Newswatch

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Friday, May 9, 1997

Harassment charges
headed to court

Sexual harassment charges against a former assistant police chief by a civilian police outreach worker are headed to court after a settlement offer failed to pass the City Council's Policy Committee.

That, despite city lawyers' desire to settle the case out of court for $1.25 million, said Rodney Veary, attorney for complainant Sharon Black.

Yesterday, the Council's Policy Committee voted 9-0 to deny a pared-down $1.1 million payment to Black, who accused retired Assistant Chief Joseph Aveiro of sexual harassment and other police of improperly investigating the charge.

Aveiro was Black's supervisor. Black said she was coerced to have sex with him four times over five years.

Veary said he will file a Circuit Court lawsuit against Aveiro, the city, Police Chief Michael Nakamura and about 13 other officers.

He said he will seek at least $3.5 million and that among the charges will be sexual harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and violation of the constitutional protection against illegal search and seizure.

Privatization battle
worries neighbor isles

WAILUKU -- Maui Mayor Linda Crockett Lingle has called on residents to appeal to state legislators for a special session to save hundreds of private contracts for public services.

But a leader with the largest public employees union in the state challenged Lingle's request and her interpretation of the state Supreme Court decision.

"I don't respect your opinion in this matter," said Stuart McKinley, Maui division chief for the Hawaii Government Employees Association.

At issue is the Supreme Court decision in February forbidding a private contractor from operating a Hawaii County landfill.

Maui, Kauai and the Big Island are warning they could face a shutdown of major services unless an exemption is enacted or the Supreme Court alters its decision. The high court is scheduled to decide Thursday on a request to reconsider its decision.

During a meeting attended by some 120 people in the County Building, residents spoke about the effect voiding contracts could have on their lives.

"It's not only jobs that are going to be lost," said Robert J. Douglas, chairman of the county Commission on Persons with Disabilities. "There are going to be lives threatened."

Kauai landfill may need
emergency declaration

A state health official says Gov. Ben Cayetano may have to declare an emergency to keep the Kauai landfill open as a Thursday deadline approaches over private contracts for public services.

Bruce Anderson, deputy director of the state Health Department, said the state would prefer to avoid any public health danger.

The state Supreme Court ruled in February that a Hawaii County contract with a private company to operate its West Hawaii landfill was illegal because private contracts should not displace public workers.

The Supreme Court is set to decide on an appeal of the ruling next Thursday, May 15, Anderson said.

In the meantime, no one is taking action, Anderson added.

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Police/Fire


By Star-Bulletin staff

Shots fired on
Ward Avenue

Shots were fired outside a Ward Avenue nightclub early today after an argument broke out between two groups of patrons.

Witnesses told police an argument broke out at the Club Hibiscus at 350 Ward Ave. around 1:50 a.m. The dispute continued outside, where one man fired three rounds from a handgun before fleeing in a small white compact car driven by another man. It is unknown if anyone was injured. Police said by the time they arrived, no one was around except for the club employees.

No ice cream?
Stick 'em up!

An unidentified male robbed Edaya restaurant on South King Street last night after he requested take-out ice cream and was told they didn't serve it, police said.

The man entered the Japanese restaurant at 1914 S. King just before 11 p.m. and showed the cashier the butt of a handgun peeking from under his jacket, police said. When the cashier fled, he reached into the register and removed an undetermined amount of cash.

He was described as in his 30s, 6-feet, 200 pounds and muscular. He had black, curly hair and long sideburns that reached to his chin, police said. He wore a dark green jacket, green T-shirt and green jogging pants.

Other Police/Fire headlines
in today’s Star-Bulletin:

• Youth charged with threatening ex-girlfriend
  
• Coast Guard assists crew
  
• More pot plants seized

See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Info] section for subscription information.