Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Case introduces bill to protect coral reefs
Protecting valuable coral and coral reef ecosystems from commercial threats in U.S. and international waters is the goal of a bill introduced in Congress by Rep. Ed Case (D, rural Oahu, neighbor islands).The Coral Reef Conservation and Protection Act of 2004 would prohibit collection or interstate commerce or importation of certain coral reef species.
The bill calls for enforcement provisions that both fine violators and reward informants. And it calls on greater conservation management of coral reef ecosystems and species.
"We have to start somewhere. Our world's coral reefs are crying out for our help," Case said.
As much as 70 percent of the coral reef ecosystems in U.S. waters are found in Hawaii.
Kailua-Kona to host U.S. hearing on 'ice'
A U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee will hold a hearing in Kailua-Kona tomorrow on crystal methamphetamine trafficking, production and abuse in Hawaii and the nation.Government officials experienced in fighting the "ice" problem and experts in treatment and prevention of ice addiction will discuss the issues and suggest solutions.
The hearing, "The Poisoning of Paradise: Crystal Methamphetamine in Hawaii," is being held by the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources.
It will feature Lt. Gov. James Aiona Jr., FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration agents, Mayor Harry Kim, and officials from the state Narcotics Enforcement Division and county police.
The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Kealakehe Intermediate School at 74-5062 Onipaa St.
Washington governor to speak at UH-Manoa
Washington Gov. Gary Locke will speak on "Education for Democracy" at the University of Hawaii in Manoa tomorrow.Locke will speak at 1:30 p.m. at the School of Architecture auditorium. His speech is co-sponsored by the College of Social Sciences' Public Policy Center and Public Administration Program.
Locke is the first Chinese-American governor in the United States. He was elected to his first term in 1996 and was re-elected in 2000.
Mililani Town Center plans charity book sale
The Friends of Mililani Public Library are holding a book sale on Aug. 14 at the Mililani Town Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Contact the Mililani Library at 627-7470 for more information.
By Star-Bulletin staff
WINDWARD OAHU
Pedestrian dies in crash near Helemano
A 41-year-old man died early yesterday after being struck by a car while trying to walk across the Kamehameha Highway near Helemano.A 2001 Honda civic was driving west on the highway at 1:30 a.m. when it struck a man attempting to cross the highway from north to south, a witness told police.
The witness was in a vehicle driving east on the Kamehameha Highway about 2.2 miles west of Paalaa Uka Pupukea Road and saw the man attempting to cross the highway. The witness tried to signal the oncoming car that someone was in the road by flashing headlight high beams, according to police.
However, the pedestrian backed up into the path of the Honda and was hit, causing serious head injuries and a broken leg, police said.
The 41-year-old man, who had no local address, was flown by helicopter to Queen's Medical Center in critical condition, where he later died.
The driver of the Honda, a 30-year-old man from Haleiwa, and his 17-year-old male passenger, were not injured, police said. Speed and alcohol were not a factor in the wreck for the driver of the Honda, police said. It was unknown if alcohol or drug use by the pedestrian was a factor in the accident.
There is no lighting or crosswalk at the site and the highway was wet from rain, police said.
HONOLULU
Police arrest driver in alleged hit-and-run
A 23-year-old Honolulu man has been arrested for allegedly failing to render aid and for suspicion of first-degree negligent homicide after a hit-and-run collision early Friday that killed a 38-year-old motorcycle rider.The man was arrested yesterday after being released from the Pali Momi Medical Center for a head injury.
The accident occurred just before 4:15 a.m. on the ramp connecting the Koko Head-bound lanes of the H-1 Freeway to the H-3 and Moanalua freeways.
Police said a speeding car rear-ended the motorcycle, ran over the driver and fled the scene.
The motorcycle's driver, a 38-year-old woman, died at the scene. Her passenger, a 28-year-old Honolulu woman, was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in serious condition.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Man held in standoff that locks down school
KAPAA, Hawaii >> A Kauai man was arrested after a standoff with police in Kapaa Friday that caused authorities to lock down Kapaa Elementary School.Police said the 25-year-old man, Mark Bertleson, threatened to stab officers and himself in the confrontation that began at his home and ended on the school grounds. The incident happened between 6:30 and 9 a.m. Friday morning, the county said in a news release.
Police went to Bertleson's home after his girlfriend filed a complaint at the police station alleging he had assaulted her, the release said.
When police got there, they said Bertleson had a knife and a box cutter, and tried to charge at one of the officers with the weapons. The man then allegedly barricaded himself in a room before jumping out a back window and heading toward the school, officials said.
Bertleson was subdued at about 9 a.m. by two officers after running about 150 yards onto the school grounds. He was arrested in what police described as a family abuse case, but officials said investigation could lead to other charges.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers