Millennium Moments
HAWAII'S population this century has, without fail, grown steadily -- from 154,001 people in 1900, to 499,794 in 1950, to more than 1.1 million in 1990. Many more folks
But of all the major islands, only Oahu's population has mirrored that increase trend with each passing decade, from 58,504 in 1900, to 353,020 in 1950, to 836,231 in 1990, according to the "Hawaii Fact and Reference Book" by Anthony Michael Oliver.
While the Big Island, Maui and Kauai experienced net growth since the century's start, each faltered in the 1940s with population dips until picking up steam again by the 1980s.
A glimpse at neighbor island populations:
Big Island: 46,843 in 1900, to 73,276 in 1940, to 120,317 in 1990.
Schweitzer trial delayed two months
HILO -- A state judge has postponed the trial of Dana Ireland murder defendant Albert Ian Schweitzer for two months.Circuit Judge Riki May Amano pushed the trial date back to Jan. 24 because of an unrelated case occupying the court calendar.
Schweitzer is one of three men charged in the 1991 kidnapping, rape and murder of the 23-year-old Ireland in rural Puna.
His brother, Shawn, is scheduled to go on trial March 6. Frank Pauline Jr. was convicted in August and sentenced to life in prison.
Drive aims to provide public radio on Big Isle
HILO -- KTA Super Stores has pledged $5,000 toward an effort to bring Hawaii Public Radio to east Hawaii by Christmas, the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board announced.National Public Radio has identified the Big Island as the last and largest community in the United States which doesn't receive public radio, the development board said.
Residents in some areas of west Hawaii can receive public radio transmissions from Maui. Residents in east Hawaii can receive them only through cable.
The development board's chairman, Barry Taniguchi, also president of KTA, pledged the money in the form of a challenge to others to contribute.
Separately, Big Island Friends of Public Radio, chaired by real estate broker Ron Wilson, has collected $15,000.
A transmitter in Hilo and several repeater transmitters are planned.
Contributions can be made at any Bank of Hawaii or First Hawaiian Bank branch, by calling Wilson at 934-7300, or by calling the development board at 966-5416.
Corrections
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Armed man hijacks rider's motorcycle
Police are searching for two men who hijacked a motorcyclist this morning on Nimitz Highway.The motorcyclist was traveling west on Nimitz Highway and was at a traffic light on Pacific Street when a van pulled up next to him at 12:55 a.m., police said.
A male passenger inside the van aimed a gun at the motorcyclist and threatened to shoot if he didn't get off the motorcycle.
The armed suspect took the motorcycle and drove away.
Man, 86, struck in head during machete fight
An 88-year-old man was arrested last night in connection with a machete attack on an 86-year-old man.An argument broke out between the suspect and a man at an Ulune Street home in Aiea at 7 p.m., police said.
The two began to fight, and one man was struck in the temple with the machete.
The suspect was booked for second-degree attempted murder.
Waipahu candy tampering case under investigation
An investigation continues today into a report of trick-or-treat candy tampering in Waipahu.A mother and her daughter experienced burning to the mouth and throat after biting into the candy, and a strong "ammonia" smell was noticed.
A CrimeStoppers announcement yesterday said the candy and box it came in are under analysis.
The candy is believed to have been picked up either on Kupuohi Street in Village Park or in Schofield Barracks residential housing between 6 and 8 p.m. Sunday.
Boy's abduction turns out a fib
Monday's reported abduction of an 8-year-old boy in Ewa was unfounded, police said.The boy lied to police about being kidnapped from Ewa Elementary School, officers said.
