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Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Friday, December 8, 2000

Hawaiian activist in World Court via video

A Hawaiian sovereignty activist arrested for driving without a license in Hilo was denied a physical appearance in the World Court in the Netherlands this week for trying to enter the country without a valid passport.

However, Lance Paul Larsen of Puna participated in opening arguments yesterday via teleconferencing from San Francisco, according to Kai'ulani Edens, reporting in the Hawaiian News.

Arguments are expected to continue through next Tuesday.

Larsen was arrested in October 1999 and spent 30 days in jail for driving without a license, without a license plate, without a safety inspection and without registration.

He argued that as a proclaimed Hawaiian subject, U.S. law did not apply to him -- that old kingdom law applied under a U.S.-occupied Hawaiian nation.

He filed a federal lawsuit that charged the United States and the Hawaiian kingdom for not protecting his rights as a Hawaiian subject. But the case was dismissed when Larsen agreed to seek binding arbitration before the World Court at The Hague.

Waterline break affects two hotels in Waikiki

A 12-inch water main break disrupted water service to two Waikiki hotels this morning.

The Board of Water Supply was notified at 4:17 a.m. about the break at 124 Kapahulu Ave., which fronts the Park Shore Hotel, a board spokeswoman said. Also affected was the Waikiki Grand Hotel.

Workers would try to route water around the affected area to the Waikiki Grand, she said, while a water wagon was to be provided to the Park Shore.

Advertiser employees approve new contract

Employees of the Honolulu Advertiser and the Hawaii Newspaper Agency have approved a new two-year labor contract.

By a vote of 121-20, with two blank votes, Hawaii Newspaper Guild members yesterday ratified the agreement, which offers a 4.5 percent pay raise and guarantees no layoffs during the period of the contract.

Wayne Cahill, the guild's administrative officer, said the pact is contingent on labor agreements with HNA's press workers, machinists and other unions. Those unions are expected to vote on the new contract within a week.

Under the new contract, Advertiser and HNA employees will receive a 4.5 percent pay raise spread out over the next 18 months. They also will receive a 1.5 percent bonus.

Advertiser and HNA employees have been working on an extension of a three-year contract that expired in June.

Unionized employees of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin have approved a five-year contract with Black Press Ltd., which is purchasing the afternoon daily.

Xerox co-sponsors kids' Christmas party

Xerox Hawaii employees are co-sponsoring a Christmas party for 100 children living at the Institute for Human Services, Hale Ola Windward Abuse Shelter, Weinberg Village and Loliana transitional shelters.

The party is part of a two-night camp for children at Camp Kokokahi YMCA.

Tomorrow

Some events of interest

9 a.m., City Department of Human Resources Conference Room: Vision meeting. For information, call 523-4385.

9 a.m., Ala Wai School Cafeteria: Vision meeting. For information, call 523-4385.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

Kalihi hit-and-run victim, 21, in guarded condition

A 21-year-old Kalihi man is in guarded condition after he was struck last night by a a hit-and-run driver, police said.

The incident occurred at about 10:30 p.m. on Rose Street west of Kamehameha IV Road.

The man was hit by a small, white four-door car, police said. He was taken to Queen's Medical Center in critical condition with internal and superficial head injuries and lacerations to his face.

The car was last seen heading south on Kamehameha IV Road.

Puna man, 23, sought in assault and robbery

HILO -- Police are asking for the public's help in finding Paul Hyram "Kawika" Vaivai, who allegedly struck a victim on the head with a pipe while robbing cash from the person.

Vaivai, 23, of Puna, was indicted for robbery following the July 31 attack in the Nanawale Estates subdivision.

He is described as 6 feet 1 inch tall, 175 pounds, with a tan complexion, short black hair, a mustache and a slight goatee.

Anyone with information is asked to call Big Island police at (808) 961-2384 or CrimeStoppers at (808) 961-8300.

Big Isle police probe pedestrian's death

KAILUA-KONA -- Police are continuing the investigation of a traffic accident Wednesday night in which a Kailua-Kona man was killed.

The victim, Frederick Konanui, 57, was crossing Alii Drive about three miles south of Kailua-Kona at about 9:45 p.m. when he was hit by a Chevrolet Corvette driven by a 57-year-old Kailua-Kona man, police said.

Konanui was pronounced dead at Kona Hospital.

The driver and his 29-year-old male passenger were treated for minor injuries at the hospital and released.

The driver was then arrested for negligent homicide and released.

Speed is believed to have been a factor in the accident, police said.

Konanui's death was the 36th traffic fatality of the year on the Big Island, compared with 28 at the same time last year.

Nieman Marcus worker, 29, faces theft charges

Police arrested a 29-year-old employee at Nieman Marcus in Ala Moana Center at 10 p.m. yesterday.

The man had been under suspicion for theft and was caught taking merchandise out of the store and confessed, police said.

He faces second-degree theft charges.

Line break spills sewage into stream in Kaneohe

About 1,000 gallons of sewage spilled into Keaahala Stream in Kaneohe at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday when a corroded pressurized sewage line broke.

The line was located near the intersection of Wailele and William Henry roads.

A new replacement sewage line is already in place but has yet to be opened, so the old line will be repaired.

Warning signs have been posted along the stream and a portion of Kaneohe Bay.