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Maui protest focuses on challenge to OHA
KAHULUI, Maui -- Organizers say the three-day protest at the Kahului Airport was a success and that it informed the public about a lawsuit that threatens to halt state benefits to native Hawaiians.Blossom Fetera, an organizer with Na Kupuna O Maui, estimated that up to 5,000 people showed up at various times during the weekend and about 90 percent of them had not participated in a protest before.
"No one was arrested or hurt," she said.
The "act of aloha" ended last night with two lanes of vehicles honking their horns in a final display of solidarity for more than a quarter-mile through the airport terminal.
The protest was sparked by lawsuits brought by former State Senator John Carroll and Patrick Barrett that challenge the validity of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Hawaiian homesteads.
Protesters say the lawsuits also threaten native gathering rights.
U.S. District Judge David Ezra is scheduled to hear a request for a preliminary injunction on March 12.
Ocean protection group meeting on Maui
WAILUKU -- A group that includes former White House chief of staff Leon Panetta is holding a meeting Wednesday on Maui to review information about the ocean and consult with ocean users.The Pew Oceans Commissions meeting at the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort hopes to prepare recommendations to Congress by 2002.
Panetta said Hawaii was an ideal place to start the group's review on how to protect and manage oceans because so much of the state's economy and natural resources are dependent on a healthy sea.
Student Poster Contest entries due Friday
Students have until Friday to submit entries in the tenth annual U.S. Savings Bonds National Student Poster Contest.The contest is open to students in grades four through six. First, second and third place winners receive $1,000, $500 or $200 savings bonds, respectively. First place state winners will be entered in the national competition, where the top three prizes are $5,000, $2,000 or $1,000 savings bonds and a trip to Washington, D.C.
The entries will be judged on originality, design, visual appeal and how well they convey the savings bond theme "Reach for the Stars -- Buy U.S. Savings Bonds." Entries should be mailed to Lana Mito, Education Specialist, 189 Lunalilo Home Road, 2nd Floor, D25, Honolulu, 96825. For more information, call 394-1348 or click the poster contest link at http://www.savingsbonds.gov.
Grant helps fund camps for children with cancer
A $500 grant has been awarded to the American Cancer Society by the Chung Kun Ai Foundation to support childhood cancer camp programs.More than 700 Hawaii children are diagnosed with cancer annually, according to the American Cancer Society.
The money will help support three camp programs this year -- Camp Anuenue, a summer camp for children ages 7 to 17; Ho'ulu Me Ka Ikaika, a teen retreat, and Families Can Sur*Vive, a family weekend.
For more information, call these cancer society offices: Honolulu, 595-7544; Central/Leeward, 486-8420; East Hawaii, 935-9763; West Hawaii, 334-0422; Maui, 244-5553; Molokai, 553-5154; Kauai, 245-2942.
Tomorrow
Some events of interest
9 a.m.-4 p.m., Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii: "The 2001 DOD Contracting in the Pacific Workshop," Officer's Club.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Makiki high-rise fire brought under control
Firefighters were battling a high-rise fire at 927 Prospect Street in Makiki this morning.The fire was in a 14th floor apartment. Flames were visible on the Makai side of the building at about 7:30 a.m. Smoke was also getting into apartments two floors above the one on fire. By 7:45 a.m., the fire appeared to be under control.
There were no injuries, firefighters said. Investigators were still looking into the cause this morning, and there was not yet a damage estimate. The building was not equipped with sprinklers, firefighters said.
Fire damages elevators at Waikiki condo
Residents of a 21-story Waikiki condominium building are using the stairs again today because of a fire that gutted an elevator at the Ala Wai Townhouse condominium early yesterday.Investigators believe the 1:20 a.m. fire was intentionally set.
The building's second elevator was shut down because of smoke damage.
Some residents are elderly and have difficulty using the stairs, fire Capt. Richard Soo said.
A elevator repair company was scheduled to try and fix the second elevator today.
Several residents and their pets were evacuated yesterday but there were no injuries, Soo said.
The fire originated in an elevator car on the second-floor parking garage at 2421 Ala Wai Blvd., Soo said.
He added that the building has a history of arson. On Oct. 10, a trash can was set on fire in the lobby. And on Oct. 17, magazine racks were set on fire in the building's lobby.
Damage was estimated at $200,000. The building is not equipped with a sprinkler system, but the building's open-air corridors reduced the amount of smoke, Soo said.
Police seek suspect in Punahou Carnival attack
Police and CrimeStoppers are asking the public's help in finding information about a stabbing at the Punahou Carnival about 9:45 p.m. Friday.Police are seeking a male suspect between 15 and 18 years of age, between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-8, with a heavy build, short black hair and a round face, wearing all black clothing.
A 15-year-old boy was beaten and stabbed at least twice by a large group of males between 15 and 18 years of age.
He remains at Queen's Medical Center in guarded condition, police said.
Anyone with information can call Detective Kevin Wong at 529-3079 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
Man threatens girlfriend with screwdriver
Police arrested a 34-year-old man after he forced his girlfriend into her car and threatened to kill her with a screwdriver Saturday afternoon, police said.The man forced the woman to drive to the Plaza Hotel on Nimitz Highway, where he tried to get a room. The woman tried to get help from the hotel staff but was ordered to drive to Salt Lake. The suspect tried to sexually assault her there, but she escaped without injury and called for help, police said.
Hilo cockfight raid yields 19 dead birds, no arrests
HILO -- Police dispersed a crowd of 300 people attending a cockfight in the Kaumana area of Hilo Saturday, they said.No arrests were made, but efforts are under way to determine the organizer and other responsible officials, they said.
Officers seized 19 dead gamecocks and three injured ones.
The raid was the second of the week. On Wednesday, police raided a cockfight in Eden Roc subdivision south of Hilo and made eleven arrests.
Teen-age bodyboarders rescued at Police Beach
Firefighters and lifeguards rescued two teen-age girls bodyboarding at Police Beach near Pueno Point in Haleiwa about 10 a.m. yesterday.The 15- and 16-year-old girls stepped into the shorebreak and were taken out by the current, said fire Capt. Paul Noyes of the Waialua station.
The 16-year-old girl's father, a police officer, swam out but could not bring them in, Noyes said.
Two firefighters swam out to rescue the girls. Lifeguards from Alii Beach were called in to assist with a jet ski and a rescue board.
The waves were about 3 to 5 feet yesterday, with some bigger sets, Noyes said.
"The waves are kind of deceiving. People think they can maybe go out, but there are still pretty strong currents, especially in an area like that," Noyes said.
No lifeguards are on duty at Police Beach, which is used as a recreation area by the Honolulu Police Department, Noyes said.
Man, 55, hits girlfriend on head with can of food
A 55-year-old man has been arrested for hitting his 38-year-old girlfriend in the head with a can of food.The incident occurred after an argument at a Waianae home at about 5:10 yesterday afternoon. The victim suffered a laceration to her head and was treated and released at Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center.
Man in guarded condition after crashing motorcycle
A 24-year-old motorcyclist is listed in guarded condition at Queen's Medical Center this morning after crashing his bike at the Kahuku Motorcross yesterday afternoon.Capt. George Ku of the Sunset Fire Station said the motorcyclist hit the bottom of a ravine at 1:29 p.m.
