Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin Staff
Isle Army ID lab sends team to South Korea
The U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii, is investigating as many as 21 cases involving U.S. service members who remain unaccounted for since the Korean War.The lab, located at Hickam Air Force Base, sent an eight-member team to South Korea on Thursday to conduct detailed investigations in order to develop information for unresolved cases, officials said.
The month-long investigation will be conducted throughout the country, with locations ranging from the southern tip of South Korea to 30 miles south of the demilitarized zone, they said.
Information gathered during the investigation will be turned over to analysts and historians to determine if there is enough evidence to recommend a recovery operation at any of the locations.
Maui mayor threatens veto over budget item
WAILUKU >> Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa has called for the removal of a provision in the County Council's version of the county budget that he said would make the budget unmanageable.If the provision is not removed, Arakawa said he would consider vetoing the budget.
The provision would restrict county department heads from transferring funds among the categories of employees, operations and equipment. The practice allows surplus money in one category to be moved to another.
Council members voted 8-1 for the provision, which they said would make county government more accountable.
The current system has led to abuses, with department heads creating budgets that fail to reflect departmental needs, they said.
The Council's Budget Committee has recommended approval of a $318.8 million county spending plan.
20-cell jail dedicated at Hilo police station
HILO >> The Hawaii County Police Department has dedicated a new, $4.3 million East Hawaii Detention Facility on the grounds of the police headquarters in Hilo.The facility, for suspects who have been arrested but not yet taken to court, has 20 holding cells and two holding "tanks," compared with just five cells at the existing facility.
Police have felt the need for more pre-arraignment space since the responsibility was transferred from the state to the county in 1994. Planning has been under way since 1999, said county Managing Director Dixie Kaetsu during Friday's dedication ceremonies.
After arraignment, suspects again become a state responsibility.
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The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Calif. man drowns off Nakalele Point
LAHAINA >> A California visitor died yesterday after high surf swept him into the blowhole at Nakalele Point in west Maui.Kevin L. Wiser, 41, a newspaper writer from Grass Valley, was standing near the blowhole when a wave washed him into the hole, police Sgt. Max Kincaid said. The waves were about four to six feet high.
Wiser's girlfriend had warned him not to get too close to the blowhole, Kincaid said, but he did not listen to her.
"The worst part was the girlfriend said not to go over there," Kincaid said. "He had to go."
Wiser apparently drowned instead of suffering a fatal concussion, Kincaid said. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.
Police received a call for help at 1:30 p.m. and fire rescue workers used a helicopter to recover Wiser's body about 100 yards from shore about 30 minutes later.
Left-turn collision kills passenger, 84, in Kona
An 84-year-old man died Friday in a two-car collision in Kailua-Kona. He was identified as Robert Windsor, of Kailua-Kona.Police said Windsor's wife, Audrey, was driving south on Queen Kaahumanu Highway and attempted to make a left turn onto Hinalani Street when her car collided with a Dodge Ram pickup truck.
Windsor was taken to the Kona Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
HONOLULU
Man survives fall over Diamond Head Lookout
A 50-year-old man was pushed over a ledge at Diamond Head Lookout during a fight last night and survived a 50-foot fall with minor injuries, police said.The man was with a group of surfers who gathered to drink about 7:45 p.m., police said. He argued with another man who then pushed him over the ledge.
The victim fell about 50 feet but was caught in shrubbery that prevented him from falling another 100 feet, police said.
A 51-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
LEEWARD OAHU
Accident victim ID'd as Kapolei's Jett Dinio
A medical examiner identified the 15-year-old boy who died Friday in a one-car accident in Makakilo as Jett Dinio, of Kapolei.Police said a 17-year-old girl was driving south on Makakilo Drive when she lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree. Dinio was one of three passengers taken to Queen's Medical Center with serious injuries. He died Saturday morning.
Police said speeding appeared to be a factor in the accident.
Man killed, driver hurt when car rolls on H-1
Police are investigating a one-car accident late Saturday in which a man died and another man was seriously injured in Pearl City.Police said a 23-year-old man lost control of his vehicle on the H-1 freeway and struck a concrete barrier near the Kaahumanu Street overpass about 11:25 p.m. The vehicle rolled over several times.
The driver was reported in serious condition at Queen's Medical Center while his passenger, a 23-year-old military man, was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Police said speeding appeared to be a factor and both men did not wear seat belts.
