Newswatch

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Monday, March 8, 1999

State looking for oldest isle-born man, woman As Hawaii celebrates the United Nations-designated International Year of Older Persons 1999, the state Executive Office on Aging is looking for the oldest living Hawaii-born man and woman. Plans are to honor them during events and celebrations recognizing Hawaii's seniors. Call 586-0100 by April 2 if you know of an individual born in Hawaii whose age is 100 plus.

Straub 'urgent care' for University Health members

University Health Alliance health plan members now may use Straub Hospital satellite clinics that offer walk-in "urgent care" service.

The plan and Straub have signed an agreement giving members access to doctors after hours or on weekends, when their regular physicians aren't available.

While receiving immediate care, they "will pay less out of pocket for these nonemergency services than they would at an emergency room," said Dr. Todd Kubo, the plan's medical director. On average, they will pay $7 for a visit to a Straub Urgent Care Clinic or Doctors on Call clinic.

For information, call the plan at 532-4000, or 800-458-4600 for neighbor island residents.

More money to come for WWII internees

More money is in the pipeline for World War II internees, Sen. Daniel Inouye said.

The Senate Committee on Appropriations approved an amendment to permit transfering up to $4.3 million to meet an expected payment shortfall under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 and a Peruvian settlement agreement.

Inouye said the funds are needed to pay for up to 79 eligible Japanese-American cases, 396 eligible Japanese-Latin American cases and 133 Japanese-Latin American cases, pending eligibility review.

California seeks death for former Marine Ng

SANTA ANA, Calif. -- A prosecutor told jurors today that the state is seeking the death penalty for convicted multiple murderer Charles Ng, a former Kaneohe marine.

Peter Smith, the Calaveras County district attorney, opened the penalty phase of Ng's trial by telling the nine-woman, three-man jury that he was going to "state the obvious" -- that the state will argue for Ng's execution.

Ng, 38, was convicted Feb. 24 of 11 counts of first-degree murder and the special circumstance of multiple murder, which made him eligible for the death penalty.

$35,000 sculpture stolen from nightclub

Police are investigating the theft of a 2-1/2-foot tall sculpture by the late Frederick Hart from The Virtual Experience nightclub at 311 Lewers St. in Waikiki.

Mark Sasaki, the manager of the club, said the work features two couples -- one dancing and other embracing.

The theft occurred at the Virtual Experience, between 3:15 and 3:30 a.m. Saturday.

The unique figure is valued at $35,000, Sasaki said.

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Police, Fire



By Star-Bulletin staff

POLICE/FIRE

Kunia man, 41, arrested in drive-by shooting

Police have arrested a 41-year-old Kunia man in connection with a drive-by shooting last night in Wahiawa that wounded two men.

The victims, ages 39 and 38, were taken to Queen's Hospital. One man was treated for a wound to his arm and released, while the other, who was struck in the torso, is in fair condition, police said.

The man arrested has been identified by witnesses as the driver of the car.

The Huli Street resident was booked for five counts of second-degree attempted murder and two counts of second-degree reckless endangering.

Police said five men were talking on the front porch of an Ihiihi Avenue residence in Whitmore Village shortly before 8 p.m. when three to five shots were fired at them from a passing car.

A bullet that went through the front wall nearly struck two others inside the house, police said.

Man charged in escape, assault of motorist

A 39-year-old man, serving a 20-year prison sentence for the 1976 murder of a Kailua High School classmate, was arrested yesterday for second-degree escape and unlawful entry into a motor vehicle.

Keith Brezee was arrested near Aala Park at 10 p.m. after he allegedly assaulted a 71-year-old motorist on Monte Street at about 8 p.m.

The escape charge stems from Brezee's failure to return to the Laumaka Community Correctional Center from a work furlough.

Brezee was convicted in November 1980 for murdering Sandra Damas.

In other news...

Police yesterday charged Faima Shane Faletogo, 39, with first-degree robbery and kidnapping for a Feb. 28 holdup in Ewa.

KAILUA-KONA -- Police charged Larell Grant, 18, of Waimea, with robbery, burglary and terroristic threatening yesterday. Two juveniles were arrested earlier in the same case, the Feb. 28 robbery of a man in a North Kohala garage.

PAHALA, Hawaii -- Police arrested four men for cruelty to animals and gambling during a cockfight attended by about 175 people in Pahala yesterday, they said. The men, 42 to 57, were released pending investigation.

WAIMEA, Hawaii -- Police arrested 13 people, ages 13 to 68, during execution of a search warrant at a Waimea home Saturday, they said. They recovered 27 marijuana plants, a pound of dried marijuana, crack cocaine residue, other drug items, and 21 firearms, they said. The suspects were released pending investigation.

WAIKOLOA, Hawaii -- A 29-year-old motorcycle rider was killed when he ran off Waikoloa Road shortly after midnight today and struck a traffic sign, police said. He was identified as Russell Blank III of Puako.

His death was the second traffic fatality of the year compared to six at the same time last year.

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