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Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Saturday, September 2, 2000

Alyshia doing so well,
follow-up trip unneeded

Alyshia Shimizu's recovery from July skin graft surgery has been so successful, she will not have to return to California for a follow-up examination.

The surgery, to battle a flesh-eating infection, was done in July at the Sacramento Shriners Hospital. Alyshia will celebrate her sixth birthday later this month at home.

"Alyshia has progressed so well that I am 95 percent sure that she won't need to fly back to Sacramento for an examination," said Ellen Raney, M.D., Honolulu Shriners Hospital assistant chief of staff, after an examination Thursday.

Raney said a video hookup will be used in a couple of weeks for a simultaneous consultation between specialists here and doctors in Sacramento. "In the meantime Alyshia will continue to undergo physical therapy here twice a week."

Kuakini faces strike by UPW employees

United Public Workers employees at Kuakini Medical Center have announced they will strike at 6 a.m. Sept. 11 if a contract settlement is not reached, according to a press release from the hospital.

The union represents 176 Kuakini staff in dietary, housekeeping, maintenance, surgery, sterile processing, ambulatory care and nursing services, as well as the hospital's licensed practical nurses, nurse aides and health care technicians.

Instead of multiyear contracts, Kuakini said it is aiming for shorter-term contracts to meet the needs of a rapidly changing health care environment and changes in reimbursements. The hospital said it will continue to operate all services and programs throughout the talks and possible strike.

Big Isle utility allowed 1.9% rate increase

Hawaii Electric Light Co. won an interim $3.5 million, or 1.9 percent rate increase, from the state Public Utilities Commission, effective Sept. 1.

Part of Helco's 2000 rate increase request filed in October 1999, the added income is considered necessary to help purchase power from independent producers.

As a result of the decision, a residential household on the Big Island using 500 kilowatt-hours a month will see its monthly electric bill increase by about $2.50.

Former S-B reporter wins prestigious honor

The Asian American Journalists Association has given its highest honor -- the Lifetime Achievement Award -- to former Star-Bulletin reporter Lawrence Nakatsuka.

The award was presented last week during the association's national convention in New York City.

Nakatsuka, who is retired and lives in Palolo, covered Pearl Harbor as a cub reporter. He also covered the Japanese-American community and the labor movement during his Star-Bulletin career.

He later served as press secretary to Govs. Samuel W. King and William F. Quinn and as a legislative staffer to U.S. Sen. Hiram Fong.

Librarian award nominations wanted

Nominations are sought for the Public Librarian of the Year.

Borders Books and Music in partnership with the Hawaii Library Foundation are spearheading the annual award program.

Nomination forms are available at all state public libraries and all Borders Books and Music stores.

"We are thrilled to be involved with this award for the third year," said Les Honda, regional community relations coordinator for Borders Books and Music.

"People who use our state libraries know how important the librarians are to find that perfect book for their child, to locate information on the Internet, and to help you research that report," said Holly Richards, executive director, Hawaii Library Foundation.

Tomorrow

Some events of interest

10 a.m.-5 p.m., Ala Moana Beach Park: Unity House Labor Day Family Picnic 2000.

2 p.m.-9 p.m., Waikiki Shell: Picnic and concert put on by various labor unions for Labor Day.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

Woman thwarts attacker with self-defense, talk

A 26-year-old University of Hawaii student was able to fend off an attacker at her Niu Valley home thanks to her quick thinking and law enforcement training, police said.

The woman was studying Wednesday evening when an exterminator arrived at the Puamamane Street home, police said. The man shoved her to the ground and demanded money.

The struggle continued, but the resident was able to fight him off with her strength and self-defense techniques, police said.

She was eventually able to start a conversation with the attacker and convinced him to let her go, police said.

The suspect, 22, has been identified but is still at large, police said.

Motorcyclist, 41, dies of injuries from crash

A 41-year-old man critically injured in a motorcycle accident last week in McCully died yesterday.

Rick Finklestein was pronounced dead at 7 p.m. at Queen's Medical Center, said police and friends.

Finklestein was headed makai on McCully Street when his green Triumph motorcycle struck a Volkswagen Beetle, which was heading the opposite direction and turning left onto Waiola Street on Aug. 25.

"He's a sweetheart and my best friend," said his roommate Jerry Corcoran.

Corcoran added that Finklestein was known as "Ranger Rick" for the bicycle tour company he operated.

Police set up Labor Day weekend checkpoints

Police are setting up driving-under-the-influence checkpoints over the three-day Labor Day weekend.

The roadblocks are at unannounced times and locations. They began last night and will continue through Tuesday in an effort to reduce alcohol- and/or drug-impaired driving.

As of Thursday, there had been 46 deaths in 41 traffic collisions on Oahu, compared with 31 deaths in 29 collisions over the same time last year.

About 20 percent of this year's fatal traffic collisions have been found to be alcohol- or drug-related, compared with 17 percent last year.

Speed was a factor in 11 of the 41 fatal traffic collisions this year.

Male suspect, 28, sought in stabbing of co-worker

Police have opened an attempted-murder investigation into a stabbing yesterday of a 29-year-old man by a co-worker.

The victim and a 28-year-old man got into a shoving match at their workplace at 1139 Kapiolani Blvd., police said.

Later in the day, they got into a fistfight in the locker room. During the fight the suspect reportedly stabbed the victim in the back with a steak knife.

The victim was taken to Queen's Medical Center where he was treated for the stab wound and a collapsed lung.

The suspect fled and was not arrested as of this morning.

Driver, 19, runs truck into utility pole, house

No one was seriously injured when a 1991 Ford pickup crashed into a utility pole and a house this morning in Nanakuli.

The accident happened near 87-1310 Farrington Highway at about 6:30 a.m., police said. The car went into the wall of a storage area. No one was home at the time.

The 19-year-old driver was cited for not having insurance and driving without a license.

Witnesses to Waianae crash asked to emerge

Police are seeking witnesses to Sunday's fatal crash on the Waianae Coast.

A motorcycle was speeding west on Farrington Highway when it slammed into a Nissan Sentra making a left turn from Maili Beach near Kaukama Road at 4 a.m.

The motorcyclist and the driver of the Sentra were killed in the crash.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Detective Cary Okimoto at 529-3965 or Earl Takahashi at 529-3208.