Event marks 10 years of 'Taste'
Easter Seals Hawaii is preparing a three-day celebration for the 10th anniversary of Taste of Honolulu.The event will take place at the Honolulu Civic Center grounds from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Last year, the event pushed funds raised for the Easter Seals within a nine-year period to more than $1 million.
Along with the food, wine and entertainment, Easter Seals Hawaii is producing a cookbook celebrating favorite recipes from restaurants who participated in the event, including Best of the Taste winners. The cookbook will be sold at the benefit.
Some of the restaurants participating include Brew Moon, Dixie Grill, Chai's Island Bistro, Garden of Saigon, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, Sam Choy's Diamond Head Restaurant and Tony Roma's Famous for Ribs.
At 7 p.m. Saturday a cooking competition will take place with Ali Landry and Russel Siu of 3660 on the Rise competing against City Council Chairman Jon Yoshimura and Linda Yamada, executive chef of Beach Houses on Kauai.
Orange Colored Sky, a Beach Boys tribute band from California, will also make an appearance at the festival. "Pacific Blue" star Mario Lopez will also be stopping by the event.
The event is $3 for admission, which will go directly to the Easter Seals Children's Program. Admission is free for senior citizens and children under 12. Gates to the event will open at 4:30 p.m. on Friday and 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Free parking is available in the underground city lot, with access from Beretania and Alapai streets.
For more information, contact Easter Seals at 536-1015 or visit the Web site www.EasterSealsHawaii.org.
Investor in Kona residential project draws group's fire
KAILUA-KONA >> The Protect Keopuka Ohana plans to hold a peaceful demonstration from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at the Japan Airlines terminal at Keahole Airport, the group announced.The airline is a 75 percent investor in the 1,550-acre Hokulia residential project in North and South Kona. The Ohana says the project, now under construction, has desecrated the graves of more than a hundred individuals related to Ohana members.
Developer Oceanside 1250 admits that some graves have been disturbed but says it is attempting to avoid further incidents.
A Kona Circuit Court ruling on the matter is pending.
Kauai woman opts for jail to keep her record clean
LIHUE >> A Kauai woman has chosen to spend two weeks in jail to keep a welfare fraud charge off her record.Viola Lovell was charged with defrauding the state out of nearly $7,000, prosecutors said.
Circuit Court Judge Clifford Nakea told Lovell last week that he would accept her deferred acceptance plea if she served 14 days in jail.
But if she pleaded no contest, there would be no jail time, but she would have the charge on her record.
Lovell took the jail time along with the chance to keep her record clean if she stays out of trouble for three years.
Kauai County Prosecutor Mike Soong said it was the first time he had witnessed anyone select jail time in such a plea.
3 lawyers win new terms as per diem family judges
Chief Justice Ronald T.Y. Moon has reappointed three per diem judges for the District Family Court of the First Circuit.Christine E. Kuriyama, Paul T. Murakami and Vernon Y.T. Woo began their third four-year terms June 5.
Kuriyama is in private practice and is a former partner with Fukunaga Matayoshi Hershey Kuriyama & Ching, and Greeley Walker & Kowen.
She also served as deputy attorney general and was Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs administrator.
Murakami is in private practice and has served as a grand jury counsel for Oahu Circuit Court since 1989. He has also served as a public defender.
Woo is also in private practice and serves on the Panel of Arbitrators for the First Judicial Circuit. He previously was president of the law firm of Woo Kessner Duca & Makis.
>> Irene Rizkallah Gordon has been awarded Hawaii Pacific University's 2001 Trustee's Award for Excellence in Teaching. Gordon, who teaches English as a second language, was chosen as the faculty member who best exemplifies the ideals of distinguished teaching for the year. She has been with HPU since 1993. Gordon was presented with the award during HPU's spring commencement ceremony, held May 16 at the Waikiki Shell.
>> Nicole H. Fujie, Shin Houy Ho, Joanna A.T. Lee, Krystal Y.G. Lee, Heather E.M.L. Liu and Steven J.K. Lum have been awarded scholarships for the 2001-2002 academic year by the Chinese Women's Club of Honolulu. Ho, Liu, Lum, Joanna Lee and Krystal Lee are students at UH-Manoa. Fujie attends UH-Hilo.
>> Emilia Campbell, Kristy Yap, Jessica Milbourn, Iris Moon, Isa-Lei Hoffman-Hinau and Garrett Soong have been awarded Maui Board of Realtors Presidential Scholarships. Each of the students will receive $1,000 toward their college education. The six were chosen from a pool of 53 applicants. Campbell, Yap and Soong are graduates of Baldwin High School. Milbourn and Hoffman-Hinau are Lahainaluna High graduates. Moon graduated from Hana High.
>> Branden Ibara, Kauilani Ostrem, Kristi Kusunoki and Brandon Imamura have been awarded the Paul S. Honda Scholarship by the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council. Each student will receive $1,000. The winners were chosen for their academic achievement, leadership qualities and commitment to community service, and for demonstrating substantial interest in and commitment to international affairs. Ibara is a graduate of Damien Memorial High School. Ostrem is a Kahuku High graduate. Kusunoki is a graduate of Maui High. Imamura is a graduate of Roosevelt High.
>> Lyle C. Wong has been selected to participate in the Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan as Hawaii's Emerson Scholar for 2001. The Honolulu resident plans to study concert orchestra while attending the four- to eight-week camp. Wong is a graduate of Roosevelt High School.
Enchanted Lake Elementary School students Sara Beth Beckmeier, Ryan Kido, Shayna Yatsushiro, Abigail Whiting, Rebecca Bjorke and Samantha Lau were awarded a second-place Gold Award for their entry in the competition's social sciences category. Cassie Hurlbut, Brett Ritter, Allison Kawano, Ayo Sawada, Kyley Zabriskie and Cameron Kubota were also awarded second-place Gold Awards in the interdisciplinary category. The students received $750 each for their achievement.
Additionally, Patrick Guanzon, Jacob Kahiapo, John Pacheco, Dean Shiraishi, Ryan Snyder and Scott Sunada were awarded third-place Silver Awards for their entry in the social sciences category. Each of the Kapolei Elementary students received a $500 award. The 2001 ThinkQuest Jr. awards were announced May 18.
>> U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye has been awarded the American Liver Foundation's Government Leadership Award. The award is given to a government official who has initiated legislation, regulation or government programs to help those affected by liver disease. Inouye was presented the award at the foundation's annual meeting.
>> The following students were recognized as top scorers in the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth Talent Search 2001:
David James, Iolani School, Fifth-Grade Verbal Division, first place; Robert Shimizu, Iolani School, Fifth-Grade Verbal Division, second place; Aaron Fong, Iolani School, Fifth-Grade Math Division, first place; Robert Shimizu, Iolani School, Fifth-Grade Math Division, second place; Eugene So, Punahou School, Sixth-Grade Verbal Division, first place; Charles Rixey, Trinity Christian School, Sixth-Grade Verbal Division, second place; Eugene So, Punahou School, Sixth-Grade Math Division, first place; Daniel Lum, Iolani School, Sixth-Grade Math Division, second place; Jonathan Chang, Kaimuki Middle School, Seventh-Grade Verbal Division, first place; Timothy Bridges, Assets School, Seventh-Grade Verbal Division, second place; Nolan Chung, Iolani School, Seventh-Grade Math Division, first place; Li Li, Washington Intermediate School, Seventh-Grade Math Division, second place; Li Li, Washington Intermediate School, Seventh-Grade Combined Division, first place; Jonathan Chang, Kaimuki Middle School, Seventh-Grade Combined Division, second place (tie); Nolan Chung, Iolani School, Seventh-Grade Combined Division, second place (tie); Kimberly Reinhold, St. Joseph Jr.-Sr. High School, Eighth-Grade Verbal Division, first place; Liane Hu, Iolani School, Eighth-Grade Verbal Division, second place (tie); Christopher Pang, Iolani School, Eighth-Grade Verbal Division, second place (tie); Melanie Bomke, Iolani School, Eighth-Grade Math Division, first place; Kyle Ota, Iolani School, Eighth- Grade Math Division, second place; Melanie Bomke, Iolani School, Eighth-Grade Combined Division, first place; and Kimberly Reinhold, St. Joseph Jr.-Sr. High School, Eighth-Grade Combined Division, second place.
Additionally, the following students were named State Award Recipients for grades 7 and 8 in the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth Talent Search 2001:
Bryce Aisaka, Iolani School; Shunsuke Aonuma, Iolani School; Robert Atkinson, Iolani School; Reed Ayabe, Iolani School; Scott Ayabe, Punahou School; Melanie Bomke, Iolani School; Timothy Bridges, Assets School; Robert Cannell, Iolani School; Hannah Chang, La Pietra-Hawaii School for Girls; Jonathan Chang, Kaimuki Intermediate School; Nolan Chung, Iolani School; Ian Esaki, Punahou School; Elizabeth Fink, Punahou School; Renee Firing, Sacred Hearts Academy; Stephen Franz, Iolani School; Wesley Furuya, Mid-Pacific Institute; Liane Hu, Iolani School; Edward Huang, Iolani School; Justin Ichikawa, Iolani School; Travis Iwanaga, Kaimuki Intermediate School; Jasmine Jin, Iolani School; Barry Kang, Iolani School; Christian Kitamura, Iolani School; Tiffany Koc, Mid-Pacific Institute; Andrew Lee, Mid-Pacific Institute; Austin Lee, Iolani School; Li Li, Washington Intermediate School; Sean Meguro, Iolani School; Mari Miyamoto, Iao Intermediate School; Shelby Mizumoto, Iolani School; Sherilyn Muneno, Iolani School; Lori Nakamoto, Mid-Pacific Institute; Stacie Nishimoto, Iolani School; Kyle Ota, Iolani School; Christopher Pang, Iolani School; Janice Quach, King Intermediate School; Kimberly Reinhold, St. Joseph Jr.-Sr. High School; Matthew Sakumoto, Iolani School; Christopher Shimizu, Iolani School; John Shinsato, Kawanakoa Intermediate School; Mari Takemoto-Chock, Waiakea Intermediate School; Amanda Tanaka, Iolani School; Matthew Tanaka, Iolani School; Garland Tang, St. Patrick School; Trevor Torigoe, Iolani School; Mai Tsukikaya, Iolani School; Aaron Yamamoto, Punahou School; Nicholas Yamamoto, University Laboratory School; Yufeng Yang, Iolani School; and Mindy Yoneshige, Iolani School. The students were recognized during ceremonies held May 19 at Hawaii Pacific University.
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
Tax fraud conviction nets man 43 months in prison
U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway sentenced Carlton S. Yamamoto to 43 months in prison for filing three false tax returns and causing others to file seven additional false tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service.Mollway ordered the sentence to run consecutively with a 20-year term that Yamamoto is serving for kidnapping, terroristic threatening and other state offenses.
U.S. Attorney Elliot Enoki said the tax returns sought about $69,000 in refunds based on W-2 forms. The forms falsely stated the taxes has been withheld by Yamamoto's companies on behalf of his employees when no such taxes were withheld.
The returns were filed for the 1995 to 1997 tax years. The investigation was conducted by the Criminal Investigative Division of the Internal Revenue Service.
Circuit judge upholds doctor's 2-year suspension
Dr. Milton Ackerman's appeal of his two-year license suspension has been dismissed, according an action in Circuit Court last week.The state Board of Medical Examiners ordered the dermatologist's license suspended for allegedly molesting one of his female patients in his King Street office.
The board also ordered Ackerman to complete a behavioral treatment program and pay a $2,000 fine.
On Oct. 3, 1998, Ackerman allegedly massaged the breasts of a 19-year-old patient in his office.
Attempted murder charge filed in stabbing incident
Honolulu police last night charged Ricardo Luis Pena, 20, with attempted murder in connection with a stabbing in Waikiki Saturday night. Police said Pena stabbed another man with a knife following an argument in an alley at 2770 Kuhio Ave. They arrested him on Sunday morning. Pena's bail is $50,000.
Police seek 4 teen-agers in connection with attack
Police are looking for four boys, ages 16 and 17, in connection with a stabbing last night in the parking lot of restaurant in Kalihi. Police said the victim, a 17-year-old boy from Kalihi, had just arrived at Zippy's Restaurant at 904 Mokauea St. about 8:50 last night and saw four boys next to the rest rooms. He told police the boys then attacked him, stabbing him in the shoulder and the back. The boy said he ran to a friend's house on Kopke Street to report the incident. He was taken to Queen's Medical Center where he is listed in good condition.
Police collect chemicals from makeshift lab
Police in Nanakuli this morning shut down one east-bound lane of Farrington Highway as they recovered chemicals from a clandestine drug lab set up in a makeshift tent on the beach. Police said they received an anonymous call at 1:56 a.m. Police went to the beach and found unknown chemicals. Honolulu Fire Department's Hazardous Material Team set up a safe zone as members of HPD's Clandestine Lab Response team identified and removed the chemicals. Police reopened the lane at 6:55 a.m.
Waikiki man arrested after altercation
A 40-year-old Waikiki man was arrested early this morning for assault following an argument with another man who suffered a separated shoulder in the confrontation. Police said the victim, 40, and the suspect got into an argument about 11:30 last night over a previous argument between the suspect and the victim's wife. Police said when the victim turned to leave, he was hit on the shoulder with an unknown object and fell to the ground at which time he heard the suspect say, "How do you like that?" The victim went to Kapiolani Medical Center where he reported the incident and was treated for the shoulder separation.
Man accused of pointing handgun at bartender
A 45-year-old Honolulu man was arrested early this morning for robbery for allegedly pointing a handgun at a bartender after refusing to pay for his beer. Police said the man was drinking at a bar on Dudoit Lane in Waikiki just past midnight when the bartender asked the man to pay for his beer. Police said the man refused, pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the bartender. The bartender backed away and called police. The man got into his car in the parking lot where police stopped and arrested him for robbery and a firearm violation.
Remote-control dispute leads to an arrest
An argument over a television remote control resulted in the arrest of a 48-year-old Waianae woman for terroristic threatening. Police said the woman and an 18-year-old man who live in the same residence at 87-288G St. John's Road got into an argument over the remote about 1 p.m. yesterday. The woman slapped the man and then got a knife from the kitchen and threatened to kill him, police said.
Man charged with robbery
Police yesterday charged Edward Diaz, 23, of Aina Haina, with burglary and theft in connection with a home-invasion robbery last month in Kapahulu. Police identified Diaz as one of the suspects. Three others are still at large. Diaz's bail is $40,000.
