Newswatch

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Friday, August 14, 1998

Venue change denied
in Ireland slaying

By Rod Thompson, Star-Bulletin

HILO -- If ex-police officer Kenneth Mathison, convicted of the 1992 murder of his wife, could get a fair trial in Hilo, so can Shawn Schweitzer, accused of the 1991 murder of Big Island visitor Dana Ireland, Judge Riki May Amano ruled this morning.

Schweitzer's attorney, Keith Shigetomi, had asked the judge to move Schweitzer's trial from the Big Island, saying extensive publicity about Ireland's murder has prejudiced potential jurors.

Ireland, 23, was beaten, raped and left to die on Christmas Eve, 1991, in a rural area south of Hilo.

Schweitzer's brother, Albert Ian, and a third suspect, Frank Pauline Jr., also are accused of kidnapping, rape and murder in the case.

Deputy prosecutor Charlene Iboshi raised the issue of Mathison's trial as a comparison with the Ireland case.

She said the community group Citizens for Justice had specifically targeted Mathison for indictment.

Calls for action in the Ireland case were less specific and have "dissipated to a large extent," she said.

Shigetomi also requested that bail be set for Shawn Schweitzer, now, like his brother, being held without bail at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center.

Judge Amano said she was troubled by a letter from Shawn's mother that said her son is kept separate from other prisoners and has limited access to his attorney.

But she said those are matters for the Department of Public Safety to handle, and she refused to set bail. Albert Ian Schweitzer was present during the hearing, but his attorney has not asked for a change of venue or bail. Pauline is to be tried separately.

Investors warned of securities fraud

Hawaii is one of 19 states cracking down on entertainment-related securities fraud.

The crackdown -- called "Project Risky Business" -- involves 50 actions taken against 38 firms and individuals.

In Hawaii last month, the state's securities commissioner issued a preliminary cease-and-desist order against KidZtime TV Inc. and its parent company, Capital Funding & Financial Group Inc.

The company told investors it is a television network that distributes children's programming through local affiliates.

About 39 Hawaii residents invested $640,000 with the company before the order was issued.

Kalaupapa movie set will be taken down

The Father Damien movie set on Kalaupapa will be removed in a few weeks when filming is done to restore the sacred site, National Park Service and state Health Department officials said today.

The movie set is in the Kalawao District, site of the original Hansen's Disease Settlement and near two historic churches. Molokai residents asked in a petition that the set be retained.

Park Service Superintendent Dean Alexander said, "It is inappropriate to allow these artificial structures to stand permanently on such hallowed grounds, which not only contain authentic structures and prehistoric sites, but also thousands of graves of past residents."

Health Director Lawrence Miike said he understands the people's sentiments, particularly with the excitement over the Damien movie. "However, in the long term, respecting the integrity of the Kalaupapa site is a more important consideration."

Aloha United Way drive meets initial goal

Aloha United Way officials are optimistic about this year's fund-raising drive after the advance Pacesetter Campaign among 75 businesses and agencies reached its goal.

Some $3.3 million in donations and pledges were collected in the two-month drive that ended July 31.

"Thanks to these organizations, we've already raised 22 percent of our $15 million overall goal this year," said AUW Chairman John Reed.

Collections have fallen short of the goal in four of the past five years. Last year the goal was $14 million and pledges totaled $13.7 million.

This year's goal is a 9 percent increase over the 1997 collection. Money raised will provide funding for 65 member agencies whose efforts benefit more than 450,000 people on Oahu, said a news release.

Rule change sets limits on new liquor clubs

Councilman Andy Mirikitani is applauding a new Liquor Commission rule that would keep new hostess, nude dancing or cabaret clubs from moving within 500 feet of existing ones.

Mayor Jeremy Harris recently signed the rule.

Existing clubs within 500 feet of each other are not affected.

The new rule also does not stop a person within the 500-foot zone from selling an existing license to another.

Mirikitani said he pushed for the rule to stop further encroachment by establishments he defines as "high community impact bars." The Keeaumoku-Kapiolani-Ala Moana districts, which he represents, have the highest concentration of such bars in Hawaii, he said.

Nude dancing, hostess and cabaret club licenses have been "routinely approved by the Liquor Commission over protests raised by community residents and the Ala Moana Neighborhood Board," he said.

Traffic rerouted around pipe break in Kailua

A water main break in Kailua last night collapsed a small section of Wanaao Road between Aumoe and Kakahiaka roads. The Board of Water Supply said a dozen homes were without water from 7 p.m. until early this morning.

Crews closed the road overnight to repair the main and patch the hole in the road. The cause of the break has not been determined.

A Kailua resident said the road has been blocked off intermittently for two months while crews repaired sewer lines.

The contractor for that job was called in last night, water officials said. Police reported no injuries or damage to homes.

Air-conditioner problem affects county workers

WAILUKU -- The air-conditioning was expected to be repaired today at the Maui County building in Wailuku, county information officer Lloyd Yonenaka said.

Some 400 county workers left about 1-1/2 hours early on Wednesday and some dressed casually in T-shirts and shorts yesterday because of malfunctions in the cooling system.

The nine-story building was designed for air-conditioning and the windows cannot be opened. County officials were opening the doors to allow ventilation.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Makiki man booked in shooting of boy, 16

Police yesterday arrested a 19-year-old Makiki man in connection with Sunday's shooting of a 16-year-old boy near the McCully Shopping Center.

The man was arrested yesterday at police headquarters at 2:40 p.m. He was booked for attempted murder, criminal property damage and reckless endangering.

The man, who was a passenger in a car, allegedly shot the boy at 1:15 a.m. near Lime Street, police said.

He reportedly fired three times at the teen, hitting him once in the forearm, police said.

The boy was treated and released at Queen's Hospital.

Police believe the shooting is gang related.

Missing Navy woman's car located near airport

The car of a missing Navy petty officer was found Wednesday near the airport.

Police discovered Melody Rayel's white Mercury convertible at 3060 Ualena St. A witness told police that the car had been parked in the same spot for about two weeks.

Rayel, 28, was reported missing when she didn't report for work at Pearl Harbor on July 1.

She was last seen at a Wahiawa check-cashing business July 11.

Rayel's mother, Darlene Haughton, said there was a computer disk that apparently has a letter to her in the car.

She said she planned to read the letter today.

Japan scuba diver dies after helping save wife

HILO -- A man from Japan died yesterday while scuba diving after helping to save his wife, who had also gotten into trouble in the water, police said.

The victim, Dennis Ryo Sekomoto, 48, of Kumamoto Prefecture, was diving with his wife, Yoshiko, at Leleiwi Beach Park about 10:30 a.m. when she experienced problems, police said.

Sekomoto and his brother Lance, of Hilo, helped her to shore and Lance revived her.

When Lance looked up, he saw that Sekomoto had returned to the water, where he was floating face down near the shoreline.

A county helicopter retrieved his body.

All three Sekomotos were reportedly certified scuba divers.

An autopsy will be done to determine the cause of Dennis Sekomoto's death.

Man arrested after tip to CrimeStoppers

A fugitive featured in a Crime-Stoppers' poster in May has been captured.

Gary Takimoto was arrested yesterday morning at an address where he was staying after a telephone tip to the CrimeStoppers hot line.

He was wanted under a felony contempt warrant.

Bail for Takimoto was set at $50,000.

HPD honors 2 men who helped nab suspect

Honolulu Police Chief Lee Donohue honored two men for helping to catch a burglary suspect who also threatened a woman with a knife.

Kenneth Brazile and Victor Marx heard the woman's screams for help while driving by the Wilder Avenue apartment building on Dec. 18.

Brazile confronted the suspect, who then ran away.

Brazile gave chase and was assisted by Victor Marx and his German shepherd when the suspect threatened Brazile with a knife.

The two men continued pursuing the suspect until Brazile tackled him and with Marx's help, disarmed him.

Brazile received the civilian Medal of Valor. Marx was awarded a Certificate of Merit.

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