Test closure of Kalakaua lane
By Michelle Cournoyer
reveals no problems
Star-BulletinClosing a lane on Kalakaua Avenue had little impact on traffic during a test last night, according to merchants, police and taxi drivers. The city Department of Transportation Services cordoned off part of the mauka lane from Kaiulani to Kapahulu avenues to test the impact of permanently losing the makai lane to a Kuhio Beach Park expansion project.
"Without this test, the project would have moved ahead," said City Councilman Duke Bainum, who proposed that the testing be a requisite to starting the $13 million expansion. "We have commitment from the administration that if traffic is adversely affected, not one penny will be spent on this project."
Test results will be evaluated by the city transportation department and an ad hoc committee including Waikiki residents and representatives from trolley and taxi companies.
If the test shows no problems with traffic, the city will begin work on the final design and construction plans.
The project includes widening unloading zones on the mauka side from 40 to 60 feet, and providing more space for delivery vehicles, tour buses and tourists making frequent stops along the mauka side of the road.
More unloading areas would also be added on the beach side.
Waikiki Beach would be a third of an acre larger. More amenities would be added to the concession stand, and additional surf racks would be installed.
"I see this as a beautiful addition to the entire Waikiki community," said Sam Bren, chairman of the Waikiki Neighborhood Board. "As far as traffic is concerned, I think there will be very little change," said Bren, who has lived in Waikiki for 21 years.
He noted another benefit: The Honolulu Police Department has agreed to stop parking police cars on the street if the project is done. A new police substation would be built near the current location.
Radio station, builder reward Waikiki tipster
Not getting rewarded by CrimeStoppers has paid off financially for the Waikiki man who tipped off police to two prison escapees.Ivan Siu will receive at least $1,500 from local companies, instead of the CrimeStoppers reward he wanted, which was "up to $1,000."
KRTR-FM 96 in Kailua and James Schuler, the chief executive officer of Schuler Homes Inc., each have pledged rewards to Siu.
The radio station presented Siu a check for $1,000 yesterday.
Schuler is putting up $500.
Schuler said he appreciates Siu's great service to the community.
He also said he appreciates Siu's being aware of the two potentially dangerous fugitives who broke out of the Oahu Community Correction Center.
"I'm doing this personally, to applaud what he did," Schuler said. "You can't let those acts go unrewarded. That's my feelings . . . The $500 makes me feel good, and he is definitely deserving."
Siu was denied reward money from CrimeStoppers because he called 911 instead of the nonprofit group directly.
CrimeStoppers officials said they had national procedures to follow dealing with the reward money, and that escapees Jeffrey J. Pinero, 21, and Cy Huihui Kaina, 26, were never publicized by the group.
CrimeStoppers is a separate entity from the police department.
Meanwhile, the two inmates who escaped Sunday from the Oahu Community Correctional Center face new charges, including escape, robbery and kidnapping.
An Oahu grand jury yesterday indicted Pinero and Kaina, who allegedly beat a guard and took his keys and wallet Sunday.
Police arrested them Monday near the McCully bridge. They are in custody on $200,000 bail each.
Tagomori approved as U.S. marshal
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today unanimously approved the nomination of former Maui Police Chief Howard Tagomori to be the new U.S. marshal for Hawaii.With no debate and no opposition, the panel voted to send the nomination to the full Senate only eight days after it was announced by President Clinton.
Tagomori, a 35-year law enforcement officer on Oahu and Maui, would succeed Annette Kent, who was appointed by President Bush. The marshal's office provides support and protection to federal courts, protects government witnesses and transports federal prisoners.
Tagomori was the choice of both Sen. Daniel Akaka and Sen. Daniel Inouye, and Akaka today praised the committee's speedy approval.
"The committee's expeditious review and favorable recommendation speak to the character and qualifications of the nominee," said Akaka.
A Senate vote on Tagomori could come as early as this week. The Senate is due to leave on a month-long recess tomorrow.
Welfare fraud charges filed against two
Two people have been charged with welfare fraud, state Attorney General Margery Bronster said yesterday.An Oahu Grand Jury charged John J. McGuinness with two counts of second-degree theft for allegedly swindling more than $2,600 in welfare benefits.
Luisa Lucas was also charged with second-degree theft for allegedly swindling more than $1,000 in welfare benefits.
New leadership at Camp Smith
Lt. Gen. Randolph House has been selected to be deputy commander in chief for the U.S. Pacific Command at Camp Smith.House, 53, is currently commanding general of the 8th Army in South Korea and chief of staff for the United Nations Command.
State gets $1.88 million for food stamp accuracy
Hawaii earned the nation's second highest rating for accuracy in managing the food stamp program, resulting in a $1.88 million award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.The state has received nearly $4 million from the federal government as a reward for food stamp accuracy for three consecutive years.
It got $1.6 million in 1996 and $1.5 million in 1997.
"Hawaii has achieved several national honors for financial management of welfare programs and for saving millions of tax dollars by helping welfare recipients obtain jobs," said Gov. Ben Cayetano.
Cayetano credited the state Department of Human Services for saving more than $25 million in welfare costs since last year by helping welfare recipients get jobs and training.
Missouri Association president to step down
Retired Vice Adm. Robert Kihune will succeed Roy Yee as president of USS Missouri Memorial Association on Oct. 1.Yee, president since September 1995, said he wants to spend time with his family and return to KEMS Kewalo, a marine electronics business that he owns.
The Missouri will be the site of a special one-day opening on Sept. 2 to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the surrender ceremony, which took place on its decks in 1945 in Tokyo Bay.
The public opening of the battleship will take place in January.
OHA gives $510,518 to help native Hawaiians
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs this week approved $510,518 in grants to help the native Hawaiian community.Among the awards were $95,000 to Hana Laulima Lahui o Ka'u to develop an eco-tourism attraction at the Ka'u Hawaiian Cultural Center; $76,250 to the Waimanalo Hawaiian Homestead Association for kitchen and bathrooms for a community center; and $64,960 to Na Leo Kako'oo Oahu to provide bus service for Hawaiian immersion students.
"The projects funded are examples of how the community, OHA and other agencies work together to enhance the quality of life for Hawaiians," said Kalei Kaha'ulelio, grants specialist and main coordinator of OHA's grant program.
OHA has two annual grant cycles. The next deadline for applications is Sept. 25. Call 594-1964 for more information.
Roof noise monitored at convention center
Hawaii Convention Center officials will be monitoring the noise that comes from roof-top functions at the center this month.Equipment that measures decibel levels has been installed at the center and will monitor noise levels at six roof-top events, beginning with an Aug. 20 luau-style show.
Officials said between 400 and 600 people are expected to attend the event, for which an application has been made for a temporary liquor license.
The second event is an Aug. 23 dinner reception.
Noise testing should be complete in the next month or two, officials said.
A committee that includes representatives from the Ala Moana/Kakaako Neighborhood Board, the convention center and the state Health Department will be formed to use test results in establishing acceptable noise-level standards.
Trout fishing season to run for 16 days
Rainbow trout fishing season will open Saturday at Koke'e Public Fishing Area on Kauai.For 16 consecutive days, anglers may fish between 5:30 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. From Aug. 16 to Sept. 27, anglers may only fish on Saturdays, Sundays and on state holidays.
All anglers must have a valid freshwater game-fishing license from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
For more information, call the Division of Aquatic Resources at (808) 587-0100 on Oahu or the state office building in Kauai at (808) 274-3344.
Petting zoo features story hour for kids
The Honolulu Zoo's petting zoo is now featuring children's librarians - for family reading hours, that is.The New City Nissan Storyhour - a summer program for children and their families - is under way on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon.
Children's librarians from Oahu's public libraries will read stories aloud to families and any interested animals. Guest storytellers for August:
Aug. 1: Janet Yap, Manoa library.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffPolice looking for trio who robbed cab driver
Police are searching for three men who robbed a taxi cab driver by knife-point.The men got into the cab in Waikiki at about 2 a.m. this morning, police said. They were driven to Stillman Lane and Puuhue Place in Kalihi where they brandished knives and demanded money.
Police arrest two men in Pearl City beating
A 24-year-old Halawa man and a 29-year-old Makaha man were arrested in connection with yesterday's bludgeoning outside a Pearl City bar.Police are still searching for a third man.
The three reportedly beat a man with a steering wheel lock at the Sportsmen Lounge on Lehua Avenue at closing time at 4 a.m., police said. The beaten man was taken to Queen's Hospital in critical condition. He remains at the hospital, but his condition is not being released.
The two suspects were arrested yesterday when they checked themselves into the Kapiolani Hospital for treatment.
They were booked for attempted murder and released pending further investigation.
In other news...
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