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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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SKY DIVERS JUMP FOR
A FALLEN FRIEND
BARRY MARKOWITZ / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-BULLETIN
Clarence Lopez, a Skydive Hawaii part-time instructor and longtime friend of skydiver Max Mueller, instructed jumpers yesterday before their sunset jump in honor of Mueller at Dillingham Airfield. Mueller died Jan. 6 after a sky-diving accident.
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Retired fire chief gets top marks for 2005
Honolulu Fire Chief Attilio Leonardi got the highest possible evaluation ratings for his work in 2005.
It is the fifth consecutive year Leonardi, who retired yesterday, has received the scores.
The Honolulu Fire Commission released the evaluation last week. Chairman William Hong said Leonardi left office "with a long list of notable accomplishments."
"During every year of this tenure ... Chief Leonardi proved himself to be an energetic, creative, resourceful and effective leader," Hong said. "His outstanding leadership will long be remembered."
The four evaluation criteria are leadership qualities, managerial skills, relationship with the Fire Commission and personal and professional traits.
Leonardi scored a five out of five for the first three criteria. The fourth does not get a numerical rating.
Sierra Club volunteer alerts city to runoff
The Sierra Club is touting its Blue Water Campaign as having recently helped to stop muddy runoff that could have polluted the ocean.
According to a release from the Hawaii chapter, a volunteer told the Sierra Club's "Blue Water Hotline" on Dec. 21 that muddy water was spilling onto Kapiolani Boulevard from the 909 Kapiolani high-rise development. A contractor was allegedly washing dirt from its trucks in the driveway of the construction site, with nothing to contain the muddy runoff.
A city inspector issued a citation for a violation, and the problem was corrected by Dec. 30, the Sierra Club said.
"We commend the city for its prompt and effective response, and are pleased with the quick, corrective action taken by the contractor," said Melody Heidel, conservation organizer for the Sierra Club.
Information about the Blue Water Campaign is available at www.bluewaterhawaii.org or by contacting Heidel at 808-537-9019 or bluewatercampaign@verizon.net.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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Fatality at Ala Wai was Kaimuki man
A man who reversed his car and landed in the water at the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor died Saturday at Straub Clinic & Hospital.
The Department of the Medical Examiner identified him as Michael F. McCarthy, 66, of Kaimuki.
At about 5:20 p.m. Saturday, police said, McCarthy was reversing a white 1993 Cadillac Deville from a marked parking stall when he struck another vehicle. He then moved forward and struck a separate vehicle. Police said he turned and reversed again and went over a tire curb stop and into the water. The vehicle was completely submerged.
Police said his 15-year-old female passenger was extricated from the vehicle by a witness. McCarthy was extricated by fire rescue. His passenger was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition and later upgraded to serious but stable condition.
McCarthy was transported to Straub in critical condition and later died. Police said speed and alcohol might have been factors in the accident. An autopsy is expected to be performed tomorrow.
Police seek suspects in Waikiki assault
Police are looking for two of three male suspects who allegedly assaulted another man in Waikiki yesterday.
About 1:05 a.m. yesterday, a 25-year-old man was walking on Kalakaua Avenue when one of the suspects, wearing a red shirt, asked him for a cigarette. Police said the suspect became combative when the victim said he did not have one.
The victim attempted to walk away but was followed by the suspect. Police said the suspect made a cell phone call, and two suspects showed up carrying sticks. One of the male suspects was wearing a white shirt, and the other was wearing a black shirt.
Police said all three suspects beat the victim down to the ground with the sticks before they fled. Police described two of the suspects as in their 20s. The third was described as in his teens.
The victim was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in stable condition. Later, police located one of the suspects, who was identified by a witness. Police arrested him on suspicion of second-degree assault.
Man is arrested in threat with knife
Police arrested a 26-year-old man yesterday after he allegedly threatened another man with a large knife in Waikiki.
At about 4:15 a.m., police said, the suspect, who was intoxicated and armed with a large 10-inch Bowie-type knife in one hand and a tire iron in the other, confronted the victim, 25, in a parking lot on Lauula Street for no apparent reason.
Police said the suspect chased the victim around the parking lot waving his knife and tire iron, saying he was going to stab him and "cut him wide open."
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of first-degree terroristic threatening. Police recovered a knife and tire iron.
WINDWARD OAHU
Police seek 2 men in Kailua robbery
Police are looking for two men who allegedly robbed a Kailua restaurant at gunpoint Saturday.
The suspects entered Pinky's Pupu Bar and Grill, 970 N. Kalaheo Ave., through the back door while employees were cleaning the kitchen at about 11:10 p.m.
One of the suspects ordered the employees to lie on the floor. The other man entered the manager's office holding a handgun and demanded money. Police said both suspects left the restaurant through the back door with an unknown amount of money. No one was harmed, police said.
Police described the suspect with the handgun as a man in his 40s, 6 feet tall, 200 pounds, with a husky build. He was described as having brown eyes, tan complexion and a mustache. The suspect was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and black pants.
Police described the second man as possibly in his late 20s, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 160 pounds, with a medium build. He was wearing a ski mask, gray hooded long-sleeved sweatshirt and dark pants. Police described the weapon as possibly a silver semiautomatic gun.