Tax preparer claims Hawaii isn't part of U.S.
A tax preparer convicted of failing to file his own state excise taxes has pleaded no contest to charges that he filed tax returns for six clients claiming Hawaii as a foreign country.Richard J. Basuel, 59, also pleaded no contest to charges that he overstated itemized deductions for his clients.
To claim foreign earned income credit, a taxpayer must have lived in a foreign country for 330 consecutive days within a calendar year, according to the state tax office.
Basuel claimed that his clients, who lived in Hawaii, were eligible for the credit because Hawaii is a foreign country and not part of the United States, tax officials said.
Basuel ran RB Tax Service with his son, Richard James Basuel Jr. Both pleaded guilty last year to failing to file excise tax returns for 1995, 1996 and 1997.
Basuel will be sentenced in the current case July 5 before Circuit Judge Rey Graulty.
Calls to Basuel's attorney, William Harrison, were not returned.
Grand jury meets on perjury allegation
An Oahu grand jury is meeting today to investigate a perjury allegation against former Kamehameha Schools trustee Richard "Dickie" WongSources familiar with the proceeding said the state attorney general's office has subpoenaed several witnesses to testify before the secret panel at state Circuit Court.
Wong's lawyer Eric Seitz could not be reached for immediate comment.
Last year, an Oahu grand jury indicted Wong for perjury for his testimony about a 1995 Kamehameha Schools land deal in Hawaii Kai.
Circuit Judge Michael Town threw out the charges, saying the attorney general's office provided improper testimony that prejudiced Wong's right to a fair trial.
The dismissal came after Town threw out theft charges against Wong for his alleged role in the same Hawaii Kai land deal.
Molokai ferry to start by month's end
WAILUKU >> Sea Link of Hawaii hopes to start its ferry between Molokai and Lahaina by the end of the month.The vessel is scheduled to undergo final inspection by the Coast Guard on Wednesday. The vessel's engine broke down during speed trials last month.
Company President David Jung said the engine aboard the Molokai Princess has been overhauled and successfully gone through speed trials.
Jung plans to operate the 22-mile service without government subsidy, charging $15 for a round trip for commuters and $40 for other adults.
His shut down his previous ferry service in 1996, after Gov. Ben Cayetano eliminated an annual $300,000 subsidy for ferrying Molokai residents to work in Lahaina.
State House pushes for Maui national park
KIHEI >> The state House has lent its support to a push to create a national park along 6 miles of the South Maui coastline.The House approved a resolution urging the federal government to create the park to preserve the rugged coastline from La Perouse Bay to Kanaloa Point.
The measure is now before the Senate's Water, Land, Energy and Environment Committee.
The Maui County Council has approved a similar resolution, and the effort has been endorsed by U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink.
The 2nd District Democrat has asked the Department of the Interior to study the proposal's feasibility.
Supporters of the park proposal say it would protect a region that in ancient times was home to a thriving native Hawaiian population but is now frequently visited by snorkelers, hikers, campers and off-road vehicles.
City hall to have Korean military kite exhibit
An exhibit of traditional Korean military signal kites will be held in the main courtyard of Honolulu Hale from April 23 to May 11.More than 400 years ago, kites were used to transmit military battle orders. Over time, the knowledge and understanding of the kites were neglected and lost.
The kite exhibit is one of the upcoming series and events on Korean culture scheduled in the 2003 centennial celebration of Korean immigration to the United States.
The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea, Centennial Committee of Korean Immigration to the United States and the University of Hawaii Center for Korean Studies are co-sponsoring the event.
Corrections and clarifications
>> Members of the Hawaii Nurses Association will not be affected by job cuts announced at St. Francis Hospital. A story in Hawaii Inc. yesterday stated otherwise.
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 are asking for the public's help in finding information on a series of bomb blasts in Ewa Beach and Kapolei from April 2 to 10. Police seek help solving
Leeward bombingsFour explosions took place
in Ewa Beach and KapoleiBy Leila Fujimori
Star-BulletinThe explosions occurred at:
>> A trash can at Aawa and Anaunau streets, Monday, April 2, 10:40 p.m.
>> Kapolei Regional Park bathroom, Monday, April 9, 10 p.m.
>> Kapolei Recreation Center bathroom, April 10, 12:27 a.m.
>> Ewa Beach Public Library book repository, April 10, 5:45 a.m.
On two occasions, teenage males were seen at or running from the scenes, police said.
No injuries have resulted from any of the explosions.
In each case, large aerial display fireworks were used. Police describe the pyrotechnic mortar balls as ball-like items with fuses.
Police say they do not know the source of the explosives.
They have ruled out any connection with the 33-year-old man suspected in the March 19 Chinatown parking structure explosion and the March 26 Kailua church explosion.
He was arrested Friday after he reported possessing movie fireworks, which are used in movies to simulate artillery sounds and are prohibited without a permit, at his Kailua home.
Spill concerns tie up Belt Road
HILO >> A minor accident on Hawaii Belt Highway near Pahala yesterday resulted in the closure of the road for several hours when it was learned that a piece of surveying equipment contained a small amount of radioactive material, the Fire Department said.Officials eventually determined there was no radioactive spill.
The 45-year-old driver in the one-vehicle accident, whose name was not released, suffered minor injuries.
Maui child's injuries bring inquiry
WAILUKU >> Police detectives were continuing to investigate the cause of critical injuries to a 2-year-old Haiku child suspected of being the victim of child abuse."We're still seeking information on how this could happen," acting police Lt. Tim Gapero said.
Gapero said the child, listed in critical condition at an Oahu hospital since being admitted Monday, had "blood trauma" to her torso and stomach.
Police detectives questioned the mother and her boyfriend Tuesday.
The girl was treated in the emergency room at Maui Memorial Medical Center on Monday and was flown to Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children in Honolulu.
