Newswatch Star-Bulletin staff and wire service

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Crews to look at freeway damage

The state Department of Transportation will close portions of the eastbound H-1 freeway from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today to inspect drainage covers between the Kaahumanu Street and Aiea Heights Drive overpasses.

During that time, the leftmost lane and right shoulder lane will be closed.

The Transportation Department will inspect the 12 drainage covers after one cover came loose yesterday, reportedly causing damage to about 20 vehicles during morning rush hour and backing up traffic from the Kaahumanu overpass in Pearl City to Makakilo.

Crews worked about 90 minutes to repair the storm drain and welded the grating cover back into place, said Scott Ishikawa, Transportation spokesman.

The high volume of traffic, which is allowed to drive on the shoulder during rush hour, probably loosened the drain cover, Ishikawa said. The storm drain is about a foot wide and 3 feet long.

Crews completed the work about 9 a.m.

Motorists whose vehicles sustained damage from the storm drain should call the Transportation Department at 587-2160 and file a damage claim form.

Kucinich campaign visits Maui

WAILUKU » Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich is scheduled to be on Maui for a luncheon and a community call-in program tomorrow.

The Democratic Party luncheon, open to the public, is scheduled at noon at the Dunes at the Maui Lani Golf Course. The lunch is $25 a plate.

Kucinich, a Democratic congressman from Ohio, will be at a news conference from 1:15 to 2 p.m. at the Michael Clark Studio at 333 Dairy Road in Kahului.

The event is expected to be broadcast live on the community-based TV station Akaku on Channel 54.

Kucinich, who voted against the war in Iraq and whose political slogan is "Strength Through Peace," will also give a talk and hold a question-and-answer session at Maui Community College, Paina Building at 7:30 p.m.

The session will also be available for viewing live through streaming on www.akaku.org and airing next week on Channel 54.

In 2004, Kucinich came in second in Hawaii's caucuses, with 30 percent of the vote, behind Sen. John Kerry at 46 percent.

Officers raise funds from on high

Law enforcement agencies will participate in the sixth annual "Cop on Top" fundraiser for Special Olympics Hawaii. Officials will camp out on either at the top of a scaffold or the rooftops of 18 Safeway stores across the state from 6 a.m. today until 2 p.m. Saturday.

Officials hope to collect at least $10,000 at each site. Last year, more than $250,000 was raised. Officials hope to surpass that amount in this week's event.

Woman sues over son's release

Hawaii resident Minnie Torres sued the state and unnamed staff at the Department of Health in Circuit Court yesterday for releasing her schizophrenic son from the Hawaii State Hospital who then went to her house and stabbed her.

Torres' son, Rueben Ortiz, was temporarily released from the State Hospital with the condition that he avoid face-to-face contact with family members unless he had permission of his case manager.

On April 13, 2005, he went to his mother's house and stabbed her several times, a court document said. Ortiz's attack caused permanent injuries to Torres, who needs ongoing medical treatment, court documents said.

Police, Fire, Courts Star-Bulletin staff

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HONOLULU

Firefighters save man and his dog

Firefighters rescued a man and his poodle from the roof of a building that caught fire early yesterday.

Firefighters were called to the fire at an auto detailing business at 1708 Auiki St. in Kalihi Kai at 1:08 a.m.

A 63-year-old man rented an apartment above the business.

"He was awake at the time of the fire and started to smell smoke," Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Frank Johnson said. "He was alerted by his smoke detectors and his only escape was the roof."

Firefighters used a ladder to bring the man and his dog down. He was treated by emergency medical officials for smoke inhalation, but did not require hospitalization.

The fire was under control in 15 minutes, Johnson said. Investigators were still determining the damage estimate and cause of the fire.

LEEWARD OAHU

Pair nabbed after Nanakuli shooting

Two Nanakuli men were arrested yesterday on suspicion of attempted murder after a shooting at a Nanakuli apartment complex.

Police said the two men, ages 60 and 49, reportedly went to a Helelua Street apartment and got into an argument with a 26-year-old man who lived there and a 39-year-old male visitor.

The 60-year-old suspect, who is homeless, allegedly fired a gun, and appeared to have struck a louver in a window, police said. No one was injured in the shooting.

Both suspects fled in a Chevy pickup truck, police said.

Police caught them about 4:30 p.m. at a nearby beach park. Witnesses positively identified the suspects and they were both arrested for attempted murder.

Police said the weapon, which may have been a revolver, was not recovered.

Woman allegedly stabs boyfriend

Police arrested a 20-year-old woman who allegedly stabbed her 24-year-old boyfriend during a domestic dispute early yesterday.

Police said that at 1:04 a.m., the couple were arguing at their Ewa home. Police said the boyfriend assaulted the girlfriend, who responded by stabbing him in the chest with a pair of scissors.

Police said the man suffered a punctured lung and was taken to a Honolulu hospital where he was later listed in stable condition. The woman was arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault, and the man is expected to be arrested for investigation of abuse once he is released from the hospital.