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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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Driver checkpoints up for holiday
Driver checkpoints will be set up from today through the Independence Day weekend to deter drunken driving, police officials said.
The checkpoints will be set up at unannounced times from today through Monday. To date in 2008, 24 people have been killed in 23 traffic collisions on Oahu, compared with 36 deaths at this time last year. Police said alcohol and speed were factors in four of those 2008 crashes.
To further deter drunken driving, a free towing service will be available tomorrow night for drivers who have had too much to drink, AAA Hawaii officials said.
From 6 p.m. to midnight tomorrow, people can call (800) 400-4222 for a free tow home of up to seven miles.
Callers need to keep in mind that the service excludes rides for passengers and is restricted to a one-way, one-time ride, and the destination can only be the driver's residence.
Resentencing ordered in sex case
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has sent the case of a former Schofield Barracks soldier convicted for child pornography and sexually abusing one of his minor daughters back to Hawaii for resentencing.
The appeals court ruled that U.S. District Judge David Ezra did not give former Army Sgt. Jesus Evans-Martinez adequate notice of his intent to sentence him to a term longer than what was suggested by the sentencing guidelines.
Ezra sentenced Evans-Martinez to 15 years in prison in March 2005. According to the sentencing guidelines, which by that time were deemed advisory, not mandatory, Evans-Martinez was facing a maximum 10 years in prison.
Flags honor officials who died
State flags at state and county buildings will fly at half-staff today and Sunday in honor of two public servants who died last month.
Gov. Linda Lingle ordered state flags be flown at half-staff today, from sunrise to sunset, in honor of former state Rep. Bertha Leong, who died June 16. Private funeral services were scheduled for today.
On Sunday, flags will fly at half-staff for Kauai County Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste, who died June 22. A memorial services are planned for Sunday at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall.
Downing of helicopter explained
WAILUKU » An improper maintenance inspection and a loose fit of a mechanical part probably contributed to a tour helicopter making an emergency landing at Kahului Airport on Maui last year, according a National Transportation Safety Board report.
None of the six passengers nor the pilot on the Mauiscapes Helicopter Inc. helicopter was injured in the landing on March 28, 2007.
The board said a loose bushing in the lower support yoke of the helicopter probably contributed to mechanical fatigue and the loss of tail rotor control.
The report, issued Monday, said the pilot returned to the airport and made an emergency landing partially on the runway and grass, after experiencing a loss of tail rotor control.
Mauiscapes Helicopters Inc. officials declined to comment.
Heavy airport traffic expected
The state Department of Transportation encourages travelers to add 30 to 45 minutes to the normally suggested two-hour airport arrival time because of the busy Fourth of July holiday travel.
To accommodate the expected increase in air travel, transportation officials will provide additional airport parking statewide. But travelers are encouraged to use alternative means of transportation if possible.
An overflow lot on Aolele Street will be open at Honolulu Airport at a cost of $8 a day. A free shuttle runs to and from the lot. Valet parking is also available for $20 a day across from the check-in area at Hawaiian Airlines. Regular parking fees are $10 a day. The Ewa and Diamond Head cell phone waiting areas will also be available.
Travelers at Hilo Airport can use additional parking in the grass areas at either end of the airport parking lot. The Hilo cell phone waiting lot is on the east side of the commuter terminal.
The newly finished parking facility at Kona Airport will be used for overflow parking. The entrance is on Kupipi Street. A cell phone waiting lot is close to the international arrivals building.
Kahului Airport travelers can use the overflow parking area on Aalele Street. A waiting area is on the right side of Hemaloa Street.
On Kauai, additional parking will be available at either end of the Lihue Airport terminal. For pickups, drivers may wait in the Lihue waiting lot on Hoolimalima Place.
All cell phone waiting areas are on a first-come, first-served basis and open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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NORTH SHORE
Wahiawa teenager hurt in hit-and-run
An 18-year-old Wahiawa man was critically injured by a hit-and-run driver who police suspect was drunk.
Police said the victim had also been drinking and was playing in the middle of Kamehameha Highway near the Chun's Reef surf spot on the North Shore about 11:37 last night when he was hit by a 2003 Toyota pickup truck headed toward Waimea Bay
Police said the 27-year-old Haleiwa man driving the truck fled the scene, but was found by a patrolman about a mile away.
Police arrested him for investigation of fleeing the scene of an accident and driving under the influence of alcohol.
HONOLULU
Man is accused of knife attacks
Police arrested a 22-year-old man early yesterday for allegedly using a knife on two men in separate incidents.
According to police, shortly before midnight Tuesday the suspect stabbed a 25-year-old man during an argument on Middle Street.
Police said the suspect then went to nearby Kamehameha IV Road where he fought with a separate group of men and allegedly slashed a 26-year-old man. The victims do not know each other, nor do they know the suspect, police said.
Both victims did not suffer life-threatening injuries, police said. The suspect was arrested shortly after midnight on suspicion of first-degree assault, attempted second-degree murder and first-degree terroristic threatening.
Police say man choked girlfriend
Police arrested a 21-year-old man yesterday after he allegedly choked his girlfriend.
At about 5:15 a.m. Monday, the suspect and his 18-year-old girlfriend were arguing in a Kalihi home.
Police said the suspect choked the woman during the argument. The woman later reported the incident to Kalihi police. A follow-up investigation led to the man's arrest on suspicion of abuse. The woman suffered minor injuries, but refused medical treatment, police said.
Mo-ped recovered in theft arrest
Police arrested a 46-year-old man yesterday after he was found allegedly starting a stolen mo-ped in a closed city park.
At 3:43 a.m., a police officer saw the suspect pushing and trying to start a mo-ped in a park that is closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Police said the officer stopped the suspect on Piikoi Street and then learned that the mo-ped had been reported stolen.
The man was arrested on suspicion of auto theft.