UH geophysicist wins national recognition
Richard Hey, University of Hawaii specialist in plate tectonics, marine geology and geophysics, has been elected as a fellow of the American Geophysical Union.The American Geophysical Union recognized Hey for his discovery and development of the concept of propagating rifts, the mechanism by which by oceanic plates in the earth's crust move and form new boundaries.
The Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology scientist received his bachelor of science degree from the California Institute of Technology in 1969 and his doctorate from Princeton in 1975.
He has been a professor and researcher of geophysics at UH since 1986.
The American Geophysical Union fellowship is a rare honor for scientists attaining eminence in geophysics.
The number of fellows elected each year is limited to no more than 0.1 percent of the organization's membership.
'Pearl Harbor' sets Disney mark; reaps $75.1 million
LOS ANGELES >> "Pearl Harbor" won an easy victory at the box office, debuting as the No. 1 film with $75.1 million over the four-day weekend.It was the best opening ever for a three-hour movie and the biggest debut for a non-sequel. It was also a corporate record for Disney, outpacing the studio's "Toy Story 2," which pulled in $80.1 million over the five-day Thanksgiving weekend in 1999.
"Pearl Harbor" had the second-best Memorial Day opening ever, behind the $90.2 million gross for "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" in 1997.
Some analysts had speculated that "Pearl Harbor" might break the record set by "The Lost World."
"It's the nicest way to address the critics," said Chuck Viane, Disney's head of distribution. "You do it with grosses."
Governor paves way for aid to Kahoolawe
Gov. Ben Cayetano has signed into law a bill authorizing the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission to solicit and accept grants, donations and contributions to the Kahoolawe Rehabilitation Trust Fund.Keoni Fairbanks, commission executive director, has said the state law did not allow the commission to accept or deposit contributions into a trust fund set aside for the rehabilitation of the former target island.
In 1993 the federal government authorized $400 million to clean up the island over a 10-year period. In November 2003 the Navy will return Kahoolawe to the state and the commission.
House Bill 144 requires the commission to submit annual reports on the trust fund to the Legislature. If the trust fund is terminated, all funds will be transferred to the general fund.
The commission will submit a status report on the Kahoolawe Rehabilitation Trust Fund to the Legislature 20 days before each legislative session.
Navy hands out final bid for housing construction
The Navy has awarded Dick Pacific Construction Co. of Honolulu a $13.8 million contract to design and construct bachelor enlisted quarters at the Naval Station Pearl Harbor.Dick Pacific Construction won the contract bid against 33 other private contractors. Construction is expected to be completed by March 2003.
Hawaii bar offers course for training secretaries
A basic legal-secretary training course will be offered by the Hawaii State Bar Association starting July 25.Taught by licensed attorneys and other legal professionals, the eight-week course is designed to help those thinking about pursuing a career in the legal profession. Students will have the option of earning national certification after meeting certain requirements.
The classes will be held Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. For more information, contact Evelyn Gomez at the Hawaii State Bar Association at 537-1868.
Coast Guard's free class teaches boating skills
The Coast Guard Auxiliary will present a free boating-skills and seamanship course from June 14 to July 26.Classes will be held 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Mondays and Thursdays at Kalaheo High School.
The class is certified and meets U.S. Coast Guard, state and national boating law administrators' requirements. Upon certification, boaters will be eligible for boating insurance and discounts on marine safety products.
The course covers federal equipment requirements, boat handling, navigation aids, federal navigation rules, coastal navigation, radio communications, engines, knots and lines, weather and much more.
Classes are open to the public and limited to 40 students. The manuals and workbook for certification cost $35, if pre-registering, and $40 at the door. To register or for more information, call Bob Airhart at 247-3793.
Radio Hawaii, officer plead guilty in tax case
Radio Hawaii Inc. and its officer, Barry F. Wagenvoord, pleaded guilty on May 15 to misdemeanor tax violations.Wagenvoord was charged with four counts of failing to file the corporation's annual general excise tax returns from 1995 to 1998. The corporation was also charged with four counts of failing to file its annual general excise tax returns for the same years.
From 1995 through 1998, Radio Hawaii earned more than $1.4 million, subject to the general excise tax. Taxes, penalties and interest totaled in excess of $87,000.
District Judge Russel Nagata granted a deferred acceptance of guilty plea for Wagenvoord, who has agreed to pay a $10,000 fine. Radio Hawaii was also fined $10,000.
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. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Hit and run victim dies from injuries
A man who was critically injured when a vechile hit the moped he was riding on Kamehameha IV Road Thursday night died yesterday at the Queen's Medical Center.The Honolulu Medical Examiner's office identified the victim as Daniel Agcaoli, 33, of Kalihi. Police said Agcaoli was traveling in the mauka direction on Kamehameha IV Road just before 11 p.m. when a dark colored van or sport utility vehicle struck him from behind.
Police have yet to locate the vehicle or the driver.
Pedestrian injured while crossing highway in Aiea
A 23-year-old man was taken to Queen's Medical Center in critical condition last night after he was hit by a car on Kamehameha Highway in Aiea. His condition later improved to guarded.Police said the man was struck about 11:40 p.m. as he tried to cross the highway near the intersection with Hekaha Street. Police said the man was not in a crosswalk and may have been drunk.
Makua crash closes Farrington Highway
A 21-year-old Waianae man was taken by helicopter to Queen's Medical Center this morning in critical condition after the car he was driving hit a utility pole and flipped over in Makua.Police said the accident occurred at 4:28 a.m. on Farrington Highway near Ohikilolo Ranch. Police closed both lanes on Farrington Highway as they investigated.
Police investigate claim of sex assault against girl
Honolulu police are investigating an alleged sexual assault of a 5-year-old Kailua girl by her father's girlfriend. Police said the girl told her baby sitter that her father's girlfriend had been sexually assaulting her for a period of time.The baby sitter took the girl to police headquarters Sunday.
Man sought in robbery of Dunkin' Donuts outlet
A man walked into Dunkin' Donuts at 1718 Kapiolani Blvd. just before 11 p.m. Sunday night, demanded money from the cashier, indicated he had a gun, then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash, police said. The robber is described as in his 30s, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 140 pounds, with a tan complexion and a mustache. He was wearing a striped blue, hooded, long-sleeve jacket, shorts and slippers. He fled on foot in the Ewa direction on Kapiolani Boulevard, police said.
Driver held after vehicle is rammed by stolen car
Police arrested a 19-year-old Kalihi man Sunday at Sandy Beach after he allegedly rammed the stolen car he was driving three times into a subsidized police vehicle. Police said an officer on the beach task force placed his vehicle behind a sedan that had just pulled into a stall in the parking lot at about noon after a check revealed the car was stolen.The man and three juveniles were inside the sedan. Police said the driver then reversed three times into the officer's vehicle before he was arrested for auto theft and criminal property damage.
2 Waianae men held in car-smashing incident
Police arrested an 18-year-old man and 19-year-old man, both of Waianae, yesterday after receiving reports that two men were vandalizing cars at Waianae Boat Harbor. Police arrested the men at 5:45 a.m. and recovered a baseball bat.Police found at least seven cars with smashed windows and dented body panels. The 18-year-old also is suspected of threatening a man who was sleeping in one of the cars.
3 men arrested after beating outside club
Honolulu police arrested three men this weekend after they allegedly beat a man near 1687 Kapiolani Blvd. Police identified the address as the Virus Club.Police said two of the suspects confronted the victim, while the third smashed a bottle over the victim's head. The other two suspects then began punching him in the face and body.
Police said the victim managed to get away and noticed the license number of the taxi the suspects used to leave the scene. Police stopped the taxi at King Street and Dillingham Boulevard.
Police said the victim identified the three suspects in a lineup. One suspect was arrested for second-degree assault, while the other two were arrested for third-degree assault.
