WAILUKU -- Maui police have seized a car for examination as possibly being involved in the hit-and-run accident that killed a 14-year-old Haiku boy. Seized vehicle may
By Gary T. Kubota, Star-Bulletin
have been in fatal hit-
and-run on MauiPolice investigator Jayson Kozaki said police seized the car after receiving a tip that a 45-year-old Lahaina man might be the hit-and-run driver.
When the man was stopped, he had an open container of alcohol in the car, and his vehicle was seized, Kozaki said.
Kozaki said the man denied he was the hit-and-run driver and said he damaged his car when it turned over on its side in an accident in Waikapu.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is examining possible evidence, Kozaki said.
Shankar Benn, an eighth-grader at Kalama Intermediate School, was hit by a car Sept. 15 while walking on Ulumalu Road toward his home.
He died on Sept. 24 at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children in Honolulu, Kozaki said.
Lingle's overspending makes request moot
State Circuit Judge Bambi Weil today dismissed Republican gubernatorial nominee Linda Lingle's request that she get public campaign funds in the same proportion given to Democrat Ben Cayetano when he successfully ran for governor four years ago.The issue is moot, Weil ruled, because in the primary election Lingle exceeded the campaign spending limit of $1.36 million and had to give $136,229 back to the state.
Rick Clifton, the attorney for the Hawaii Republican Party, said he and opposing counsel, state Deputy Attorney General Jon Itomura, both agreed that the matter should be dropped, but they couldn't take the necessary steps before today's hearing.
Clifton said how public campaign funds are dispersed is still at issue, but that Lingle's challenge wasn't the best vehicle since she exceeded the spending limit.
Lingle would have received about double of what she got under the old formula.
The Legislature in 1995 amended campaign finance rules so that candidates for other offices could get more funds and that was done by reducing the amount available for candidates for governor, lieutenant governor and mayor, state Campaign Spending Commission Executive Director Robert Watada has said.
"In the 1996 election cycle, the now-complained-of formula was applied. No candidate protested, no challenge was brought, and in fact no mention was ever made by any candidate or party of any alternative interpretations," Watada stated.
New ombudsman offers environmental law help
An environmental ombudsman will staff a new state office to help businesses comply with environmental regulations.The new office will come under the state Department of Health.
"Strict adherence to environmental laws is critical for the future prosperity of the state," said Bruce Anderson, deputy director of environmental health.
The new ombudsman is Anthony Ching.
The office is at 919 Ala Moana, Suite 219; call 586-4528.
No public testimony will be taken at the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission meeting Tuesday. The commission is in the process of planning to seek comment about sexual orientation bias but no hearing has been set. A notice in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin yesterday incorrectly indicated testimony would be heard. Correction
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffWoman killed, man hurt in Mililani car crash
A woman was killed and a man critically injured this morning after their car slammed into a tree in Mililani.The two were headed west on Kuahelani Street in Mililani at 12:40 a.m. when they lost control of their 1984 Ford Mustang and hit a tree near Kaloapau Street, police traffic investigators said.
The car split in half and the two were ejected.
The Mililani man, 20, was taken to Queen's Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
The woman, whose identity was unknown as of this morning, died at the scene.
It is not known who was driving, police said.
Speed is a possible factor, but whether alcohol was involved is unknown.
The fatality was the 48th of the year compared with 61 at this same time last year.
Police believe suspects involved in three heists
Police arrested two Salt Lake men last night in connection with the armed robbery of a florist, a barber shop and a Jack-in-the-Box.Their alleged robbery spree started at the Pearl Ridge Florist at 98-150 Kaonohi St. at 2:50 p.m., police said. The men, 22 and 25, then robbed Waimalu Barber Shop at 98-020 Kamehameha Highway about 20 minutes later, police said.
At 3:30 p.m., they drove through the Salt Lake Jack-in-the-Box and reportedly took food, police said.
A black pistol was used in all three robberies.
The suspects were later located and arrested on Ala Lilikoi Street.
Waipahu girl arrested for knife-point robbery
A 13-year-old girl was arrested at the Waipahu Recreation Center yesterday after allegedly robbing two girls for 25 cents at knife point.The suspect approached the 13-year-old girls, reportedly brandished a knife and demanded their money at 2:30 p.m., police said. No injuries were reported.
Teen-age boy arrested for pellet gun assault
A 16-year-old boy was arrested last night for allegedly shooting another boy with a pellet gun.The suspect was in a car at 2045 Keeaumoku St. when he shot 10 rounds at the 14-year-old boy at 9:05 p.m., police said. The boy was hit four times.
The boy was not seriously injured.
The suspect was booked for felony assault.
13-year-old allegedly punched other student
A 13-year-old girl was arrested at her Ewa Beach school yesterday after allegedly demanding money from another girl.The suspect reportedly demanded the money at 12:25 p.m. at Ilima Intermediate School, police said. When the girl, 14, refused, the suspect punched her in the face two times, police said.
She was booked for second-degree robbery and released to her parents.
Kailua student busted after ice-pick assault
A student at Kailua High School was arrested yesterday for threatening a student with an ice pick.The incident occurred when the suspect witnessed the boy talking to a girl at school, police said.
The suspect then allegedly chased the boy around with an ice pick until school security apprehended him, police said.
The boy was booked for first-degree terroristic threatening and later released pending further investigation.
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