Newswatch Star-Bulletin staff and wire service

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Abducted-child alert system to be tested

State and local officials will test the MAILE-AMBER Alert system on Friday to mark the program's first anniversary.

The system, which includes broadcast alerts and roadside signs to notify the public when a child is abducted, is a partnership between the county police departments, various state agencies and local broadcasters.

The system will undergo its biannual test at 11:45 a.m. Friday, according to a Honolulu police press release.

Starbucks collecting book donations

Starbucks Coffee is collecting new and "gently" used books until Aug. 31 at its stores throughout the state.

The All Books for Children drive started this week in all Starbucks locations excluding Barnes & Nobles Cafes, the airport and University of Hawaii. The goal is to collect 6,500 books that will be distributed by local literacy organizations to families and various literacy programs.

100th Battalion chaplains in limelight

The legacy of combat chaplains of the Japanese-American 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team will be celebrated at the University of Hawaii at Manoa next month, according to a news release.

The event titled "Their Legacy of Service" will recognize the services of chaplains Israel Yost, Hiro Higuchi and Masao Yamada and will honor the donation of Yost's and Higuchi's papers to the UH-Manoa library's Japanese American Veterans Collection.

It will also mark the publication of a book by the UH Press called "Combat Chaplain: The Personal Story of the World War II Chaplain of the Japanese American 100th Battalion." The book, edited by Yost's daughter Monica and local author Mark Markrich, is an autobiographical account of Yost's time in the Army.

The event is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Architecture Auditorium at the UH-Manoa campus.

Free asteroid lecture

The Hawaii Space Lecture Series presents a free lecture on asteroids at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29 in Room 544, Pacific Ocean Science and Technology Building, 1680 East-West Road.

Planetary scientist Lysa Chizmadia will discuss evidence of "wet asteroids" that contain water-bearing minerals. The talk is co-sponsored by the NASA Pacific Regional Planetary Data Center, Hawaii Space Grant, Apollo Society and Hawaii Space Society. Call 956-3132 or visit www.higp.hawaii.edu/prpdc.

Police, Fire, Courts Star-Bulletin staff

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HONOLULU

HPD releases sketch of Pearlridge shooting suspect

Shooting suspect: Police say that this suspect shot and robbed a cabdriver on July 28

Honolulu police released a sketch of a man who is believed to have shot and robbed a taxi driver on July 28 in the parking lot of the Pearlridge branch of First Hawaiian Bank.

Yu Kyo Kim, 52, was shot in the neck and critically wounded in the attack at about 9:10 p.m. His 2006 Honda van was stolen and recovered by police in Kalihi.

Kim picked up the suspect in Kailua earlier in the evening.

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

Kapahulu bank robbed by armed male suspect

A man with a handgun robbed the American Savings Bank in Kapahulu at about 1:13 yesterday afternoon, police said.

The man is described as in his mid-20s, 5 feet 10 inches tall with a thin build. He had blond hair and was wearing a baseball cap, blue denim long-sleeve shirt and cargo shorts.

Police said he gave the teller a note demanding money and flashed a handgun before fleeing on foot.

Woman is arrested in Kalihi for forgery

Police arrested a 35-year-old woman who allegedly tried to cash a forged Hawaii state government check.

Police said the woman walked into a Kalihi financial institution at about 5 p.m. Monday and tried to cash the check. An alert cashier notified police, who arrested the woman for investigation of first-degree forgery.

WINDWARD OAHU

Police seek suspect in Kailua bank robbery

Honolulu police are looking for a suspect who robbed the American Savings Bank Kailua branch at about 1:15 p.m. yesterday.

Police said the suspect presented a note to a teller demanding big bills and fled on foot with an unknown amount of cash.

The suspect is described in his late 40s to early 50s, about 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a medium build. He had a brown complexion, black and brown wavy hair, and was wearing a dark T-shirt.

LEEWARD OAHU

Woman is arrested in Waianae assault

Police have arrested a 44-year-old woman who allegedly assaulted another woman in Waianae in June.

Police said the assault happened at about 9 p.m. June 8. Police said the suspect attacked the 48-year-old woman, causing the victim to fall over a short wall, breaking her leg.

Police arrested the suspect Wednesday for investigation of second-degree assault.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Mo-ped driver dies after crash on Maui

A Maui man died after he lost control of his blue 2005 Honda mo-ped on Kahului Beach Road Thursday afternoon, police said.

The man, identified as 48-year-old Dexter F.N. Nakoa of Waiehu, was headed southeast on Kahului Beach Road at about 1:55 p.m. when he lost control and fell onto the pavement. He was not wearing a helmet.

This is the 12th traffic fatality on Maui this year, compared with seven at the same time last year.

Big Island police seek theft suspects

Big Island police want help finding whoever broke into the Police Activities League office and stole bows and arrows.

The break-in at 1096 Ululani St. in Hilo occurred between Aug. 8 and 13, police said.

The bows were found at 10:45 a.m. Aug. 13 on Hema Street, near the old HI-PAL office.

Police ask anyone with information to call officer Mark Arnold at 961-2213, the nonemergency number at 935-3311 or CrimeStoppers in Hilo at 961-8300 and 329-8181 in Kona.

Suspects sought in Macy's robbery

CRIMESTOPPERS Police are looking for the suspect or suspects responsible for a theft of watches from a Macy's store on Maui at about 9:45 p.m. Monday.

Police are asking for the public's help in finding the suspect or suspects who stole watches valued at more than $67,000 from the Macy's store on Maui at 275 Kaahumanu Ave. on Monday.

Police and CrimeStoppers released photos of the stolen items yesterday.

Police said the thief or thieves hid in the store after it closed and smashed a display case at about 9:45 p.m. before fleeing.

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