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While much of the Pacific Command's activity is preparing for war to ensure peace, the focus of the five-year-old Asian Pacific Center for Security Studies is to build "a secure, peaceful and prosperous future," Adm. Dennis Blair said in remarks prepared for today's dedication. New security center
aims for unitySpeaking at the center's renovated $9.5 million headquarters at Fort DeRussy, Blair, head of the Pacific Command, said "the nations that participate in the center's programs select their future leaders to attend.
"While here, these future leaders not only teach each other about complex security issues that they face, but they develop friends and contacts needed to coordinate effective action. Having respected friends in the right places will make a difference in the future."
U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, who along with former Defense Secretary William Perry was instrumental in establishing the center, added that such positive relationships are critical to achieving global stability.
"There must be a place where the military leaders of the region can safely put down their arms and sit around the table to talk and learn about one another. This can only lead to a better understanding and greater tolerance."
The Pentagon-sponsored think tank, which is now located at a fomrer Army reserve center, is an open research and study facility that draws military officers and government leaders from around the Pacific Rim.
Alyshia makes progress in physical therapy
After returning from Sacramento, Calif., Shriners Hospital, Alyshia Shimizu has been making progress in her physical therapy at Honolulu Shriners Hospital."We've been working to restore the range of motion in her right leg so that she can resume normal activities for a 5-year-old," said physical therapist Lori Mizoguchi. "Alyshia has shown rapid improvement since she's come home."
The 5-year-old underwent skin graft surgeries in Sacramento in July after contracting a case of necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating infection. All medical services at both hospitals have been and will be provided free.
Body ID'd as woman recently moved to Maui
WAILUKU -- The woman whose body was found floating in waters off South Maui Aug. 13 has been identified as Sandra M. Dye, 50.She had moved to Maui from Alaska several months ago, and was living in a van on North Kihei Road, Detective Ron Hiyakumoto said.
Tomorrow
Some events of interest2:30 p.m., Princess Ruth Ke'elikolani Building: State Foundation on Culture and the Arts dedication ceremony of a koa relief wall sculpture, 830 Punchbowl St., Punchbowl Entrance Court. Gov. Cayetano will be the keynote speaker.
Corrections
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Thief flees out window, is chased, caught
HILO -- A woman who allegedly locked herself in a hotel bathroom during a burglary attempt then broke a window and escaped is in custody, charged with burglary and property damage, police said.A clerk at the one-story Seaside Hotel surprised the suspect, Dawn Marie Lindsey, 35, while she was breaking into a room Sunday afternoon, police said.
After Lindsey locked the door and fled through the window, the male clerk and two women bystanders chased and caught her a half block away, they said. Lindsey, on probation for other offenses, was charged Monday and is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail.
Tractor-trailer snags visitor, drags him under
A tractor-trailer heading toward Haleiwa snagged the backpack of a 33-year-old man as he stood on the shoulder of Kamehameha Highway in front of Haleiwa Beach Park yesterday morning.The man, visiting from Japan, was pulled underneath.
He is in critical condition at Queen's Medical Center, with injuries to his abdomen, left leg, right arm and upper back.
Police said a tour van was parked on the ocean side of the roadway on the shoulder, loading or unloading, when the man backed away from it.
The Courts
Trucking firm's owners charged in tax-theft case
The owners of a Mapunapuna trucking and storage company have been charged with more than 100 counts of failing to file tax returns and not paying to the state the taxes withheld from their employees' pay.An Oahu grand jury indicted Thomas W.K. Kam and Herbert W.S. Kam, owners of Kam's Express, on felony charges of first-degree theft for not handing over payroll taxes withheld in 1995, 1996 and 1997 and second-degree theft for filing a materially false income tax return in 1997.
The corporation was charged with 93 misdemeanor counts of failing to file returns with copies of employees' W2 tax form in 1995, 1996 and 1997.
The company and each officer were indicted on misdemeanor charges of failing to file public service company tax returns for 1995, 1996 and 1997, according to information from the state Department of Taxation.
Alleged false tax returns lead to indictment
A woman who prepares tax returns for clients was indicted on 40 felony counts for allegedly helping people falsify their tax reports.An Oahu grand jury indicted Dina G. Caleda of Waipahu on a first-degree attempted theft charge for preparation of false 1997 and 1998 tax returns and second-degree theft for preparation of false 1999 returns. She was indicted on 38 felony counts of aiding in the preparation of false returns for 1997, 1998 and 1999.
Caleda was also charged with a felony count of falsifying her own individual income tax return for 1996 and six misdemeanor counts of not filing her state general excise taxes or her state individual income tax returns for 1995, 1996 and 1997.
State Tax Director Ray Kamikawa, who announced the indictments in a release, said the Tax Department generally will not undertake criminal charges when taxpayers voluntarily come forward to report their failure to file or other violations.
