Newswatch
Parole board considers term for fatal accident
A Waimanalo man serving a 20-year manslaughter sentence for a fatal traffic accident told sobbing relatives of his victim yesterday that he was sorry.Kam Williams appeared at a parole hearing at the Halawa Correctional Center that could lead to a possible shortening of his sentence for the January 2001 accident in which Lorrie-Ann Wiley was killed.
"I wish that Lorrie-Ann was here today," Williams said. "I would give my life for her to be with you guys."
But the family of the 32-year-old woman said Williams should remain locked up.
"He needs to pay for what he did," said Ben Marquez, a cousin of Wiley. "He did something to this family. He hurt the family."
Williams' blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit when his car crossed the center line of Kalanianaole Highway near the Olomana Golf Links and crashed head-on into Wiley's car. Wiley was a member of the Hawaii Air National Guard and was on her way to work at Hickam Air Force Base at the time of the crash.
The parole board is expected to decide on Williams' case within a couple of weeks.
Federal grant supports state youth programs
The state Office of Youth Services has received a $706,000 grant aimed at supporting juvenile crime prevention programs and juvenile justice system improvements.The award is part of the federal Formula Grants Program, which helps states comply with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974.
"We will work statewide with our public and private partners to ensure that the award goes toward providing our communities with critical youth services," said OYS Executive Director Sharon Agnew.
Agnew said the award will be dispersed to agencies that provide services for juveniles, including Hale Kipa Inc., Maui Youth and Family Services, Hale Opio Kauai Inc., the Salvation Army and the Molokai Community Services Council.
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[Taking Notice]
AlohaCare scholarships will help UH students
AlohaCare Believes in Me scholarships totaling $10,000 have been awarded to 17 students at University of Hawaii campuses on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island.AlohaCare, a QUEST health plan, launched a new semi- annual program this summer to assist low-income students in Hawaii colleges.
Another $30,000 will be available for scholarships in the spring.
"We are thrilled to support the efforts of these Hawaii students to further their education and enhance their job skills," said John McComas, AlohaCare chief executive officer.
"Many of the awardees are single moms going back to school. We believe in these students and in their capacity to succeed."
Recipients of the scholarships are Verma Acob, Dawn Baxter, Shirley Bonilla, Steven Connery, Lisa Garcia, Lisa Leonard, Shane Mizusawa, Michelle Sharp, Candace Takatsuka, Kimberly Tucker, Rogelio Cabaya, Rose Marie Justo, Jadelyn Shioshita, Bonnie Duncan, Teresa Hernandez, Claudia Skelton and Lori McKee.
Many are in nursing, and one is in a premed program.
AlohaCare members or other low-income students attending a Hawaii college or vocational school may apply for the new scholarships in the spring.
They may obtain applications at www.alohacarehawaii.org or by calling AlohaCare at 973-1650 or, from the neighbor islands, 800-434-1002.
"Taking Notice" runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Please send items to City Desk, Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffLEEWARD OAHU
Crime spree hits Leeward companies
Police were called to investigate a number of thefts and property damage offenses at a construction site near the Ko Olina Golf Course.According to construction officials for Grace Pacific Corp. and RHS Lee Inc., some of the incidents included the suspects breaking into a lunchroom and stealing some items; using a loader to move a boulder blocking a limestone quarry exit and then stealing a utility truck by driving it through there; and also using a tractor to damage some cars and railroad tracks nearby.
Police said officers discovered that the suspects were employees, but would not identify which company they worked for. Police said all the items and vehicles stolen were either found or returned and that it was now a civil matter out of police hands.
Toddler found in pond dies despite CPR effort
Paramedics reported that a 20-month-old child died after being found in a shallow fishpond in Nanakuli yesterday.The mother found the child in a koi pond about 12:47 p.m. When fire rescue crews got to the scene, family members had started cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Fire crews continued CPR until Emergency Medical Services crews arrived and took the child to Waianae Comprehensive Center, where the child was pronounced dead.
HONOLULU
Woman reports rape in downtown bathroom
Honolulu police said a 23-year-old female reported being raped in a downtown men's bathroom over the weekend.Police said the victim met the suspect, who is identified only as a 34-year-old male, at 10:30 p.m. Sunday. Police said they were at a downtown establishment when the suspect took the victim into the bathroom and sexually assaulted her.
Police have not made any arrests in this case, which is being investigated as a first-degree sexual assault.
Man's body recovered from Keehi harbor
Honolulu fire rescue divers recovered the body of a 19-year-old man reported missing after the Zodiac rubber boat he was riding in overturned at the Keehi Boat Harbor Sunday night.Fire officials said rescuers found the body of Dayne Daclison at 11:30 a.m. after searching since daybreak yesterday. Apparently, Daclison and a friend climbed into a Zodiac just after midnight Sunday and were blown out into the middle of the harbor.
Both men tried to swim to a nearby boat, but fire crews said Daclison did not make it. His friend who swam to the sailboat found a flare gun and fired it to call for help.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
