By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
Hawaii politicians attended this morning's traditional Red Mass, an annual service held before the start of a legislative session. Catholic Bishop Francis DiLorenzo greeted House Speaker Joe Souki before the Mass began at Our Lady of Peace Cathedral downtown.
Catholic speaker decries 'culture of death' to lawmakers
Americans' understanding of freedom was corrupted by the notion of "abortion rights" and has deteriorated into belief that it's a human right to make life-or-death decisions about the disabled, elderly and terminally ill, a prominent Catholic speaker told Hawaii officials today."Roe vs. Wade in effect said human beings get to judge whether other human beings get to live or not," said Helen Alvare, spokeswoman for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops on abortion and related issues.
"The rationale behind the 'abortion right' led to abuses of other kinds of people who are weak and vulnerable xxx people who are on the margin."
Alvare was to speak in Honolulu this morning at the traditional Red Mass, a service held annually at the beginning of a legislative session.
Gov. Ben Cayetano, Chief Justice Ronald Moon, Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris and about 30 state legislators indicated they would attend the service at Our Lady of Peace Cathedral, a Catholic diocese spokesman said. Episcopal Bishop Richard Chang was expected to attend the Mass with Catholic Bishop Francis DiLorenzo presiding.
Three H-3 road signs will be reduced in size
When it comes to traffic issues, the state transportation officials and Windward Oahu residents are usually on opposite sides.An informational meeting last night at Kailua Intermediate School's cafeteria, which drew about 50 people, started out that way but ended on a more positive note.
The latest disagreement involves large road signs on major Windward highways that ruin views, say many residents who opposed the H-3 project and are frustrated by the Department of Transportation's closing of a temporary offramp from the new freeway to Kailua.
Transportation officials, however, announced last night that three of the remaining five electronic signs, called variable message signs, that need to be installed will be smaller and located on the shoulder of the roadway rather than overhead.
The smaller signs will be located on Kamehameha Highway between Pua Inia Street and Hoene Place; Kaneohe Bay Drive between Makalani and Puohala streets; and Kalanianaole Highway about 1,500 feet east of Castle Junction.
Bishop Estate, stadium strain Bronster's budget
The Bishop Estate investigation and other litigation may force the state attorney general's office to exceed its budget for the 1997-1998 fiscal year by $600,000.Attorney General Margery Bronster told state lawmakers Monday that the department would need more money to cover the increased costs. The department has an annual budget of about $17 million.
Ongoing litigation over construction defects at Aloha Stadium will contribute to most of the increased costs. The state sued U.S. Steel Corp. several years ago over the defects. The case has not yet gone to trial.
Cynthia Quinn, special assistant to Bronster, said the state's Bishop Estate investigation won't be affected if lawmakers do not approve additional funding.
The department will make up the expenses from other programs, she said.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Info] section for subscription information.
Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffMaui infant's injury provokes inquiry
Police are investigating the possible abuse of a 14-month-old girl who was brought to Honolulu from Maui for medical attention.The infant was brought to Kapiolani Hospital on Saturday after having a seizure, police said.
Doctors believe the baby has brain damage and the cause is suspicious.
Police have made no arrests as of this morning.
Police seeking man who abducted boy
Police are asking for the public's assistance in apprehending a suspect who abducted a 6-year-old boy yesterday at Puohala Elementary School in Kaneohe.An unknown man in a black truck or sports utility-type vehicle picked up the student at about 2 p.m. and dropped him off near the Windward Mall area, police said. The boy called police from a McDonald's restaurant. The boy suffered no injuries.
The suspect is described as a white male, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 200 pounds, with black, wavy hair and a beard. The man also has a tattoo of a dragon on his right arm. The suspect was wearing a blue tank top and black pants.
If anyone has any information, call the Criminal Investigation Division at 529-3115.
Robbery suspects include ex-worker
Police are looking for two suspects who tied up and robbed employees at a Keeaumoku Street massage parlor yesterday morning.A former employee returned to the China Health Spa at 9:15 a.m. to retrieve some of her belongings, police said.
The former employee then brandished a handgun and knife and let a masked gunman into the 825 Keeaumoku St. establishment.
Police said the two suspects restrained the five female employees with duct tape and took jewelry, a stereo and and undisclosed amount of money.
No arrests have been made as of this morning.
Rape victim says man used stun gun
Police are looking for a man who allegedly zapped a prostitute with a stun gun and then raped her.The unknown man approached the victim yesterday morning at about 4:30 a.m. for sex, police said. The victim, 23, then took the man to her Walina Street apartment.
The man zapped her with the stun gun, raped her, took her cellular phone and then fled, detectives said.
The suspect is described as a white male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 50 years old, 225 pounds, balding, with a tattoo on his forearm.
Shooting suspect to face assault charge
Police yesterday charged a 48-year-old man for allegedly shooting his girlfriend's teen-age son on Monday during a domestic argument at the woman's Lehua Lane residence in Kalihi.Oscar Carter was charged with second-degree assault, police said. Carter, who was originally arrested for attempted murder, is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.
Maui traveler held on drug charges
A 40-year-old Maui man was arrested yesterday at Honolulu Airport for attempting to smuggle drugs purchased in Thailand.The man possessed 500 Valium tablets, 900 milli-
liters of liquid opium cough syrup, 3.6 grams of marijuana, 35 marijuana smoking pipes, and 30 Xanax tablets, according to U.S. Customs officials.
The man purchased the Valium and opium for about $50 at walk-in pharmacies in Thailand, said state Public Safety Director Keith Kaneshiro.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Info] section for subscription information.
