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Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Thursday, February 8, 2001

Akebono hurt in
motorcycle crash

The recently retired sumotori
is listed in fair condition

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By Treena Shapiro
Star-Bulletin Recently retired sumo wrestler Akebono is in fair condition at Queen's Medical Center after a motorcycle accident about 10:15 a.m. today.

Akebono, or Chad Rowan of Waimanalo, was traveling westbound on the H-1 freeway when he lost control of the motorcycle near the Middle Street offramp and it hit a guardrail, police said.

He suffered abrasions and lacerations to his right leg and arm.

No other vehicles were involved.

Survey slams Hawaii for not protecting kids

Hawaii earned a "D" grade in a study released today that ranks states on how well they protect children riding in vehicles.

Thousands of youngsters are killed or injured each year in traffic accidents, according to the survey by the National Safe Kids Campaign.

The child advocacy group said most states don't have adequate child safety restraint laws, which might contribute to the deaths and injuries.

The group rated each state and its laws with a 100-point system and assigned them grades. Hawaii got 66 points.

Twenty-four states received an F and 18 received a D.

California scored the only A because of detailed laws which specify the need for age-and size-appropriate restraints, such as booster seats, for children 4 and 5 years old.

Coalition to extol benefits of fluoridation

A "Hawaii Coalition for Better Dental Health" today was announced by the state Department of Health and leading dental and health professionals to spur public support for water fluoridation.

The coalition has launched a campaign to educate the public about the benefits of fluoride to prevent tooth decay.

The House Committee on Health will consider a fluoridation bill, HB 665, at a hearing at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Capitol auditorium.

State Health Director Bruce Anderson said fluoridation in the United States for more than 50 years "has safely and effectively helped prevent dental cavities while saving communities billions of dollars in dental care costs."

Studies show cavities are reduced 30 percent to 60 percent in communities with fluoridation, Anderson said, adding: "Hawaii does not yet fluoridate its community water and currently ranks dead last in the country in dental health."

The education campaign will feature an information brochure and a 30-second public service announcement on TV the week of Feb. 18 with First Lady Vicky Cayetano, dentists and children.

Proposed legislation to require fluoridation of Hawaii's water has failed over the years with heated controversy over the benefits. Opponents argue that research supporting fluoridation ignores some studies that show adverse effects, such as osteoporosis.

UH medical school gets grant to train pediatricians

A five-year, $2.5-million grant to educate and train future pediatricians has been awarded to the Department of Pediatrics of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine -- one of six U.S. medical schools to receive the Dyson Initiative-Pediatric Training grant.

It will be used to provide residents of the UH Integrated Pediatric Residency Program opportunities to take part in a new training curriculum emphasizing integrated, community-oriented, family-centered and culturally sensitive care.

"In Hawaii, three of the most pressing health issues for children are child abuse and neglect, dental disease and mental-health and behavioral disorders," said Dr. Chris Derauf, medical school faculty member.

Researchers here to review Pacific climate

Worldwide specialists on Pacific climate are meeting here this week to review the latest research results and create a system to measure and model Pacific climate phenomena.

The Climate Variability and Predictability Project is a 15-year international research program that's part of the World Climate Research Programme.

The effort is aimed at gathering and distributing information meteorological agencies can use to help countries in agricultural planning, fisheries, energy and water-supply industries. Insurance companies also hope to use the information to assess risk.

The workshop began Monday and ends tomorrow at the East-West Center. Hosting it is the International Pacific Research Center, a U.S.-Japan sponsored climate research program at the University of Hawaii.

One of the researchers' major goals is to understand and predict increases in greenhouse gases and aerosols that can trigger climate changes with critical social and economic effects.

They want to monitor and record meteorological effects of El Nino and La Nina and their devastating impacts on climate.

Isle lab may examine last victims of Viet war

Six sets of remains of missing American servicemen, including what are believed to be the last U.S. Marines killed in the Vietnam War, will be brought here for identification by military forensic specialists tomorrow.

The remains were located last week on Tang Island off the Cambodian coast.

Eighteen Marines and other service members died in May 1975 while attempting to rescue the crew of the captured American merchant ship, the SS Mayaguez.

Four other sets of remains will be coming to Hickam Air Force Base from Hanoi, while another is arriving from Laos.

All six sets will be turned over to the U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory.

Tomorrow

Some events of interest

9 a.m., 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 132: Board of Land and Natural Resources hearing on application for a conservation district use permit for the city's Hanauma Bay improvements. For information, call 587-0414.

10 a.m., State Capitol: Technology Industry day. For information, call 550-4882.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

Wife arrested in death of former city inspector

A woman has been arrested for allegedly killing her husband of more than 40 years.

George M. Nakamura, 68, a former city construction inspector, died from stab wounds yesterday. His wife, Catherine, also 68, was placed under arrest for second-degree murder at their Waianae home.

Police responded to a call from a woman at 86-144 Puhano St. who said she stabbed her husband.

He was found lying on a bedroom floor with wounds to the chest and back. The stabbing occurred at about 7:23 a.m. The weapon was a kitchen knife, police said.

A neighbor said Mrs. Nakamura had a mental illness and refused to take her medication.

George Nakamura worked for the city Department of Design and Construction as a construction inspector from 1992 until his resignation in January 1999, said city spokeswoman Carol Costa.

Teams resume search for snorkeler on Kauai

ANINI BEACH, Kauai -- Fire rescue teams planned to resume searching this morning for a 68-year-old woman from Peck, Kan., who disappeared while snorkeling late yesterday. She was last seen walking down Anini Beach on the island's north shore carrying snorkel gear.

Fire officials said they were notified she was missing shortly before 6 p.m. and were able to conduct only a brief helicopter and ground search at twilight.

Small floods in Puna, Kau after overnight downpour

HILO -- Steady rain during the night created minor problems overnight on the Big Island.

A flash flood warning was announced at 3:30 a.m. for Puna, but at 6:30 a.m. that was downgraded to a flash flood watch in both Puna and adjoining Kau.

Hawaii County Civil Defense said fewer than a dozen calls about localized flooding came in from Puna residents, many of whom live on unpaved roads with poor drainage. Civil Defense sent sandbags to those homes.

Hilo airport got 1.4 inches from midnight to about 10 a.m. today, and Pahoa got about 6.8 inches since yesterday afternoon, the National Weather Service said.

Police, FBI hunt robber who hit bank at Mililani

Police and the FBI are looking for a man who robbed the Mililani branch of American Savings Bank yesterday.

The suspect presented a demand note to a teller at 2:40 p.m., the FBI said. Although he indicated he had a weapon, none was seen.

He got away with an undisclosed sum.

The bandit was described as in his late 20s or early 30s, about 5 feet 3 to 5 feet 5, weighing about 140 pounds, with medium build and tan complexion, brown eyes, dark hair, mustache and a mole on his left cheek. He wore a white long-sleeved T-shirt and a dark baseball cap.

It was the state's fourth bank robbery of the year.

South Kona fire destroys vacant house

CAPTAIN COOK, Hawaii -- Fire destroyed a vacant house on St. John's Church Road in South Kona yesterday. The cause is under investigation.

The Fire Department put damage at $255,000. The home belonged to James Okinaga.

Big Isle man charged in throat slashing

KAILUA-KONA -- Police have charged a Hilo man with assault and attempted murder for allegedly slashing the throat of another man Monday night, they said.

The suspect, Charles Myron "Chucky" Freitas, 61, was charged Tuesday and is being held in lieu of $22,000 bail.

Grand jury indicts driver in fatal crash

An Oahu grand jury has indicted the driver of a speeding car that struck a street sign, call box and utility pole on the H-1 freeway near the Manager's Drive Overpass. The crash killed a passenger.

Kyle Kamaiopili had a blood alcohol level of 0.095 percent, according to prosecutors. The legal limit is 0.08.

He was charged Tuesday with first-degree negligent homicide, punishable by a maximum 10-years imprisonment and driving without a license.

A 20-year-old man was killed in the February 1999 crash.

Maui driver dies of car-crash injuries

WAILUKU -- An 18-year-old Wailuku man died when the car he was driving struck a fire hydrant, a light post and a tree near the Kahului Airport.

Casey A. Nakamoto died yesterday morning from injuries sustained in the crash at 10:48 p.m. Tuesday. Police traffic investigator Ricky Uedoi said the crash occurred on Lanui Circle as the driver tried to change lanes around a bend in the roadway .

Uedoi said the road was wet and none of the four in the vehicle were wearing seat belts.