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KEALAKEKUA, Hawaii -- Former Hawaii County Councilman Keola Childs, 52, yesterday pleaded guilty in Kona Circuit Court to sexual assault in the first degree for molesting a male child last year. Ex-Big Isle official pleads
guilty to child molestingAlthough the charge carries a possible sentence of 20 years in prison, Childs' attorney Michael Zola said Childs entered the plea as part of an agreement in which the prosecution will ask for no more than one year in prison and probation.
Judge Ronald Ibarra set sentencing for Aug. 17.
Childs had not been previously charged, and he waived indictment. A businessman, Childs served on the County Council as a Republican from 1992 to 1996.
The Navy plans to demolish three 300-foot antenna towers at Lualualei's Radio Transmitting Facility tomorrow. Navy to raze
3 radio towersHowever, its twin 1,500-foot antennas will remain.
The demolition subcontractor for the $411,535 project is Controlled Demolition Incorp. of Phoenix, Md., whose demolition and implosion of structures have included the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas and Atlanta's Omni Arena.
Explosives will be placed strategically around the base of the towers.
The general contractor is Nakoa Co.
The antennas, classified as historically significant, were used by the Voice of America.
The towers, built in 1935, haven't been used for more than 30 years. The 1,500-foot antennas are still used.
Also being demolished are seven smaller antennas and a building.
LOS ANGELES -- A food company is voluntarily recalling 9,120 packages of pork rinds because the labels didn't say they contained monosodium glutamate, or MSG. Mislabeled pork rinds recalled
Associated PressThe mislabeling was the result of a proofreading error, said Demetrio Manibog, manager of Fil-Am Specialty Foods.
It was discovered by an inspector with the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
MSG is a commonly used flavor enhancer. Some consumers have reported negative reactions to it, including headaches and dizziness.
The recall is a "Class III" action, meaning use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences, the USDA said in a statement Tuesday.
The pork rinds are distributed in California, mostly in the Los Angeles area, and in Hawaii, Manibog said.
The following products were recalled:
Consumers can identify affected packages by the six-digit production code.Tropics brand "Philippine Style" Chicharon (Kawali)
The recalled packages bear codes from 050100 through 063000, and from 000701 through 000717.
Senior behavioral unit opens in Wahiawa
The state's first psychiatric facility exclusively for senior citizens with emotional or psychological problems will hold a grand opening at Wahiawa General Hospital today.The Senior Behavioral Health Unit is open to anyone 60 years of age or older. The facility was certified by the state Department of Health on May 16 and the first patient was admitted on May 17.
Average length of stay for the patients is 10 to 12 days.
For information: 621-4254.
UH Hilo Canoe Club gets $18,000 donation
HILO -- The recently retired director general of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Keiichi Kodaira, has donated $18,000 to the University of Hawaii-Hilo Canoe Club, the university has announced.On his retirement March 31, Kodaira received the money from the Japanese astronomical community in recognition of his 20 years of work creating the Subaru telescope on Mauna Kea and his six years as head of the national observatory.
Kodaira and his wife, Uta, donated the money to the club for the purchase of two canoes and related equipment, construction of a secure storage area at the existing canoe house, and other expenses.
Renovations to close two Oahu libraries
Two Oahu libraries will close this month for renovations that will last until August.The Manoa Library closes Monday for two weeks. Work will include re-roofing and installing a new central air- conditioning unit.
The Aina Haina Library will close for renovations from July 31 to Aug. 22. Patrons may return books and other materials borrowed from either library to any other library in the state.
Patrons may also call 586-3652 to renew books and other materials by phone. Also, patrons are asked not to leave donations for library book sales outside the closed libraries.
Workshop will cover island water issues
An Army Corps of Engineers workshop at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Hibiscus Room of Ala Moana Hotel will focus on what Hawaii people think are the most pressing challenges regarding bodies of water here.Flooding and environmental considerations will be aired.
People who have statements may post them at the workshop and include them for the record.
Anyone unable to attend may file their opinions by calling toll-free 877-447-6342.
Grant will provide help for veterans
U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink has announced new help for veterans, as the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations will receive a $320,650 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor for employment and training services.The grant will be used to enroll 224 veterans in training programs and place 141 in jobs.
Job skills assessment, career counseling, classroom or on-the-job training, skills upgrading, retraining, job placement and labor market information are available.
Any honorably discharged veteran who has served on active duty during a war or received a campaign or expedition badge and veterans with service-connected disabilities, those recently separated and those with other significant barriers to employment are eligible for these services.
Volunteers to clean Hanauma area sought
Volunteers are being sought to help the Friends of Hanauma Bay do a cleanup of the beach, park and Kalanianaole Highway from Keahole Street to the Blow Hole.The cleanup will last from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Aug. 6. Meet in the upper picnic area where they will be given assignments and cleaning equipment. Hawaii residents should bring ID to avoid paying access fees.
Call Harvey Shapiro at 395-1217 for information.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Police seek help to solve murder at Pagoda Hotel
Homicide detectives are asking for the public's assistance in the stabbing death of a 52-year-old Kauai man found inside the Pagoda Hotel.William S. Bogardus, also known as Stephen Bogardus, was found dead inside his hotel room on Tuesday at 7:15 a.m., police said. He was last seen the day before at about 2 p.m.
Bogardus is described as a Caucasian man, 5 feet 8, 140 pounds with a slim build and light brown hair.
Anyone who may have seen Bogardus or has any information about the case is asked to call detectives at 529-3115 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
Woman, 54, arrested in threat with scissors
A 54-year-old woman was arrested yesterday for allegedly threatening her neighbor with scissors over loud noise.The woman reportedly threatened a 36-year-old man at 929 Punahou St. at 2:50 p.m. during an argument regarding the noise, police said.
Man hit by car July 11 dies at 88 from injuries
An 88-year-old man, who was struck by a car July 11 while crossing Ala Wai Boulevard near Ainakea Way, died yesterday at Straub Hospital.Based on autopsy findings, police vehicular homicide investigators have tentatively classified the case as a traffic fatality.
Tetsuo Yokoyama was crossing the street when he was struck by a station wagon negotiating a left turn onto Ala Wai Boulevard, police said. The incident occurred at 3:58 p.m.
He is Oahu's 37th traffic fatality of the year and 11th pedestrian victim.
Solo car wreck near Hilo claims life of man, 69
HILO -- A Big Island man died Tuesday following a one-car accident just north of Hilo, police said.Robert W. Mushlitz, 69, lost control of his Lincoln Town Car at about 1:30 p.m. as he drove toward Hilo on the Hawaii Belt Road, they said. His car struck a concrete column of a pedestrian overpass at Kalanianaole School. He died at about 10 p.m. at Hilo Hospital.
The death brings the Big Island traffic toll to 22 for the year, compared to 16 at the same date last year.
Police say man fled with his victim's daughter
HILO -- Police are seeking a Big Island man in a domestic assault case, and the victim's teen-age daughter, thought to be with him, is wanted as a runaway.George West Craigen, 38, is wanted for abuse of a family or household member for a May 28 assault in the Paradise Park subdivision, police said.
He fled the scene with Jennifer Renee Reed, 15.
Craigen, 5 feet 7 inches tall and about 140 pounds, usually wears a baseball cap and has a discolored front tooth, police said.
Reed is 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs about 105 pounds and has straight, light brown hair.
Craigen is considered to be dangerous, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 961-8883 or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300.
