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Bunchy-top banana virus returns to Kona
KAILUA-KONA -- Just when state agriculture officials thought the Kailua-Kona area was free of banana bunchy-top virus, they found some sick-looking banana plants, they announced.After uprooting more than 175,000 plants since 1999, the quarantine area was supposed to remain free of plants for three months to be sure all the aphids that carry the virus had died.
But in December, officials found a homeowner had planted 20 new banana plants and some of them looked sick. The plants were destroyed, and the quarantine was extended with no new termination date announced.
Asia-Pacific '02 forum will be at E-W Center
The Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum will hold its 2002 general meeting at the East-West Center.Sen. Daniel Akaka announced the decision yesterday after returning from the organization's general meeting this week in Valparaiso, Chile.
The forum was founded by former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone to function as a legislative branch of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. It provides an opportunity for countries in the region to discuss political and security concerns, and international cooperation on global issues such as terrorism, illegal narcotics and health concerns.
Kaaawa highway lane closes for water work
One lane of Kamehameha Highway in the vicinity of Crouching Lion will be closed between 6 p.m. today and 5 a.m. tomorrow for the installation of a waterline valve.Traffic will be contra-flowed during the closure. Motorists are advised to use caution while driving through the work area and to allow extra travel time.
Jose pleads not guilty to assault, robbery
A man facing life without parole on a federal first-degree murder conviction pleaded not guilty yesterday to unrelated state assault and robbery charges.Bryson Jose, 22, appeared via video from the Oahu Community Correctional Center before Circuit Judge Richard Perkins. He also asked why bail hadn't been set in his case.
Jose, who was one of two defendants convicted in December in the June 1998 slaying of Army helicopter pilot John Latchum, is being held at OCCC as a federal prisoner because of his conviction.
"Federal (authorities) wen' release me to you guys, so it's up to you guys for give me bail," he told Perkins. "I only got convicted for murder in federal (court) -- that's all."
Perkins indicated he would have to make a motion to request bail.
The state, in documents filed earlier this month, requested that Jose be turned over to the state to face prosecution for second-degree assault and second-degree robbery. It also requested Jose be held without bail because of his federal conviction.
Tomorrow
Some events of interest
8:30 a.m., Pagoda Restaurant, East Ballroom: 54th Annual Meeting of the Moiliili Community Center.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Kapahulu bank robbed
30-acre brush fire near Hawaiian Beaches doused
HILO -- A brush fire of suspicious origin burned 30 acres of open state land on the Hilo side of the rural Hawaiian Beaches subdivision yesterday, the Fire Department said.The fire was reported at 5:10 p.m. Relatively light wind and the fire's occurrence after the heat of the day, helped firefighters control the blaze, they said.
Water was twice dropped from helicopters and two fire breaks were cut with bulldozers. No property was damaged.
Officials declared the fire under control at 8:47 p.m. and and left the scene except for three people posted to watch the area overnight, the department said.
Leeward man wanted for domestic violence
Honolulu police and CrimeStoppers are asking the public's help in locating a Leeward Coast man wanted in two domestic violence incidents at Waianae.
District Judge Marcia Waldorf issued arrest warrants Wednesday for Raymond L. Mathewson, 39, for the attacks, which occurred July 25. Bail is set at $100,000.
Mathewson is believed to be carrying a handgun and is known to frequent the Waianae and Nanakuli areas, according to a CrimeStoppers release. He has prior domestic violence convictions.
He is described as 5 feet 7 inches, medium build, with close cropped black hair, fair complexion and brown eyes.
CrimeStoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to his arrest. A caller's anonymity is protected. Call 955-8300 or, on a cellular telephone, call *crime.
UH students to do study on seat belt use
HILO -- Students from the University of Hawaii-Manoa will take to the streets and highway of the Big Island Jan. 25-28 to spot how many people are using seat belts, the Hawaii County Police Department announced.The annual study is sponsored by the state Department of Transportation which uses the statistical information gathered.
The Courts
Convicted killer of pilot says not guilty of robbery
A man facing life without parole on a federal first-degree murder conviction pleaded not guilty yesterday to unrelated state assault and robbery charges.Bryson Jose, 22, appeared via video from the Oahu Community Correctional Center before Circuit Judge Richard Perkins. He also asked why bail hadn't been set in his case.
Jose, who was one of two defendants convicted in December in the June 1998 slaying of Army helicopter pilot John Latchum, is currently being held at OCCC as a federal prisoner because of his conviction.
"Federal (authorities) went release me to you guys, so it's up to you guys for give me bail," he told Perkins. "I only got convicted for murder in federal (court) -- that's all."
Perkins indicated he would have to make a motion to request bail.
The state in documents filed earlier this month requested that Jose be turned over to the state to face prosecution for second-degree assault and second-degree robbery.
It also requested Jose be held without bail because of his federal conviction, and he would be returned to federal authorities once his state charges are disposed of, said deputy prosecutor Kevin Takata.
Slaying suspect's victim had accused her of theft
WAILUKU -- A woman accused of killing a retired 82-year-old Navy physician had been to his home previously and had been accused of theft by him early last year, Deputy Prosecutor Melinda Mendes said yesterday,Mendes said in early December, Lisa H. Avilla returned with Michael Pavich and killed Edward W. Bird in his Pacific Shores condominium in south Maui.
During a bail reduction hearing for Avilla and Pavich, Maui Circuit Judge Shackley Raffetto decided to continue their bail at $230,000 each.
Mendes said before her arrest Jan. 10, Avilla tried to bail out Pavich who was being held on separate theft and forgery charges at Maui Community Correctional Center and also was making plans to leave Maui.
Raffetto noted Avilla's four prior convictions for theft and many convictions for "dishonesty."
Avilla and Pavich, both 30, are scheduled to stand trial on April 9 in Maui Circuit Court on several charges, including second-degree murder and first-degree robbery.
Loan solicitor charged with not filing GE taxes
The state Department of Taxation has filed a criminal complaint against self-employed loan solicitor and real estate salesman Caesar B. Buted.Buted is charged with failing to file general excise tax returns from 1995 through 1999. If convicted on the misdemeanor counts, he could be fined up to $25,000 and imprisoned up to one year on each count.
State Tax Director Marie Okamura said the department will generally not start a criminal investigation if a taxpayer voluntarily reports failure to file or other omission, according to a release.
