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Hanauma’s facelift
The Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu will provide a book of condolences for those wishing to express their sympathy on the death of Keizo Obuchi, Japan's former prime minister. Sympathy book for
Keizo ObuchiObuchi died Sunday at 4:07 p.m. (Japan time).
The consulate, located at 1742 Nuuanu Ave., will make the book available for signature today from 1 to 4 p.m. and tomorrow from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.
PCB-laden waste due to arrive at Wake
More than 100 tons of PCB-laden military waste is to arrive at Wake Island this week to be stored for as long as a year.Wake Island is about 2,000 miles west of Hawaii. Although a U.S. possession, it lies outside the jurisdiction of U.S. customs laws that prohibit importing PCBs into the United States.
A ship with 14 containers of waste from U.S. military bases in Japan, including some contaminated with cancer-causing polychlorinated biphenyls, left Yokohama Friday.
The waste should arrive at Wake "sometime this week" and be stored in leak-proof containers for as long as a year, said Lt. Col. Christy Samuels, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Pacific Command.
Environmentalists worry that the waste could threaten the low-lying atoll, home to coral reefs and sea birds.
Two businesses face waste-handling fines
Amfac/JMB Hawaii and Matson Terminals are facing stiff fines for improper handling of hazardous wastes in separate actions by the state Department of Health.Inspectors in January found an abandoned tank of creosote -- an oily substance used to treat wood -- at Amfac/Hawaii's Kekaha Sugar Co. Ltd. on Kauai. The 1,000-gallon tank, about two-thirds full, had been idle for 20 years, according to a company spokesman.
Creosote, believed to cause cancer and other health problems in humans, is regulated by the federal and state governments. Amfac/JMB was ordered to pay a $67,848 fine and clean up the material.
Matson Terminals was cited for storing hazardous wastes without a permit and improper labeling of the materials at its Oahu facility. Matson, cited for repeated violations, is facing a $28,500 fine.
HPD names Fujii officer of the year
The Honolulu Police Department named Lieutenant Frank Fujii as its 2000 Police Officer of the Year at a ceremony this morning.Fujii has headed up HPD's Peer Support Unit for the last five years. The Peer Support Unit assists officers, their families and crime victims cope with tragedy. In November, Lt. Fujii was called to assist the police psychologist help officers and Xerox workers deal with the killing of seven employees.
Also honored was Ladislaus "Roger" Piwowarski, who was named Reserve Officer of the Year, Captain Gregory Lefcourt the department's Police Parent of the Year and Coreen Fujikawa the Civilian Employee of the Year.
Iolani grads named Presidential Scholars
Iolani School graduates Camilla K.L. Lau and Bradford W. Lee were two of 141 high school seniors nationwide to receive the 2000 Presidential Scholar Awards.They will visit Washington D.C. from June 28 to July 2 to receive their Presidential Scholar medallion.
A 32-member commission appointed by the President made the final selection based on academic achievement, including SAT or ACT scores, character, essays, transcripts and leadership skills.
Each presidential scholar was asked to name a teacher who had the greatest impact in their academic accomplishments. Lau and Lee selected Iolani teachers Michael Park and Michael LaGory. Educators are also invited to go to Washington to receive a certificate of excellence from the the U.S. Department of Education.
Corrections
Rory Kakuda won the Board of Water Supply poster contest. An item yesterday included an incorrect spelling.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Big Isle police hunt escapee from Kulani
HILO -- Police are asking for the public's help in locating an inmate who escaped from Kulani Correctional Facility Sunday.Charles Sadino, 42, also known as Alika Kahikina, was last seen at the prison at 11:15 a.m. Sunday.
He is 5-feet-4 inches tall, 158 pounds, and was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, blue jeans and white tennis shoes.
He may also have a yellow raincoat.
Anyone with information should call 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
Suspect held in stabbing outside Ward Ave. club
A 25-year-old man was in custody this morning in connection with the stabbing of a 22-year-old man outside a Honolulu bar last night.At 11 p.m. two men got into an argument at the Hibiscus Club at 350 Ward Avenue., police said. They eventually went outside the bar, where the argument escalated into a fight and the man was stabbed, possibly by a broken beer bottle.
The injured man was in good condition.
Police investigate case of sex assault on child
Police are investigating an apparent sexual assault of a 3-year-old Nanakuli girl.The girl reported to family members that she was sexually assaulted by a man yesterday, police said.
The man is the building manager at the girl's Helelua Street apartment complex. No arrests have been made.
Tourist couple robbed at Puna District beach
HILO -- A couple from the Netherlands was robbed at Isaac Hale Beach Park in the Puna District yesterday, police said.The husband, 29, and wife, 26, whose names were not released, were at a warm pond about 3 p.m. when two men demanded money.
When one man grabbed the couple's backpack, the husband struggled with him.
But the other man picked up a rock and threatened the husband.
The two men got away with the pack, which contained a passport, a camera, and about $100.
