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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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Videos put teacher on paid leave
A Kainalu Elementary School teacher who allegedly recorded secret videos of students, parents and co-workers in "an improper manner" has been on paid leave since Tuesday as officials investigate the case.
Kainalu Principal Sheri Sunabe said she heard about the allegations Monday night. The Kailua school, which has 536 students from kindergarten through sixth grade, informed parents about the investigation in a letter yesterday.
Sunabe said the recording was done in "an improper manner without their permission." The teacher's name and gender were not disclosed; the teacher has been at Kainalu since 2006.
"The faculty and staff at Kainalu Elementary have the utmost concern for the safety and security of our students," read the letter. "We stand firm in our resolve to provide the best education for our students in a safe and secure environment, and we will always place our students first. We support an expeditious resolution of the allegations."
The Honolulu Police Department and the state Department of Education are investigating the allegations, said police spokeswoman Michelle Yu.
"The police are conducting an investigation related to any potential criminal charges, and the school is investigating with respect to suitability for employment, just simply to sort out what happened," said Education Department spokesman Greg Knudsen.
Man indicted in slaying of wife
An Oahu grand jury indicted a 50-year-old Kalihi man Tuesday on a charge of murder in the stabbing death of his 44-year-old wife.
Melchor Adviento was charged with second-degree murder yesterday for allegedly stabbing his wife, Erlinda.
Her body was found with multiple stab wounds Oct. 28. A loud argument prompted neighbors to call police.
Melchor Adviento allegedly told responding police officers, "I just killed my wife."
Adviento came to the door covered with blood and was in critical condition with stab wounds to his torso.
Old pipeline triggers Maui spill
WAILUKU » Maui Electric workers and a marine firm were cleaning up an oil spill yesterday of 100 to 300 gallons in the ocean at Pier 1 in Kahului Harbor.
The source of the leak was an abandoned pipeline and has been capped, said Maui Electric spokeswoman Kau'i Awai-Dickson.
Maui Electric said the leak of heavy industrial fuel oil was discovered Tuesday night.
A 1,000-foot-long floatable boom has been used to contain the perimeter of the spill while the oil is sopped up from the surface with absorbent cloths, according to a harbor official.
Repairs close Aloha Tower deck
The elevator at Aloha Tower is down for maintenance, the state Department of Transportation announced. The 10th-floor observation deck to the landmark will be closed until further notice due to problems with the tower's elevator electric system. Repairs are pending.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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HECO workers injured in accident
Two Hawaiian Electric Co. employees were injured yesterday in an electrical accident at a Hawaii Kai substation on Kawaihae Street.
At about 10 a.m. the two men sustained injuries consistent with electrical shock, said Honolulu Emergency Services Department spokesman Bryan Cheplic.
One man, in his mid-30s, was in critical condition, while a man in his early 40s was in stable condition, Cheplic said. Both were taken to Straub Clinic & Hospital.
A HECO spokesman confirmed the men were employees at the company, but declined to make further comment out of respect for the families.
Collision hurts man in wheelchair
A senior citizen was in critical condition yesterday after a vehicle struck him as he was in a crosswalk at Democrat and Kalihi streets while using a wheelchair.
Police said the vehicle was traveling west to east on Democrat Street when the man was traveling north to south on Kalihi Street.
The man was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition at about 12:45 p.m., said Honolulu Emergency Services spokesman Bryan Cheplic.
Police said the man sustained a laceration to his head, and the driver was not arrested.
WINDWARD OAHU
Stored items hinder fire crew
Firefighters extinguished a fire yesterday that gutted a single-story family home in Enchanted Lake.
The fire at 508 Papalani St. started at 2:41 p.m. and was under control by 3:42 p.m., said Honolulu fire Capt. Robert Main.
About 30 firefighters in nine units fought the fire but were hindered by the large amount of stored personal items.
"We had a difficult time of getting into the personal property," Main said.
No one was home at the time except for two dogs. One dog was found without injuries, while the other dog was still missing last night.
A neighboring house sustained slight smoke, water and burn damage.
Fire investigators will return today to determine the cause of the fire and a damage estimate.
EAST HONOLULU
Man is accused of kidnap attempt
A 21-year-old man was arrested for allegedly trying to kidnap his girlfriend twice Tuesday.
Police said that at about 11:30 a.m. the 18-year-old girlfriend agreed to meet with the suspect to talk. Police said when she wanted to leave, the suspect grabbed her and held her against her will. She eventually got away.
At about 2:15 p.m. the woman was walking toward her East Honolulu home when the suspect approached her again to talk, police said. She refused, and the suspect allegedly grabbed her and forced her into his car.
A passer-by confronted the suspect, allowing the woman to escape and report the incident to police. The suspect turned himself in at police headquarters and was arrested for investigation of two counts of kidnapping.
HONOLULU
Pest exterminator accused of theft
Police arrested a pest extermination company employee Tuesday who allegedly burglarized a home after it was tented for termites earlier this year.
Police said a 57-year-old Kahala man reported the burglary after his home was tented in March. Police arrested a 28-year-old man who works for the pest control company for investigation of first-degree burglary. Further information was not available.
Police arrest pair after traffic stop
Police found drugs in a stolen car early Tuesday after a traffic stop.
At 1:12 a.m. officers made a routine traffic stop at Young and Piikoi streets. They then learned that the car had been reported stolen Oct. 26 by a 28-year-old woman.
Police said a man and a woman inside the car were found with narcotics and drug paraphernalia.
The driver, a 29-year-old woman, was arrested on suspicion of auto theft, driving with a suspended license and drug violations. The 35-year-old male passenger was arrested on suspicion of drug violations and unauthorized entry into a vehicle.