WASHINGTON - Organizers of this month's Aloha March in Washington, which attracted limited crowds but impressive media coverage, are planning a second march on the capital. Aloha March 2000 already
in works for Washington, D.C."We were real pleased, but we knew things weren't going to be resolved with this (first) march," said chief organizer John "Butch" Kekahu of Kauai. "We want to pursue this issue."
Kekahu predicted the Aloha March 2000, to be held here in two years, will draw 20,000 native Hawaiians and their supporters and, like the first, will focus national attention on the fight for native Hawaiian sovereignty.
The first Aloha March, held Aug. 7-8, included two days of prayer vigils, chants and speeches at the Capitol and the Ellipse.
The crowd of 150-200 was less than predicted, but widespread media coverage prompted organizers to call the march an unqualified success at raising national awareness of the plight of native Hawaiians.
"Those who were there, they felt chicken skin, and they knew it was a success," said Kekahu.
At the 2000 march, Kekahu said organizers hope to facilitate "reconciliation between the United States and the native Hawaiian people."
Tentative decision reached on facility
The state and federal governments have made a tentative decision to allow the city to continue operations at the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant under its existing permit.A public hearing will take place from 7 p.m. on Aug. 25 in the fifth-floor conference room at 919 Ala Moana Blvd. A public informational hearing begins at 6.
Sand Island operates with a permit that waives deep ocean discharges from more expensive and, according to the city, unnecessary secondary treatment. The city has been operating at Sand Island with such a waiver since 1992. City officials say extensive monitoring of the ocean indicates outfall from the plant has not harmed the environment nor endangered public health.
While the city has agreed to upgrade its waste-water system at Sand Island by using disinfection, secondary treatment would mean $300 million in construction and another $15 million annually in operating expenses, city officials said.
Illegal dumpers face tougher penalties
People who operate and use illegal dumps now face more serious penalties if they are caught.A new law signed by Gov. Ben Cayetano establishes jail terms for operators of illegal dumps. Contractors and truckers who use illegal facilities can have their licenses revoked.
"Open dumps are more than vacant lots where uncaring residents dump their rubbish," said John Harder, coordinator of the Office of Solid Waste Management. "Open dumps are essentially illegal landfills. They are ongoing, intentional operations where the hauler, operator and/or landowner are actively conspiring to circumvent environmental laws."
Harder said the law is supported by those in the waste management and construction industry who use permitted facilities.
"These companies are losing jobs to haulers who charge lower disposal fees," he said.
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffThe Honolulu Police Department is producing a half-hour "reality-based" television program to show a behind-the-scenes look at how the department runs. HPD TV show starts
Aug. 26 on KHON"HPD: Inside 801," which debuts 9:30 p.m. Aug. 26 on KHON, will be hosted by HPD's Sgt. Robert Imoto and Detective Bernie Campbell. It will be primarily videotaped by officers from HPD's Makai Video Productions unit.
Viewers will travel with police on patrols and see actual investigations. The first program includes video of a ground and air chase through the pineapple fields of Wahiawa. Entertainer Brother Noland, whose father was an HPD officer, composed and performs the theme music.
"HPD: Inside 801" will air a new episode every other month on KHON in the 9:30 p.m. Wednesday slot. The season premiere will be rebroadcast 5 p.m. Sept. 12.
Neighbors help catch 2 teen purse-snatchers
With the assistance of concerned neighbors, police yesterday were able to capture two boys who allegedly stole a purse from a woman walking on Kuakini Street at about 5 p.m."It's good to have the community respond like that," Kalihi police Sgt. Russell Shindo said. "They went above and beyond the call as far as getting involved."
The victim, 73, who uses a cane when walking, was carrying a clutch-type purse and a package when one of the boys brushed up against her, police said.
While the woman was being distracted, a second youth grabbed her purse and fled.
The woman's screams alerted neighbors, and a man caught one of the suspects.
Other neighbors who heard about the incident called police when the second suspect was spotted in a yard on Liliha Street at about 8 p.m.
The boys, ages 16 and 15, were booked for second-degree theft and later released pending further investigation.
Alcohol is suspected in two traffic accidents
Police say alcohol appears to be a contributing factor in separate Central Oahu traffic incidents that injured a man and woman.The man, 19, is in critical condition at Queen's Hospital after crashing his car on Kamehameha Highway near Waikalani Drive.
Police vehicular homicide investigators said cold beer cans from the car were scattered along the roadway. Speeding also appears to be a factor, police said.
Investigators said the car struck a tree and flipped over, ejecting the driver.
The crash was reported at 10:48 p.m.
In an unrelated incident, a 32-year-old woman walking on Kamehameha Highway was struck by a car at 1:13 a.m. today.
Police said the woman may have been intoxicated.
Her condition has been upgraded from critical to stable at Queen's Hospital.
Woman may have been injured by pellet gun
A woman told police she was shot in the hip, possibly with a pellet gun, yesterday while standing near the entrance to Moanalua High School.The woman said she heard someone yelling swearing at about 12:30 p.m. before noticing a vehicle heading toward Moanalua Valley.
She then felt a pain in her hip and discovered the puncture wound.
Police are investigating the case as a second-degree assault.
Woman critically hurt in Maui head-on crash
WAILUKU - An 18-year-old Kihei woman is in critical condition in Queen's Hospital and a 20-year-old Kihei man is suspected of drunken driving following a two-car accident on Mokulele Highway from Kahului to Kihei last night, police said.The names of those involved were not immediately released.
The male driver was attempting to pass a line of cars while heading toward Kihei at 8:47 p.m. when he hit the car driven by the woman, also Kihei-bound, knocking it into a utility pole, police said.
The woman suffered a fractured leg, shattered pelvis and facial injuries. The man was treated at Maui Memorial Hospital and released.
Police are investigating possible drunken-driving and speeding charges in the case.
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