Newswatch

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Thursday, May 6, 1999

M.E. seeks public help

By Jaymes K. Song, Star-Bulletin

On March 10, dozens of pieces of human skeletal remains were found in a dirt field in Ewa near Kunia Road.

An adult-sized skull, leg bones and a pelvis bone were recovered on the property, owned by Campbell Estate.

The medical examiner's office this week received a report from the Army identification laboratory giving physical characteristics of the person.

The skeleton is that of a Caucasian man, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, who was more than 50 years old at the time of death, investigators said. He had upper dentures and at one time may have had a broken nose, which bent to the right.

The medical examiner knows of a homeless person reported missing in 1991 who fits the description, but is unable to reach a relative to check dental records.

If you knows of a missing person who matches these characteristics, please call the medical examiner's office at 527-6777.

Kilauea takes a break from erupting lava

HILO -- The eruption of Kilauea volcano on the Big Island's southeast coast seems to have entered one of its occasional pauses, said Don Swanson, scientist-in-charge of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Today, scientists were planning to hike the three or so miles to the coastal site where lava enters the sea to investigate, he said.

Since almost all of the lava movement from the uplands to the sea is underground, the only sign of an eruption there normally is a large steam cloud on the coast of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

That steam stopped Tuesday, Swanson said.

But a seismometer reading in the area shows no change, suggesting lava is still moving underground.

"I don't think it's anything to get too excited about. It's just another one of these pauses," Swanson said.

Moanalua High to hold blood drive tomorrow

Moanalua High School students will sponsor a blood drive tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school library.

The last Moanalua students' blood drive collected 126 pints on April 3, 1998.

Anyone age 18 or older or age 17 with parental consent is eligible to donate. Prospective donors may call 845-9966 for an appointment.

Tax evasion case may bring fine, jail time

Stephen K. Yamada was to be arraigned today in Circuit Court on a charge of attempted tax evasion between June 1, 1997, and June 15, 1998, state Tax Director Ray Kamikawa said.

Yamada failed to pay taxes owed under an installment agreement signed with the state April 3, 1997, according to the indictment.

If convicted, Yamada faces possible punishment of a fine of up to $100,000, up to five years in prison or both.

In other news ...

Contestants are still sought for the annual Miss Chinatown Hawaii Scholarship Pageant. Applicants, who have until May 31 to apply, should call Lori Young at 383-5674.

Corrections Stephanie Lu is a freshman at Cornell University. A story Monday named a different school. The Honolulu Board of Realtors said 45 percent of Oahu's single-family home sales in April were in Leeward Oahu, bringing down the median sales price. A sub-headline in a Hawaii Inc. report yesterday had incorrect information.

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



By Star-Bulletin staff

Cause of house fire under investigation

A fire caused $160,000 damage to a Enchanted Lake home yesterday.

The blaze at 359 Wanaao Road started at 3:30 p.m., arson investigators said. The fire is believed to have started in the living room area. The cause is still under investigation.

Cash seized, six arrested in raid at Waikiki hotel

Federal agents yesterday seized more than $230,000 and charged six men for allegedly conspiring to distribute crystal methamphetamine.

The arrests were made in a Waikiki hotel room after the suspects attempted to purchase 10 pounds of crystal meth, police said.

Charged were John-Michael Andrade, 25; Fred Kamouha Chang Jr., 31; Keith Kaapana Cummings, 33; Clarence Kamai III, 26; Momoe Taape, 25, and Kealii B. Kamai, 24.

In other news ...

KAILUA-KONA -- Police have charged Michael Moore, 48, of Kona, with assault and abuse of a family or household member for an attack in which he struck two women with a hammer in April.
CAPTAIN COOK, Hawaii -- A fire that started in a vehicle in a garage destroyed the home of Masami and Harumi Yamamoto in Captain Cook about 1 p.m. yesterday, the Fire Department said.

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