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House bill would raise bodily injury coverage
Attorneys who represent victims of traffic accidents are asking lawmakers to raise the minimum amount of bodily injury insurance coverage required for motorists.A bill to raise the current minimum of $10,000 per person and $40,000 per accident to $25,000 per person and $100,000 per accident was approved by the House last week. The bill is awaiting a hearing in the Senate, but none has been scheduled.
The increased coverage would cost drivers about $25 more a year, Bert Sakuda, a lobbyist for the attorneys, said yesterday.
"In many accidents today where there are serious injury or death, $10,000 is simply not enough," Sakuda said.
Paul Ables of the Hawaii Insurers Council said lawmakers have been working to reduce insurance costs the past few years, and shouldn't change course now.
State insurance commissioner Wayne Metcalf opposes any increase, and believes drivers can protect themselves by purchasing uninsured motorist coverage.
Temporary unit planned for satellite city hall
The city will be re-establishing its satellite city hall in Waipahu on Monday with a temporary unit that will be set up in the Daiei Shopping Center parking lot.On March 7, a leaky roof forced the shutdown of the Waipahu Satellite City Hall, housed in the Daiei complex since the late 1980s.
The mobile satellite unit will be open from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and offer the same services as a regular facility, said Carol Costa, director of the city Department of the Customer Services.
She noted that satellite city halls are also available at the Pearlridge Shopping Center, next to the Wahiawa Police Station and at the Waianae Community Center.
L&L Drive-Inn sponsors scholarships to UH
L&L Drive-Inn is sponsoring scholarships through the University of Hawaii Foundation for 1999.Students entering or attending UH or a community college may apply. For information and applications, contact:
L&L Drive-Inn Scholarships, Ben Gudoy Jr., 521-3044. Children and relatives of L & L employees are eligible. Deadline is May 1.
Award seeks to honor boosters of Kapolei
The Estate of James Campbell will accept nominations for the 2000 Kapolei Achievement Awards through April 28.Individuals, companies and organizations with a demonstrated commitment to improving and advancing Kapolei's community and businesses are eligible.
For nomination forms and information, call Nadine Lagaso at Campbell Estate, at 674-3138.
Corrections
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Biker dies after being hit by car near Stadium Mall
Oahu recorded its sixth pedestrian fatality of the year today when a bicyclist was struck by a car while crossing Salt Lake Boulevard near the Stadium Mall.Since bicycles are self-propelled, the case will be classified as a pedestrian fatality, police said. Pedestrian deaths have accounted for half of Oahu's traffic fatalities this year.
The 6:19 a.m. incident forced police to close a section of roadway between Luapele and Kahuapaani streets to westbound traffic for several hours.
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
"It's troubling that half of this year's fatals involve pedestrians or bicyclists," police Chief Lee Donohue said. "At this time last year, five of 10 fatalities were pedestrians.
"I think we can make an impact by heeding the rules of the road. For their part, drivers need to be more alert and pay attention to signs. Also, pedestrians and bicyclists should also be more responsible in yielding to the car if it's too close."
Waianae brush fire has charred 1,000 acres
A brush fire burning for two days has blackened more than 1,000 acres of Waianae brush and pasture land at the back of Waianae Valley Road, fire Capt. Richard Soo said."It's the largest brush fire on the Leeward side in over 2 years, and we are not even into the summer yet," Soo said.
He described the fire as "intense," sending up a plume of smoke that could be seen from miles away.
Fire swept up the Waianae mountain range yesterday and closed in on the Waianae Kai Forest Reserve, Soo said. Firefighting efforts were concentrated near the reserve to prevent flames from entering the reserve, which contains native Hawaiian plants and a watershed, he said.
Four military helicopters, a rented helicopter and state forest rangers joined the city's fire helicopter and firefighters yesterday to battle the blaze for the second day. They began at 6 a.m. and contained the fire at about 6 p.m.
A fire engine crew remained at the scene to keep watch over night.
The brush fire first flared up about 2 p.m. Wednesday on the valley floor near an area known as Angel's Junkyard, Soo said.
Father, son arrested for attempted murder
A father and son, ages 57 and 26, were arrested by police for attempted murder and second-degree assault after they allegedly beat another man yesterday on Akina Street in Kalihi.The beating victim, 28, is in critical condition at Queen's Hospital with multiple fractures to his jaw, ribs and wrist, and also head injuries, police said.
A witness told police the 5:45 p.m. incident started when the beating victim used a barbeque fork to flatten a tire of a pickup truck owned by the older suspect.
When informed about the flat tire, the older suspect armed himself with a sickle and went looking for the man.
During a physical confrontation between the two men on Akina Street, the older man's son intervened with martial arts sticks and allegedly struck the beating victim on the head.
The beating victim, now armed with the sickle, followed the father and son to their home where another confrontation occurred, police said.
After knocking the sickle out of his hand, the pair allegedly beat the man with a pole and shovel.
Two charges pending against Wahiawa man
Attempted murder and terroristic threatening charges are pending against a 33-year-old Wahiawa man for allegedly ramming his vehicle into a motorcyclist on Ihiihi Avenue in Whitmore Village.The 3 p.m. incident is related to a dispute over a debt, police said.
A 36-year-old man riding the motorcycle escaped injury.
He was pushed more than 500 feet before fleeing to a house, where the suspect allegedly threatened to kill him with a gun, police said.
Burglary charges filed in Hawaii Kai break-in
Police charged a Waianae man yesterday with first-degree burglary, stemming from a break-in Oct. 22, 1999, in Hawaii Kai.Police say they identified the suspect as Jay Keoki Perry through fingerprints recovered at the scene. He is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.
Three men were involved in the burglary. There have been no other arrests in the case.
