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State judiciary expands online payment service
The Hawaii State Judiciary has expanded its online payment service that allows the public to pay traffic citations by phone or over the Internet.The system, which previously accepted payments for traffic citations issued on Oahu only, now accepts payments 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for cases in any court statewide.
Tickets may be paid through the Judiciary's Web site at www.state.hi.us/jud, or by calling an interactive telephone voice-response system at 800-423-3841. A small fee will be charged with either system.
VISA, Mastercard or JCB credit cards will be accepted. The citation number and the vehicle license-plate number will be required.
Parking, moving and miscellaneous citations that are within 30 days from the issue date or 24 hours before the court date can be paid through either system. But parking citation payments received after 15 days will be at a higher amount than that on the citation.
17 and under must use seat belts in back seat
A new seat belt law says passengers 17 and under must use seat belts when riding in the back seat of a motor vehicle.Children under 4 riding in a vehicle are required by Hawaii's Child Passenger Restraint Law to be in a child safety seat.
"The enforcement of this new law is meant to protect passengers 17 and under from injuries when seated in the rear seat of a vehicle," said Kazu Hayashida, state transportation director.
"There is a tendency for this age group to not use their seat belts," and they are often injured and ejected from the vehicle upon impact, Hayashida said.
"Police officers will now check to see if occupants in the front and back of the vehicle are buckled up," he said.
Violators of the new law must pay a total of $67, which includes a $45 fine, a $15 fee and a $7 driver education fee. The total increases to $92 if not paid within 30 days.
Injured Japanese kids may depart Friday
The children who lost their mother when a sports utility vehicle plowed into a group of people waiting at a bus stop may go home to Japan Friday.The woman's husband, 40-year-old Shinji Nakagawa, has been taken out of the intensive care unit at Queen's Medical Center and is in guarded condition.
A boy, 11, is in fair condition at Queen's, and two girls, 13 and 9, were released Monday from Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children.
The medical examiner's office identified the woman as Konomi Nakagawa, 38.
The family was at a bus stop near Aloha Stadium on Kamehameha Highway Saturday afternoon when an out-of-control Chevy Blazer struck them.
Two German visitors and a New Jersey couple, also at the bus stop, escaped injury.
The driver remains in fair condition at Queen's Medical Center.
Police have not yet questioned the 68-year-old Nanakuli man.
"There is no indication it was an intentional act," said Sgt. David Talon.
Mokapu Saddle Road closed for traffic light
The left lane of the Mokapu Saddle Road in the Kailua-bound direction will be closed through October. Left turns will be allowed from Mokapu Saddle Road onto the H-3 freeway on-ramp.This closure is being made because a traffic signal is being installed at the intersection. The construction makes it difficult to see traffic.
Library foundation receives literacy grants
Literacy in Hawaii has received two Hawaii Pizza Hut grants for the Hawaii Library Foundation.Hawaii Pizza Hut has a Literacy Fund housed at the Hawaii Community Foundation, and grants from it to the library foundation are being used in the following ways:
The Computer Assisted Literacy Center of Hilo Public Library has received $14,500 for its proposal, "Equipping and Supporting Adult Literacy Participants: Learners and Volunteers."
In The Courts
Uyesugi lawyers won't represent him at appeal
Circuit Judge Marie Milks has granted a request by attorneys for convicted murderer Byran Uyesugi to withdraw as counsel.Attorney Rodney Ching, who with partner Jerel Fonseca defended Uyesugi in the trial for the worst multiple murder case in Hawaii history, said they agreed to represent him only at his first trial.
"We've done his trial; we've fulfilled our agreement," Ching said.
Uyesugi has indicated he wants to appeal his conviction.
The state public defender's office -- which represents defendants who can't afford to hire their own lawyers -- will determine whether Uyesugi qualifies for their services.
If he doesn't qualify, Uyesugi will be responsible to retain his own counsel or represent himself in his appeal.
Parents of girl killed by van sue driver, his employer
The parents of 12-year-old Nancy Phongsavath, who was struck and killed while walking home with two friends Aug. 22 by a van that went out of control, are suing the driver and his employer.A lawsuit filed against Ryan A. Miguel, who was driving the AMV Air Conditioning Inc. van, seeks an unspecified amount of damages.
The suit says that Miguel was driving on Kam IV Road in a "negligent, careless or reckless manner" when he suddenly veered onto the sidewalk, striking Phongsavath and her friends.
Nancy suffered fatal injuries. The other two girls continue to recover at Queen's Hospital.
Tomorrow
Some events of interest
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Eatery owner accused of knife threats to diners
An owner of a restaurant on Waiwai Loop near Honolulu Airport was arrested yesterday for allegedly threatening four customers with a knife.An argument broke out at 4:30 p.m. when the owner of the restaurant, a 52-year-old man, "become angry and threatened the patrons with a large kitchen knife," according to police. One of the four customers called police on his cellular phone.
The owner was booked on four counts of first-degree terroristic threatening and released pending further investigation.
Cops seek help in finding road rage suspect
Police are asking for help in identifying a suspect who allegedly injured four teen-agers in a case of road rage.
The suspect in a white pickup truck pursued the teens who were in a gray 1999 Ford Ranger on July 2, police said. They were heading east on Farrington Highway near Ala Hema Street at about 11:30 p.m.
After a verbal exchange, the suspect rear-ended the Ranger several times, causing it to veer off the road and roll over several times.
The suspect is described as a Caucasian man in his late 20s to early 30s.
He has blond, neck-length hair and a sunburned complexion.
The man was driving a white, older-model, two-door pickup truck with Billabong stickers on the back window.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or can identify the suspect can call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
Man charged in Waikiki restroom sex assault
Police charged a 24-year-old Robin M. Howard, of Kuhio Avenue, yesterday in connection with the sexual assault of a woman inside a restroom at a Waikiki bar on Aug. 13.He is being held on $100,000 bail.
