School bus protest
The latest advances in microwave and related technologies will be presented at a conference expected to bring 10,000 participants and 650 exhibitors to Honolulu in 2007. Microwave symposium in 2007
will bring 10,000 visitors to islesSponsors estimate the weeklong International Microwave Symposium will generate about $13.9 million in visitor spending and $1.2 million in tax revenues.
Honolulu was chosen through the efforts of Michael DeLisio and Wayne Shiroma, professors in the University of Hawaii's Department of Electrical Engineering, and Syd Rivera and Debbie Zimmerman of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.
Reynold Kagiwada, past president of the Microwave Theory and Techniques Society and a longtime supporter of the UH College of Engineering, also was instrumental in the site selection.
Gov. Ben Cayetano said it is "another example of how the University of Hawaii can help boost our economy."
UH President Kenneth P. Mortimer said the event "will allow the university to showcase the technical leadership offered by the UH-Manoa College of Engineering."
The symposium, along with an industrial exhibition, social events and guest programs, will be in the Hawaii Convention Center. Advances and technologies such as broadband wireless and Internet-related communications will be presented.
The Microwave Theory and Techniques Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, one of the largest technical organizations in the world, sponsors the symposium annually.
Educated at the Royal Military Academy of Turin in Italy, Robert Wilcox was a Hawaiian young man who had fervent hopes of leading Hawaii to reclaimed glory during the turbulent 1880s and 1890s. Twice, at least, he tried. And twice, he and his men failed. Rebel with cause
The first prominent attempt was the dawn of July 30, 1889. With some 150 men, Wilcox took possession of the Iolani Palace grounds, according to "Hawaii: Our Island State" by Norris W. Potter. But the revolt was quickly quashed by the all-Caucasian Cabinet in charge, who called out the Honolulu Rifles in full force. By the next morning, seven men were killed, 12 wounded, and Wilcox surrendered. He was charged with conspiracy, and according to law, tried by an all-Hawaiian jury. He was acquitted.
The second rebellion came in 1894. Queen Liliuokalani had inherited the monarchy from her brother, Kalakaua, only to have it overthrown by the increasingly powerful Cabinet. Wilcox and others, plotting to overthrow the new Republic, ordered weapons from San Francisco. But when the arms came via ship off Diamond Head, rumors already had reached Republic officials, Potter wrote. The rebels tried to hide the weapons, but within two weeks, the revolt was defeated.
A military court tried 190 cases, finding nearly all guilty. Though imposed penalties ranged from death, to hard labor and fines, all prisoners were released by the end of 1895 due to heavy pressure within Hawaii and from abroad.
State to hire private agency to collect taxes
The state tax department is preparing to use private collection agencies to collect back taxes from people who owe less than $5,000.The department yesterday announced it has issued a request for bids for approximately 10,000 delinquent accounts on Oahu.
Separate bids are being sought for 2,000 delinquent accounts on Maui, 1,000 accounts on the Big Island and 450 cases on Kauai.
The use of private collection agencies will allow the tax department to concentrate on larger and more difficult collections, the department said in a news release.
The Oahu tax office has issued four previous contracts with private collection agencies, each involving about 2,000 accounts.
A new law now allows the collection agency to recover its collection fee from taxpayers when it collects the delinquent taxes.
Kauai tax bill targets 'gentleman farms'
LIHUE -- A bill aimed at stripping "gentleman farms" of their tax breaks was expected to be introduced at the Kauai County Council today.If approved, the measure would require owners of rural homes on land zoned for agriculture to pay residential property taxes on their land.
The bill could increase county tax revenues by an estimated $1.2 million.
The county estimates about 300 of its 1,300 agricultural parcels are gentleman farms and should be taxed at a residential rate.
The annual county tax on a $100,000 residential parcel is $543.
The tax on an acre of pasture land is 68 cents.
Taking Notice
Honors earned
Honors recently went to these island residents or groups:Kirsha Kaulukane Milianani Ke'Aka Durante of Mililani represented Hawaii in the annual Cherry Blossom Festival of Washington, D.C. The Hawaii State Society of Washington chose Durante, a sophomore at Brandeis University in Massachusetts, to be a princess.
Mental Health Association in Hawaii has given a Community Service award to Diamond Head Life Skills Program; Legislator-of-the-Year to Rep. Tom Okamura; Media award to Beverly Creamer of the Honolulu Advertiser.
Officers named
These groups have new officers:Investment Society of Hawaii: Michael Hogan, president; Patti Kwan, vice president; Geal Fukumoto, secretary; Barbie Clark, treasurer.
Kalihi Business Association: Randy Matsumoto, president; David Tsuda, first vice president; Tony Pfaltzgraff, second vice president; Brian Maeshiro, third vice president; Connie Riccio, secretary; Michael Lau, treasurer.
Correction
In Hawaii, Sprint Corp.'s "Nickel Nights" 5-cents-a-minute calling plan is good from 5 p.m. to midnight. An article in Hawaii Inc. Monday had incorrect hours for the local market.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
2 fined for not filing state general excise tax returns
A Honolulu attorney and former contractor were fined by District Judge John C. Bryant Jr. for failing to file state general excise tax returns.Attorney Richard G. MacMillan pleaded guilty to failing to file state general excise tax returns for 1995 and 1996. He was fined $2,500 for each year for a total fine of $5,000.
MacMillan agreed to pay the fine within 60 days and received a deferred acceptance of guilty plea. He also agreed to file his past due general excise tax returns.
Former contractor David B. Pocock pleaded guilty to failing to file state general excise tax returns for 1995, 1996 and 1997.
He was fined $2,500 for each year for a total fine of $7,500. Pocock agreed to pay within 60 days and received a deferred acceptance of guilty plea.
Man displays gun during 23rd bank robbery of year
A gunman yesterday robbed City Bank's Kapiolani branch of an undisclosed amount of cash.The state's 23rd bank robbery of the year was reported at 2:20 p.m.
The man passed a demand note to a teller and displayed a gun, the FBI said.
The suspect is a Caucasian male in his mid-30s, about 5 feet 8 and 180 pounds, and was wearing a black tank top and sunglasses.
Rescuers find man who fell into ravine on Big Isle
A man who fell down a 30-foot ravine south of the Wainaku Scenic Lookout was located by Big Island rescue crews this morning.Hilo and Waiakea fire crews were called out to the scene this morning. When they arrived, one person had climbed out of the ravine and was in police custody.
The fire department helicopter and rescue crews searched the area and the missing man was found just after 6 a.m. climbing out of the ravine. He was uninjured and refused further help.
Police hunt for suspect in shooting incident
Police are looking for a man who fired a gun in front of Kam IV housing yesterday.The suspect pulled a gun on a man at 3:20 p.m., police said. The man wrestled with the suspect, then ran away.
The gun fired, and the man said the suspect may have been shooting at him. The suspect fled before police arrived.
Sexual assault incident captured on camera
A 37-year-old man was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 23-year-woman at Ala Moana Shopping Center yesterday.The woman was sitting on a bench at the mall when she was approached by the unknown man at about 2:30 p.m., police said. The man grabbed her by the neck and sexually assaulted her.
Ala Moana security guards saw the assault on their cameras and were able to detain the suspect until police arrived.
Three suspects caught inside HPD kiosk near zoo
Three suspects were arrested around midnight for breaking into the Honolulu Police Department information kiosk near the Honolulu Zoo.An anonymous caller this morning reported three suspicious males near the kiosk at 151 Kapahulu Ave., police said.
When officers arrived they found a man, 23, a woman, 19, and a boy 14, within the kiosk.
Body of woman discovered by farmer in Waialua field
A woman's decomposed body was discovered in a Waialua field yesterday.Police said a farmer discovered the body next to an old cane haul road near Kaukonahua Road.
There were no obvious signs of injury or foul play, said Lt. Allen Napoleon. The case is being classified as an unattended death, pending the autopsy scheduled for today.
The woman is described as 5-feet-1 with very-short, military-style black hair, police said. There were no reports of any missing women matching the woman's description as of this morning.
Pastor arrested following report he molested girl
Honolulu police today released the pastor of a Windward Oahu church pending further investigation into charges he sexually assaulted a 3-year-old girl.The 67-year-old man was arrested at a Kaneohe home Monday after the girl reported being sexually assaulted by the man during the weekend, police said.
Scammers seek cash for alleged 'vehicle damage'
Police are warning the public about a scam involving bogus vehicle damage claims.Suspects are approaching victims, usually elderly Asian women, in shopping center and mall parking lots, claiming damage to their vehicles. The victim's vehicle is marked with crayon to simulate scrape marks matching the color of the suspects' vehicle.
Victims are told their insurance rates will increase if a police report is made and they are better off paying the suspects in cash. The suspects are very manipulative and persistent, police said.
The public is being asked to call police immediately if approached for cash in any vehicle damage claim. Cases can also be reported to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
Suspect in July 20 assault finally nabbed by police
Police arrested a man in Waianae yesterday morning in connection with a July 20 assault.The suspect had slashed another man in the arm with a knife, and the victim needed 20 stitches.
