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Couple gives UH-Hilo $1.8 million trust
HILO -- The University of Hawaii at Hilo has received a gift of $1.8 million, expected to grow to $6 million by 2017, Chancellor Rose Tseng announced yesterday.The gift from Hilo resident Alec Keith, a businessman and professor of biochemistry and biophysics, and his wife, Kay, is in the form of an irrevocable charitable trust. The university must wait until the trust matures in 2017, but the benefits start now, Tseng said.
"I would like to see the University of Hawaii at Hilo evolve into more of an applied research university, not just a teaching facility," Keith said. "We want to see (UH-Hilo) become the finest comprehensive university in the Pacific region."
Keith placed no restrictions on the use of the money, the largest private donation ever made to UH-Hilo by an individual.
Maui partnership must restore beach reserve
WAILUKU -- The state land board has fined a partnership $6,500 and ordered it to restore a state beach reserve at Olowalu to the original condition before construction.Olowalu Elua Associates, building a nearby subdivision, has been given 90 days to complete the work, including the replanting of hau trees and removal of cement from a reconstructed wharf.
The partnership could face $2,000 a day if the cement is not removed in 90 days.
"I'm a little disappointed that we can't do more," said board Chairman Timothy Johns.
The board yesterday determined the partnership did not have a state conservation permit when it removed hau trees in the state beach reserve and rebuilt portions of a wharf.
Bill for patrol bicycles faces legal questions
A City Council bill that would allow citizen patrols to use the Honolulu Police Department's abandoned and forfeited bicycles is being forwarded to city attorneys to research legal questions raised by police.Capt. George McKeague, testifying before the Planning and Public Safety Committee this week, said state statutes bar the city from releasing abandoned or forfeited property to the public except through public auction.
"This means that the city would remain responsible for the repairs, maintenance, registration and storage of these bicycles for citizen patrols," McKeague said.
He also raised liability issues.
Sheratons in Waikiki to share health spa
The Sheraton-managed hotels in Waikiki will soon have a spa to encourage visitors interested in health, wellness and feeling good.Ernie Nishizaki, general manager of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, said a spa will be created to serve all four Waikiki hotels managed by the Sheraton arm of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
A location has not been finalized, but a decision could come in about a month, said Nishizaki, who said yesterday that it is a move to encourage more first-time visitors and bring back those who have been to Waikiki many times and need something new to bring them back.
The JW Marriott Ihilani at Ko Olina has a major spa, and the Hyatt Regency Waikiki spa opens next week.
Such facilities generally feature specialized massage, bath treatments and exercise activities under professional supervision.
Corrections
Emi Fujinami plays Otatsu in "The Summer Festival: A Mirror of Osaka" at Kennedy Theatre. The actress was misidentified in Monday's review.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Police surprise thief taking school computers
Police are searching for a suspect who tried to steal thousands of dollars' worth of computers from Mililani High School this morning.A patrol officer and a detective were investigating an unrelated home burglary call when they spotted the man removing computers from the school at about 1 a.m., police said.
The suspect ran from the officers and abandoned the computers. During the chase, a detective suffered a gash on his hand while climbing a fence, police said.
In the home burglary, two men, 18 and 21, were arrested for breaking into a Lanikuhana Street home at 12:16 a.m., police said.
13-year-old arrested at Ewa Beach school
A 13-year-old boy at Ilima Intermediate School was arrested yesterday for reportedly threatening his teacher.The boy allegedly made verbal threats of physical harm to the teacher, police said.
Autopsy set for teen found dead at Hilo home
HILO -- A coroner's inquest is being conducted in the death of Sheldon Kamohai, 17, found dead yesterday at a home in the Keaukaha area of Hilo. Police said an autopsy will be done to determine the cause of death.
In the courts
Aiea church bookkeeper pleads guilty to theft
A former church bookkeeper charged with stealing about $100,000 from Sunday Mass collections at St. Elizabeth's in Aiea pleaded guilty this week to first-degree theft.Hilda Morse, 67, faces 10 years imprisonment when sentenced June 19 before Circuit Judge Virginia Crandall.
Her attorney, Dennis Jung, said he will seek probation for his client who has no criminal history and has put in thousands of hours of volunteer work for the church.
About $90,000 of the amount taken in late 1994 and early 1995 were checks that could be traced, said Deputy Prosecutor Rowena Somerville. It is unknown exactly how much cash was taken but church members also gave cash during the collections.
Morse is also seeking a deferred acceptance of her guilty plea, which means the conviction could be erased from her record if she complies with court-ordered conditions.
Sacred Falls rockslide victim's family files suit
The family of a 7-year-old girl killed in the 1999 Mother's Day rockslide at Sacred Falls is suing the state.This is the fourth lawsuit stemming from the rockslide that killed seven others and injured 32, resulting in the park's indefinite closure.
Valerie Whiteside, mother of Danielle N. Williams, and April and Anselmo DeSaavedra, aunt and uncle of Williams, filed suit in Circuit Court this week seeking an unspecified amount of damages. Danielle's brother Dorian Williams, 9, was among those injured.
The family contends the state was negligent in failing to close dangerous portions of the park, take precautions and adequately warn park users to ensure their safety.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources could not be reached for comment.
