Hotel cleared of violations in chef stabbing
The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Occupational Safety and Health Division has completed its investigation of the fatal stabbing of executive sous-chef Thomas Matsuda.On Dec. 1 at the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel, 49-year-old Matsuda was stabbed in the abdomen by co-worker Tam Van Huynh after he informed him of a schedule change. Matsuda later died at Queen's Medical Center.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Division, the investigation found no violations of the state occupational safety law.
The Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel has developed and implemented effective procedures to identify, evaluate and address workplace violence events to mitigate an employee's risk of harm.
Alleged sweatshop owner pleads innocent
A Korean citizen accused of holding Vietnamese workers prisoner and forcing them to work under "sweatshop" conditions at an American Samoan clothing factory pleaded not guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court.Kil Soo Lee is president of Daewoosa Samoa Ltd., which employed seamstresses to produce "Made in USA" garments for large retailers.
A federal grand jury indicted him Friday with involuntary servitude and forced labor, punishable by 10 years and 20 years, respectively. He was arrested March 23 and brought to Honolulu to face charges here.
U.S. Magistrate Barry M. Kurren granted defense attorneys additional time to prepare the case and set trial for Sept. 25. Lee is being detained without bail.
Ex-Big Isle police officer gets probation for threats
HILO >> A former police officer who made phone calls last year threatening to kill top Big Island police officials has been sentenced to five years' probation by Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura.Court records say Corey Yamanouchi, 43, threatened then-Chief Wayne Carvalho, then-Deputy James Correa (now chief) and others.
Yamanouchi was ordered to undergo mental health counseling until he is clinically discharged or until his probation officer recommends discharge.
A police report said Yamanouchi was angry that Carvalho remained on the job after being found responsible in a civil suit for participating in a scandal involving departmental promotions.
Yamanouchi was charged with two counts of terroristic threatening, which could have resulted in a five-year jail sentence. As the result of a plea agreement, he was sentenced only to the time he spent after his arrest last year, which was less than two weeks.
>> The name of Kamehameha pitcher Hubert Pruett was misspelled in a story Sunday. Corrections and clarifications
>> Former UH pitcher Scott Karl was not included in an article Sunday on minor leaguers with Hawaii ties. Karl, a veteran of six major-league seasons, is with the Pittsburgh Pirates Triple-A team, the Nashville Sounds.
>> A Hawaii Beat item Sunday incorrectly identified Iolani graduate Doug Jackson, who plays for Brigham Young, by another first name.
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
Police search for suspect in Kaimuki bank robbery
Honolulu Police and the FBI are looking for a man who robbed the Kaimuki Branch of Central Pacific Bank Monday afternoon. Police said the suspect walked up to the teller and said he had a weapon. Police said he then placed his backpack on the counter and indicated that money be placed inside.The suspect is described as approximately 40-50 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing between 160 and 180 pounds. He has a medium build, brown eyes and blond to gray, messy, receding hair. Police said the suspect may be a homeless person.
Anyone with any information on this case are asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *Crime on your cellular phone.
Picketer at UH-Manoa cited for blocking vehicle
Honolulu police cited a picketer for an incident at the University of Hawaii-Manoa campus yesterday. Assistant Chief Stephen Watarai said it was the first citation of a picketer since the strikes by the Hawaii State Teachers Association and the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly began Thursday.Watarai said the picketer was cited for blocking a vehicle. Watarai said Day 6 of the strikes on Oahu was otherwise uneventful. HPD posted officers at 24 out of 169 strike locations yesterday. Motorists have received six of the seven strike-related citations issued so far.
Man arrested and charged in sexual assault on kids
Police earlier this week arrested and charged a man who allegedly exposed himself before a group of children at a Kalihi playground. Blake Choo, 29, has been charged with six counts of fourth-degree sexual assault for allegedly masturbating before a number of juvenile females at the Fern Playground area in February and March.
13-year-old boy arrested in attempt to steal beer
Police arrested a 13-year-old boy outside a Kalihi market early yesterday morning trying to steal cases of beer. Police responded to a 2:25 a.m. silent alarm at Middle Street Meat Market, 1319 Middle St., and caught the boy running from behind the store. The store had been broken into, and cases of beer had been stacked outside.
