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Eduardo Mina, a city liquor investigator and candidate for the state Senate, has filed a lawsuit against the state and city. Commission worker files suit
so he can run for officeMina, 69, is challenging a state law that bars employees of any commission from campaigning for any candidate for public office. Mina said he was forced to file the lawsuit yesterday because city lawyers told him he would be fired if his candidacy continues.
The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers filed a similar lawsuit against the city in 1996 and won, he said. Mina is asking the Circuit Court to declare that the law violates free speech and equal protection under the U.S. and Hawaii constitutions.
Mina, a retired Philippine colonel and lawyer, said he is confident he will win his lawsuit.
"It is my basic constitutional right to free speech," he said. "This does not make sense, and is another example of why I am running for office: to fight against unconstitutional laws like this which violate the rights of all citizens of Hawaii."
Mina, a Republican, faces Donna Mercado Kim in the general election for the Aiea Senate seat held by retiring Senate President Norman Mizuguchi.
In two years Windward Community College will have a campus center featuring a 200-seat dining hall, a student lounge, meeting rooms and other facilities for students. Windward college will
have campus centerGround-breaking ceremony for the new $13.8 million center is scheduled for Friday to coincide with the launching of a public campaign to raise public awareness and funds for the college.
Friends of Windward, a volunteer group, hopes to raise $100,000 by Dec. 30 to supplement the college's regular funding. Entertainers Irmgard Aluli and Loyal Garner and drama mentor Ron Bright are the honorary cochairs.
The center is the latest in a series of new buildings for the college. Construction has begun for Hale Hokulani, which will house a planetarium and multimedia education center, and center for the arts. Both buildings are expected to open in 2001.
$50 certificate spurs handover of 15 guns
A drive to reduce deaths and injuries from firearms has resulted in 15 firearms turned in on Oahu in the past few days.A $50 Foodland gift certificate for each firearm turned in is helping the effort.
The count was as of yesterday, said Sharyn Miyashiro, acting executive director of the Housing and Community Development Corp. of Hawaii.
The campaign, called Buy Back America, began Saturday and continues through Sunday.
Tomorrow
Some events of interest7 p.m., Wesley United Methodist Church: Waialae-Kahala No. 3 neighborhood board meeting, 1350 Hunakai St.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Forklift used to ram store, break into ATM
Police and the FBI are asking for the public's help in catching the people who broke into the Kalaeloa (Barbers Point) Naval Exchange Mini-Mart last weekend.Thieves rammed the front of the store sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning with a forklift and dragged an ATM machine outside. All the money from the ATM was stolen, police said. The thieves fled before security arrived.
Damage and losses were estimated at $50,000.
If anyone has any information, call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
Tip points out inmate who fled Laumaka Center
A CrimeStoppers tip has led to the arrest of a 21-year-old man who escaped from the Laumaka Conditional Release Center last month.The inmate was been on the loose since Aug. 27, police said. He fled after he heard he was going to be transferred.
On Monday, a CrimeStoppers call alerted police to the man's location. He was apprehended on the 1600 block of Dole Street and arrested on a charge of second- degree escape.
Pesticide spray sickens 7 at Makakilo Elementary
Four students and three teachers at Makakilo Elementary School were taken to local hospitals yesterday after being overcome by pesticide fumes.They had trouble breathing and suffered teary eyes, and one student vomited, said Fire Capt. Richard Soo.
The seven were taken to Wahiawa General Hospital and Kapiolani Medical Center at Pali Momi about 11:30 a.m., and were treated and released.
The fumes blew into a kindergarten/first-grade classroom in Building H from an Ualehei Street home, Soo said. The resident said he had sprayed his yard with a solution containing two tablespoons of Malathion at 8:30 a.m.
Fire crews and a hazardous materials team diluted the Malathion with water and a solution.
A private company was called to remove any remaining substances from the man's home.
