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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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Tipsy drivers can get a free tow
AAA Hawaii is offering free Tipsy Tow service to drivers who drink during the holiday.
The service will be available from 6 a.m. Sunday through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.
Drivers, party hosts, bartenders, restaurant managers, or passengers of a drinking driver can call (800) 400-4AAA (4222) for a free tow of up to seven miles.
Unlike a cab ride, a tow eliminates the need to return for their car the next day.
"It only takes one or two drinks to slow physical and mental skills and affect vision, steering, braking judgment and reaction time," said Richard Velazquez, AAA Hawaii regional manager. "We hope drivers are aware that the law enforcement agencies are likely using extra patrols to look for drinking drivers during the holidays."
Fireworks set for Waikiki Beach
A New Year's Eve fireworks show will be set to music and will start five minutes before midnight on New Year's Eve, off Waikiki Beach, according to the Waikiki Improvement Association.
At the stroke of midnight, a jazzed-up version of Auld Lang Syne, will segue into "Here for the Party" by Gretchen Wilson, and end with Israel Kamawiwo'ole's rendition of "Somewhere over the Rainbow."
Music for the show will be simulcast over KCCN FM100, according to the association.
Free tax prep help available
Volunteers will help taxpayers fill out the state's resident short-form tax return starting Wednesday through Jan. 25 at the Princess Ruth Ke'elikolani Building at 830 Punchbowl St., state Department of Taxation officials announced.
The volunteers from the Aloha United Way's Family and Individual Self-sufficiency Program and AARP will be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 21.
Volunteers will also be available to prepare federal and state returns beginning Feb. 1 through April 20 at free tax assistance sites across the state. A listing of the sites and the hours of operation will be available after Jan. 6, by calling 211, the Aloha United Way's statewide information and referral system.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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Screeners find 2 guns in luggage
A 28-year-old Ohio man was arrested at the Honolulu airport after he was found with two loaded pistols in his checked-in luggage Friday night, officials said.
At about 9 p.m. Friday, an airport sheriff's deputy arrested Christopher L. Hollie, who was about to board a Northwest Airlines flight, officials said. Screeners with the Transportation Security Administration found two loaded pistols in his checked-in luggage.
He was charged with firearms violations including failing to register firearms. Hollie is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.
HONOLULU
Crews rescue pair off trail in Tantalus
Firefighters rescued two women last night who got lost after sundown on a trail in Tantalus.
The women called firefighters on a cell phone at about 7:30 p.m. and reported that they couldn't find their way out of the Pauoa Flats trail, said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Terry Seelig. A Fire Department helicopter couldn't reach the women because of utility wires in the area. Firefighters hiked some two miles into the trail, finding the women unharmed at about 9 p.m. and began walking with them back to the trail head, Seelig said.
Suspect is sought in bank robbery
Police are searching for a man in his early 30s who robbed the First Hawaiian Bank branch in Makiki yesterday.
Police said at about 9:45 a.m., the man entered the bank at 1111 S. Beretania St. and gave the teller a note demanding money. The teller gave the man money, and he left the establishment.
No weapon was seen or mentioned, police said. Police did not say how much money the man took.
NORTH SHORE
Husband accused of punching wife
A 29-year-old Waialua man was arrested after allegedly choking his wife after she rejected his advances, police said.
At about 2 a.m. Thursday, the suspect came into the couple's bedroom and attempted to be intimate with his 27-year-old wife, police said. When the woman said no, the suspect allegedly punched her lower back, and placed her in a choke hold.
The wife left the house and called police. Her husband was arrested on suspicion of household abuse.
WAIKIKI
23-year-old man is arrested in theft
Police arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly taking clothing from a Waikiki store Friday afternoon.
At about 12:30 p.m., the suspect entered the store and allegedly took several items before fleeing.
Police issued an all-points bulletin, and the suspect was located at the intersection of Kaiulani and Koa avenues.
He was booked on suspicion of second-degree theft.