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State tax revenue up 6.9% over last year
The state is taking in 6.9 percent more tax revenue for the first seven months of the fiscal year than it did last year, according to figures released this morning by the state tax department.State tax revenues for the month of January were 7.9 percent higher than the amount collected in January 2000.
Marie Okamura, state tax director, said the state's largest source of funds, the general excise tax, increased by $11.6 million in January, and that pushed the cumulative fiscal year deposits for GET up $86.8 million, or 9.9 percent ahead of last year.
The state's Council on Revenues had estimated the state would be taking in 6 percent more this year.
Army training brings Wahiawa aircraft noise
There will be increased aircraft noise in the Wahiawa area today as the Army enters into its second week of a training exercise.From 10 p.m. today through 1 a.m. tomorrow, 30 Army helicopters will be taking 1,000 soldiers to the Kahuku military reservation on the North Shore. The exercise is planned over nonpopulated areas, the Army said. Much of the flight will be 2 miles offshore and at 2,000 feet. The exercise will end Friday.
Crew clears rock slide from Kalanianaole
Crews removed several boulders from Kalanianaole Highway near the Makapuu Lookout yesterday morning.Police were notified of the rockslide at 12:40 a.m. Because of heavy rainfall, the boulders, 3 feet in diameter, were dislodged from the cliff above the highway, police said.
A crew from the state Department of Transportation reopened the lane at 2:25 a.m.
Moanalua Valley work may hamper water flow
Moanalua Valley residents may experience low water pressure this week because of work on a new water main.According to the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, crews will be working from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday and Friday. A private contractor will be connecting valves from an existing 16-inch water main to a new water main. No water service should be interrupted.
Lei Queen contestants, ages 31 to 54, sought
Applications for the 2001 Lei Queen contest are available at all satellite city halls and recreation centers on Oahu.Women ages 31 to 54 are eligible. This year's contest is titled "Na Wahine Makua (Adult Woman)." Contestants must have knowledge of the art of lei-making and the hula.
Contestants are required to attend an orientation at McCoy Pavilion at 7 p.m. on Feb. 21. Applications need to be submitted at that time, the deadline.
The Lei Queen will be announced March 3.
For more information, call Naomi Carter at 547-7393.
Coral Reef Council meet open to public
The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve Council will hold its first meeting in Honolulu from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.The public is invited to the informational meeting, to be at Coast Guard Club 14 at the Coast Guard Integrated Support Command Honolulu, off Sand Island Access Road.
Council members will receive an overview of the newly created coral reef reserve and a briefing on their roles and responsibilities.
Punana Leo O Waianae joins fed food program
Punana Leo O Waianae has announced its participation in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program, which means children who meet income eligibility guidelines may have free or reduced-price meals.Applications will be sent to the homes of all enrolled children with a letter explaining the program. Foster children may also be eligible. For more information, call 696-0212.
Tomorrow
Some events of interest
10 a.m., State Capitol, 5th floor: Press conference with the Hawaii Women's Coalition on "If We Don't, Who Will? Stop the Violence of Poverty." In the lieutenant governor's public conference room. For information, call Allicyn Tasaka at 586-5757, or Annette Amaral at 527-8021.
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Corrections
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Man critical after crash on stolen motorcycle
A man is in critical condition after crashing into a wall in Makiki yesterday afternoon while driving a stolen motorcycle.At about 12:45 p.m., the man was driving a 2000 Suzuki sports bike on Dominis Street. While heading toward Kewalo Street, he lost control of the bike and struck a retaining wall, police said. He was taken to Queen's Medical Center.
Police said speed was a factor. The motorcycle was reported stolen Saturday night.
3 attempted escapees to appear in court
Three men are expected to go to District Court this morning in connection with last week's attempted escape from the Oahu Community Correctional Center.Police have charged Gabriel Apilando, 30, with attempted escape, and Jay Jesus Pineda Gapusan, 23, and Logan Hose, 40, with kidnapping, attempted escape and having prison contraband.
Apilando was one of four men charged in the robbery of a Kaneohe liquor store in December. The body of the owner, Song Chol Marshall, was found Christmas Day.
Last Thursday night at OCCC, Apilando allegedly asked a guard to pick up a pen outside his cell door. Gapusan and Hose attacked the guard, forced him into their cell and locked the door, police said. After opening all cell doors, the two fled through a back door.
The guard was freed by another prisoner and ordered all inmates to return to their cells. Hose tried to climb the chain-link fence with a razor wire, but was snagged.
Man smashes car window of ex-girlfriend
A man was arrested yesterday after shattering his ex-girlfriend's car window.About 7:55 a.m., the suspect went to a home on South Beretania Street where his ex-girlfriend was staying, police said.
He saw her in her car attempting to leave for work. The two argued, then the man allegedly shattered the window on the driver's side. The suspect then grabbed hold of the victim's clothes and refused to let her leave, police said.
A nearby resident called police, then physically restrained the suspect until police arrived. The man was arrested for unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.
Argument at cafe leads to beer-bottle assault
A man was arrested Saturday after allegedly hitting another man in the face with a beer bottle at Pecos River Cafe.About 12:30 a.m., a man saw his friend get into an argument with another man, according to police. He tried to lead his friend away when the friend was hit in the face with a bottle and suffered a cut under the left eye.
Police arrested the suspect for assault. The victim was treated at Pali Momi Medical Center and released. Charges are pending.
