Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Senators reintroduce the 'Akaka Bill'
U.S. Senators Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye have reintroduced the so-called "Akaka Bill" that seeks to clarify the relationship between the federal government and Native Hawaiians."The measure that we are introducing today extends the federal policy of self-determination and self-governance to Native Hawaiians by authorizing a process of reorganization of a Native Hawaiians (bill)," Akaka said. "This measure establishes parity in federal policies towards American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians."
The Native Hawaiian Recognition Bill is identical to what was introduced last session. The bill was passed by the House but failed to move out of the Senate.
The measure authorizes a process for the reorganization of the Native Hawaiian government that could lead to a federally recognized "government-to-government" relationship, Akaka said. The bill also establishes an office within the U.S. Interior Department that would focus on Native Hawaiian issues.
Akaka said the bill does not seek to circumvent the 1999 U.S. Supreme Court Rice v. Cayetano decision, which ruled that it was unconstitutional to allow only native Hawaiians to vote for Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees.
"This measure does not establish entitlements or special treatment for Native Hawaiians based on race," Akaka said.
Wife-killer gets life, with parole possible
A state judge today sentenced Danny Haili, convicted of second-degree murder in the slaying of his wife nearly five years ago, to the mandatory life with possibility of parole.Judge Karen Ahn also ordered Haili, 54, to serve a mandatory minimum of 15 years for the use of a firearm in the commission of the murder.
Defense attorney Samuel King Jr. had argued that Haili was under extreme mental and emotional disturbance when he shot Philimena Haili, 50, his wife of 33 years, in the carport of their Kailua home.
"He was just out of his mind," King said, when Haili fired about 11 shots at point-blank range at his wife in June 1996, reloading once.
The state contended the murder was a case of classic separation assault. "She was leaving him and he's not gonna take it, so he killed her," said deputy prosecutor Maurice Arrisgado, who stood in for Lynne Jenkins-McGivern, who prosecuted the case.
King said he will appeal based on hearsay statements Philimena Haili made to friends and family members.
Haili's first trial in 1998 ended in a mistrial .
Maui judge reappointed to third term
Chief Justice Ronald T.Y. Moon has reappointed Barclay E. MacDonald as a per diem judge for Maui District Court as well as a per diem district family judge.MacDonald's term was effective Jan. 16 and expires Jan. 15 next year. This is his third term as a per diem judge.
MacDonald is currently in private practice on Maui. He previously served as a state deputy attorney general and city deputy prosecuting attorney. He received his bachelor's degree from San Jose State College, and his law degree from Hastings College of Law.
New suspect charged in Ena Road stabbing
Police have charged a 20-year-old Kaneohe Marine after releasing a prior suspect, also 20, in the Jan. 14 stabbing of a man near an Ena Road convenience store.Justin Gurule was arrested on a charge of attempted murder. Bail is set at $50,000.
Police said they determined during an interview that the first suspect did not do the stabbing.
He then named Gurule, and police issued a warrant for the arrest Friday.
The victim and four other men were involved in an argument with the suspect and three friends near the store, police said.
The victim was stabbed in the chest and was taken to Queen's Medical Center in critical condition.
Big Isle's Holschuh named to land board
Gov. Ben Cayetano has appointed Hilo physician Fred Holschuh to the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.Holschuh, a retired emergency room physician, ran unsuccessfully for Big Island mayor in November.
He served as chief of staff at Hilo Medical Center from 1990 to 1993.
He fills a vacancy left by the resignation last month of Russell Kokubun, who was appointed to the Senate.
Holschuh's appointment is effective immediately, but must be confirmed by the Senate.
Police hunting patient who fled state hospital
Police are looking for a 55-year-old man who escaped from the Hawaii State Hospital in Kaneohe yesterday.Thomas Kapoi, a court-ordered patient, left the facility sometime between 12:50 p.m. and 2 p.m., police said.
Kapoi is described as 5-foot-6, 140 pounds, with gray hair.
When last seen, he was wearing a black jacket and dark pants.
Chilean crewman gets Coast Guard help
A 49-year-old Chilean man experiencing stroke-like symptoms was transported by a Honolulu Coast Guard plane to Midway Island from a boat 200 miles away yesterday.The man was a crew member of the motor vessel Andino.
The vessel was diverted from its trans-Pacific course to Midway in order to transfer the patient to land.
The Coast Guard launched a C-130 aircraft at 3:30 a.m. from Barbers Point with medical personnel from Hickam Air Force Base aboard.
The man was picked up at 7:15 a.m. and flown to Oahu where he was transported yesterday afternoon by ambulance to Queen's Medical Center.
Tomorrow
Some events of interest7-9 a.m., Pacific Club: Breakfast reception with state legislators presented by the Chamber of Commerce. For information, call 545-4329.
Corrections
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Mapunapuna business robbed by two men
Police are looking for two men allegedly involved in an armed robbery at a Mapunapuna business yesterday.According to police, a man wearing a black ski mask and armed with a black semi-automatic handgun entered United Truck Rental and Equipment Leasing, Inc., on Kilihau Street shortly before noon yesterday. He demanded money from the clerk on duty, who he hit over the head with the gun and also kicked twice.
The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash in a gray Dodge van driven by a second suspect. They abandoned the van on Kahikapu Street and drove away in a black Ford pickup truck.
Man stabbed in fight over payment for drugs
A fight over drug payment ended in the stabbing of a 40-year-old man in Waikiki sometime between Saturday night and early yesterday morning, according to police officers.The suspect, a 39-year-old man, visited the victim's apartment and offered him LSD, the police said. After he used the narcotics, the victim refused to pay for the drugs.
The man was stabbed in the right rib cage with an unknown weapon.
The suspect fled on foot. Police, responding to an unrelated call, found the man in a bathroom. Witnesses were brought to the scene and identified him.
Man held for stabbing his girlfriend's son
Police arrested a 39-year-old man for attacking his girlfriend's 22-year-old son with a sword 1 a.m. Saturday.The suspect then threatened a 25-year-old friend of the victim, police said. The suspect left the Puowaina Drive home and was later found and arrested.
Robber gets more than $800 from gamblers
Police say a man robbed several participants at a gambling game at 71 N. Beretania St. Saturday night. Witnesses say the masked suspect took more than $800.
