WASHINGTON -- Hawaii lawmakers have been conspicuously absent from the impeachment-dominated television talk shows, where as many as one-fifth of the entire Senate will appear on a typical Sunday to offer their views on the capital's hottest subject. Abercrombie calls
impeachment a power playBut Rep. Neil Abercrombie had his moment in the national spotlight, however brief, when he appeared on a special Fox News show Saturday.
The Honolulu Democrat was one of three House members on a panel discussing impeachment. Abercrombie's message, which he had about three minutes to deliver, was that this particular impeachment was more of a power play by congressional Republicans than a serious proceeding with any merit.
Lyon Arboretum sale
Lyon Arboretum and its association will hold a semiannual plant sale Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Blaisdell Center, starting at 9 a.m.A wide offering of indoor and outdoor plants will include many endangered and native species. Comparatively rare fruit trees such as dessert guavas and Halawa pummelo will be on sale.
Gardening books, gifts, crafts, leis, and advice from plant experts also will be featured during the event.
Most funding for the arboretum comes from private donations and proceeds from these plant sales.
Preservation group officials to meet
Representatives from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation will be meeting this week in Honolulu to discuss millennium preservation issues related to federal stewardships.There are 21 presidential appointees to the council but not all are expected to attend the three-day meeting, which begins Wednesday, said Colorado-based program analyst Lee Keatinge.
While visiting Iolani Palace on Wednesday, council members plan to meet with native Hawaiian groups. Members also will be meeting with the Army and Navy on stewardship issues related to Fort Shafter, Schofield Barracks and Pearl Harbor.
Applicants being sought for Ethics Commission
The Judicial Council is seeking applicants for an anticipated vacancy in the state Ethics Commission. Applications are available at the state Judiciary's Public Affairs Office, Room 206-C, Ali'iolani Hale, 417 S. King St., Honolulu, 96813; or from http://www.state.hi.us/jud.
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Police, Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffCOURT
Kaneohe man pleads not guilty in slaying
A 20-year-old Kaneohe man charged with shooting another man in what appears to be a case of mistaken identity pleaded not guilty today in Circuit Court.Chad Barboza is accused of shooting Patrick Fuller, 31, an acquaintance, early Jan. 20, in Oahu's first homicide of the year. Barboza had told police he believed Fuller was another man who recently had been threatening him and his family.
Barboza, released last month after posting $50,000 bail, is scheduled for trial the week of April 12.
POLICE/FIRE
Man struck on H-1 dies -- suicide a possibility
A 42-year-old Honolulu man who was struck by a vehicle on the H-1 Freeway near the Aala Street overpass died last night at Queen's Hospital.The man parked his Chevrolet van on the side of the freeway and for unknown reasons walked into the path of oncoming westbound traffic about 1:30 p.m. yesterday, police said.
The man died at Queen's Hospital at 9:11 p.m.
The vehicle that struck the man fled the scene, police said.
Vehicular homicide investigators have not ruled out the possibility of suicide, said Sgt. James Addison.
Investigators, however, are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to call police at 529-3499.
One hurt, one arrested in melee in Waianae
A 21-year-old Waimanalo man was struck on the back of the head with an aluminum bat during a large melee early yesterday at a housing complex near the Waianae Community Center on Farrington Highway.The man is in guarded condition at Queen's Hospital.
Police arrested a 31-year-old Waianae man at the scene for first-degree assault.
The 12:30 a.m. incident involved 30-40 people from Waimanalo and Waianae, police said.
Car hits rail, trees, wall; two hospitalized
A car crash early yesterday on Nimitz Highway near Bethel Street has left two men, ages 26 and 18, in critical condition at Queen's Hospital.Police traffic investigators say speed and possibly alcohol may be contributing factors for the 4:30 a.m. crash.
Air bags for both driver and passenger were deployed, police said.
The 26-year-old driver of the 1998 Honda may have been racing with another vehicle when he failed to negotiate a curve.
The car crossed the median, hit a guardrail, several trees and a concrete wall, police said.
In other news...
A 2-year-old Kailua girl who was struck by a car and killed Saturday near her Wailepo Street home has been identified by the medical examiner's office as Kayla Takishita-Mahoe.
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