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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff
and wire service
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More missile tests set on Kauai
BARKING SANDS, Kauai » Another test of the ballistic missile test system will be held in the waters and skies off Kauai this week, missile defense agency officials said Friday.
Tomorrow the Navy's Aegis system will attempt to intercept and destroy two target missiles at nearly the same time, a first for the system, officials said.
The two targets, launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, will be launched within minutes of each other. The USS Lake Erie, an Aegis cruiser, will detect and track the targets, and launch two of its own missiles to intercept and destroy them.
The Japanese destroyer Kongo, which has also been equipped with the Aegis system, will also be off Kauai and detect and track the targets.
This test will mark the 12th scheduled test for the Aegis program, the Navy's sea-based ballistic missile defense program. Nine of the first 11 tests have been successful, officials said.
On Oct. 26 the Barking Sands facility was the host of a test of the Army's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system. In that test a target missile launched from a platform off the Kauai coast was shot down by the mobile THAAD launcher currently stationed at Barking Sands.
Djou considers run for Congress
City Councilman Charles Djou, known as an outspoken politician with conservative views, applied last week for a federal campaign account -- setting himself in a position to run for a congressional seat in 2008 or 2010.
"I am actively looking at running for Congress," said Djou, who has represented Waikiki to Hawaii Kai on the City Council for the past five years. "I think it's way too early to make any announcement for my political future."
Djou, whose term on the City Council ends in 2010, is interested in running for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, who is rumored to be eyeing the governor's office in 2010.
"It's still a heavily Democratic district, but the person who would run as a Democrat would lose the advantage of incumbency, so it's probably as good a time as any to start thinking of making a strong Republican presence," said Neal Milner, a University of Hawaii political scientist and ombudsman.
Djou can still run for Abercrombie's seat next year without giving up his role as a councilman. However, he noted that fundraising for a federal campaign takes time, and chances of a successful campaign would be better in 2010.
Airport gets economy parking lot
A new economy parking lot will open Wednesday on the perimeter of Honolulu Airport, the state Transportation Department announced.
The lot, located at Aolele Street and Lagoon Drive, will be open from 5 a.m. to the arrival of the last flight, with a $5 daily fee, about half the price of regular airport parking. The lot adds 360 parking stalls and five handicapped stalls to the existing 4,500 stalls at the airport.
There will be free shuttle service going to and from airport terminals with security monitoring the parking area. The Transportation Department advises travelers who use the lot to arrive about 45 minutes earlier than usual to accommodate the shuttle time.
The new lot will open as construction continues on a new $39.2 million, 1,800-stall parking garage between the interisland and overseas terminals. The new garage is scheduled to be completed in December 2008.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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North Shore
Speed plays role in fatal accident
A 51-year-old Wahiawa woman apparently sped into an intersection in Wahiawa and lost control of her car Saturday night, killing herself and seriously injuring a passenger.
At about 8:50 p.m., police said, the green Jeep multipurpose vehicle operated by the woman was going east on Kamehameha Highway when it sped into an intersection at Joseph P. Leong Highway.
The vehicle overturned and slammed into a guardrail before falling over and landing upside down in a brush area.
The woman was found dead at the scene.
The passenger, a 34-year-old Mililani man, was taken to Wahiawa General Hospital in serious condition.
Both were wearing seat belts and the airbags were not deployed.
This is the 54th traffic fatality this year compared with 81 at this time in 2006.
Honolulu
Husband charged in beating of wife
A 32-year-old woman woke up Saturday morning to her estranged husband allegedly punching her in the face, dragging her out of bed and then slamming her head into a dresser.
Police charged Armando Taong yesterday with second-degree assault. His bail was set at $2,000. At about 4:35 a.m. Saturday, Taong allegedly repeatedly punched his wife in her face and slammed her head at least twice, which caused her to lose consciousness.
The couple is married but separated. Taong was arrested later at his home.
