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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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Authorities round up fugitives
The Hawaii Fugitive Task Force conducted a fugitive sweep on Kauai last week, netting 29 people and executing 42 outstanding warrants.
The task force led by the U.S. Marshals Service also seized 34 grams of methamphetamine in the sweep, which took place between Sept. 4 and 7, federal officials said yesterday.
Those arrested had warrants for crimes ranging from drug-related charges to assault and sexual assault, they added.
Proceeds to help Ala Moana Park
The city received $80,000 from proceeds of the Honolulu Family Festival in April that will go toward improvements at Ala Moana Park.
At a news conference yesterday, Mayor Mufi Hannemann also announced that the city will hold the third annual Family Festival at Magic Island with rides provided by E.K. Fernandez next year on Aug. 8-10 and 14-17.
"We're very happy to receive this generous gift because it goes to the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of Ala Moana Park," Hannemann said. "It's our crown jewel. It gets a lot of usage not only from our residents but from our visitors."
The proceeds, collected from E.K. Fernandez Shows and nonprofit group Honolulu 100, will go toward renovating a popular fitness workstation and building a second station, said Lester Chang, director of the city Department of Parks and Recreation.
The four-day Family Festival, held in April last year, was free and open to the public.
Kids eligible for free insurance
Children younger than 19 can get free or low-cost health insurance through QUEST and Medicaid, according to the Hawaii Primary Care Association.
More than 3,000 children are enrolled in the state's free and low-cost insurance programs, and more can qualify. Project Director Barbara Luksch reminds immigrant families that their children with green cards can qualify, and that neither QUEST nor Medicaid will affect their immigration status.
Families can get more information by calling Aloha United Way's hotline at 211 or visiting www.coveringkids.com.
$595,000 to help two schools
The state is releasing $595,000 to build a multipurpose pavilion at Farrington High School and install air conditioners throughout the Pohakea Elementary School campus.
The pavilion, to be built next to Farrington High's cafeteria by July 2009 at a cost of $275,000, will address the shortage of dining space for the school's 2,500-plus students and serve as instruction space, Gov. Linda Lingle said in announcing the funds yesterday.
Pohakea Elementary will receive $320,000 for the air conditioners, which are scheduled to be installed in the school's five permanent and six portable buildings.
The project, aimed at cooling classrooms that are open to noise at the Ewa Beach campus, should be completed in July 2009, according to the state.
Group to honor wetlands efforts
The Environmental Law Institute is seeking nominations for its 2008 National Wetlands Awards Program.
Since 1989, the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit research and education group has honored people who show "extraordinary commitment to the conservation and restoration of our nation's wetlands," it said in a news release.
Individuals will be honored in six categories: Education and Outreach; Science Research; Conservation and Restoration; Landowner Stewardship; State, Tribal and Local Program Development; and Wetland Community Leader. Nominations can be submitted until Jan. 15.
For a nomination form, visit www.nationalwetlandsawards.org; call Amanda Martin at (202) 939-3862; or write the National Wetlands Awards Program, Environmental Law Institute, 2000 L Street, NW, Suite 620, Washington, D.C. 20036.
Lincoln Elementary needs tutors
Lincoln Elementary School is looking for volunteer tutors for the VISTA "I Can Read" program for the 2007-08 school year.
Tutors are needed for students from kindergarten through fifth grade during or after school hours for weekly individual reading and/or math sessions. Volunteers need not have tutoring experience, but training will be provided.
The school, located at 615 Auwaiolimu St., serves the Makiki, Papakolea, Round Top and Tantalus communities. For more information, call Dori Kim at 587-4480.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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Police identify body on Kauai
LIHUE » Christopher Cole was identified yesterday by Kauai police as the man found dead near Ahukini Landing last week.
Cole, 36, of Lihue, was last seen Aug. 16 and was reported missing by family members on Aug. 22, police said.
Police officials said the case is under investigation, but would not say how Cole died or whether foul play is suspected.
HONOLULU
Shopper complains of fraud at mall
Police are investigating whether a 22-year-old grocery store cashier used a customer's personal information to make purchases.
A customer complained to the management on Monday of a grocery store at Ala Moana Center about the unauthorized purchases.
Police said the store's investigation revealed that the male suspect used information off the customer's electronic benefits transfer card to make purchases on Sept. 5. He was arrested on suspicion of fraudulent use of a credit card, third-degree identity theft and unauthorized possession of personal information. He was later released pending investigation.
LEEWARD OAHU
Woman arrested over fake checks
Police arrested a 36-year- old woman who was caught allegedly with counterfeit traveler's checks.
Police said the woman tried to cash a counterfeit traveler's check at a Waianae bank about 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Police were called and she was arrested on suspicion of second-degree forgery.
WINDWARD OAHU
Youth caught and returned to facility
Police caught a boy yesterday who failed to return Saturday to the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility .
The boy was arrested yesterday morning in Waikiki for investigation of second-degree escape and third-degree promotion of drugs, police said.
The boy had been issued a day pass Saturday from the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility and failed to return at the appropriate time, police said.
After his arrest, police said they discovered crystal methamphetamine in his pocket. He was brought back to the facility yesterday morning, police said.