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Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Saturday, July 1, 2000

Mirikitani calls EEO report a clear victory

The City Council will be releasing an equal employment opportunity office report on Councilman Andy Mirikitani on Monday.

Council Chairman Jon Yoshimura's office was set to release the report yesterday, but one of the two former employees made a written request not to have it made public.

That request was withdrawn in the afternoon, the Council chairman said.

Mirikitani then asked to be given until Monday to review the report, Yoshimura said.

Mirikitani issued a news release yesterday saying that the report vindicates him and is "a clear victory."

The report states that there was not enough evidence to substantiate charges made by two fired employees that Mirikitani violated the city's sexual and racial harassment policies.

Maui baggage handler illnesses investigated

An investigation is being conducted into what caused three baggage handlers to become ill while unloading an American Airlines flight from Los Angeles last night at Kahului on Maui.

The state Department of Transportation says one baggage handler was taken to Maui Memorial Hospital.The other two declined treatment.

Two workers inside the plane and one outside reported feeling ill while unloading baggage from the front compartment of American Airlines Flight 161, which arrived at 6:45 p.m.

Sober July 4 drivers get watermelon, Pepsi

Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Honolulu police and other sponsors will be rewarding those drivers who choose not to drink on the Fourth of July.

The Honolulu Police Department will be setting up sobriety checkpoints throughout Oahu on July 4. Those who are tested sober will receive a free watermelon and a one-liter bottle of cold Pepsi.

Teen volunteers from MADD's Youth in Action program will distribute the prizes. The Fourth of July giveaway is part of National Sobriety Checkpoint Week that runs until July 5.

Soroptimist club gives award to Patsy Mink

Hawaii Congresswoman Patsy Mink received an award for her work for women's rights and lobbying for ovarian cancer research funding.

Soroptimist International of the Americas presented Mink with its "Women Helping Women" award during its biennial convention at the Hilton Hawaiian Village today.

Mink is the first woman from Hawaii to win an international award from the organization.

The "Women Helping Women" award is given to women who "use their resources, talents and influence to help other women achieve their potential ... and help to eliminate economic, legal, and social or political discrimination."

Marine biologist and oceanographer Sylvia Earle gave the keynote speech at the conference.

Earle is an explorer-in-residence at the National Geographic Society and was named Time magazine's first "hero of the planet." She is currently working with the National Geographic Society and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to explore and photo-document the geology and creatures in deep waters near the U.S. mainland, Hawaii and American Samoa.

Soroptimist International was founded in 1921 and has more than 1,500 clubs in 18 countries, including two in Hawaii. The group contributes time and financial assistance to community-based projects that benefit women through health, educational and legal programs.

Correction The Kailua Fourth of July celebration will take place Tuesday. A listing of events in Do It! yesterday said incorrectly that it would be Monday.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

Man arrested in stabbing of two others

Police arrested a 76-year-old man in connection with the stabbing of two other men in downtown yesterday.

The three men were drinking together at Fort and Hotel streets when the suspect reportedly stabbed a 52-year-old man in the stomach and a 46-year-old man in the arm and back at 6:53 p.m., police said.

The stabbing victims were still conscious when police arrived. They were taken to Queen's Hospital in stable condition.

Police arrested the suspect at the scene and also recovered a knife.

89-year-old man attacked in Waianae

Police are searching for a homeless couple who attacked an 89-year-old man in Waianae yesterday.

The man told police he was assaulted by the couple at Keaau Beach Park at 5:32 a.m., police said. He told police he was held down by the woman as the man hit him with a shovel.

Officers discovered bruises on the man's head, but he was not seriously injured.

Big Island brush fire contained

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK -- Firefighters were controlling a 1,000-acre brush fire in and near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park this morning, assisted by light rain over the area, park ranger James Gale said.

The fire, the cause of which is unknown, began outside the park, west of the Volcano Golf Course subdivision, about 1:40 p.m. yesterday, Gale said.

The fire moved westward, away from the subdivision but toward Kipuka Puaula, also known as Bird park, an area rich with native vegetation.

Two fire fighting crews and four helicopters, a dozen fire engines, two bulldozers, and other vehicles finally brought the fire under control this morning without damage to Kipuka Puaula or structures in the area, Gale said.