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Newswatch

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Tuesday, July 6, 1999


Hawaii 2000


Coat of arms

HAWAII'S coat of arms has undergone several changes since it was first unveiled in 1845, under the reign of Kamehameha III.

The original design is credited to William Richards, a missionary who became an adviser to the Hawaiian monarchy, and Timothy Haalilio, a native chief who was the king's secretary and treasury board member. Their design featured a crown over a shield, on which was depicted two puloulou (a white ball on a staff) symbolizing protection and taboo, themes echoed by a flag and crossed spears at the shield's center.

Two men in feathered cloaks and helmets flanking the shield are said to be the twins Kameeiamoku and Kamanawa, who helped Kamehameha I unify the islands. The motto "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono" ("The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness") is written on a sash under the scene.

The emblem underwent changes in the early 1880s during King Kalakaua's reign, and after the monarchy was overthrown in 1893, the coat of arms was revamped again, including the nixing of the crowns for an eagle (some say phoenix). Later, a variation of the monarchy's coat of arms was modified -- including replacing the two warriors with Kamehameha and the Goddess of Liberty -- for use in today's state seal.


Hilo man dies a week after
attack in the park

By Rod Thompson, Star-Bulletin

HILO -- A man hospitalized for more than a week after being attacked at a Hilo park died yesterday in Hilo Hospital, police said.

An autopsy was tentatively scheduled for today for the victim, George Iaukea, 52, of Hilo.

Iaukea was taken to the hospital in critical condition June 27 after he was knocked to the ground by another man who was angry because Iaukea's vehicle was blocking traffic, police said.

Witnesses said Iaukea and another man were in separate vehicles near the restroom area of Carlsmith Park in Keaukaha when the second man became angry.

Both men got out of their vehicles. The second man, later identified by police as a 21-year-old Hilo man, slapped Iaukea on top of his head, then hit him in the face, knocking him to the ground.

Responding fire rescue personnel found Iaukea not breathing, applied cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and took him to the hospital.

The 21-year-old was arrested, but released pending an investigation.

Fire in apartment leads to drug arrest

It was not a good day for Semisi Nelson. First a fire damaged the bedroom of his Royal Kunia Gardens apartment yesterday.

Then it got worse.

Nelson was arrested after police on the scene discovered marijuana plants in the closet where the fire started.

Nelson, 24, was arrested and charged with third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug. He was released on $100 bail.

Fire officials estimated $51,000 in damages to structure and contents at the two-story structure on 94-997 Hanauna Street.

Box jellyfish expected to invade isle beaches

A box jellyfish watch will be in effect for tomorrow and Thursday, city lifeguards say.

Jellyfish are affected by tides and lunar cycles and can appear in nearshore waters on certain days.

Most commonly affected public areas include Ala Moana Beach Park, Waikiki Beach, Hanauma Bay and Pokai Bay.

Warning signs will be posted at affected sites.

UH graduate nominatedato be U.S. ambassador

WASHINGTON -- A graduate of the University of Hawaii has been nominated as ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, the White House announced.

Sylvia Gaye Stanfield, an East-West Center grantee who earned a master's degree in Asian studies from UH, is a career foreign service officer and a specialist in Asian affairs. She has been with the Department of State since 1968, most recently as deputy chief of mission of the U.S. Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand.

Her appointment must be approved by the Senate.

Brunei Darussalam is a sultanate on the northwest coast of Borneo.

Extreme fire danger cancels trout season

KOKEE, Kauai -- The 1999 rainbow trout fishing season in Kokee State Park isn't going to happen, state officials announced.

Continuing extreme fire danger that forced closure in early June of portions of both Kokee State Park and Waimea Canyon State Park has required the cancellation.

Department of Land and Natural Resources officials "tentatively" called it off a month ago but were holding out hope for rain that never came.

The season had been scheduled to begin Aug. 7 and run for 16 consecutive days, then continue on weekends and holidays through September.

2 stranded, 2 arrested in investment scam

A married couple from Japan have been stranded in Hawaii since June 1997 after being cheated out of their life's savings in a real estate investment scam that police investigators say started in late 1996.

The non-English-speaking couple -- a Korean woman in her late 40s and a Japanese man in his early 50s -- gave up their jobs and came to Hawaii after wiring all their money to an account in Hawaii.

The couple were told a realty agent would arrange for them to live here, Detective Connie Shaw Fujii said.

"They're trapped here. They have nothing to go back to," Shaw Fujii said.

Immigration officials have granted the couple a temporary extension to remain here and both are currently working, the detective added.

Shaw Fujii said the scam is a "huge money laundering thing" and there are other victims.

A Korean couple who have a business in Hawaii lost money in a different scam that involved a real estate investment, Shaw Fujii said.

Two women have been arrested so far, for first-degree theft, money laundering and operation of an illegal business.

One of the women allegedly acted as the go-between in the case involving the victims from Japan.

"There are other suspects," Shaw Fujii said.





Police, Fire

Police/Fire

By Star-Bulletin staff

Police capture suspect in Pearl City attack

Police are seeking to charge a 39-year-old man who allegedly broke into his estranged wife's Pearl City residence last night and attacked her boyfriend with a knife.

The victim, 49, was treated for multiple slash wounds at Queen's Hospital and released.

The suspect attempted to flee the scene of the 9:30 p.m. incident on Hoolaulea Street, but responding officers captured him after a foot chase. The man was booked for attempted murder, burglary and terroristic threatening.

Neighbor tips officers, two burglars caught

Thanks to a tip from a neighbor, police yesterday arrested two men for first-degree burglary and recovered a set of golf clubs stolen from a Puhilaka Place home in West Loch.

The neighbor reported the burglary at 5:40 p.m. and police stopped the suspects' vehicle on Old Fort Weaver Road at 6:05 p.m.

The two men in the vehicle, ages 20 and 35, were arrested after the owner identified the golf clubs taken from his garage.

Kauai blast totals truck, injures four bystanders

HANALEI, Kauai -- Kauai police are continuing to investigate an explosion Sunday evening in which a pickup truck parked on Middle Beach was destroyed and four bystanders were injured by flying debris.

Officers said a homemade explosive device, put together by the truck's owner, probably to be used as part of a Fourth of July celebration, totaled the 1999 truck. Three people were taken to a hospital for treatment and a fourth refused treatment.



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