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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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Hawaii kids join ranks of anti-smoking program
Hawaii youngsters are taking part in the nationwide 11th annual Kick Butts Day in a campaign against tobacco use Wednesday.
Sponsored by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, kids are sending two messages: They want the tobacco companies to stop targeting them with marketing for cigarettes and other tobacco products, and they want elected leaders to do more to protect them from tobacco, according to a news release.
Activities in Hawaii include:
The Coalition for Tobacco-Free Hawaii will unveil the state's Five Year Strategic Plan at a reception Wednesday at the Governor's Mansion;
In Makawao, Maui on Friday, students from King Kakauwilke High School will give tobacco-free presentations to grade-school kids from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Sandy McGuiness at 573-6554.
This year, Kick Butts Day is focusing attention on the number 1,200 -- the number of Americans who die every day from diseases caused by smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
Displays of 1,200 empty pairs of shoes will represent the lives lost to tobacco.
In Hawaii, health advocates are calling on state leaders to pass a strong smoke-free air law that protects everyone from the proven dangers of secondhand smoke.
In Hawaii, 24.5 percent of high school students smoke, and 2,200 kids become regular smokers every year. Every year, tobacco use kills 1,100 residents and costs the state $309 million in health-care bills.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
2 die after SUV crashes into Kauai river
Two men died early yesterday after their sport utility vehicle lost control on Kauai's Kuhio Highway and landed in the Hanalei River.
The Big Island men were identified as 35-year-old Christopher Ferguson and 19-year-old Christopher Kaupu-Kuahiwinui. The 25-year-old driver of the car, also from the Big Island, was able to escape with minor injuries.
Police said speed and alcohol may be factors in the crash, which happened about 12:30 a.m. as the SUV was traveling southbound.
The driver apparently lost control, struck a guardrail and landed in the river. The vehicle was upside down and submerged in the water. Police said the victims drowned.
Firefighters retrieved the bodies yesterday. The driver was taken to Wilcox Hospital, where he was treated and released.
HONOLULU
Suspect in robbery of carrier charged
An 18-year-old man who allegedly robbed a Star Bulletin delivery driver and attempted to kidnap her three children was charged over the weekend with second degree robbery and three counts of kidnapping.
Francis Ifenuk is being held on $300,000 bail.
He allegedly attacked a 30-year-old woman early Friday morning as she filled newspapers at a vending box along Kalakaua Avenue. Police said he punched and choked her, then jumped in her van and drove off with her three daughters, ages 4, 5, and 6, still sleeping in the back of the vehicle..
The woman jumped in the van and threatened to stab the suspect with a pair of scissors if he did not stop.
Police found Ifenuk hiding in some bushes near Keeaumoku and Kanunu streets after he allegedly fled the van.
WINDWARD OAHU
Pizza delivery driver robbed at gunpoint
Police are looking for a man who allegedly robbed a pizza delivery driver at gunpoint in Kailua Friday night.
The suspect approached a 33-year-old man on foot at 11:30 p.m. and held him at gunpoint while demanding his money and cell phone, police said. The suspect is described as in his early 20s, about 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds. He was wearing a charcoal brown jacket and black shorts.
LEEWARD OAHU
Argument ends with knockout blow, arrest
An 18-year-old Waianae man was arrested after he allegedly knocked another man unconscious after the victim accused him of stealing his cigarettes and ice cream Thursday night.
Police said the victim, 44, confronted the suspect and got into an argument about 11 p.m. During the argument the suspect allegedly punched the victim, knocking him to the ground and causing him to hit his head on the floor and going unconscious.
The victim was taken to the Queen's Medical Center for treatment. Police later arrested the suspect for investigation of third-degree assault.