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Court OKs Big Isle civil rights lawsuit
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco has reinstated a federal civil rights lawsuit brought by a Caucasian who contends that Big Island police discriminated against him because of his race.The court ruled yesterday that U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor erred in dismissing Richard Adams' complaints against then-Big Island Police Chief Wayne Carvalho and police officer Stanley Haanio.
Adams contends that for more than two years, non-Caucasian police officers encouraged harassment by other non-Caucasians and conspired to harm him.
The appeals court said that while Gillmor was right to stay proceedings on Adams' civil rights case pending the outcome of the state's criminal case against him, she should not have dismissed his complaints.
H-1 eastbound lane closes for two months
The eastbound shoulder lane of H-1 Freeway from the Fort Weaver Road on-ramp to Waikele Stream Bridge was scheduled to close this morning and stay closed for about two months.The closing is part of the H-1 resurfacing project. Work includes rebuilding the shoulder lane, replacing guardrails and installing new storm drains and highway lighting. Motorists are advised to use caution.
Korea/Vietnam vets get Capitol tribute
Veterans will gather at the Korea/Vietnam memorials at the state Capitol from 11 p.m. to midnight Saturday to reflect on and commemorate those who didn't come home.The annual tribute began five years ago when a small group of veterans decided to salute those who didn't return. Across the International Date Line, Dec. 23 is Christmas Eve in Korea and Vietnam.
The low-key gathering of veterans, family and friends has included a nondenominational service in past years, similar to battlefield services, followed by singing a few Christmas carols.
Shriners sets tele-link for neighbor isle kids
Neighbor island children now can benefit from medical expertise at Shriners Hospital in Honolulu without having to leave home.The hospital and the Hawaii Health Systems Corp. are collaborating to provide a telemedicine linkage with the 10 HHSC neighbor-island facilities.
Physicians at Shriners will be able to consult with physicians and physician therapists at Hilo Medical Center, Hale Ho'ola-Hamakua, Ka'u Hospital, Kona Community Hospital, Kohala Hospital, Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital, Lanai Community Hospital, Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital and Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital.
The telemedicine equipment was funded by the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation of Honolulu.
Tomorrow
Some events of interest10 a.m., Leiopapapa A Kamehameha Building, Conference Room 204: Campaign Spending Commission Meeting.
Corrections
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Ewa Beach fire leaves mom, daughter homeless
An unattended candle is blamed for a fire that left a mother and daughter homeless and caused an estimated $200,000 damage to an Ewa Beach home last night.The fire at 91-946 Ahona Street was reported at 9:20 p.m.
Smoke and flames were visible from the front bedroom when firefighters arrived. A 48-year-old woman and her 13-year-old daughter were watching television in the family room when the fire started. They escaped without injury.
Firefighters were able to save the Christmas tree in the family room as well as all the presents around the tree, Fire Capt. Richard Soo said.
The Red Cross is assisting the family with temporary shelter, food and clothing.
Suspect sought in downtown shooting
Police are looking for a suspect who shot a 19-year-old man in the hand in downtown Honolulu yesterday morning.The victim told police he was walking to the store at about 8:30 a.m. and was stopped by a man who asked if he knew him. When he said he didn't, the suspect pulled out a handgun and fired into the victim's right hand, police said.
Crash near beach park puts two in hospital
A man who apparently fell asleep at the wheel smashed his older model Volkswagen Beetle into a concrete barrier in front of Ehukai Beach Park this morning.The 35-year-old driver and a 39-year-old woman passenger were taken by helicopter to the Queen's Medical Center after the 3 a.m. crash. They were reported in guarded condition.
Police arrest suspect in theft of mail
Police arrested a man for mail theft at 2:30 a.m. today when he was found with other people's mail in his pockets.A resident reported that a man was lurking around an apartment building, looking into windows, on the 900 block of Punahou Street.
Since mail fraud is a federal offense, federal investigators have taken over the case.
Intruder seeks match, threatens head-bashing
A 56-year-old man entered a Waialae-Kahala home and threatened to assault a man who was watching television at 9:30 last night, police said.When the 20-year-old male resident told the suspect that he had no matches, the man threatened to bash his head in, police said.
The man, who lived in a room above the main residence, fled and told his grandparents about the intruder.
When police arrived, the intruder was still inside the home and was arrested without incident.
Boys demand cash, get none, from man on walk
Police say teen-aged boys demanded money from a 50-year-old man, who was taking his nightly walk in Kuliouou at about 10 p.m. last night The boys ran away when the man began yelling for someone to call 911, police said.Two suspects, 13 and 16 years of age, were located about an hour later and the victim identified one of the boys, police said. The suspects were released to their parents. The incident occurred at Kuliouou Road and Keoki Place.
Suspect ID'd in case of stolen identity
Honolulu police have identified a suspect in a stolen identity case as Lianne F. Nakaji, thanks to tips to CrimeStoppers.Nakaji is still at large and is wanted for investigation of numerous thefts, forgery, mail fraud and fraudulent use of credit cards..
Police say the stolen birth certificate and Social Security card of a Pacific Heights woman were used to get a duplicate driver's license with a picture of the suspect's face, police said.
The suspect may have stolen more than $20,000, CrimeStoppers coordinator Letha DeCaires said.
The victim realized someone might be using her name and identity only after the Department of Motor Vehicles called saying she left her birth certificate at the counter, although she hadn't gone there. She continues to receive bills that apparently were run up by Nakaji using forged credit cards, DeCaires said.
The suspect is a 38-year-old woman, described as 5-foot 2, 210 pounds, with a heavy build, brown hair and eyes, wearing glasses.
"Property theft is up at this time of year just because of the sheer volume of sales," DeCaires said. "People are harried -- people buying and the tellers and store clerks."
She urged tellers and store clerks to check identification closely.
