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The city's plan for a $1 billion Bus Rapid Transit project will be up for a key approval Nov. 29 when the City Council mulls a resolution identifying the plan as a preferable option for dealing with transit. Bus Rapid Transit
plan goes to CouncilThe Council Transportation Committee yesterday voted 5-0 to move the resolution.
More than 30 people testified.
As expected, the main source of opposition was an electric bus line that will travel on mostly dedicated lanes from Middle Street to Waikiki and the University of Hawaii-Manoa campus.
Some complained about loss of parking while others said they feared traffic would worsen with reduced lanes along the major thoroughfares.
Some also called for another look at rail transit, a proposal the Council rejected in the mid-1990s.
Wanted: A couple of special moms
Candidates for the title of Hawaii Mother of the Year are been sought by the Hawaii Association of American Mothers Inc.Nov. 30 is the deadline for organizations and churches to nominate women whose success as mothers combined with involvement in the community make them exemplary role models.
Each nominee is required to prepare a portfolio, due Jan. 15, about herself and her family. A panel of judges will select two state title holders, Hawaii Mother of the Year and Hawaii Young Mother, on the basis of the portfolios and personal interviews.
State winners will compete for national titles, awarded since 1935 by American Mothers Inc.
Cheryl Chun of Wahiawa is the 2000 Mother of the Year and Susan Kunz of Laie is the current Hawaii Young Mother.
Mother of the Year nomination forms and information are available from RosaMaria Hurst at 293-2430, or by email at rhurst014@buyh.edu. Contact Mahi Ai at 486-5561 for Young Mother competition information.
Rapid transit project moves forward
The city's plan for a $1 billion Bus Rapid Transit project will be up for a key approval Nov. 29 when the City Council mulls a resolution identifying the plan as a preferable option for dealing with transit.The Council Transportation Committee yesterday voted 5-0 to move the resolution.
More than 30 people testified.
The main target of opposition was an electric bus line that will travel on mostly dedicated lanes from Middle Street to Waikiki and the University of Hawaii.
Some complained about loss of parking while others said they feared traffic would worsen along major thoroughfares. Some also called for another look at rail transit, which the Council rejected in the mid-1990s.
Police auctioning jewels, tools, more
Jewelry, cameras, stereo equipment, tools and other items will be available for bid Saturday at 9 a.m. during a Honolulu Police Department auction.Jewelry may be viewed from 8 a.m., but other items will be shown during the auction. Most items are used and no warranties or guarantees will be given, including guarantees of the authenticity of items bearing brand names.
All items will be sold on a cash only basis. No returns will be allowed.
The auction takes place in the parking lot behind HPD headquarters at Hotel and Kealamakai streets.
Tomorrow
Some events of interest
6 p.m., Waianae High School, 85-251 Farrington Highway: Waianae residents can voice their opinions about proposals by the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Corrections
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Man gets life sentence for killing girlfriend
A man convicted of killing his girlfriend because she was leaving him was sentenced today to life in prison with the possibility of parole.Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario imposed the mandatory sentence on Steven Villa, 46, convicted of second-degree murder in September for killing Jolene Shott.
Shott, 35, was found strangled in her Waikiki apartment in February, 1998.
Deputy Prosecutor Lynne McGivern called her a victim of "domestic violence separation assault." "Killing is the ultimate act of control."
Deputy Public Defender Ronnie Kawakami had argued there was no physical evidence linking Villa to Shott's death and that he was helping her get a good deal on a plane ticket to move to the mainland. However, he never bought the ticket.
Villa showed no emotion when sentenced. He waived his right to speak, because he is appealing his conviction.
Yavonne Kalama, who had been Shott's close friend, noted how happy and healthy Villa looked in the courtroom. She called him a "monster" who got what he deserved.
"He got life because he took a life," she said.
The state is expected to ask the Parole Board that Villa be sentenced to a high minimum term before he can seek parole.
Jewelry store robbers still at large
Police want help in identifying two men suspected in a jewelry store robbery at gunpoint last Thursday in Waikiki.They were caught by a surveillance camera in the 4 p.m. holdup of JF Design Jewelry Store at 334 Seaside Ave.
The two suspects entered the store wearing ski masks. They forced the 35-year-old store owner to the floor and handcuffed him, then took jewelry and fled.
One suspect is described as being in his early 20s, dark complexioned, about 5 feet 8 and muscular. He wore a dark baseball cap, dark short-sleeved T-shirt, dark pants and athletic shoes. He was armed with a dark-colored pistol.
The other suspect appeared to be in his early 20s, six feet tall, muscular, with blond curly hair and fair complexion. He had a thin brown mustache, a blue and red checkered shirt, jean shorts, athletic shoes and a dark backpack.
Anyone with information on these suspects is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
Suspect sought in kidnapping
An Oct. 26 kidnapping case in which a boy was forcibly taken from near Kalihi-Waena Elementary School at 1240 Gulick Ave. has led police to ask for help in identifying the male suspect.The boy, age 9, was leaving school when the suspect forced him into an older, faded black Honda two-door with a cracked rear window driven by the suspect, who appeared to have been drinking.
The suspect drove around Kalihi with the boy. Later that afternoon, he dropped the child off at Dole Intermediate School. No injuries were reported, and no similar incidents have been reported since.
The suspect appeared to be in his late 20s or early 30s, with black short straight hair and slight beard growth. He is described as 5 feet 8 to 10, 180 to 200 pounds, with a muscular build. He was wearing a white T-shirt and long jean shorts, with gold hoop earrings in both ears. His speech was slurred and he smelled of alcohol.
Anyone with information on this suspect is asked to call CrimeStoppers, 955-8300.
