Shooting suit accuses police of excessive force
The family of a Heeia man shot by a police officer in Pupukea last year has sued the officer, the city and the Honolulu Police Department.The complaint, filed in Circuit Court last week, alleges the officer used excessive force and that the shooting of Fortunato "Junior" Barques was unjustified.
It was filed on behalf of Barques' son, Brandon James Kalani, daughter Brittani Michelle Kauhane, and their mother, Jodi Rae Escott Barques.
Barques' family has suffered emotionally and mentally as a result of his death, the suit says.
Bonnie Goldstein, the sister of Jodi Barques, an inmate at the Women's Community Correctional Center in Kailua, has been appointed guardian of Brandon and Brittani, who are minors.
The Honolulu Police Department completed its investigation into the shooting last July and has forwarded the results to city prosecutors. Prosecutors have not yet ruled on whether the shooting was justified. Barques, 37, was shot in May 1998.
Tripler is rated perfect in accreditation survey
Tripler Army Medical Center is a standout among military treatment facilities of its size, according to accreditation surveys.It's the only one to achieve a perfect score in a survey conducted for the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the hospital announced.
Accreditation, which occurs every three years, was awarded to Tripler with commendation.
Al Lynde is the public information officer for the Hawaii Civil Rights commission. His name was incorrectly given in a Thursday story. CORRECTION
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Police, Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffPOLICE/FIRE
Two killed, two hurt in wreck near Wahiawa
Two people were killed and two others injured yesterday when a pickup truck smashed into a car attempting a left turn from Wilikina Drive to Kamananui Road near Wahiawa.A man and woman, both 18, who were seated on the right side of the car were pronounced dead at the scene, raising Oahu's fatality count for the year to five.
Two other 18-year-old men who were in the car were sent to Queen's Hospital. The rear-seat passenger was in critical condition, but the hospital, at the family's request, declined to give a condition report on the driver.
A 32-year-old man driving the pickup truck complained of pain but declined treatment, police said.
Police vehicular homicide investigators said speed and alcohol do not appear to be contributing factors in the collision, which was reported shortly before noon.
Investigators were told that the driver of the car may have slowed down but did not appear to stop before attempting to execute the left turn. They also were told the driver did not signal for the turn.
The truck, which was headed north toward Haleiwa on Wilikina Drive, broadsided the car.
The impact sent the car into another vehicle, which was stopped on Kamananui Road facing Wilikina Drive.
Naked man charged in pair of assaults
KAILUA-KONA -- Police have charged Robbie Kane, 32, of Kailua-Kona with burglary and sexual assault after he allegedly twice attacked women.At 7:40 a.m. Saturday, police said, Kane took off his clothes, kicked in the door of Reuben's Mexican Restaurant and chased a woman outside.
Police arrested and charged Kane, then released him on bail.
The same afternoon, Kane was at his Kamaaina Hale residence taking a shower when he started shouting, police said.
Naked, he went into a neighbor's apartment and confronted two girls, then went to another apartment where he hid in a closet until neighbors found him and chased him downstairs, police said. He was arrested and charged again and is being held without bail.
In other news...
Police are investigating two Chinatown robberies that occurred about four hours apart.
Two men, armed with a semi-automatic handgun and sawed-off shotgun, robbed a 22-year-old man at 10:30 p.m. yesterday on Hotel Street. About four hours later, a 34-year-old man was beaten and robbed by a man who had approached him on the corner of Pauahi and Maunakea streets.
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