---

Attorney urges appeal over Superferry plan

An attorney representing three environmental groups wants them to appeal the dismissal of their lawsuit seeking an environmental impact statement for the Hawaii Superferry project.

Maui Circuit Judge Joseph Cardoza held this past week that the Sierra Club, Maui Tomorrow and Kahului Harbor Coalition did not have standing to challenge the project.

Cardoza also said the state Department of Transportation complied with state law in planning harbor improvements to accommodate the ferry.

Isaac Hall, the groups' attorney, said the decision sets a bad precedent and should be appealed as soon as possible.

"We really feel strongly that the project has serious environmental impacts that must be addressed before it proceeds," Hall said.

But John Garibaldi, chief executive of Hawaii Superferry Inc., praised the decision and said the company is close to receiving final financing for the project.

Hawaii Superferry plans to operate two giant catamarans carrying 900 passengers and 250 vehicles between Oahu and Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. The first ferry is scheduled to begin operating in early 2007. The ships will be able to travel 35 knots, or 40 mph.

Blaisdell lot closed for 2 days this week

Those who usually park at the Blaisdell Center will have to make alternate plans for Wednesday and Thursday.

There will be no daily or City and County of Honolulu parking allowed because of a private show.

Signs will be posted at all parking gates.

For more information, call John Fuhrmann at 527-5418.

Isle juvenile program gets $600,000 funding

The Department of Justice awarded Hawaii $600,000 for its Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Program, Edward Kubo Jr., U.S. attorney for the District of Hawaii, announced yesterday.

The program under the Department of Human Services' Office of Youth Services is designed to help prevent delinquency and supports intervention and juvenile justice improvements.

Those could include prevention of the following juvenile problems: substance abuse, gang involvement and illegal youth gang activities.

The moneys will go to help improve the juvenile justice systems' operations policies and procedures, including establishing a system of graduated sanctions and treatment programs.

---

Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Portlock spot claims third life this year

A 17-year-old visitor died Saturday when she apparently drowned at a popular surfing spot.

The Honolulu Medical Examiner's office identified the visitor as Emerald Abing of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Police said Abing and a 20-year-old Honolulu man went to China Walls off Portlock in Hawaii Kai to watch the sunset about 7:25 p.m. She then decided to jump into the water to swim.

Police said a large wave rolled in. Abing failed to resurface thereafter.

Two fire rescue boats and Air One responded to the call at 7:40 p.m.

Capt. Emmit Kane, spokesman for the Honolulu Fire Department, said a firefighter spotted Abing about 5 feet deep in the water from the surface of China Walls at 9:15 p.m.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

This is the third drowning-related death off Portlock this year.

Last week, Stephen J. LeBlanc, 29, of Westwego, La., drowned while swimming at Spitting Caves near Portlock. A local resident jumped in to try to save him.

On April 25, Owen Kekai Fujihara of Kailua drowned while trying to help a friend out of the water near China Walls. Fujihara, 45, had been fishing and was swept into the ocean by a large wave while attempting to help a female friend out of the water.

His friend managed to return to the rocks, but Fujihara did not.

HONOLULU
Suspects are sought in alleged sex assault

Police are looking for three male suspects who allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in Waikiki.

The victim, 18, told police that she exited the city bus at a stop near the Pearl Kai Shopping Center in Aiea at 5:45 p.m. Thursday when one of the three male suspects followed her off the bus.

Police said the suspect forced her into a "waiting" red car where the two other suspects were.

She told police that she was driven to Waikiki and was sexually assaulted by the three suspects.

Police said the suspects released her the next night.

Woman hospitalized after being hit by car

An 82-year-old female is in critical condition after she was struck by a car pulling out of Kapalama Center shortly before noon yesterday.

The victim suffered a fractured pelvis and multiple internal injuries. She was transported to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition.

Police said the woman was jaywalking across Dillingham Boulevard just east of Waiakamilo Road when the 51-year-old female driver of a blue 1995 Mercury hit her.

Wayward pellet gets man arrested in Kalihi

Police arrested a 26-year-old man after he allegedly shot another man in the ear with an air pellet rifle.

Police said the suspect was shooting at some birds in the proximity of the 1800 block of Dillingham Boulevard in Kalihi about 6:48 a.m. yesterday.

Police said a pellet went through a bird and accidentally hit the victim, 50, in his right ear as he was walking.

The victim sustained a perforation to his right ear.

Police arrested the 26-year-old on suspicion of second-degree assault. He was released pending investigation.

LEEWARD OAHU
Mo-ped rider dies in Hakimo Road crash

Police said a 15-year-old boy died last night after his mo-ped crashed into a pole on Hakimo Road around 6 p.m.

The victim, whose name was not available, was transported from Nanakuli Beach Park to Pali Momi Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Officials closed Hakimo Road for 100 yards from Farrington Highway for more than two hours to conduct an investigation. Police said speed was a factor.

WINDWARD OAHU
Man, 41, allegedly attacks brother-in-law

Police arrested a 41-year-old man after he allegedly attacked his brother-in-law with a pair of scissors yesterday in Kaneohe.

At 12:30 a.m., police said, the victim, 39, returned to his home on Waikalua Road and found his brother-in-law sleeping on the sofa.

The victim's brother-in-law woke up, and an argument occurred between the men. Police said the suspect obtained a pair of scissors and stabbed the victim in the arm and fingers.

The victim took the scissors away and held the suspect down.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault and abuse. Police said the victim was treated at the scene for his injuries.

Charges are pending.