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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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Emissions violations net citations
The state Department of Health's Clean Air Branch has cited six companies and a city pre-treatment facility for failing to comply with state and federal emissions standards last year.
Two Kauai seed processing facilities, Syngenta Seeds Inc. and Dekalb Genetics Corp., were cited for changing the operation of their fumigant chamber without prior notification and approval from state health officials. The companies paid penalties of $9,900 and $5,900, respectively.
Ameron Hawaii was cited for submitting its January-to-June 2007 semiannual reports late. A $2,200 penalty was imposed by state health officials against Ameron Hawaii. The company has 20 days to contest the notice of violation and order.
The city's Kaneohe pre-treatment facility and Meadow Gold Dairies Inc. also were cited for submitting semiannual reports late. The city paid a $2,400 penalty, and Meadow Gold paid a $1,900 penalty.
Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. was cited for failing to submit its semiannual report for two different facilities. The company paid a $5,400 penalty for both sites.
Pineridge Farms Inc. was cited for failing to conduct the 2006 annual source performance test and visible emission test. The company operates stone crushing and processing plants on Oahu. The company paid a $4,800 penalty.
Accused spy is sued for legal fees
A Maui man accused of selling secret military information to help China design and test a stealth cruise missile is being sued by a Washington, D.C.-based law firm for not paying more than $1 million in legal fees.
Noshir Gowadia, a former engineer of defense contractor Northrop Corp. and self-proclaimed father of the B-2 stealth bomber's propulsion system, is awaiting trial in federal court for multiple espionage charges, money laundering and filing false tax returns.
In a lawsuit filed in federal court yesterday, the Washington, D.C., firm of Kellogg, Huber, Hansen, Todd, Evans & Figel PLLC claims Gowadia and his son Ashton owe $1,139,553 in legal fees.
Kellogg, Huber says Gowadia and his son retained its legal services to defend the elder Gowadia in his federal criminal case in November 2005. To date, Kellogg, Huber says the Gowadias have made just two payments, the last one in December 2005. Kellogg, Huber's two lawyers assigned to the case withdrew.
Gowadia is now being represented by a court-appointed lawyer. He remains in custody without bail.
Isles host regional robotics meet
More than 700 students representing high schools from five states, including Hawaii, are converging at the Stan Sheriff Center later this month for the first regional robotics competition being held in the islands.
The competition is part of the nationwide FIRST (For Inspirational and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition, sponsored by NASA, which holds its national championship April 16-19 in Atlanta.
Hawaii's regional, scheduled March 27-29, features teams from Hawaii, California, Florida, New Jersey and West Virginia. In all, 37 teams from 25 Hawaii high schools will compete along with 12 teams from the mainland.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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WEST OAHU
Man is accused of assaulting girl
A 15-year-old girl said she was kidnapped Sunday evening, taken to a park and sexually assaulted by a man in his 40s, according to police.
The girl told police she was in Pearl City when the man allegedly kidnapped her and drove her to a park in town, where he sexually assaulted her. She was released and called police from a nearby home.
She was taken to the Sex Abuse Treatment Center, where she refused an examination.
No arrest has been made, but the offenses are listed as kidnapping and third-degree sex assault.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Suspect is sought in credit card fraud
Hawaii County police are asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect wanted for fraudulent use of a credit card.
A surveillance photograph was captured Jan. 27 at a Bank of Hawaii automated teller machine on Kawili Street in Hilo. The suspect also used the card at other locations in Hilo and Puna.
Police ask anyone with information about the suspect's identity to call officer Donovan Kohara at 961-2213 or the Police Department's nonemergency number at 935-3311.