Yoshimura deflects talk of chairmanship
Talk about unseating City Council Chairman Mufi Hannemann has centered on growing dissension about his handling of the budget and his contentious feud with Mayor Jeremy Harris.Public outcry this week has resulted from key measures proposed by Council leadership, including plans to increase bus fares, eliminate deputy director positions and cut some of the projects tied to $38 million Harris set aside for community-based "visioning" projects.
More than 100 people are signed up to testify at the Council's public hearing on the budget Monday night.
Councilman Jon Yoshimura refused to talk about the possibility that he could replace Hannemann as chairman.
"That's not the way I would characterize it," he said.
Yoshimura, Duke Bainum, Steve Holmes, Rene Mansho, Andy Mirikitani and John DeSoto have apparently discussed removing Hannemann, leaving the chairman in the cold with John Henry Felix and Donna Mercado Kim.
"I'm not interested in seizing power. I'm concerned about the work we need to do at the city," Yoshimura said.
Yoshimura said he's received telephone calls, letters and e-mail from the public expressing dissatisfaction with budget-trimming proposals by Hannemann and Felix, the Council's budget chairman and vice chairman, respectively.
The two held a press conference last Monday to discuss their proposed cuts. Yoshimura and Bainum said they weren't notified.
Water main leak brings out the repair crews
A leaking 24-inch water main along Farrington Highway brought out Honolulu Board of Water Supply crews to make repairs yesterday afternoon.
Company that supplies darts admits tax charge
Dart Systems Hawaii has pleaded guilty in Honolulu District Court for failing to file its annual general excise tax returns for 1996 and 1997.The Honolulu corporation, which wholesales, retails, leases and rents dart equipment and paraphernalia, had gross receipts of at least $264,000 for 1996 and $143,000 for 1997.
Corrections
The correct URL for a new Web site that explores hula's history and culture is http://www.geocities.com/~olelo/hula.html. An incorrect URL appeared in yesterday's Home on the Web column.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staff20-year-old allegedly slashes her sister
Police yesterday arrested a 20-year-old woman for allegedly slashing her sister with scissors.The attack happened after the suspect accused her 22-year-old sister of taking her purse at their University Avenue apartment at 9 a.m., police said.
Officers found the suspect hiding in the apartment. She was booked for second-degree attempted murder.
Waipahu girl accused of robbing bus rider
A 13-year-old Waipahu girl was arrested and charged yesterday for allegedly robbing another girl on a city bus.The suspect demanded a 12-year-old girl's wallet while brandishing a pocket knife on a bus near Middle and North School streets at 2 p.m., police said.
The suspect, who has several prior arrests including robbery, was apprehended on the bus and was charged with first-degree robbery.
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