Millennium Moments
HAWAII today is an eater's paradise: Virtually every type of restaurant and ethnic food is represented here, many times over. And the competition just makes the quality of offerings that much better. Foods of the world
find way to HawaiiWhat a long way we've come since the early 1800s. That's when Wm. K. Warren, referred to as Honolulu's first restaurateur, opened the Warren House, a k a Major Warren's Hotel, says "Firsts and Almost Firsts in Hawaii" by Robert Schmitt. Begun around 1825, the place reportedly was famous for its cuisine.
Other notable eateries, according to Schmitt:
KC Drive Inn was the first drive-in restaurant when it opened in 1927 at the corner of Kalakaua Avenue and Ala Wai Boulevard.
The state Supreme Court has set aside an "unprecedented" nine hours -- rather than the customary one hour -- to hear oral arguments tomorrow on the Waiahole water case, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Court sets time to hear
Waiahole water argumentsTen parties appealed a December 1997 decision by the state Commission on Water Resource Management that apportioned water from the Waiahole Ditch system between Leeward and Windward interests.
The arguments are scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. at Ali'iolani Hale, 417 S. King St.
"While the court will convene to address the particular facts in the Waiahole case, its analysis will likely influence how Hawaii will manage its water resources statewide now and into the next century," said Linnel Nishioka, deputy director to the water commission.
Male nurse enters plea in sexual assault case
LIHUE -- A male nurse at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, a state mental institution on Kauai, has pleaded innocent to four counts of sexual assault on a 73-year-old male patient.David Wayne Nicholson, 47, a licensed practical nurse, was arraigned yesterday in Kauai Circuit Court yesterday. His trial was set for Jan. 17.
A spokesman for Hawaii Health Systems Corp., which operates the state hospitals, said civil service rules and union agreements preclude him from commenting on Nicholson's current job status, and he could not comment on whether Nicholson is being allowed to continue working.
House GOP strikes early against raise in fuel tax
The state House Republican Caucus is already taking a stand against an increase in the state's fuel tax, even though it may be a year or two before such a proposal appears before the state Legislature.House Minority Leader Barbara Marumoto (R, Waialae Iki) said yesterday the caucus is opposed to Gov. Ben Cayetano's reported plans to raise the fuel tax, commonly known as the gasoline tax, by 5 cents a gallon to replenish highway funds used to pay for transportation repair and maintenance projects.
The gas tax currently is 16 cents per gallon.
Marumoto said state budget forecasts project a $69 million deficit in the highway fund by the end of 2003. She said state lawmakers did not want to make unpopular general fund spending cuts two years ago, so they raided the highway fund.
The tax issue was raised when Cayetano on Nov. 23 was discussing with reporters the state's $15 million anti-trust settlement with Tesoro Hawaii Corp. and BHP Hawaii Inc. over alleged gasoline price-fixing.
He mentioned he wants to use the settlement money to offset the increasing costs of highway repairs.
The governor said the state Transportation Department was looking to increase the gasoline tax sometime after the two-year budget cycle that begins next year.
Corrections
Also, Harada is not the 1998 Level 5 state champion; Marissa Ganeku won the title.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Big collision, no injuries
Driver accused of trying to run over acquaintance
Second-degree attempted murder charges are pending against a 66-year-old man who allegedly tried to drive over another man in Moiliili yesterday.A 22-year-old man was walking on Hausten Street around 6 p.m. when he heard a car racing toward him.
Police said the car climbed the sidewalk and came straight toward the man.
He avoided being hit by jumping on to the car, police said. The vehicle hit a cement object and blew a tire.
The chase continued and the man ran across the street, police said. He was able to elude the car by running between two parked cars.
The driver was arrested 30 minutes later.
Police wouldn't disclose a motive, but said the men know each other.
Yesterday's bank heists bring yearly total to 43
Suspect in Mililani bank robbery
Two bank robberies occurred yesterday, one by a suspect believed to be responsible for two previous bank robberies here.
This suspect entered the Waipahu branch of Bank of Hawaii at 94-712 Farrington Highway about 1:20 p.m. He received an undisclosed sum after he passed a demand note to a teller and displayed a pistol tucked in his pants, the FBI said.
He is described as between 18 to 25 years old, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, slim, weighing between 140 to 150 pounds.
The suspect was wearing a wig and baseball cap with an unknown local name on it. He was clad in a white T-shirt with the word "Hawaiian" something on it and was carrying a backpack.
He also is believed responsible for bank robberies on Dec. 3 and Dec. 8.
Yesterday's second robbery was at the Mililani branch of American Savings Bank.
A man entered the 95-221 Kipapa Drive branch at about 2:05 p.m. He passed a demand note and also displayed a small pistol tucked in his pants.
After receiving an undisclosed sum, he fled.
This holdup man appeared to be in his mid 20s, about 6 feet 2 inches tall, with a slim build and weighing about 160 pounds.
He was wearing a Denver Broncos cap, short-sleeve gray T-shirt and dark sport pants.
Anyone with information on these suspects is asked to call the FBI at 521-1411 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
There have been 43 bank robberies in Hawaii this year.
