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Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Saturday, April 22, 2000

ACLU says tiki removal from school 'off base'

The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii says the state Department of Education improperly took down a tiki that was put up by students at Waianae High School.

The DOE removed the tiki on the grounds it was a religious symbol. It had been put up by an art class as part of a campus beautification project. It was removed after complaints were received from area Christians.

"The ACLU believes the DOE was off base in removing the tiki," said ACLU executive director Vanessa Chong. Most people would view the tiki as purely cultural, she said. "On the other hand, a cross is clearly a religious symbol to nearly all people," Chong said.

"It took a protracted lawsuit to force the removal of the cross at Camp Smith despite the fact that it offended large portions of the non-Christian population in Hawaii," she said. "Here, the state immediately removed the tiki based upon the complaints of a few Christians. Not only does this show a bias in favor of Christian religion, it shows a complete lack of sensitivity to native Hawaiian culture."

Last Enterprise Zone OK'd on Big Island

HILO -- Gov. Ben Cayetano has approved the sixth and final Enterprise Zone for the Big Island, this one in North Kohala, the Hawaii County government said.

The North Kohala zone extends from Pololu Valley to Upolu Point and inland to the Kohala Ditch, county economic development specialist Jane Horike said.

Anyone starting a new business there or expanding an existing one may apply by calling 961-8496, she said. Benefits are exemption from excise and use taxes for seven years and reductions in income taxes and unemployment premiums.

A business must increase the number of employees at least 10 percent during the first year and maintain that increase for the following six years.

The first Enterprise Zone was created on the island in 1995, and 31 businesses are currently involved, Horike said.

Salt Lake teacher wins EPA Earth Day award

A science teacher at Salt Lake Elementary School, Beverly Kawamura, recently won an Earth Day award from the Environmental Protection Agency for her work to educate students and the community on watershed pollution.

Every two years Kawamura holds a watershed education event. This year's was held along Salt Lake and at the bottom of Keehi Lagoon March 8.

Since 1996, Kawamura's work has helped reduce odor complaints by 80 percent and trash by 50 percent, while increasing by 35 percent local knowledge about nonpoint source pollution, according to the City of Honolulu, which nominated her for the award.

The EPA Region 9 Earth Day Celebration acknowledged environmental contributions in California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada and tribal lands. Of 164 nominees, 46 groups and individuals were chosen.

Hannemann for Mayor opens campaign office

The Mufi Hannemann for Mayor campaign officially opened its headquarters this morning at the former NCR building on the corner of Kapiolani and Cooke streets.

The building has been painted red and black, Hannemann's traditional campaign colors and the colors of his alma mater, Iolani School.

Hannemann is challenging incumbent Mayor Jeremy Harris, who is seeking re-election. Also running is former Mayor Frank Fasi.

Hannemann has been a member of the City Council since 1994.

Correction The chairman of the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board is Wilson Ho. A story in yesterday's Star-Bulletin had an incorrect first name.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

Panicked driver strikes two, is assaulted by angry crowd

An angry mob attacked the driver of a car that hit two pedestrians last night in Wahiawa, police said.

The incident happened last night at about 11:30 when a 24-year-old man and his two female passengers got into an argument near Laniloa Place. Residents in the area, who had been drinking, surrounded the car and confronted the driver, police said.

The driver apparently panicked and attempted to drive away, striking a man, 35, and a woman, 40, with his car, police said. The man suffered minor injuries. The woman was airlifted to Queen's Hospital in guarded condition with a possible broken pelvis.

The driver was then assaulted by a group of women and men, police said.

He was taken to Queen's Hospital in guarded condition.

Former UH cager Robinson free on bail in abuse case

Former University of Hawaii basketball player Geremy Robinson is free on $1,000 bail after being charged yesterday with misdemeanor domestic abuse stemming from an incident on Thursday in Pearl City.

His District Court arraignment likely will be on the morning of May 1.

Police responded to a noise complaint at a Pearl City apartment shared by Robinson and his girlfriend early Thursday morning. His girlfriend, 23, was found crying, police said. She reported being held against her will.

Robinson, who just completed his senior year of eligibility, won the team's most-inspirational award at a post-season banquet.

Naked man slashes, rapes woman in her Kona home

KAILUA-KONA -- A naked man with a knife attacked a woman in her apartment in Kona Thursday night, police said.

The attacker struck the woman, cut her on the face and neck, and raped her during the 11:20 p.m. attack at Kalaoa, police said.

The victim scratched and bit the attacker, police said. She escaped to a neighbor's home and was later taken to Kona Hospital where she was in stable condition.

She described the man as about 5 feet 8 inches tall, with short "ehu" hair.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call police at (808) 326-4231 or CrimeStoppers at (808) 329-8181.