Gov. Ben Cayetano has expressed sympathy to the family of John F. Kennedy Jr. on behalf of Hawaii's people. Isle condolences
In a letter to U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, Cayetano said the people of Hawaii join the rest of the country in expressing heartfelt condolences. "We are truly saddened and share your grief over the tragic and untimely loss of John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife, Caroline, and her sister, Lauren Bessette."
The governor said Kennedy will be remembered as a true American son.
"The public has watched the children of the late President John F. Kennedy grow up to be upstanding and model citizens. Throughout his all too short life, John Jr. taught us how to weather the tragedies and triumphs of life to which we are all destined with enormous grace and dignity," the governor said.
"He led an exemplary life that any parent would have been proud of. Our prayers and thoughts are with you, your family and your niece Caroline, whom we pray takes solace in knowing that her brother is with her parents in eternal peace."
NAMED after Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, East Honolulu's Kalanianaole Highway was just a humble dirt road before it was transformed into a modern thoroughfare in 1932. 7-syllable highway
By the 1950s, however, the two-lane highway was reaching its capacity with burgeoning development in the Aina Haina, Hawaii Kai and Niu Valley areas, according to "Hawaii: the Electric Century."
Enter industrialist/developer Henry Kaiser, who was master-planning Hawaii Kai and trying to sell homes at $40,000-$50,000. He wasn't having much luck, due in part to concerns over the traffic and narrow Kalanianaole Highway.
When he heard the state was thinking of funding a feasibility study to widen the highway, Kaiser made his pitch to Gov. William Quinn. For the amount of the feasibility study, Kaiser proposed he could build a four-lane highway, says "Hawaii: the Electric Century."
Quinn liked the idea -- but put the contract out for public bid. Kaiser, among those submitting bids, would win the contract. Within four months, East Honolulu had a new four-lane paved highway -- at less than what the study would have cost. And home sales in Hawaii Kai improved.
Judge rules out bail for bank heist suspect
A federal magistrate today ordered bank robbery suspect Albert Raymond Batalona held without bail in connection with the July 7 heist at the American Savings Bank in Kahala.Magistrate Francis Yamashita today granted the government's motion to detain Batalona, 24, on grounds he is a flight risk and a danger to the community.
Batalona was captured without incident July 15 in Aiea after an 8-day manhunt. He is accused of being the gunman who shot more than 20 times at an arriving police officer and hijacking a delivery van to escape.
Two other men charged in the "takeover" bank robbery -- Sean Matsunaga, 20, and Jacob Travis Hayme, 22 -- are also being held without bail. A fourth suspect, Roger Dailey, 33, identified the other three and is being held in protective custody.
All four are expected to be indicted within 30 days, possibly with additional charges.
Anne Jambaro, a "hanai," or adopted mother to Batalona and a childhood friend of Batalona's mother who lives in Las Vegas, attended today's hearing in her absence.
She said Batalona's mother was "devastated" to hear her son was had been arrested and plans to fly here for the trial.
Agreement shortens terms in stabbing
Two men originally charged with murder in a Wahiawa stabbing received prison terms of seven and nine months for lesser charges of assault yesterday.The men received the plea agreements because the victim of the California Avenue stabbing last November -- Chance Paris, 31 -- had a history of violence and an autopsy showed he had been high on alcohol and crystal methamphetamine.
James Russell, 24, was sentenced for first-degree assault.
Russell received nine months in prison, five years probation, must pay restitution of $27,257 and perform 100 hours of community service.
Russell already has spent 125 days, or about four months, behind bars.
Circuit Judge Melvin Soong also sentenced Khloy Sorn, 18, who was 17 at the time of the stabbing, to seven months in prison plus five years probation, restitution of $27,257 and 100 hours of community service.
Sorn, who pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, has served 256 days already, or about eight months, and will go free.
Arid Maui seeks drought emergency
WAILUKU -- Maui Mayor James Apana has asked Gov. Ben Cayetano to declare a drought emergency for the western slopes of Haleakala from Kanaio to Haiku.The declaration would enable county officials to use wells at Hamakuapoko containing dibromochloropropane.
County water officials plan to treat the water with carbon filters to eliminate the chemical before using the wells, which can provide about 1.5 million gallons a day.
In his letter yesterday, Apana said the residents and farmers in the affected area have had a 40 percent reduction in rainfall and see no relief through the summer.
Clarification
Dogpatch Academy charges $68 per week to teach dog owners to groom their dogs. The $136 quoted in a story in Friday's Today! section was for two weeks.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Man arrested in kidnapping case
Police arrested a 30-year-old man yesterday after he allegedly beat, threatened and held a 23-year-old woman against her will for more than 16 hours.The man picked up the woman at the airport Sunday evening and they went out to dinner and drinks, police said. After dinner, he began to verbally taunt her and physically assault her. He refused to let her go and took her to his Pukele Avenue home, where he assaulted her again at gunpoint police said.
Police seek murder witnesses
Police are trying to locate witnesses to the murder of a Circuit Court janitor Wednesday, including someone who called CrimeStoppers over the weekend.The body of Edwin Iwata, 57, a Circuit Court janitor, about 4:20 a.m. Wednesday on the grounds of the Circuit Court building, Punchbowl and Halekauwila streets.
Also, police hope to locate a male suspect seen talking loudly with the victim. A confrontation took place between the victim and suspect, and the suspect fled Ewa on Halekauwila Street, then mauka on Punchbowl Street and then Ewa on Queen Street.
The suspect is described as in his 30s, 5 feet 11, of medium build, with a dark complexion and black matted/kinky hair. He wore shorts and a red short-sleeved shirt with dark horizontal stripes.
Iwata was about 5 feet 7, with a heavy build, weighing 250 pounds, had black and white hair and was clad in a beige polo shirt and black pants.
Anyone with any information on this case should call Detective Michael Tsuda of the homicide detail at 529-3436, CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *Crime on a cellular phone.
Texas man held in Kona rape
KAILUA-KONA -- Police are holding a 25-year-old El Paso, Texas man in connection with the sexual assault of a woman Sunday night at a Kailua-Kona hotel, they said.The woman, who said she was attacked about 10 p.m., reported the rape at 1:32 a.m. yesterday.
Man, 78, charged in assault
A 78-year-old Waimanalo man was arrested after a 9-year-old girl accused him of sexual assault.The girl reported that the man fondled her on Sunday and other times, police said. He was booked for third-degree sexual assault.
Restaurant employee robbed
WAIPOULI, Kauai -- A woman restaurant employee was robbed of a money bag containing $300 as she arrived at work this morning at the Camp House Grill, Kauai Police said.Officers said the woman was struck from behind by a large Caucasian man with short blond hair who fled on foot. She was treated for minor injuries at Wilcox Memorial Hospital and released.
