Newswatch Star-Bulletin staff and wire

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TAKING NOTICE

» Brian O. Piotrowski of Aiea, Joshua Tyler Kure and Nicolas Fujita of Honolulu, and Greyson Joseph Data of Waipahu were promoted to the rank of Eagle Scout by the Aloha Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Piotrowski is in Troop 1, chartered by Punahou School; Kure is in Troop 180, by Pearl City Elks Lodge; Fujita is in Troop 115, by Aina Haina School; and Data is in Troop 368, the Latter Day Saints of Waipahu II Ward.

» Fukuji & Lum Physical Therapy Associates has received one of 31 National Compassionate Employer Recognition awards from The Compassionate Friends, the nation's largest self-help bereavement organization. This is the first year a Hawaii company has received the honor for helping families after the death of a child.

The company was nominated by employee Rayan Wilson following the death of her son, Jeff, in 2004. She said the company closed its three clinics in Kailua, Kaneohe and Nuuanu so all the employees and bosses could attend the funeral, among other types of support.

» The Hawaii Hotel Industry Foundation and the Kauai Chapter of the Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association have donated $4,000 from the 2004 Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk to the American Cancer Society-Kauai Unit to help fund Quality of Life Services there.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

NORTH SHORE

Suspect sought in hit-and-run fatality

Honolulu police want help finding the driver of a truck that hit and killed an 80-year-old Kahuku man and then fled the scene on Oct. 20.

Police said the vehicle hit the victim about 7 p.m. while he was crossing Kamehameha Highway near Pualalea Street across from the old Kahuku Sugar Mill. The truck was seen heading toward Kaneohe but made a U-turn after the crash and headed toward Waimea Bay, according to police.

The victim was in a crosswalk and was wearing light colored clothing, police said. He died at the scene.

The suspect is described as a man in his 20s, 6 feet tall, about 220 pounds, with a husky build, short hair, brown eyes and a brown complexion. He was last seen wearing a tank top and driving a dark-colored quad cab truck, possibly a Dodge Dakota or some kind of Ford pickup truck.

Police also said there may be damage to the front end of the vehicle including the windshield.

Anyone with any information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or by dialing *CRIME on a cellular phone.

HONOLULU

Man in hockey mask sought in robbery try

Police are looking for a man who tried to rob a gas station while wearing a hockey mask last week.

Police said that on Thursday the suspect walked into the Chevron gas station at 1715 N. King St. at 12:25 a.m. while wearing the mask and gave the cashier a note demanding money. The cashier said she was unable to open the register, and the suspect made several more demands for money before fleeing on foot, police said.

The suspect is described as between 18 and 20 years old, 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing about 140 pounds. He was wearing a black T-shirt, white jacket, brown gloves and the hockey mask.

Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or by dialing *CRIME on a cellular phone.

WINDWARD OAHU

Student, 12, allegedly slaps teacher in face

Police arrested a 12-year-old boy after he allegedly slapped his teacher in the face Thursday.

The victim is a 61-year-old woman who works at a Waimanalo school. The suspect was arrested for investigation of second-degree assault and then released pending an appearance in court.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

5 acres of brush burn on South Kohala coast

Firefighters responded to a brush fire that destroyed five acres in South Kohala.

The blaze started about 8:15 p.m. Sunday near Old Puako Road and moved toward the ocean and Wailea Bay.

Firefighters had the fire under control at midnight and extinguished at 7:30 a.m. yesterday.

A fire official determined that the origin of the fire occurred next to the roadway. Firefighters have yet to determine what caused the blaze.