State Tax Director Ray Kamikawa today announced the indictments of a Honolulu physician and a Honolulu company president in two separate cases involving tax violations. Two men accused
of tax violationsA grand jury indicts a physician
By Pat Omandam, Star-Bulletin
and a businessman in separate casesKamikawa said a Honolulu grand jury panel on Oct. 21 indicted anesthesiologist Albert T. Honda for two counts of tax evasion and for two counts of failing to file his annual general excise tax returns for his medical practice.
Kamikawa said Honda failed to pay the general excise tax for the years 1995 and 1996. He also failed to file his annual tax returns.
Tax evasion is a Class C felony. If convicted, Honda faces imprisonment of up to five years and a $10,000 fine.
The penalty for failing to file tax returns is a misdemeanor, with up to a year in jail and a $25,000 fine.
Meanwhile, the tax office announced that Christopher Waidzunas, president of Multimedia Pacific Inc., failed to file the company's annual general excise tax returns from 1995-1997.
Kamikawa said a grand jury found the company failed to file tax returns as required by law, thereby committing the offense of willful failure to file a return.
The grand jury also found Waidzunas, as president, responsible to file the company's tax returns in a timely manner and he was similarly charged.
If convicted, Waidzunas faces up to a year in prison and up to a $25,000 fine. The company could be fined up to $100,000 for each year it did not file a tax return.
Kamikawa said the department will generally not initiate a criminal investigation when taxpayers voluntarily come forward to report their failure to file or other omissions.
About 200 U.S. Census Bureau workers have been working this month to build an address list covering every residence in the state in preparation for Census Day, April 1, 2000. Census Bureau readies
for the big countThe census address listers started working out of Hilo in an attempt to cover 72,391 dwellings on several small northern and eastern portions of Oahu, and nearly all of Kauai, Maui and the Big Island which don't have city-style street addresses.
The more heavily populated town and city areas will be covered next year.
"It's vital to have complete address lists and maps so that the Census Bureau can mail questionnaires," said area manager Kem Worley.
"Accurate listing work will save time and money in our effort to count every resident on Census Day," Worley said.
Each census worker carries a red, white and blue badge identifying him or her as a "Census Enumerator."
The nation's census every 10 years is the largest single peacetime project the federal government performs.
More than 400,000 people will be hired nationwide over the next 19 months to verify addresses, mail out census forms and analyze responses.
The final count will be presented to the president and Congress by Dec. 31, 2000.
Going into the Christmas shopping season, the City Store is showing slight increases in month-to-month sales but not enough to begin paying the city for the use of its space at the Ala Moana Center satellite city hall. City Store at Ala Moana
still not making enough to pay
for use of its spaceEthan Park, business manager for the store, told members of a City Council committee that the slow economy has forced him to lower his sales projections for the first year.
From January to Oct. 20, the store took in $265,401 in gross revenues.
Park estimates the store will finish the year with about $350,000 in revenues.
The store is run by the Honolulu Police Relief Association and sells merchandise for the police association, the Hawaii Lifeguard Association and the Honolulu Fire Department Firemen's Fund.
The city pays for the common area maintenance fees and utilities for the store and for the satellite city hall.
The lease payment to Ala Moana is just $1 a year.
But the city will not get paid until sales reach $507,000 a year, then the city will get 30 percent of the profits.
Any other profits from the store will be divided among the police, lifeguard and fire associations.
The associations also make money when they sell merchandise to the store.
The city entered into a five-year agreement with the police relief association after the previous city store operator, Resort Sports, went out of business.
The city canceled Resort Sports contract after the vendor could only come up with $14,115 for the city. The contract called for a minimum $80,000-a-year payment.
Hailiimaile development approved by state
WAILUKU -- The state Land Use Commission has approved a 63-acre residential development in Hailiimaile proposed by Alexander & Baldwin Inc.The 195-unit development could start construction in about three years, said Stanley Kuriyama, executive vice president for A&B Properties Inc.
Kuriyama, who spoke after the commission's decision Oct. 8, said the firm has no water available for its development and will explore various development alternatives, including the drilling of a well at Kailua in east Maui.
Under the proposal, the firm would put the water into a ditch that transported it to a water treatment plant for transmission to Hailiimaile.
Science teachers' conference Saturday
Safety in science labs and how it relates to federal regulations is the focus of the Hawaii Science Teachers Association's Fall Conference on Saturday at Sacred Hearts Academy.Speakers include Larry Flinn, of Flinn Scientific Inc., who will talk about lab safety; and William McComas, the National Science Teachers Association Director for District XVI, Hawaii's district, on association changes and upcoming projects.
Science teachers from pre-kindergarten through high school are encouraged to participate. The conference is free to association members, $10 to nonmembers. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m.
Diabetes center gets $2 million contract
A $2,349,671 contract has gone to Papa Ola Lokahi, an umbrella health service organization, to establish a Diabetes Today Center for native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, Sen. Daniel Inouye has announced.The center will extend technical leadership and support of the National Diabetes Today Training Center to the Pacific Region, to include Hawaii, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention contract will provide a Diabetes Today mobilization model to engage communities affected by diabetes. It will concentrate on fighting the disease in a specified geographic community and define intervention to reduce related risks and complications.
Workshop on dealing with grief offered
Suggestions and support for dealing with grief and loss during the holidays will be offered in a workshop Nov. 21 sponsored by St. Francis Hospice with Hospice Hawaii and Williams Funeral Services.The program, "Holidays, Grief and the Art of Coping," will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Koolau Golf Course in Kaneohe.
Maui residents Al and Jane Nakatani will be key speakers.
They lost all three of their sons within eight years. Their story is told in the book, "Honor Thy Children."
The workshop registration fee is $25 if received by Nov. 13. It includes materials, lunch and refreshments. If space allows, people may register at the door for $30. Call 595-7566.
Spaghetti feast held for Gregory House
Gregory House Programs, formerly called Ho'omana'olana, invites residents to its annual spaghetti feast and festivities at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at St. Patrick's Church, 1124 7th Ave., Kaimuki.The cost is $20 for the dinner and wine, with activities including a silent auction, bingo and door prizes.
Proceeds help to support Gregory House's housing and assistance programs for people with HIV/AIDS.
For more information, call 592-9022.
Texas flood victims seek financial help
Salvation Army workers helping with Texas flood relief are in need of monetary help."Our Austin and San Antonio corps immediately began this first phase of assistance," said Maj. Todd Smith, Texas disaster director. "We've been providing meals at various shelters and our teams are prepared to assist for as long as we are needed.
"Monetary assistance is needed to help fund disaster relief efforts," said Smith. "The number of recent disasters has put a strain on resources. We know that God will provide the means as long as we continue to provide service in His name."
Anyone wishing to help flood victims may send monetary donations, earmarked "Disaster Relief," to: the Salvation Army Disaster Services, P.O. Box 2608, Dallas, Texas 75221 -- or locally to: P.O. Box 620, Honolulu 96809.
King Kalakaua's 162nd birthday
The Friends of Iolani Palace will celebrate the 162nd birthday of King David Kalakaua on Nov. 16 with free events on the palace grounds.The Royal Hawaiian Band will play at 11:30 a.m., followed by a review of the Royal Guard. The guard was disbanded after the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy but were reactivated on Kalakaua's birthday in 1963.
The palace will be decorated with red, white and blue buntings, as well as Hawaiian flags.
The decorations will mirror those set up for Kalakaua's 50th birthday jubilee held on Nov. 16, 1886.
Big Island gets 12 new conservation officers
HILO -- Twelve new conservation officers for the Big Island were sworn in this week by officials of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, the department announced.The additions bring the total of such officers to 40 on the island.
The agents have full police powers to enforce laws dealing with fish and wildlife, forestry, historic sites, and related matters.
Five of the new officers will be regular staff members and the other seven will be volunteers, the department said.
They join a total of 102 new regular officers and 51 volunteers planned statewide.
Oahu received its new officers in April and other counties will receive theirs later, said spokeswoman Deborah Ward.
The officers were added as part of Gov. Ben Cayetano's ocean state initiative with the assistance of funding from the Legislature, she said.
Caller says he found skull near Kaena Point
Police were investigating a report of a human skull found near Kaena Point this morning.Officers said a man called police at 9:08 today and said he had discovered what appeared to be a human skull about a half-mile from Camp Erdman.
Annuity policyholders will share $20 million
Some 5,000 people who held annuity policies with the failed Investors Equity Life Insurance Co. will finally get money from the investment, sharing $20 million recovered in lawsuits against brokers, according to a state announcement.The payment was approved yesterday by Circuit Judge Colleen Hirai.
The policyholders were paid 100 percent of their original account values last year in a settlement between the state appointed liquidator and Bank of America.
The state shut down Investors Equity in 1994 when it determined the company had a $100 million deficit.
Beachgoers at Waialae warned of pollution
City workers have posted warning signs at Waialae Beach and along Kapakahi Nui Street about possible contamination from a sewage spill.About 1,680 gallons of sewage overflowed into the stream yesterday from an 8-inch line that was clogged by roots, according to a news release from the city.
Sewage also overflowed from a manhole at Aha Nui Place on Waialae Nui Ridge.
School's first festival will be multicultural
Mochi pounding, obake stories and tea ceremonies will all be featured at Hawaii Tokai International College's first school festival Nov. 8. The festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the university's Pacific Center on Kapiolani Blvd.
CORRECTIONS
Linda Lingle's swim partner and the president of D&D Industries is Brian Woolford. A story about Lingle yesterday misidentified him. Also, Maui County has the highest bond rating among neighbor island counties; yesterday's story incorrectly said the Valley Island was rated highest of all counties.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffMotorist in stolen car swerves to hit officer
A Honolulu police motorcycle officer was hit by a stolen car on Likelike Highway yesterday while he stood at the roadside with a radar gun monitoring motorists' speeds.Police this morning are looking for the driver of the car.
The 40-year-old officer remains in stable condition this morning at Queen's Hospital.
The officer clocked the speeding white 1992 Honda Accord and attempted to wave the driver to a stop at 4:45 p.m. on the town side of Wilson Tunnel, detectives said.
The driver then swerved toward and struck the officer as he was attempting to jump over a guard rail.
After striking the officer, the driver slammed the car into the police motorcycle, police said.
He then raced away on Likelike Highway.
The car, which was stolen from the Windward Shopping Center just before to the incident, was later recovered on Holua Place in Kalihi Valley, police said.
The suspect is described as a 6-foot-tall man in his early 20s, weighing about 150 pounds with short brown hair. He was wearing a white T-shirt, slippers and green pants.
He faces attempted murder and auto theft charges if apprehended.
Police seek suspect who stabbed teen in head
Police are searching for a male suspect who stabbed and critically injured a 15-year-old boy yesterday afternoon.The boy was stabbed on the side of the head with a sharp object at the Salt Lake Shopping Center at 3:25 p.m., police said.
The stabbing caused a skull fracture and serious brain injuries.
He was taken to Queen's Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Man threatened couple with rifle, police say
Police last night arrested a 35-year-old man who allegedly aimed a rifle at a couple following an incident in traffic on the H-1 Freeway.The couple and the suspect, who were driving in separate cars, were involved in a conflict on the H-1 near the airport at about 10:45 p.m., police said. The suspect reportedly drove erratically and attempted to hit the couple's car.
The suspect drove off and was later allegedly found on the shoulder with a rifle pointed at the couple as they drove passed him.
He was later arrested on Alakawa Street and Nimitz Highway.
The suspect was booked on two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening.
COURTS
A Kalihi man is on trial in Circuit Court for the second time, accused of fatally shooting his wife in 1997 in a case that was a rallying cry for domestic violence victims. Accused murderer on trial for
second time in shooting of wifeSaldy Marzan, 31, is charged with second-degree murder in the Jan. 27, 1997, death of his 24-year-old estranged wife, Arlene, at his brother's apartment in Kalihi.
At the time of the shooting, Marzan was under a restraining order to keep away from his wife.
Saldy Marzan's first murder trial earlier this year ended in a mistrial after jurors could not reach a verdict.
A new jury this time around will also have to decide whether Marzan deliberately or accidentally shot his wife.
Deputy Prosecutor Chris Van Marter told jurors yesterday in opening statements that Marzan had previously abused his wife and once threatened to kill her. On the day of the shooting, Marzan put his finger on the trigger of the .32-caliber revolver, aimed the gun at his wife and shot her point-blank in the chest after a struggle.
But defense lawyer, Chester Kanai, said that despite his client's faults -- Marzan was abusive, controlling, and an "ice" user -- he's not a murderer and that the gun went off accidentally during the struggle.
Trial continues today before Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario.
Lawyer suspended based on Colorado assaults
Attorney John Musick Jr. received a one-year and one-day suspension from the Hawaii Supreme Court effective Nov. 9.
The Hawaii action is based on Musick's suspension from the practice of law in Colorado.
The Hawaii announcement says Musick was suspended in Colorado for three assaults on a woman who lived with him. A Colorado hearing board reported the physical attacks by Musick were "the result of a very critical failure of judgment and evidence a contempt for the law which is at odds with (Musick's) duty to uphold the law."
The Hawaii Supreme Court ordered that Musick cannot be reinstated to practice in Hawaii until he completes a certified domestic violence treatment program upon which his Colorado reinstatement is conditioned and pays all costs due.
Musick, 53, was admitted to practice here in 1988.
Makiki man indicted for sexual assault, kidnapping
A grand jury yesterday indicted a 33-year-old Makiki man for allegedly beating and sexually assaulting a 52-year-old woman earlier this week.The indictment charges Kenneth Goodale with first- and third-degree sexual assault, attempted first-degree sexual assault and kidnapping.
Police said the woman was in her bedroom when the man attacked her Tuesday night.
Goodale's bail is set at $155,000.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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