Newswatch

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Saturday, July 17, 1999

Flu outbreak baffles state health officials

State health officials yesterday confirmed eight cases of the summer flu at a local nursing home.

According to Department of Health spokesman Patrick Johnston, the state is still trying to determine what strain of flu it is.

Influenza A is most commonly associated with outbreaks.

The department could have a clear picture of the specific virus within the next couple of days.

The source of the flu may have been a cruise ship from Mexico that arrived in Honolulu at the beginning of May. The ship had reported an outbreak of influenza onboard.

Doctors should take samples from patients who come in with flulike symptoms, Johnston said, so that the department can have an indication of how active the disease is in the state.

Big Isle mayor feels harassed by opponents

HILO -- Mayor Stephen Yamashiro says he's tired of being harassed by opponents and is thinking about resigning. But not for long.

In what would amount to a vote of confidence on his administration, Yamashiro would resign, then immediately run again in a special election.

It could show the public is behind him. The danger is that he might lose.

"I'd be very grateful to see him in a healthy, happy retirement," said Roger Christie, one of the opponents getting under Yamashiro's skin.

Marijuana advocate Christie is circulating a petition calling for the impeachment of Yamashiro and six of the nine County Council members for their alleged failure to conduct a review mandated by the County Charter of marijuana eradication programs.

Yamashiro also had to appear before the state Campaign Spending Commission this week to answer opponents' charges that he misspent $17,000 in campaign funds opposing a ballot measure that would have blocked a food irradiator.

Yamashiro said there is also a financial motive behind his thoughts. Defending himself in court might take $30,000, he said. He'd rather spend that money in a special election campaign.

There's only one hitch to his thoughts: He's not sure the idea is legal. The county attorney is researching the matter.

Kaneohe fair to focus on family services

The fifth annual Kaneohe Community Family Center Craft and Fun Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 24 at Heeia Elementary School

Games, activities, food, a white-elephant sale, prizes, family information and more will be featured at the fair.

The Windward Strings Studio, Utakai Singers, Segue and Polynesian Dancers will be providing the entertainment.

The event is sponsored by Parents and Children Together, a statewide private, nonprofit family service agency.

Volunteers are needed. Call 235-7747 for more information.

Seminar to shed light on landlord-tenant law

A public information seminar on the landlord-tenant law will held at noon Wednesday in the Hawaii Supreme Court Courtroom.

Attorneys Anne Anderson, Craig Castellanet and Tracey Wiltgen will cover standard lease documents, legal rights and responsibilities, and the mediation process in disputes.

The seminar is part of a series of free informational programs for the public. These "Lunch 'n' Learn the Law" sessions are sponsored by the Hawaii state Judiciary.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

Foul play is ruled out for now in baby's death

Foul play has been tentatively ruled out in yesterday's death of a 3-month-old girl who died at her baby sitter's Rooke Avenue home.

The baby sitter fed the infant and put her to sleep at about 2:30 p.m., police said.

An hour later, the child was found to be "drowsy and responsive," police said. When the baby sitter woke up the baby, the infant started to vomit profusely. Efforts to revive the baby were unsuccessful.

The infant was taken to Kuakini Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The case has been classified as an "unattended death," pending the autopsy.

Police seek man who threatened prosecutor

Police are searching for a convict who threatened the prosecuting attorney who put him in jail.

The man was released this month after spending one year in jail for a first-degree terroristic threatening conviction, police said.

He then threatened the prosecutor that he would "get even," according to a police report.

The threat was reported to police on Thursday, but the suspect has not been apprehended.

Info sought on vehicles seen at stabbing site

Police are still seeking information about two vehicles parked Wednesday near the front lawn of Oahu Circuit Court, where janitor Edwin Iwata was fatally stabbed.

The medical examiner's office has determined that Iwata, 57, died of a stab wound to the chest.

A beige Nissan or Datsun sedan and a sports utility vehicle, possibly a Chevy Blazer, were parked near the scene on Punchbowl and Halekauwila streets when the attack occurred.

Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.