The Hawaii Supreme Court disbarred two attorneys because of disciplinary actions taken by other states, with both Hawaii disbarments effective Aug. 24. States' actions prompt
disbarment of two lawyersThe Hawaii action against James A.W. Heard was reciprocal with the state of Washington, where he was suspended, and Missouri, where he was later disbarred.
The Hawaii action against David Brent Murray was reciprocal with California, where he was suspended in 1997 and disbarred in 1998, and Arizona, where he was suspended in 1997.
In Washington, Heard was accused of sexually exploiting a vulnerable client, charging an unreasonable fee, failing to provide a written final accounting of a personal injury settlement, incompetence, failing to communicate with a client and lack of diligence. Heard was admitted to the Hawaii bar in 1989 but suspended from practicing here since 1994.
Murray was accused in California of forging or causing another to forge a signature and filing the document in court, failing to pay court-ordered fees for what were termed frivolous and fraudulent acts, failing to report these matters to the state bar and failing to maintain a valid address on file with the state bar. Subsequently, Murray was reciprocally suspended from practicing in Arizona.
Murray was admitted to the Hawaii bar in 1985 but suspended from practicing law here since 1994.
Maui region to treat, use tainted well water
WAILUKU -- Gov. Ben Cayetano has declared an emergency drought condition for a Maui region, enabling the county to treat and use well water contaminated with DBCP.The chemical will be removed by passing the water through an activated charcoal process.
Residents along the slopes of Haleakala from Kanaio to Haiku have had to reduce their normal water consumption by 25 percent.
County officials estimate use of the wells could add up to 1.5 million gallons of water daily to the system.
About 6,000 feet of pipeline will be installed. It is expected to take at least several weeks.
Welfare fraud brings probation, restitution
Danelie Wright, convicted of welfare fraud, faces five years' probation and will have to make restitution to the state.Circuit Judge Sandra Simms sentenced Wright, whose last known address was in Kane-ohe, to 299 days in prison.
Wright received credit for 299 days that she already served.
Wright was indicted on a charge of first-degree theft for collecting welfare for herself and her five children for six years while failing to report that the father of the children lived with them and was employed, the state said.
Anyone with information regarding welfare fraud is asked to call the Department of Human Services Fraud Hotline at 587-8444.
Colonel to command Army engineer group
Col. Randal Castro has been selected to be the next commanding general of the U.S. Army Engineer division at Fort Shafter.He is currently executive officer to the commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command at McPherson, Ga. The appointment means he is eligible to be promoted to brigadier general.
Poison Center to be closed on weekends
The Hawaii Poison Center will close Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. as of tomorrow. Callers who telephone its free hot line in those hours will be advised to contact their doctors, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.Financial difficulties have made the cutback necessary, the center said.
Catholic conference begins on Friday
Lively music, dynamic preaching and an emphasis on spiritual healing, marks of evangelical and Pentecostal churches, will be featured at a conference next week sponsored by the Hawaii Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services.The conference will open at 6 p.m. Friday at Mamiya Theatre at Chaminade University. It will continue Saturday and Sunday.
The cost is $25 each or $45 for two. Wednesday is the deadline to sign up for meals at $6.50 each. Call the Charismatic Services office, 263-8844, extension 399.
McDonald's charity taking grant bids
Ronald McDonald House Charities-Hawaii is accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations statewide through Sept. 30.The organization supports local children's causes in health care and medical research, education and the arts, and civic and social services. To obtain a grant application, call 538-RMHC (7642).
Clarification
Cuts in the cost-of-living allowance for Hawaii military personnel that could have totaled as much as $93.66 per month have been rescinded. A headline in some editions yesterday said incorrectly that the cuts totaled as much as $94 per paycheck.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Fire at Waikiki hotel was deliberately set
Fire investigators have determined yesterday's fire at a Waikiki hotel was maliciously set.A couple was awaken by a woman yelling, "Fire! Fire!" at 2:10 a.m. at the Cabana at Waikiki on Cartwright Road, police said. They looked out and saw a fire in the jacuzzi area.
The couple attempted to extinguish the fire with a garden hose before fire crews arrived. About $10,000 damage was reported. No arrests were made.
Woman allegedly beaten by man she invited home
Police yesterday arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly beating a woman in her Waikiki apartment.The woman, 22, had met the man a few hours earlier and invited him to her Namahana Street apartment, police said. The man attacked her inside the apartment.
He was arrested at her apartment at 5:05 a.m. and booked for second-degree assault.
Bones found on Big Isle were Kristine Petersen's
HILO - Police have identified the bones of a woman found in a quarry on the edge of Hilo in December as those of Kristine Petersen, who was last seen in 1991 when police picked her up for a psychiatric examination.She was 38 at the time.
Several scattered bones were found in a 30-foot pit in the quarry. What appeared to be a sleeping bag was found with them.
Other items indicating a campsite were found on a ridge above the pit. There was no evidence of foul play, police said.
A forensic anthropologist at the University of Hawaii at Manoa said the woman died about 1993. Using the anthropologist's description and lists of missing persons, police were able to identify Petersen thought dental records from California.
Halawa inmate arrested for beating fellow inmate
A 29-year-old Halawa inmate was arrested yesterday in connection with beating another inmate.The injured inmate, 36, reported to police that he was beaten during a fight on Sunday night. He was taken to Queen's Hospital with head injuries.
