMSA health plans covered 600,000 people in 1997.
Last year, the organization processed 11.2 million claims and paid $1.04 billion in benefits and services.
Developer wants debt to city arbitrated
City officials were hoping to receive a $15 million check from the developers and lenders of Harbor Court last Friday.Instead they got got a letter from attorneys of Beam Harbor Venture and lender Appollo Hawaii Inc. demanding arbitration over the amount owed.
At issue is a 1994 agreement between Beam Harbor Venture and the city requiring the developer to purchase the fee interest on 120 units of the luxury complex by July 31, 1997.
Officials estimated that the developer owed the city $15 million including 8.5 percent interest.
Accused baby-killer avoids death penalty
The U.S. attorney will not seek the death penalty for a 20-year-old military wife charged with first-degree murder in the suffocation death of her 3-month-old child.Renee Beth Smith will go on trial July 7 for allegedly killing her daughter Shiann at their home Sept. 23.
Steven Alm, U.S. attorney for Hawaii, said the decision was made by U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno after reviewing information from his office and defense attorneys led by Kevin McNally.
The federal government first charged Smith with second-degree murder, but a federal grand jury indicted her for first-degree murder, making her eligible for the death penalty.
If convicted, she could receive life imprisonment without parole.
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Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffCaller directs police to two prison escapees
Police have caught two inmates who escaped Thursday from the Women's Community Correctional Facility in Kailua.Sherilyn Lendt, 35, and Rina Evans, 29, were arrested Sunday morning after an anonymous caller tipped police.
The women were reported to be on Queen Emma Street fronting the Pacific Club, police said. One was located at 12:53 a.m. and the other at 6:30 a.m.
Lendt was serving time for six felony convictions, which included three thefts, two auto thefts and one burglary, said state Department of Public Safety officials. Her parole hearing was scheduled for Thursday.
Evans was serving time for probation violations and two drug-related convictions.
Warden Edwin Shimoda said officials are investigating how the two women escaped and the route they took.
Former police officer gets year in prison in theft ring
A former Honolulu police officer who received a medal for valor in 1987 will surrender June 29 to spend the next 12 months in prison.U.S. District Judge Alan Kay yesterday sentenced Gary K. Yuen to the term for conspiring to obtain items valued at $30,000 from a federal surplus warehouse.
Yuen served as a volunteer reserve officer at the department's firearms range in Koko Head Crater when he obtained the items from February 1995 to March 1997 for himself, friends and relatives.
Kay also ordered Yuen to pay a $10,000 fine within three months, saying he wanted to impress on him the seriousness of his conduct.
"You brought shame to the reputation you had as an outstanding police officer and that is very regrettable," Kay said.
Yuen, 49, said the incident was the first time he was involved in any wrongdoing.
"I did wrong," he said before Kay sentenced him. "I'll do what I have to do to put this behind me."
Man, 51, sentenced to nearly 6 years for molesting girl, 6
William W. Brandon, 51, has received a 71-month prison sentence for molesting a 6-year-old girl, a military dependent, at Schofield Barracks in May 1997.He pleaded guilty Jan. 16 to the charge of abusive sexual contact with a minor.
U.S. District Judge Alan Kay also sentenced Brandon yesterday to three months supervised release and a requirement to reimburse Tripler Hospital for $2,604 for the victim's care and $1,272 to another health care facility, also for the victim's care. Kay also required Brandon to pay a $100 special assessment.
Court documents say Brandon of Washington state lured the girl to a wooded area near her home at Schofield, where the victim's father is assigned, and molested her.
Brandon, a civilian, is the former common-law-husband of the girl's grandmother. He was staying with the victim's family at the time but is not related to the victim.
The judge also required him to refrain from using alcohol and to take part in substance abuse and mental health programs.
Wahiawa man held for making threats
Police yesterday charged a 39-year-old Wahiawa man for allegedly threatening the life of his neighbor.According to a police report, Glen Madolora believes that he owns the street he lives on and has reportedly demanded money from his neighbor for the use of Lena Place on several occasions.
Madolora, who was arrested Sunday, has allegedly threatened to shoot his neighbor in addition to holding a torch next to the man's home, police said. Madolora has also demanded money from two other neighbors, police said.
He was charged with first-degree terroristic threatening and is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.
2 boys beat, rob man in Ala Moana area
Police are searching for two boys who beat and robbed a Makiki man in the Ala Moana area yesterday.Two boys reportedly attacked the 47-year-old man with a baton on Kanunu Street at 6 p.m., police said. After being hit three times, the two boys fled with his keys.
Suspect caught with his pants down
Honolulu police arrested a bank robber suspect while he was in the midst of changing clothes minutes after a holdup.The 45-year-old University Avenue resident was wearing only boxer shorts and prescription glasses when he was caught near Star Super Market in Moiliili, two blocks from the crime scene.
He is being held in the 2:20 p.m. robbery of a teller at the University Avenue branch of First Hawaiian Bank.
The robber presented a demand note claiming he had a weapon, but none was seen. He fled on foot after getting an undisclosed amount of cash.
The suspect is believed to be the same man who robbed the Makiki branch of First Hawaiian Bank April 27, according to Myron Fuller, special agent-in-charge of the Honolulu FBI office.
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