Newswatch

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Thursday, June 3, 1999

Millennium Moments The first wave of settlers Hawaii's first settlers came from the South Pacific, probably the Marquesas Islands, in double-hulled voyaging canoes, perhaps as early as A.D. 500. They came by way of the Samoan and Society Islands, led by the chief Nanaula, according to later writings by King David Kalakaua. About 1100, a second migrant wave came from Tahiti, starting 200 years of seafaring between the two island chains. The voyages ceased around 1300, and Hawaii thrived internally in isolation for centuries. That continued until 1778, when the Hawaiian chain was discovered by British explorer Capt. James Cook, who named it the "Sandwich Islands" after his patron, the Earl of Sandwich.

Grant will help save isles' historic sites

Hawaii will receive a $328,356 federal grant to survey and protect architectural, cultural and historical sites, says U.S. Rep. Patsy T. Mink. The award from the National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund will require matching contributions from the state or other local donors.

OSHA fines stevedores in Barbers Point death

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has levied a $135,000 fine against Hawaii Stevedores, a Honolulu ship-loading company, in connection with the death of a worker at the Barbers Point harbor.

Edgar Fernandez died May 25 when the forklift he was operating backed off a pier at the harbor into water 40 feet deep.

"This is a particularly distressing case of an employer who knowingly continues to put employees at risk despite numerous past contacts with OSHA, and numerous citations for safety violations," said Alan Traenkner, OSHA's director of enforcement and investigations.

Company officials could not be reached for comment.

Big Island awakes to moderate quake

HILO -- There were no reports of damage or injuries from an earthquake that shook the Big Island early today, Big Island civil defense administrator Harry Kim said.

Seismologist Paul Okubo at the Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory said the moderate earthquake occurred about 23 miles under Mauna Kea, eight miles east-southeast of Waimea and seven miles south-southwest of Honokaa.

The magnitude was estimated at between 4.4 and 5.5.

Isle boy hits bee finals, trips over 1800s term

WASHINGTON --- Maui's Matthew Jachowski was eliminated from the 72nd annual National Spelling Bee today, but not before he reached the final rounds.

The eight-grader at Kalama Intermediate School in Maka-wao stumbled on the word "Tammanyism," which refers to the 19th-century political organization that ran New York City.

Matthew was among only two dozen contestants left when he was eliminated.

'World events' prompt Hickam to cancel event

For the second time this year, Air Force officials have been forced to cancel a public event at Hickam Air Force Base because of world tensions.

In April, Hickam barred the public from its annual carnival and its May 1 craft fair because of "increased tensions around the world."

Both the craft fair and the carnival usually are open to the public.

Now, "world events," said Col. Ann Testa, 15th Air Base Wing commander, have forced the cancellation of the open house planned for Aug. 21 -- an event held annually since 1948.

Wheeler road is named for aviator slain in '98

The Army today dedicated a road at Wheeler Army Airfield in memory of Army aviator John R. Latchum, who was shot and killed last year.

Latchum, 33, was vacationing with his family at the Waianae Army Recreational Center on June 3, when intruders tried to break into the cottage he had rented.

Latchum's unit, the 25th Infantry Division Aviation Bri-gade, held a prayer breakfast at the Wheeler Chapel before the road dedication ceremonies.

Clarification Volunteers interested in participating in a diabetic neuropathy study can call 1-800-283-7634. An article Tuesday did not include the number. Corrections This year's annual beach cleanup sponsored by the Center for Marine Conservation will be held Sept. 18. An article Tuesday included an incorrect date. The name of Punahou school basketball player Estee Okumura was spelled incorrectly in a story and graphic yesterday.

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

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Police, Fire



By Star-Bulletin staff

Navy man charged in the
1998 death of baby daughter

A 26-year-old Pearl Harbor sailor has been charged with the death of his 3-month-old daughter.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Frank Osheski, who is assigned to the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, was charged with the murder of his daughter, who was found in her crib, not breathing, on May 10, 1998.

She was taken to St. Francis West Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Initially, the infant's death was believed to have been the result of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. However, a subsequent investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service indicated the possibility of another cause of death.

An Article 32 hearing, the military equivalent to a grand jury, could take place as early as next week.

Quarrel over Pokemon leads to arrest of boy

A fight over Pokemon cards has led to the arrest of an 11-year-old Kalihi-Waena Elementary School student, police said.

The boy threw a book at another student after being accused of stealing the cards yesterday, police said. The boy was taken to the counselor's office, where he allegedly threatened a teacher and counselor.

He was arrested at 1:50 p.m. for first-degree terroristic threatening, third-degree assault and fourth-degree theft.

Autopsy planned for body found in stream

Firefighters yesterday recovered the body of a man from a stream near Otake Store and Kaukonahua bridge in Waialua.

Police Sgt. Ben Ballesteros said residents spotted the body floating face-down about 1:30 p.m.

The man was fully clothed and had abrasions on his forehead, investigators said.

An autopsy will be performed today to determine cause of death.

In other news...

A man is in critical condition today after his minivan hit a median on the H-1 Freeway near Kaimuki. The man was taken to Queen's Hospital.

Police raided three units at Halawa Housing for drugs this morning and arrested nine people after complaints from residents about possible drug activity.

Drugs were also recovered, but neither the substance nor the amount was disclosed.

Police are searching for a man who carjacked a taxi this morning in Kaimuki.

The taxi driver picked up the suspect this morning at King Street and University Avenue about 2 a.m., police said. At Sixth and Waialae avenues, the suspect jumped out, punched the driver and took the Lincoln Continental taxi.

The car was later recovered at Palolo Valley Housing.

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