Discounts worth $404,172 will be granted to 32 Hawaii schools and libraries for telecommunications services, Internet access and connections, U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka said. 32 isle schools, libraries get
'E-rate' discount for
telecommunicationsThe discounts, popularly known as the E-rate, come from the Universal Fund for Schools and Libraries that was created in the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
The Hawaii recipients are among 3,000 schools and libraries nationwide to receive $1.925 billion through June next year.
The Hawaii recipients are:
Dole Intermediate School, Hauula Elementary School, Holualoa Public Library, Hookena Elementary and Intermediate School, Kaaawa Elementary School, Kaelepulu Elementary School and Kaewai Elementary School.
Also, Kailua Intermediate School, Kaimuki Public Library, Kamaile Elementary School, Kaneohe Elementary School, Kau High and Pahala Elementary School, Keaau Public and School Library, Koko Head Elementary School, Kualapuu Elementary School, Kuhio Elementary School, Laie Elementary School, Lanikai Elementary School, Maili Elementary School, Makaha Elementary School, Maunawili Elementary School, Moanalua Elementary School, Mokulele Elementary School, Nanaikapono Elementary School, Niu Valley Intermediate School, Nuuanu Elementary School, Blanche Pope Elementary School, Sunset Beach Elementary School, Wahiawa Elementary School, Waiahole Elementary School, Waianae Elementary School and Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library.
McKenna school donations
approach $200,000Windward car dealer Mike McKenna is on track to donate $200,000 to schools by the end of the year through the McKenna Spirit of Giving Program.
Since December 1996, McKenna has donated more than $134,200 to Hawaii public and private schools. With every car purchase from any of his three dealerships, McKenna donates $100 to a school of the customer's choice.
He also donates $30,000 annually to Windward high schools in car and cash giveaways to encourage student participation in alcohol- and drug-free graduation events.
So far, 265 Hawaii schools have benefited from the Spirit of Giving program.
Kalaheo High has received the most donations, with $6,900. Mokapu Elementary follows with $5,800 and Kailua High with $4,800.
In September, back-to-school month, McKenna doubled his contribution of $100 to selected schools in the name of customers buying a new vehicle.
Schools have used the money to buy school supplies for those who can't afford them, for classroom equipment and to send students to leadership workshops.
At Konawaena High, Principal Daniel Yoshida hopes to start an endowment fund with its money that will benefit the entire school, not just an individual or group.
"We want something more long-lasting, especially with public-school funding being so dependent on the the Legislature," he said.
Local and mainland experts will share ideas about ways to reduce crimes against tourists at the Second Annual Visitor Crime Solutions Conference on Dec. 3 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Experts discuss fighting
crime against touristsThe forum is sponsored by the city, state and the Hawaii Visitor Industry Security Association.
Last year, more than 200 people focused on solutions to visitor crime being used in cities like Las Vegas, San Diego and Phoenix.
This time speakers will address crime solutions used in New York's Times Square, at convention centers in Las Vegas, and by the city, state and federal governments in Hawaii.
The conference is open to the public and costs $15 per person, which includes lunch.
For more information call 926-4331. Payments are being accepted by HVISA, 218 Kaiulani Ave., Suite 7, Honolulu 96815.
Illegal snake found in Enchanted Lake
State agriculture officials have found the ninth illegal snake smuggled into Hawaii this year.The dead 18-inch snake was found Saturday by a yardman in the 300 block of Wanaao Road in Enchanted Lake; it is believed to be an albino corn snake.
This was the second snake found in less than a month. On Oct. 29, a 4-foot boa constrictor was captured on Bertram Street in St. Louis Heights.
There have been 16 sightings of snakes thus far this year.
Also on Saturday, airline employees cleaning an aircraft that flew in from Los Angeles caught a hamster. Hamsters are illegal because they are potential carriers of rabies.
Keeping illegal pets in Hawaii can result in minimum fines of $5,000 with a maximum punishment being a $200,000 fine and three years in jail.
Bill to control Waikiki sidewalk racks advances
A bill aimed at controlling the proliferation of Waikiki sidewalk racks dispensing magazines and other publications passed another step toward becoming a reality.The City Council's Executive Matters and Economic Development Committee today passed the bill with support from several Waikiki leaders. The bill now heads to the full Council.
The bill asks that publications be dispensed in 72 specific locations and kept in city-owned enclosures. In turn, the publishers would pay fees to be allowed to distribute their materials.
Affidavit says man lied to get into the U.S.
A visitor from Japan ran afoul of U.S. immigration law when he failed to give officials an accurate rundown on his criminal record.Takeshi Ono is said to have made false statements Nov. 16.
An affidavit filed in federal court says Ono, 36, was asked to remove his shirt to check for scars, marks or tattoos.
"Ono complied and officers observed extensive tattooing on his left shoulder similar to those found on Japanese citizens alleged to be members of criminal organizations in Japan collectively known as the 'Yakuza,' " according to the affidavit.
When officers asked Ono about his arrest record, he said he was involved in a minor traffic accident for which he was fined about $100. He also said between ages 15 and 18 he was involved in minor shoplifting incidents and fighting.
Ono was allowed into the United States, and ordered to report to an immigration officer this week. But a request to Japan for Ono's criminal history showed he had eight adult convictions, five for inflicting injuries, one indecency case and two nuisance cases.
"The results of the informal criminal history check revealed that Ono was not truthful regarding his criminal history," the affidavit says. If Ono had truthfully stated his criminal record on Nov. 16, "he would have been refused entry to the United States and removed to Japan that day."
For the price of a toy, you can tour battleship
The U.S. Marine Corps has teamed up with the USS Missouri Association this Christmas season to provide toys for island youngsters, and will hold a special preview of the battleship on Dec. 12.Price of admission to the battleship, now anchored at Ford Island, is a new toy.
A contingent of active duty and Marine reserve volunteers will collect the toys at the entry to the Missouri. Suggested minimum price per toy is $5. The tours of the 887-foot battleship's main deck only will take about 45 minutes.
The grand opening of the Missouri is planned for Jan. 29.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffAiea man faces charge of attempted murder
Police yesterday charged a 25-year-old Aiea man in connection with Saturday's shootout at a Kakaako auto body shop.Todd Woods was charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree terroristic threatening and three counts of first-degree reckless endangering, police said. He is being held on $120,000 bail.
Police said 10 shots were fired at 4:40 p.m., including one bullet which struck a trolley car. No one was injured.
Another gunman, 25, was arrested and then released pending further investigation.
Students find pipe bomb at Castle High stream
Police recovered a homemade pipe bomb yesterday which students found at Castle High School.Agriculture students were cleaning a small stream on campus when they discovered the bomb at 9:30 a.m., police said. No arrests have been made.
Motorist accused of offering bribe
A 54-year-old man was arrested this morning after he allegedly tried to bribe a policeman out of a traffic ticket.The patrol officer came upon an unattended car in the middle of the road at 1120 Maunakea St. at 8:36 a.m. As the officer wrote the citation, a man approached him and said he would move the car, police said.
When the officer asked for a driver's license, the man reportedly handed the officer his license and a $20 bill and said, "no ticket." He was then booked for bribing a public servant, which is a felony.
Police ask public help in locating parolee
Police are asking for the public's assistance in locating 25-year-old Quintin John Dagirbaud for parole revocation warrants and questioning for a series of illegal check-cashing incidents. Dagirbaud has a dark complexion and black, cropped hair. He is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds, police said, and is described as a smooth talker.If anyone has any information about his whereabouts, contact CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
Rescue crews locate Sacred Falls hikers
Rescue crews yesterday found two Sacred Falls hikers who were missing since Sunday night.A man, 22, and woman, 20, were reported missing Sunday night at 10:30 p.m. Fire crews called off the search after two hours and resumed yesterday morning at daybreak; the couple was found at 11 a.m., fire officials said.
Big Isle driver dies; passengers hospitalized
KAILUA-KONA -- A Big Island man was killed and five others were injured in a two-car accident on Queen Kaahumanu Highway yesterday, police said.The dead man was identified as Tiel Lang, 28, of Kawaihae.
Lang was driving toward Kailua-Kona shortly before 6 a.m. when his car hit a pickup truck headed in the same direction, police said.
Two passengers in his car were taken to Kona Hospital, where they were in guarded condition. Two other passengers were taken to North Hawaii Hospital. The driver of the truck was treated at Kona Hospital and released.
Police are conducting a negligent homicide investigation and four negligent injury investigations in the case. An autopsy was also ordered to determine the exact cause of Lang's death.
Lang was the 38 traffic fatality of the year.
In other news...
HILO -- A 7-year-old Puna boy who died after he darted in front of a van on the Keaau-Pahoa Road Nov. 17 was identified as Elijah Mariano Figueroa of Keaau, police said yesterday.
Three men arrested in alleged cocaine deals
Roy Torioka, Clifford Duarte and Ronald Skaggs are named in a federal complaint accusing them of possessing with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine.The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms received information on the transactions on Wednesday, a supporting affidavit says.
Skaggs reportedly was looking to purchase a kilogram of cocaine for $23,000.
The affidavit says an undercover officer was present when Skaggs and Duarte arrived for a buy that took place at the Ala Moana Hotel on Thursday.
"Shortly thereafter, agents and officers arrested Duarte and Skaggs for federal narcotics violations."
Torioka was arrested Sunday at Honolulu Airport after the undercover officer gave Torioka the package of cocaine, the affidavit says.
Beware of forms offering tax aid
Hawaii residents should beware of official-looking "Property Tax Reduction" forms being mailed to consumers, according to the state Office of Consumer Protection.Consumers are quoted a "current taxable value," a "proposed value" and an "annual savings." For a fee, they are offered help from a company to prepare an appeal.
These forms are not from county tax assessment offices, according to the Office of Consumer Protection. Preliminary investigations indicate the Honolulu address listed on the materials is that of a mail-forwarding service.
For more information, call the Office of Consumer Protection at 586-2630.
THE COURTS
Man accused of murder enters 'not guilty' plea
A 24-year-old Wahiawa man is scheduled for trial the week of Jan. 25 for second-degree murder charges in the stabbing of Chance Paris earlier this month.James Russell, 24, pleaded not guilty yesterday morning before Circuit Judge Victoria Marks.
Russell is accused of fatally stabbing Paris the night of Nov. 1 on California Avenue in Wahiawa.
A witness said that Paris was beating up Russell at the time the stabbing occurred.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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