Newswatch

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Monday, January 4, 1999

Space tourism benefits for isles to be explored

A group of tour industry officials, space experts and technology enterprises will look into the potential economic and social benefits of space tourism.

That follows introductory meetings sponsored by the Hawaii Island Space Exploration Society held in Kona and Hilo in early November.

An advisory board will meet this month to go over ideas generated at the meetings.

John Spencer of the Space Tourism Society, Santa Monica, Calif., told the group that space-theme attractions draw almost 14 million tourists a year to the National Air and Space Museum and combined NASA centers on the mainland.

Hawaii Island Space Exploration Society, a nonprofit Hawaii corporation, sponsors events to explore how space-related enterprises might benefit the Big Island.

Tanker's spill forces H-1 closure near Aiea

All westbound lanes of the H-1 Freeway east of the Aiea off-ramp were closed at mid-morning today due to a diesel fuel spill from a tanker involved in a collision.

A Honolulu Fire Department hazardous materials unit was responding to the 10:14 a.m. accident. No other information was immediately available.

Teen pleads not guilty in Wahiawa stabbing

A juvenile charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of a Wahiawa man Nov. 1 pleaded not guilty today in District Court.

Khloy Sorn, 17, was waived by Family Court last month and faces trial as an adult for second-degree murder. His trial is expected to begin March 8.

Investigators said Chance Paris, 31, was drinking in front of 265 California Ave. He was stabbed during a fight after residents accused him of robbing a juvenile and pushing an elderly man onto the sidewalk.

Also charged with second-degree murder in the case was James Russell, 24, of Wahiawa.

Iolani, Hilo schools win trip to compete in D.C.

Iolani School won first place at this weekend's academic Japan Bowl at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Seventy-two students from 24 high schools statewide competed in the event, sponsored by the nonprofit Japan-America Society of Hawaii on Saturday.

The bowl tested students' general knowledge of Japan, including the economy, geography, contemporary culture, arts and history.

Hilo High School won second place, and Damien Memorial High School won third place.

See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police, Fire



By Star-Bulletin staff

Man faces 3 charges, is held on $100,000 bail

A 45-year-old Kahaluu man, charged New Year's Day with first-degree criminal property damage, unlawful entry into a motor vehicle and possession of a dangerous drug, is being held on $100,000 bail.

Charles Kamaka of Ahilama Road poses a threat to his ex-girlfriend, police said of the high bail.

In trying to prevent the woman, 46, from leaving the grounds of Kaiser-Moanalua Hospital with a friend on New Year's Day, Kamaka allegedly smashed a car window with a baseball bat, causing injury to the woman's friend. During booking, police found also Kamaka in possession of crystal methamphetamine.

Army man killed, boy hurt in separate accidents

A motorcyclist was killed and a pedestrian critically injured yesterday in separate motor vehicle accidents in Waianae and Kalihi.

Vehicular homicide investigators said speed may be a factor in the fatal 4 p.m. collision on Farrington Highway near Makua beach. The motorcycle, driven by an Army man stationed at Schofield Barracks, collided with a pickup truck making a left turn.

The man was dead at the scene, and his passenger, a 19-year-old man, is in fair condition at Queen's Hospital, police said. Neither was wearing a helmet. Two people in the truck were unhurt.

Meanwhile, a 16-year-old boy was struck by a car at 9:45 p.m. on Dillingham Boulevard, about three-tenths of a mile from McNeil Street. He is in Queen's Hospital with a fractured skull.

He was not in a marked crosswalk, police said. Speed and alcohol were not involved on the part of the driver, added investigators.

Man accused of pouring gas on in-law's home

Multiple felony charges are pending against a Makiki man, 35, who allegedly poured gasoline on himself and his sister-in-law's Hawaii Kai house. The man, upset that his wife had left him, drove to his sister-in-law's residence on Hahaione Street Saturday night.

He allegedly poured gasoline on the front of the house, then unsuccessfully tried to enter the home carrying two gasoline containers. The man, intoxicated, was arrested outside the residence at 10:05 p.m. for attempted murder and first-degree burglary, police said. He was also booked for abuse of a household member for allegedly kicking his wife earlier Saturday.

Homeless man beaten to death is identified

The medical examiner's officer has identified Jay Baird, 39, as the homeless man who died from injuries in a beating last week. His body was found last Monday on Ualena Street. Another homeless man, Gregory Norem, 51, has been charged in the killing.

In other news...

A boy, 18, was struck in the right eye with a billiard cue stick during a fight yesterday at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility, suffering possible permanent vision loss. Police arrested a 17-year-old boy on first-degree assault charges.

A 38-year-old woman visitor from Japan suffered cuts to her knees and a bruised arm after being dragged by a purse-snatching suspect yesterday on Ena Road. Bystanders caught the thief, a 23-year-old man, and recovered the woman's purse, police said.

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