Newswatch Star-Bulletin staff and wire service

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City attorney is named isles' top female lawyer

Honolulu's Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Thalia B.P. Murphy has been named the Outstanding Woman Lawyer of the Year by Hawaii Women Lawyers.

The nonprofit group also gave recognition to four other women at its annual awards ceremony recently for improving the lives and careers of women in the legal profession and enhancing the status of women in the community:

Melody Kapilialoha MacKenzie, executive director of the Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law at the University of Hawaii, was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Colleen K. Hirai, chief judge of the First Judicial Circuit, the Outstanding Judicial Achievement Award; Laurie Tochiki, a professor, family lawyer and one of the founders of the Kids First program at the Family Court of the First Circuit Court, the Distinguished Service Award; and state Rep. Barbara Marumoto, an advocate for the enactment of numerous bills relating to women and children, the President's Award.

Murphy has concentrated her energies on the prosecution of sexual abuse cases and assistance to victims during her 21 years with the city.

According to a release by the Hawaii Women Lawyers, Murphy has prosecuted and tried more sex abuse cases than anyone in the state, demonstrating "immense fortitude, expertise and dedication."

Murphy also has provided hours of training for other agencies, including Child Protective Services and the Honolulu Police Department. She works closely with the Sexual Abuse Treatment Center and the Children's Justice Center, the release said.

Taiwanese med group to hold health fair

More than 20 doctors of various specialties will participate in a health fair sponsored by the Hawaii Chapter of the North American Taiwanese Medical Association from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 1 at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza.

The Taiwan Cares Health Fair is the first event planned to carry out the mission of the new organization, said Chairman Dr. Naoky Tsai.

He said the chapter was organized by physicians who want to help people "make the world a better place to live." Doctors will provide free consultation, basic screening and tests. Entertainment and prizes, including a free ticket to Taiwan, also will be presented.

Police, Fire, Courts Star-Bulletin staff

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HONOLULU

Pedestrian, 82, struck by car and killed

An 82-year-old man died after he was struck by a vehicle in East Honolulu yesterday, Honolulu police said.

The Department of the Medical Examiner identified the victim as Alexander G. Budge of the Big Island.

At about 6:18 a.m. a 72-year-old woman was traveling west in the right lane of Kalanianaole Highway in a brown 1999 Toyota Corolla when she struck Budge at the intersection with West Hind Drive.

Police said Budge was taken in critical condition to Queen's Medical Center, where he later died.

The accident took place in cloudy weather. It is unclear yet whether Budge was in a crosswalk. The traffic fatality is the 18th on Oahu this year, the same number as at this time in 2005.

Homeless man beaten, left for dead in park

A homeless man was attacked by a group of men at a city bus stop across from Aala Park last night and left for dead, an Emergency Medical Services supervisor and witnesses said.

The man, whose age was not available, was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in serious but stable condition. The incident happened at about 7:30 p.m.

Witnesses told paramedics the man had been punched, kicked and left nearly unconscious in the street.

Man is stabbed in apparent break-in

A 26-year-old man was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in extremely critical condition yesterday after being stabbed in the back during what appeared to be an attempted break-in.

The incident happened at about 5:30 p.m. on the 1700 block of Dole Street when the man was apparently trying to break into a home. A tenant allegedly stabbed the man, police said. The tenant was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

2 men are arrested in Kalihi store robbery

Police arrested two men yesterday after they allegedly robbed a convenience store in Kalihi.

At about 3 a.m., police said, two suspects entered a 7-Eleven at 2404 N. School St. and told a cashier to open the register.

Police said one of the suspects grabbed all the money from the cashier, while the other suspect grabbed two bentos from the food warmer before leaving. Both suspects, ages 20 and 21, were located nearby and arrested on suspicion of second-degree robbery.

WAIKIKI

Man arrested with knife outside club

Police arrested a 25-year-old Saturday after he allegedly threatened people with a knife outside a Waikiki nightclub.

At about 4:20 a.m. a fight took place outside Tsunami's at 2260 Kuhio Ave., and the suspect brandished a knife in a threatening manner, a 36-year-old man told police.

The younger man was arrested on suspicion of first-degree terroristic threatening.