A 4-year-old boy was killed yesterday when he was run over by a limousine in Palama. Palama boy, 4, killed by
a reversing limoPulenuu Mauigoa and Chevrolet Mikaele, 5, were playing behind the limousine in the parking lot at Palama Manor housing, 815 N. Vineyard Blvd., when the stretch limo drove in reverse out of a parking stall.
The Mikaele boy jumped out of the way, but the younger boy was struck and pinned beneath the left tire.
The victim died shortly after arrival at Queen's Hospital.
The 46-year-old driver who lives nearby had been idling the engine to bring it up to operating temperature, police said.
When he decided to reverse, he made checks and began backing up, but he didn't see the boy who was walking or playing with the other boy behind the limousine at the time of the 10:20 a.m. accident, police said.
Police opened a negligent homicide investigation -- normally initiated in a death of this type, police said.
The boy's death brought the 1999 Oahu traffic toll to six, compared with one at the same date last year.
A 22-year-old Waianae man was arrested in connection with first-degree criminal property damage this morning after he was seen running from a fire at Penske Truck Rental & Leasing on Puuhale Road in Kalihi Kai, police said. Suspect held in truck fires
By Jaymes K. Song, Star-BulletinThe man is also being investigated in Sunday's fire at the same location, police said.
About seven trucks at the business were set on fire at 3:09 a.m. today, fire officials said.
The blaze was extinguished at 3:26 a.m.
Officials estimate damage to be more than $100,000.
On Sunday morning at 3:01 a.m., five trucks were set on fire with a flammable liquid, police said.
Witnesses reported seeing two people running away from the area.
About $120,000 worth of damage was reported on Sunday.
Detectives said the man arrested this morning was not an employee or a former employee of the business.
Penske officials wouldn't comment on a possible motive.
Homeless man rejects charge in beating death
A homeless man charged with beating another homeless man to death late last year pleaded not guilty today before Circuit Judge Michael Town.Gregory Norem, 51, is accused of killing Jay Baird, 39, whose body was found Dec. 28 on Ualena Street near Honolulu Airport.
Baird died of internal abdominal injuries.
Trial for Norem has been set for the week of March 22.
Mayor's Pacific summit will begin Jan. 31
More than 300 delegates from countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Canada and the United States are scheduled to attend the upcoming Mayor's Asia-Pacific Environmental Summit Jan. 31 to Feb. 3.The conference, open to the public, aims to develop solutions to the environmental challenges facing cities and communities. It also wants to promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mayor Jeremy Harris planned to hold a press conference on the steps of Honolulu Hale today to announce the summit.
He also intended to demonstrate a hybrid-power car developed by Toyota, the Prius, which incorporates a high-efficiency gasoline engine with electric power systems.
East-West Center lauds 3 for work in Pacific
The East-West Center is honoring three alumni who have helped promote understanding of the Asia-Pacific region.The winners of the 1998 EWC Distinguished Alumni Award will be recognized at the East-West Center Association's regional conference Jan. 27-29 in the Philippines.
The winners are Tin Myaing Thein, executive director of The Immigrant Center in Honolulu; Kwan-Kuo Hwang, professor of psychology at the National Taiwan University; and Adbul Rashid, principal scientific officer at the National Agriculture Research Center, Land Resources Research Institute, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Former U.S. diplomat will join pro-life events
Alan Keyes, a former U.S. diplomat and a 1996 Republican presidential candidate, will speak at the annual Pro-Life March on Friday and the Hawaii Pro-Life banquet Saturday.The Pro-Life March will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday at the state Capitol.
The banquet will be 7 p.m. Saturday at Dole Cannery ballroom.
Girls will gain mentors at banquet Thursday
The Girl Scout Council of Hawaii will hold its 10th annual "Teaming for Tomorrow" career mentoring conference for high school girls Thursday and Friday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom.The public is invited to attend a banquet 7 p.m. Thursday at the ballroom to see the girls introduced to their mentors.
First lady Vicky Cayetano, president of United Laundry Services Inc., will give the keynote speech.
Cost of the banquet is $35; for reservations, call 595-8400 ext. 212.
Army official to visit Schofield Barracks
Army Secretary Louis Caldera will visit this week with soldiers training at Schofield Barracks.Caldera also will give two speeches: one at Schofield Barracks tomorrow, the other before the Metropolitan Honolulu Rotary Club on Thursday.
He also will visit Army Reservists at Fort Shafter, the Central Identification Laboratory and Tripler Army Medical Center.
Barbers Point airport described tomorrow
General aviation will be the focus of a meeting 6 p.m. tomorrow at Honolulu Community College.The Airports Division of the state Department of Transportation will provide information on general aviation facilities at Kalaeloa Airport, formerly Barbers Point Naval Air Station.
The meeting will be in Aeronautics Maintenance Technology Building, Room 203, off Lagoon Drive at 140 Iako Place.
Kalaeloa is slated to open this summer.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police, Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffPOLICE/FIRE
Vehicle flips on H-2, paralyzing traffic
A single-car accident paralyzed the H-2 freeway this morning, making hundreds of commuters late for work.A sports-utility vehicle flipped near the Ka Uka Boulevard and landed in the middle lane at about 7:53 a.m. Two people were treated and released at Queen's Hospital.
One child remains in stable condition.
Police were unsure this morning why the car lost control.
All the southbound lanes were closed until the vehicle and debris were cleared off the roadway at 8:40 a.m.
The accident caused a standstill, backing up traffic all the way to the Meheula Parkway on-ramp.
When the roads were opened, the cars swarmed into town, causing mid-morning congestion.
Police looking for man who robbed bicyclist
Police are searching for a man who robbed a bicyclist by gunpoint yesterday in the downtown area.The suspect stopped the bicyclist at Aala Street and Vineyard Boulevard at 10:20 p.m., police said.
He demanded money and told the man, 34, he had a gun, police said.
The bicyclist gave the suspect his money, but when he didn't see a gun, he chased the suspect and asked for his money back, police said.
The suspect then pulled out a gun and told the man to stop following him or he would shoot, police said.
The bicyclist went to the police station and reported the incident.
Two teen-agers killed in car crash are named
Police have identified two people killed in a crash near Wahiawa on Sunday.Killed in the crash were Charles Lamarsh, 18, of Oregon, and Arisa San Nicolas, 18, of Guam.
They and two others injured in the crash -- Michael Hashimoto, 18, and Michael Ahakuelo, 18 -- were freshmen at Chaminade University.
Police said a pickup truck smashed into a car attempting a left turn from Wilikina Drive to Kamananui Road near Wahiawa.
Man slashed on arm; former girlfriend held
Police charged a 21-year-old woman with second-degree assault after she allegedly cut her former boyfriend on the arm with a kitchen knife.Shawnalee Kuhia of Kukui Street is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail, police said.
The man, 23, suffered a deep cut on his left arm from the 2:30 a.m. incident yesterday, which occurred at his Meyers Street residence in Kalihi.
Man held for breaking wife's nose with punch
Taulanga Tukumoeatu, 33, was charged with second-degree assault after he allegedly punched and broke his wife's nose yesterday, police said.He is being held on $15,000 bail.
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