Millennium Moments
When electronic computers came to Hawaii, the IBM 650 was the model of choice. Isles depended on
trusty little IBM 650It first arrived at the Honolulu offices of Libby, McNeill & Libby in November 1956, says Robert C. Schmitt in "Firsts and Almost Firsts in Hawai'i."
About eight months later, in July 1957, the U.S. Army Hawaiian Army Base Command became the first federal agency here to operate a computer, also an IBM 650.
And in April 1960, the University of Hawaii Statistical and Computing Center became the first state or county agency to get a computer -- again, the trusty IBM 650, Schmitt says.
The large mainframe computers of the 1960s were eventually joined, then replaced, by mini- and micro-computers.
Mini-computers began appearing in telephone directory ads in 1971; micro-computers in 1977; and personal computers and computer stores started emerging in the late 1970s, Schmitt says.
Doctor fights to save probation for sex crime
The attorney for a Honolulu doctor convicted of sexual contact involving an 8-year-old girl says he will "vigorously" oppose the state's motion to revoke his client's probation.Wesley K.W. Young, 47, pleaded guilty to third-degree sexual assault last December for placing his hand on the girl's genitals.
He was sentenced to five years' probation with special conditions, including making no contact with the victim and other minors without authorization from his probation officer, and undergoing sex offender therapy. He continues to practice medicine but was fired from his job as an emergency room doctor.
The state is asking the court to revoke Young's probation and resentence him to five years in prison at a hearing Tuesday before Judge Victoria Marks.
According to probation officer Karen Okamoto, Young failed to obtain permission to have the victim sleep over at his home and to medically treat minor children.
Young in March asked the court to find he has complied with the terms and conditions of probation or to clarify "on record what I believed was intended by the court: that he have the right to practice medicine without restriction," said his attorney, Howard Luke.
Young has been a model of compliance and rehabilitation, Luke said. "His prognosis is excellent, and he's been fully compliant with everything required of him and does not present a risk to anyone."
Young has expressed a great deal of remorse for the incident and has taken steps to assure anyone they should not be concerned if they are treated by him, Luke said.
Young wrote a health column for the Star-Bulletin from 1988 to 1997.
Isle firefighters join in honoring comrades
Firefighters across the state observed a moment of silence today in honor of six U.S. comrades who died in a warehouse fire last week in Worcester, Mass.Honolulu Fire Chief Attilio Leonardi and Bobby Lee, president of Hawaii Firefighters Association Local 1463, represented the state at the memorial service in Worcester today.
Aloha United Way nears fund-raising goal
The Aloha United Way campaign has raised $13.3 million this year, and with companies still fund raising, AUW is hoping to reach its goal of $13.4 million for 1999.The organization announced the total at a mahalo event today for volunteers at the Bishop Museum. It expects to receive another $1 million in February from the 1999 Combined Federal Campaign conducted among the 70,000 federal civilians and military personnel in Hawaii.
The 1999 campaign ran from Aug. 25 to Oct. 15, but some companies continue to raise funds through the end of the year, the AUW said. It is continuing to accept donations, and has introduced a new Web site at www.auw.org.
More than 100,000 residents contributed this year, and their donations will support 65 health and human services agencies and more than 450,000 people in the state.
"In spite of a sluggish economy, we continue to demonstrate our aloha for each other in Hawaii," said Robert Hiam, campaign chairman and chief executive officer of the Hawaii Medical Service Association.
Roofless in Aina Haina
Army lauded for help in charity campaign
The Combined Federal Campaign raised more than $4.5 million this year as federal employees in Hawaii responded to calls for contributions.Volunteers from about 65 federal agencies here were recognized this week for their efforts in the Hawaii-Pacific drive.
A luncheon at the Hickam Air Force Base Officers Club recognized the U.S. Army as this year's lead federal agency in the campaign.
The more than $4.5 million raised by about 60,000 federal employees here was over $400,000 more than what was raised last year.
This year's chairman, Lt. Gen. Ed P. Smith, commanding general, U.S. Army Pacific, said more employees donated this year at a higher rate than during any previous campaign.
Awards went to some 60 federal organizations and about 500 federal employees.
The Hawaii-Pacific Combined Federal Campaign is the sixth largest in the nation.
Contributions go to more than 1,200 local, national and international charitable organizations.
Hawaii Jaycees elect Ogata to presidency
Kathleen Ogata, a sales manager at Roberts Hawaii, has been elected the 57th president of the Hawaii Jaycees, the organization has announced.Other officers elected are Guy Inaba, executive vice president; Mark Nakashima, management development vice president; Wes Kam, community development vice president; Jamie Asao, individual development vice president; and Darnelle Nojima, membership development vice president.
The Hawaii Jaycees, with chapters around the state, is a community service organization that promotes leadership skills and personal development of its members, ages 21 to 39.
Bone marrow screening free tomorrow at HPD
The Hawaii Bone Marrow Registry is urging participation in a free bone marrow donor screening at the Honolulu Police Department from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow.The Hawaii Bone Marrow Donor Registry matches registered marrow donors with Hawaii residents who need bone marrow transplants due to terminal blood diseases such as leukemia.
Nationally, more than 16,000 people are diagnosed with some type of fatal blood disease each year.
Donors must be between 18 and 60 years of age and in good health. A sample of blood is collected for tissue typing. Asian and Pacific Islanders are especially needed.
For more information, call 547-6154.
Event in Waimanalo focuses on safety seats
Parents will be shown how to correctly install child safety seats in vehicles, and some may qualify for free car seats, at a Saturday event in Waimanalo.The program, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Waimanalo Health Center, is sponsored by the center, the Department of Health Office of Injury Prevention and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.
Seats will be given to parents who fit financial guidelines.
Only one out of 90 car seats were correctly belted into vehicles seen at the check station in recent months, according to Greig Gaspar of the health center.
Corrections
Luafata Simanu-Klutz worked with the Department of Education on a contract basis. A story Monday on Samoan education said incorrectly that she was a DOE employee.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Anti-counterfeiting group
checks out swap meet
Police suspect same man in latest bank robberies
A man suspected of robbing a bank in Kailua has struck again, this time at the Kaneohe Bay branch of First Hawaiian Bank.Yesterday's suspect wore the same clothes and matches the description of a man who robbed American Savings Bank on Hamakua Drive in Kailua six days ago, investigators said.
The man entered First Hawaiian's branch at 46-047 Kamehameha Highway at about 12:55 p.m., passed a demand note to a teller and fled with an undisclosed sum.
The suspect is in his early to mid-20s, about 5 feet 9 inches tall, 160 pounds, with blue-green eyes and curly, dirty blond hair. Carrying a black bag or backpack, he was clad in a dark long-sleeve T-shirt and white hat with a dark bill marked by blue writing with the word "United."
Anyone with information on this suspect is asked to call FBI (521-1411) or CrimeStoppers (955-8300).
Store owner, two tourists held up by armed robbers
Police are looking for suspects in two armed robberies yesterday.A gunman robbed Kunia Store at 1:30 p.m. after confronting the owner in a back room of the store, police said.
Two men are also sought in the robbery of a tourist couple at their Waiwai Loop hotel near Keehi Lagoon Park. One of the suspects was armed with a handgun, police said. The men confronted the couple outside their hotel room, forced them back inside and robbed them of cash and personal property.
Man suspected of killing daughter turns himself in
Murder suspect David C. Martinez, indicted last month for the 1994 death of his 2-year-old daughter, surrendered Tuesday to homicide detectives.The girl's mother, Dorothy Marie Faufata, turned herself in last Friday and is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
CrimeStoppers received numerous calls after featuring Martinez and contributed to his decision to surrender, police said.
CrimeStoppers is now trying to help police find Edward K. Caspino, 22, who is wanted on three probation revocation warrants and for questioning about a Nov. 14 robbery at Maili Beach Park.
Wahiawa woman arrested on forgery, theft charges
Raelynn Kaahu was arrested by police Monday in Wahiawa on a warrant charging her with two counts of second-degree forgery and one count of second-degree attempted theft.Kaahu, 24, of 730 Wilikina Dr., is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
The alleged offenses against the Oahu Educational Employees Federal Credit Union and American Savings Bank occurred between Sept. 28 and Oct. 2.
Motorcyclist hit by car still in critical condition
A 50-year-old woman motorcyclist injured in a collision Tuesday with a car, while negotiating a turn onto Kawaihae Street from Kalanianaole Highway in Hawaii Kai, remains in critical condition in Queen's Hospital.
