18 treated for peppery fumes on diverted flight
Eighteen people were treated at The Queen's Medical Center for effects of a "peppery smell" on a Northwest Airlines flight diverted here yesterday on a trip from Los Angeles to Kansai, Japan.A hospital representative said one person was admitted and the others were released. They were all either crew members from the 747-200 or airport workers, she said.
Marilyn Kali, state Department of Transportation spokeswoman, said the source of the peppery smell -- believed to be from pepper spray -- was never found. "It was believed to be in a passenger's carry-on."
Those affected had sore throats, runny eyes and headaches, she said.
Flight 25, with 332 passengers, was diverted to Hawaii a few hours out of Los Angeles, past the midway point, she said.
She said the pilot tried to decrease pressure to vent the air and keep the smell out of the air-conditioning system, but it didn't work. "As soon as it got on the ground, crash-fire guys went in with masks and breathing devices and opened all the doors."
The flight resumed about four hours later.
Laboy denied runoff with Mansho for Council
The state Supreme Court has ruled City Councilwoman Rene Mansho was re-elected last month and does not have to face a runoff election against Clifford Laboy during the general election Nov. 3.Laboy filed a petition with the Supreme Court alleging that because of confusion over the new ballot, blank and overvote ballots should be counted and that he should be allowed to have a runoff with Mansho on Nov. 3.
Excluding blank ballots, Mansho had nearly 54 percent of the vote. If blank and overvote ballots were counted, Mansho would have 43.5 percent of the vote.
The court ruled that under state laws, blank, spoiled or invalid ballots do not count as "votes cast" except on constitutional questions.
Umbrella trades council endorses Gov. Cayetano
The Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council, an umbrella organization of 15 building trade unions representing nearly 20,000 workers, has endorsed Gov. Ben Cayetano for re-election.Council President Herbert Kaopua, the business manager for the Plumbers and Fitters Union Local 675, said the economy was the council's top priority in deliberations over the endorsement.
The council cited a billion-dollar state capital improvements program and the accelerated development of 3,100 Hawaiian Home Lands homesteads as steps the Cayetano administration has taken to help the economy recover.
The council also said Lingle has done little to address the issues of Maui's working men and women.
Federation of doctors, dentists backs Lingle
More than 2,000 Hawaii doctors and dentists will be asked to vote for Republican gubernatorial candidate Linda Lingle.The Hawaii Federation of Physicians and Dentists also is backing candidates who are physicians or relatives of physicians -- Republican candidates John Corboy, Senate District 4 (North/West Maui-Molokai-Lanai); Barbara Marumoto, House District 17 (Waialae Iki-Waialae Nui-Kahala-Wilhelmina Rise); and Corinne Ching, House District 27 (Alewa Heights-Kapalama Heights-Liliha-Nuuanu-Puunui); and Democrats Romy Cachola, House District 30 (Kalihi Kai-Palama), and Shirley Robinson, House District 33 (Red Hill-Halawa Heights-Pearlridge-Aiea).
Other federation-endorsed House candidates include Republicans Charles Djou, District 47 (Kahaluu-Ahuimanu-Heeia-Kaneohe); Cynthia Thielen, District 49 (Kailua-Kaneohe Bay Drive); and Eve Anderson, District 51 (Waimanalo-Keolu Hills-Lanikai-Kailua-Enchanted Lake); and Democrat David Pendleton, District 50 (Maunawili-Pohakupu-Kailua-Enchant-ed Lake-Kaneohe).
The incident involving a 12-year-old boy arrested for allegedly robbing a student was at Dole Intermediate School. Kalihi Elementary School was incorrectly named in Wednesday's "Police/Fire" column. CORRECTION
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffThree held in thefts targeting teachers
Police detectives and Crime Reduction Unit officers arrested three suspects in connection with a large theft and burglary operation which involved dozens of victims.The purses of teachers in the East Honolulu and Kalihi area were stolen at their schools, police said. Keys from the stolen purses were later used in burglaries while the teachers were at school.
The three male suspects -- 15, 37 and 40 -- were brought in for questioning this week.
They were arrested after confessing to a number of cases. Police believe the suspects were involved in 40 to 50 cases.
Robbery suspect escapes from officer
Police are searching for a man who escaped while in police custody.The man, 21, escaped from an officer's car at District Court on Alakea Street at 4 p.m. Thursday, police said. The man had just been arrested on warrants in connection with a robbery.
The officer was stopping by the court to pick up the suspect's warrant when he fled.
In other news...
A 21-year-old man was arrested yesterday for allegedly threatening another man with a tire iron during a traffic altercation.
The incident happened at Stadium Mall at 8:45 p.m., police said. No injuries were reported.
Brandon Hillis, no address, was charged with second-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and unlawful entry into a motor vehicle, police said.
When the driver told a passenger there was no smoking on the bus, the suspect got mad.
The suspect began yelling at the driver, 29, while the bus neared the intersection of King and Punchbowl streets at 12:16 a.m. He then allegedly grabbed and yanked her hair.
He was booked for interference with the operation of a transit vehicle, a felony.
THE COURTS
Man pleads guilty in counterfeiting case
One of three alleged counterfeiters indicted in June pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to conspiring to make and pass phony money.Kerstan Ho, 36, faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced Jan. 19 before U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway.
As part of a plea agreement, other related charges will be dismissed after sentencing, federal prosecutors said.
The indictment against Ho, Roy Castro Jr. and Lannette De Reis alleged that the three purchased a scanner/printer in May, went to a hotel where they used the device to make counterfeit $100, $50, $20 and $10 bills and then passed the fake cash at bars and restaurants.
Castro and De Reis are scheduled to enter guilty pleas next week, federal prosecutors said.
Bankruptcy court halts accused 'lawyer'
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Lloyd King has approved a temporary restraining order against a Honolulu man for fraudulent bankruptcy filings.Filipe Campos of Dowsett Highlands, operating as Aloha Legal Assistants, was ordered to stop preparing the filings.
The order was sought by the Office of U.S. Trustees, which oversees bankruptcy petitions in federal court.
According to U.S. Trustee Curtis Ching, Campos illegally represented himself as a lawyer, forged information and kept court filing fees.
Ching said his office may seek fines against Campos.
Welfare abuser to pay state, serve five years
Oahu resident Simon T. Manash was convicted Thursday of welfare fraud and ordered to repay $14,307 in benefits which he illegally collected.Circuit Judge Herbert K. Shimabukuro sentenced Manash to pay the restitution and serve five years in prison on the second-degree theft charge.
The man had collected benefits both under his name and the alias Michael Davis, and concealed his employment income, according to a release from the state attorney general's office. It said Manash had committed similar crimes in Oregon.
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