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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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No charges in shooting of felon
No criminal charges will be filed in connection with a March police shooting at Pearlridge Center that killed a 47-year-old convicted felon.
On March 19, 47-year-old Thomas Loewe attempted to flee from police after being caught breaking into a car at the Pearlridge Center shopping garage.
Loewe attempted to flee in a vehicle, crashing into other vehicles, dragging one officer and narrowly missing another. An officer fired into the vehicle, killing Loewe.
The city Prosecutor's Office said no criminal charges will be filed against the officer who fired into the vehicle based on Loewe's failure to heed police warnings as well as his "disregard for the safety of those around him in a public place."
"The officer in question reasonably believed that deadly force was immediately necessary to prevent Loewe from causing harm to the other officers and to the public if Loewe left the area," prosecutors said.
Police Chief Boisse Correa has said five shots were fired into the vehicle. Loewe was arrested July last year for auto theft and faced trial earlier this year.
All isles on fire weather warning
Low humidity and strong tradewinds led the National Weather Service in Honolulu to post its first "red flag warning" for leeward and dry areas on all islands today.
Combined with existing drought conditions, the low humidity and tradewinds gusting up to 24 mph raise the risk of wildfires, according to the warning that was issued for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. It is the first time that forecasters have implemented the warning program launched Friday to alert emergency response agencies, land managers and the public about increased danger of brush fires.
The warning covers Oahu's south shore, Waianae Coast and Waianae mountains, Central Oahu and the North Shore. It also applies to the leeward side of West Maui and Haleakala and the Maui Central Valley; western Molokai; and the Kona, Kohala and central areas of the Big Island; and all of Lanai and Niihau.
A red flag warning indicates that weather conditions are conducive for brush fires to occur.
Bills aim to cut city's energy use
City Councilman Charles Djou introduced three measures this week in an effort to reduce energy consumption after a recent city auditor report found that city utility costs have soared over the last four years.
Djou introduced two bills, one that would mandate the city to purchase "Energy Star" equipment and the second to establish a cap for the city. The bill calls for the city not to exceed 170 megawatt hours of energy starting in 2010 and then gradually reduce its energy consumption by 1 percent a year.
A city audit report last week found that city spending on energy nearly doubled -- at 44 percent -- between fiscal year 2002 and 2006 because of higher rates.
Djou also introduced a resolution to re-establish an energy "czar," a person responsible for overseeing the city's energy usage. The audit recommended that the city compile data and produce an annual report on the city's electricity costs and usage.
$500,000 starts beach project
The state has released $500,000 to restore and improve sections of Waikiki Beach.
The money will be used for the project's planning and design phase, which is expected to be completed in spring 2010, the state announced last week. Work will begin in late 2010 or early 2011.
The improvements will be coordinated with the hotel industry and will include funds by the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
Gift aids Kaumakapili repairs
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has donated $250,000 this year to Kaumakapili Church for repair of its community services building and has promised another grant for the same amount next year.
Many native Hawaiians in the community and church members benefit from the services provided by Kaumakapili's programs.
The Hale Kamika Community Services Building was built in 1981. Its restrooms, lighting, flooring and concrete deck need repairs and upgrading; its interior should be painted; and termite-damaged areas require treatment or replacement.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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CENTRAL OAHU
Alleged gunman sought by police
Police were looking for a 30-year-old man who allegedly fired a gun at
another man’s car.
The victim, 33, is currently dating the suspect’s ex-girlfriend, police
said. About 10:30 Monday night, police said, the suspect confronted the
victim at his Kunia home and wanted to fight.
Police said that when the victim refused, entered his car and drove away,
the suspect fired numerous rounds from a handgun, striking the back side of
the vehicle.
Police said the suspect is wanted on suspicion of attempted second-degree
murder and first-degree reckless endangerment.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Big Island home destroyed in fire
Fire destroyed a home near Honokaa on the Big Island on Monday.
Fire crews were sent to 48-5484 Kukuihaele Road at 10:44 a.m. and found a two-bedroom single story home fully engulfed in flames.
Two people who live in the home were not home when the fire started. Damage was estimated at $150,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
WEST OAHU
Missing woman found in Waipahu
A Kalihi woman reported missing on July 29 from her home was found about 2
p.m. Monday in Waipahu.
Police had put out an alert about Moria Montel, who is mentally challenged
and needs medications to prevent seizures.
Woman arrested over stolen vehicle
Police arrested a 36-year-old woman who was caught driving a stolen car on
the wrong side of Kamehameha Highway on Monday.
Police said that shortly before 2:37 p.m. Monday, an officer saw a vehicle
back out of a gas station parking lot at 922 Kamehameha Highway in Pearl
City.
Police said the woman drove in the wrong direction against traffic, before
being pulled over. Police then learned that the car had been reported
stolen. The woman was arrested on suspicion of auto theft.
HONOLULU
Teenager arrested in mo-ped theft
Police arrested a 15-year-old boy who eluded officers who tried to stop him
as he was driving a stolen mo-ped, police said.
About 5 p.m. Monday, an officer saw the commit a traffic violation in Makiki
while operating the mo-ped, police said. The officer then learned that the
mo-ped had been reported stolen.
When the officer tried to stop the mo-ped, the boy refused and sped away,
police said.
Minutes later the officer found the mo-ped abandoned on the side of the
road. At 4:20 p.m. yesterday, police found the suspect and arrested him on
suspicion of auto theft.
At least 8 men sought in robbery
At least eight men wearing bandanas over the faces robbed a Kakaako massage parlor Monday night, police said.
About 11 p.m., two men entered a massage parlor at the 300 block of Ward Avenue while holding a baseball bat and a knife, police said. One of the suspects told the employees to close their eyes, police said.
At least six other men allegedly went into the facility and broke into employee lockers using pry bars. An undisclosed amount of cash, credit and debit cards were taken, before the suspects fled, police said.
The first two suspects were described as being about 18 to 25 years old. One of them was 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed about 160 to 180 pounds. The other was 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing about 150 to 160 pounds. All eight men are wanted on suspicion of first-degree robbery.