Bishop Estate trustee Richard "Dickie" Wong today asked a state judge for an order barring the attorney general's office from videotaping testimony by Wong. Trustee Wong does not
want testimony filmedWong was scheduled to be interviewed tomorrow and Thursday by the attorney general's office as part of the state's investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement and breaches of fiduciary duties by estate trustees.
Philip Brown, Wong's attorney, said the state did not videotape previous testimony by fellow trustees Lokelani Lindsey, Gerard Jervis and Oswald Stender.
Circuit Judge Kevin Chang has scheduled a Sept. 4 hearing.
Hugh Jones, deputy attorney general, said the motion effectively delays the state investigation.
He said that state law does not prohibit the attorney general's office from videotaping investigatory interviews.
Bishop Estate Archive
Army looks at hiring private contractors
The Army here is looking whether to turn over 700 more fulltime and part-time civilian positions to private contractors.The $1.4 million study involves workers which provide base support functions, morale, welfare and recreation activities at Schofield Barracks, Fort Shafter, Tripler Army Medical Center, Wheeler Army Air Field, Pohakuloa Training Area, Waianae Army Recreation Center, Kilauea Military Camp and Helemano and Aliiamanu military reservations.
The $2.3 million study will be completed in two years.
HPU loses bid against mental program
Hawaii Pacific University has lost a bid for a preliminary injunction to prevent a state mental health program from going into the Blaisdell Hotel on Fort Street Mall.Circuit Judge Colleen Hirai kept the case open, however, saying more information is needed.
The state Health Department plans to open a Clubhouse program in the Blaisdell in September to train and place stable, high-functioning people with mental illnesses into jobs.
HPU had sought an injunction against the leasing company, Gerrell Management Co.
HPU Senior Vice President Jim Hochberg said the court action allowed the university to subpoena detailed records on 355 police reports made from the state's Clubhouse mental health programs. That was done yesterday after the hearing, Hochberg said.
He said HPU couldn't link the reported incidents to Clubhouse clients without specific information. If there were some serious cases involving Clubhouse participants, he said HPU probably will go back to court.
Hochberg has said HPU supports the mental health program, which students use for training, but it opposes the location in the middle of the university campus.
Kakaako senior center closing
A $28 million investment will be lost when the Kakaako Senior and Community Center closes Aug. 31 after only two years in operation.The state attorney general's office is considering a lawsuit to recover losses, but a ruling in its favor won't bring back the friendships and happiness seniors find under the center's roof.
"The strength of this center is that it is a neighborhood center," said Diane Terada, who heads the Lanakila and Kakaako senior programs for Catholic Charities Elderly Services.
"We are concerned about our members because we know there will be some seniors who will not participate elsewhere. We really feel the activities contributed to their well-being."
The historic Royal Brewery building at 547 Queen St. has been a second home to nearly 200 seniors since 1996.
Odors from termite-treated wood used to renovate the building has been a persistent problem since 1997. The likelihood of lengthy litigation is forcing center directors to close its doors.
Wide range of lanterns will highlight event
The halls of the Dole Cannery will come alive with Chinese history, evoking the country's ancient myths and legends during the Chinese Cultural Festival.Ringing in the festival opening Friday and continuing through August, ornate lanterns imported from China will illuminate the 40,000 square foot Hall of Lanterns exhibit. The exhibit will feature more than 800 lanterns.
The festival will be open 2-10 p.m. daily and to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Admission is $12 for adults; $11 for seniors, students and military; $7 for children under 12; and no charge for children under 5.
For more information, call 537-9000.
Amateur sleuths invited to help solve fake crime
Applications for the Honolulu Police Department's fifth annual Sherlock Holmes Night, "Who Chopped Chang?" are available.Thousands of amateur sleuths are expected to participate in the free event at 7 p.m., Sept. 11 at the Blaisdell Center exhibition hall.
Participants will form detective teams to figure out who committed the fictitious 1937 murder.
The teams will also learn about forensic science, analyze and compare evidence and interrogate local celebrity "suspects."
Teams can obtain applications at http://www.honolulupd.org, or by calling 529-3042.
The deadline is Aug. 31.
Company gets go light to install traffic signal
Improvements to the intersection at Maliona Street on Farrington Highway will be made in September, according to the state Department of Transportation.The work, to be done by Jack Endo Electric Inc. for $247,044, includes a new traffic signal system, signs and pavement markings.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffIn other news...
Police are searching for two masked gunmen who tied down seven people and robbed R & R Fitness Club at 1347 Kapiolani Boulevard at about 9:32 last night, armed with a machine gun and a handgun, police said. The suspects demanded money and tied down a man and six women with plastic handcuff-like devices.
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