A letter of thanks and apology to the people of Hawaii from all the families of the missing from the Ehime Maru was conveyed yesterday by the Japanese Consulate. Families of Ehime Maru
missing convey thanksThe families thanked Hawaii residents for the various forms of assistance extended to them on Tuesday, the final day of the U.S. Navy's court of inquiry into the submarine accident.
"We are grateful to receive your words of comfort and words to give us courage when we were in deep grief," the March 20 letter read.
"The resentment with regard to this accident is definitely not something which is aimed toward the people of Hawaii and the American people. We are worried that in our grief, we might have been somewhat thoughtless and impolite," they apologized.
The families prayed such a tragic, unreasonable incident never happen again, the letter read. "It would be best if we could work together to reach this goal," they said.
National Guard may help HPD during bank meet
Members of the Hawaii Army and Air National Guard could be called to assist police during the Asian Development Bank meeting in the Hawaii Convention Center May 7-11, said Capt. Charles Anthony, National Guard spokesman."There are certain individuals and units who may be on alert at that time," Anthony said.
But he would not say how many individuals or what type of units have been notified. There are at least 3,500 National Guard members on Oahu and an additional 1,000 on the neighbor islands.
Anthony said National Guard soldiers and airmen have undergone civil-disobedience and other training for the Asian Development Bank meeting. "Yes, National Guard has increased some of the type of training with respect to situations that might come up during ADB."
That training included briefings by the Honolulu Police Department, the primary agency responsible for providing security during the meeting.
The meeting is expected to draw 3,000 participants and an undetermined number of protesters.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Publisher and Editor in Chief John Flanagan at 529-4748 or email him at jflanagan@starbulletin.com.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
LIHUE >> A judge has ordered mental examinations for Gerard Silva, 45, of Kalaheo, who last Thursday was wrestled to the ground by a police officer after he pointed a rifle at another officer inside the police headquarters. The gun fired but no one was hurt. Silva had walked into the station with the gun hidden in a coat. Suicidal gunman ordered to
submit to mental examinationsBy Tony Sommer
Star-BulletinSilva said he intended to commit "suicide by cop" and had hoped one of the officers would shoot him. He suffers from arthritis and takes numerous painkillers.
Deputy County Prosecutor Craig DeCosta said Silva, who remains in custody, will be examined by a team of three psychiatrists and psychologists over the next 60 days.
Silva is charged with attempted first-degree murder, two counts of terroristic threatening, a firearms violation and a weapons violation involving a knife he was carrying.
