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Soldiers from Hawaii headed to Philippines
One hundred soldiers from Hawaii, including 50 from the 25th Division at Schofield Barracks, will be among the 2,500 Marines, sailors, airmen and soldiers participating in a joint exercise in the Philippines -- the first since 1995.Balikatan 2000, which runs from the end of January through March 3, will be the 16th in a series of military exercises that began in 1981.
The exercises are held to improve U.S.-Philippine relations and will take place on Luzon and Palawan. They involve a wide range of operations, such as humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping duties.
'Building' fund gives grants to 7 communities
Seven Hawaii communities will split $450,000 in grants aimed at supporting community-driven initiatives.The Agenda for Building Communities Fund will donate $70,000 to Kalihi-Palama and Chinatown, $68,200 to Papakolea, $45,000 to the North Shore, $65,000 to Waianae, and $65,000 to Waipahu -- all on Oahu -- plus $60,000 to Kauai and $81,650 to Molokai.
Police release name of woman killed by car
A 71-year-old woman killed while crossing the street yesterday next to Ala Moana Center has been identified as Martha Iwamasa of Honolulu.Iwamasa was crossing Ala Moana near Piikoi Street from the ocean side toward the mall when she was hit by a Buick Park Avenue heading town-bound at 6:35 a.m., witnesses and police said.
A witness told police that Iwamasa had been in the crosswalk but had been crossing against the "don't walk" signal.
Speed and alcohol were not factors in the accident, police said.
Teachers union offers vaccination clinics
The Hawaii State Teachers Association is holding a second series of hepatitis B vaccination clinics for public schoolteachers through Feb. 11.Teachers, their spouses and their children 18 and older must be insured under HSTA's HMSA PPO medical plan to receive free vaccinations.
For those covered under other HSTA health plans, vaccinations are offered at varying rates.
Hepatitis B vaccinations require three shots. Those eligible who missed the first round of clinics are still eligible to receive the vaccinations.
Clinics are being held at varying locations, dates and times.
For more information call Kahu Malama Nurses Inc., which is staffing the clinics, or check the HSTA Web site at www.hsta.org.
Watch out for runners in East Oahu Jan. 29
Kahala residents and motorists: Attention.A community run to benefit Aloha United Way begins at 7 a.m. Saturday Jan. 29 at Kahala Mall.
Runners will proceed on the makai side of Kalanianaole Highway to Niu Valley Shopping Center, then back on the makai side of Kalanianaole, finishing at Kahala Mall.
Traffic coning along the route will begin at 6:30 a.m. All runners should be finished by 9 a.m.
Sand Island bridge will be partially shut down
The mauka-bound lanes of Bascule Bridge on Sand Island Access Road will be shut down today for maintenance and repair work.They will reopen at 11:45 tonight.
Contra-flow traffic will move in makai-bound lanes.
Clarification
Mayor Jeremy Harris said his efforts to streamline the land use process have reduced the number of needed city permit processes to two from 12. A story yesterday did not make that clear.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Two students arrested in attacks on school staff
Police arrested two students in unrelated incidents involving assaults on school staff.A 16-year-old boy from Farrington High was arrested yesterday after he allegedly shoved a 45-year-old woman trying to break up a fight, police said. The woman fell against a wall and injured her elbow.
A 13-year-old girl from Wheeler Intermediate was arrested for reportedly kicking an educational assistant in the shin. The assistant, a 29-year-old man, was helping children onto a bus Wednesday when he was kicked, police said. He suffered swelling to his shin.
Alleged wrong-way driver healing at hospital
The condition of the alleged wrong-way driver who drove Ewa in the Koko Head-bound lanes of the H-1 freeway Tuesday and caused a seven-car pileup has improved at Queen's Hospital.Benny Belleza, 56, has been upgraded to guarded condition from critical, the hospital reported this morning.
Police want to question the Kalihi man about the freeway crash and alleged terroristic threatening incidents at Kapiolani Hospital just prior to the crash.
Pair charged in snatching of visitor's purse
Police charged two men in connection with Sunday's purse-snatching at a bus stop near Ala Moana Center. Mark Temerowski, 40, and Kelly Plemons, 39, were charged with second-degree robbery, police said. They are being held on $25,000 bail.The suspects allegedly pushed a 72-year-old Japanese tourist to the ground and grabbed her purse, police said.
Sean Wong, a former police officer now assigned to protect the governor and his family, saw the crime, alerted police and followed the suspects until they were captured.
Coast Guard vessels, copter aid ailing seafarer
A U.S. Coast Guard training exercise at Kewalo Basin turned into a real rescue yesterday.Timothy Lee Barton of the dive boat Rina was about a quarter-mile outside of Kewalo Basin when he contacted the Coast Guard by radio and told them he was experiencing chest pains and breathing difficulties.
The vessels and a helicopter training nearby went to assist Barton. He was brought to shore and taken by ambulance to a hospital.
Reportedly suicidal boy, 17, found at park
The 17-year-old boy who was reported missing and suicidal was found yesterday at Beckley Park in Kalihi. He was discovered after someone spotted him and called a local radio station, police said.The boy's mother reported the boy left a suicide note at their Kukui Street home and drove off on Wednesday.
