Puna girl out of hospital, living with foster family

She was in a coma for six weeks from suspected abuse

A Big Island girl who spent six weeks in a coma as a result of suspected child abuse has been released from the hospital and is in foster care, an official said yesterday.

"She's in our foster care and she's out of the hospital," said Derick Dahilig, spokesman for the Department of Human Services. "Other than that we want to protect her privacy."

He declined to say when the girl was released or give any details on her condition or where she was living now.

Her mother had left her late last year at the home of Hyacinth Poouahi in the Ainaloa subdivision in Puna. On Feb. 7, Poouahi called 911 asking for medical help for her.

A paramedic said the girl, then 10, had a festering cut several inches long on her head and a chunk of flesh missing from her upper lip, along with punctures in her cheeks. Police affidavits said the girl had broken bones, bedsores and a stab wound, as well as signs that she had been tied up and burned with a cigarette and lighter.

The child was conscious but moaning when paramedics arrived. Her heart stopped beating upon arrival at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children in Honolulu, but she was revived, and remained in a coma until late March, when she began to respond to her surroundings.

The police have turned the case over to the county Prosecutor's Office, but no charges have been filed yet.

"There's an active criminal case," Dahilig said. "We don't want to hinder that."

Mars offers isles a pre-Halloween treat

The planet will appear as a bright object in the sky tomorrow

By Helen Altonn
haltonn@starbulletin.com

Unless clouds hide it, Mars will be "a beautiful sight" for isle residents as it passes close to Earth tomorrow, says Carolyn Kaichi, Bishop Museum Planetarium manager.

The red planet is already hard to miss, rising shortly after sunset in the east, she said. It is the brightest object in the sky next to the moon and Venus.

"It's not as bright as Venus, but it will jump out at you because of the distinct orange color."

The view is not as good as it was in 2003 when Mars was only 35 million miles away -- about as close as it can get to Earth, Kaichi said.

But it is closer now at about 43 million miles than it will be during its next pass in 2007 from a distance of 55 million miles, she said.

Details already can be seen through a small telescope, she said. "There is a nice dust storm going on Mars now. Depending on the type of telescope, you might see different features."

Mars will be visible for the next couple of months but will begin receding after Saturday and begin to dim in the sky, she said.

"Right now is the prime time you want to be able to see it."

Mars and Earth have close encounters every 26 months due to different periods of revolution around the sun, Kaichi explained. Earth's full period is one year, or 365 days, while Mars' year is about 687 days.

"Any time we're on the same side of the sun is the better time to view it."

Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin staff

HONOLULU

Police seek man, 28, on parole violation

Police are looking for a 28-year-old man wanted on a warrant for parole violation.

William Kahuanui, known to frequent Honolulu and Central Oahu, has been convicted of kidnapping, theft, assault, disorderly conduct and violating parole.

He is described as Hawaiian, 6 feet tall, 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

He also has tattoos on his back, a dragon and one that says "Kahuanui," as well as another design tattooed on his neck.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cell phone.

39-year-old woman is sought by police

Police are looking for a 39-year-old fugitive wanted on a warrant for parole violation.

Shana Sabbey has been convicted of kidnapping, robbery, theft, promoting drugs and various traffic offenses.

She is known to frequent the Honolulu area.

Sabbey is also known as Shana Deguair, Shana Kalona DeGuair and Shana Kalona Sabey.

She is described as Filipino-Caucasian, 5-foot-4, weighing 120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cell phone.

Driver is sought in fatal hit-and-run

CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department want help finding the driver of a vehicle that left the scene after hitting and killing a bicyclist Monday.

Police said that at 1:54 a.m. the victim was traveling Ewa on North Nimitz Highway near Pacific Street when he was hit by the vehicle.

Police are looking for a Chevrolet or GMC pickup truck, sport utility vehicle or van that is missing a passenger side mirror that was retrieved at the scene.

Anyone with information about this vehicle or the person who was driving it is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or by dialing *CRIME on a cellular phone.

LEEWARD OAHU

Candle is blamed in Waipahu home fire

An unattended candle caused the fire the destroyed a Waipahu home on Tuesday, according to fire investigators.

The fire at 94-115 Leowaena St. caused an estimated $195,000 in damage to the house and about $10,000 in damage to neighboring houses. A resident said she heard her sister screaming that her room was on fire at about 4:30 a.m. after a smoke detector woke her up.

Up to eleven adults and two children escaped without injury.

WINDWARD OAHU

Man, 23, allegedly assaults policeman

A police officer was treated for minor injuries after allegedly being assaulted Wednesday in Waimanalo.

Police were investigating a call about an argument at about 4 p.m. when a 23-year-old man who was being detained allegedly attacked one of the officers without warning or provocation, police said. The officer was taken to an area hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries and released.

The suspect was arrested for investigation of first-degree assault against a police officer and released pending an investigation.