Duke Bainum declares his candidacy for mayor
City Councilman Duke Bainum declared his candidacy for mayor yesterday, despite uncertainty over whether Mayor Jeremy Harris will resign to run for governor, necessitating a special election for mayor.Bainum said he may not know for several months whether Mayor Jeremy Harris will vacate his seat to run for governor, but after closely re-examining the situation and "many days" of talking to key campaign staff and volunteers, he was persuaded to move forward.
"My supporters made it clear that Honolulu needs an independent leader who can make hard decisions on their behalf," Bainum said. "I have listened to this outpouring of support, and I am now reaffirming my commitment to run for mayor of the city and county of Honolulu."
Bainum made the announcement at his campaign headquarters on Kapiolani Boulevard surrounded by campaign staff and supporters, including fellow City Councilmen Steve Holmes and Gary Okino.
Trial over downzoning postponed until Feb. 12
A trial on how much the city owes developers after it downzoned 30 acres of land in Hawaii Kai in late 1989, halting construction on a 171-unit residential project, has been continued to Feb. 12.Trial was supposed to begin this Tuesday, but the city and developer Maunalua Associates and KRDC Inc. have been negotiating for a settlement.
The property involves two parcels of land known as Golf Course 5 and 6, across from Sandy Beach. Experts have estimated taxpayers may have to pay as much as $200 million for the parcels, which were downzoned to preservation.
Councilman Romy Cachola said last week that the city is proposing a land swap with the developers to avoid having to go to trial.
Landslide forces closure of trail to Manoa Falls
State land officials have closed the popular Manoa Falls Trail until further notice because of a landslide.Department of Land & Natural Resources officials said the landslide was likely caused by recent heavy rains.
Hiking trail assessment teams are expected to evaluate the area today.
Former prison guard gets probation on drug charges
A former Halawa prison guard who pleaded guilty to possessing drugs and drug paraphernalia in 1998 was sentenced yesterday to five years' probation.Richard Doolin, 55, who received a $317,0000 settlement from the city after he was beaten by police officers in August 1995, pleaded guilty to the drug charges Nov. 19.
Doolin faced five years' imprisonment on each count, but the probation officer had recommended probation because he has cleaned up his act since then, said his attorney, Earle Partington.
Doolin, who developed a drug problem, was offered drugs at rock-bottom prices by a former inmate and could not turn him down, Partington said.
Doolin has since undergone drug rehabilitation, attends Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, and is working.
Five officers who pleaded to civil-rights violations and criminal conspiracy are serving between six months to 31 months in federal prison for their roles in the beating and subsequent cover-up.
Crews repair break after sewage flows into ocean north of Hilo
HILO >> About 90,000 gallons of partially treated sewage flowed into the sea north of Hilo on Thursday night and yesterday morning before the system was repaired at 10 a.m., the Hawaii County Wastewater Division said.A chlorination system failed at the Kulaimano facility about seven miles north of Hilo, Wastewater head Peter Boucher said. Chlorination is the last of five steps in treatment of sewage at the facility, which is separate from the Hilo sewage system.
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>> The Dowling Co. donation of $35,000 in new computer equipment to Waihee Elementary School was presented in December. A "Taking Notice" item Thursday incorrectly reported the donation was made Wednesday. Corrections and clarifications
>> Don Holden was the good Samaritan who mistook the traffic camera van for a broken-down vehicle. His first name was misspelled as Ron in the photo caption on Page A1 in the morning edition yesterday.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Managing Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Foul play not suspected in downtown Hilo death
HILO >> A 55-year-old man whose body was found on a back street in downtown Hilo on Thursday died of a fractured skull and a brain injury, police said.Foul play is not suspected, they said. The victim's name is being held pending notification of his kin.
The man's body was found at 4:46 p.m. at the foot of a staircase at the back of the old City Hotel, facing Beckley Lane, they said.
The area of mostly vacant lots is near several open-air farmers' markets.
HONOLULU
Stepfather accused of sex assault of teen
Honolulu police arrested a 44-year-old man yesterday for sexually assaulting his 15-year-old stepdaughter. Police said the assault happened sometime between 1999 and 2001 in the Kaimuki area.The suspect has since been released pending an investigation.
Police charge woman with stealing credit card
Honolulu police have charged a convicted thief with stealing from a Kalihi church volunteer.Pisa Tuvale, 32, was on probation and performing mandatory community service when police said she stole a credit card from an 89-year-old female who volunteers at the same church.
Police said Tuvale was caught trying to use the credit card at Pearlridge Center on Jan. 30. Tuvale has 10 prior theft and forgery convictions, according to police. She is being held in lieu of $40,000 bail.
WINDWARD OAHU
Kaneohe traffic snarled by water main break
A water main break in Kaneohe was expected to delay traffic for about 10 hours yesterday.The break happened at 6 p.m. at the intersection of Mokapu Saddle Road and Kaneohe Bay Drive.
