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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff
and wire service
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Water tested after sewage spill
State and federal officials posted warning signs and took water samples near the Sand Island bridge yesterday after about 35,000 gallons of sewage spilled into the ocean.
The waste water was discharged Monday afternoon from a sewage line managed by the Army Directorate of Public Works. The sewage flowed from the force main under the bridge, next to the Honolulu Community College Marine Education and Training Center at 10 Sand Island Access Road.
The Army department diverted the flow of waste water from the main and will issue a contract for emergency repair work. The Army is coordinating an investigation with the state Department of Health's Clean Water Branch.
10 Mexicans face federal charges
Ten of the 43 Mexican citizens arrested in a raid of suspected illegal aliens at a Waipahu apartment complex this month were in federal court yesterday facing charges that they used counterfeit permanent resident cards to apply for employment.
The charge carries a maximum five-year prison term and $250,000 fine.
One of the 10 men charged yesterday told U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials he paid a smuggler $1,400 to enter the country through Arizona and then bought counterfeit permanent resident and Social Security cards in California for $50, according to court documents.
The government is looking at the employment documents of the other 33 Mexican citizens who were arrested July 20 and will decide whether to file similar charges on a case-by-case basis, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Hino.
In the meantime officials will continue to process the remaining suspected illegal aliens for deportation.
All 43 people were employed by the Farm, an agricultural business.
Lingle taps new Highways chief
Gov. Linda Lingle has named a Big Island public works official to head the Highways Division of the state Department of Transportation.
Jiro A. Sumada, deputy director of the Hawaii County Department of Public Works, will become the Transportation Department deputy director for highways Aug. 27.
Sumada, a civil engineer, had oversight of more than 1,000 miles of Big Island roads and repair and maintenance of county facilities, according to a news release. He coordinated the department's emergency response and recovery efforts after the October 2006 Kiholo earthquake.
He also has worked for Willocks Construction Corp., which built subdivisions and commercial development in Keaau, as land manager for W.H. Shipman Ltd. and as design coordinator with Project Managers Hawaii Inc. He was a staff engineer for the U.S. Air Force at Hickam Air Force Base and in Japan.
He earned an engineering degree from the Air Force Academy and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Hawaii.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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WAIKIKI
Man robs store, assaults employee
Police arrested a 49-year-old man after he allegedly robbed a Waikiki store and assaulted an employee.
About 4:25 p.m. yesterday, the suspect was stopped in a Waikiki store by an employee after he was caught shoplifting, police said.
The suspect allegedly assaulted the employee before fleeing.
Police found the suspect nearby and arrested him on suspicion of first-degree robbery and second-degree assault.
WINDWARD OAHU
2 caught in alleged attempted murder
Police arrested a man and a woman for allegedly trying to kill another man in Ahuimanu with a knife and a car.
At 10:21 Monday night, Kaneohe patrol officers were dispatched to Melekula and Ahuimanu roads to investigate a stabbing.
Officers found a 23-year-old man who was slashed on his hand, allegedly by a 44-year-old man with whom he had been arguing, police said. The victim told officers that a 36-year-old woman tried to hit him with her car.
The suspects had fled but were found nearby and arrested on suspicion of one count each of attempted second-degree murder. The victim was taken to Castle Medical Center and was treated and released.
HONOLULU
Woman attacks female, 19, in car
Police arrested a 26-year-old woman after she allegedly attacked another woman who was sitting in a car.
About 8:30 last night, a 25-year-old man was parked on Linapuni Street in Kalihi picking up his children. The suspect is the children's mother, police said.
The man left his vehicle to get the kids. There was a 19-year-old woman seated in the front passenger seat of his car, police said.
The suspect then opened the passenger door of the car and assaulted the teenage woman in the vehicle, causing minor injury. Police were called and arrested the suspect on suspicion of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.
LEEWARD OAHU
Husband accused of hitting his wife
Police arrested a 30-year-old Waianae man who allegedly hit and threatened to kill his 29-year-old wife early yesterday.
The woman reported that her husband had a shotgun when he fled.
The woman reported her husband allegedly struck her and threatened to kill her shortly before 1 a.m. in Waianae.
Police later found the man and arrested him on a gun charge, alleged abuse of a household member and alleged second-degree terroristic threatening.
Dog returned after alleged ransom try
Police arrested a 42-year-old man Monday night who allegedly held a woman's dog hostage for ransom money.
About 4 p.m. Sunday, the suspect allegedly stole a 65-year-old woman's miniature pinscher from her Waianae home and demanded $100 from her to get the dog back alive, according to police.
The suspect, who has 10 criminal convictions, was found at the intersection of Hakimo Road and Farrington Highway at about 6:30 p.m. Monday.
He was arrested on suspicion of first-degree burglary, second-degree extortion and three temporary restraining order violations. The dog was returned.
Man dies after rescue from water
A fisherman who died after apparently being swept into the ocean near the China Wall surf spot off Portlock in Hawaii Kai has been identified as 58-year-old Alan Yosihiro Nakamatsu of Honolulu.
Nakamatsu was found in the ocean about 11:30 a.m. yesterday. Rescuers said he was fishing before being swept into the sea.
Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Terry Seelig said surfers pulled Nakamatsu from the water, brought him onto the rocks and tried to resuscitate him. He was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead.
