Big Island man convicted of murder and robbery
HILO >> A Big Island jury this week found Jason Santos guilty of murder and robbery in the 1994 death of Vernon Souza Jr.The partially burned body of Souza, 31, of Kauai was found near Saddle Road on Sept. 30, 1994.
An autopsy showed he was killed by a blow to the head and by having his throat cut.
Santos, 29, testified in his own defense that he was merely present when his friend Oliver White attacked Souza in an argument over money.
He admitted to helping White move Souza's body. White was also charged with murder but was found unfit for trial due to a brain injury in a car accident a month after the murder.
Witnesses against Santos said he talked about killing someone for drug money before the murder and was seen with a large amount of money after the murder.
Sentencing of Santos is set for Aug. 23. He faces a mandatory life term with a possibility of parole.
It will cost more to ride in a taxi starting July 1
Taxicab fares on Oahu will go up July 1.The amount charged for the first one-eighth mile will go to $2.25 from $2, and each additional mile will increase to 30 cents from 25 cents.
The waiting-time charge will go to 30 cents from 25 cents for each 45-second period.
Regular baggage will cost 40 cents per bag, up from 35 cents. And the fee for extra-large or heavy bags will increase to $3.75 from $3.50 per bag.
The city Department of Customer Services held a public hearing on the fare increases earlier this year.
The last time taxicab fares on Oahu were increased was in January 1994.
Catfish season begins Aug. 11
Anglers wanting to reel in catfish at the Nuuanu Reservoir No. 4 this summer need to get their license from the state. The open season for channel catfish begins Aug. 11. The license application period begins July 2 and runs through 4 p.m. July 20.Those interested may pick up applications at the Department of Land and Natural Resources' permit counter at 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 130, and from various licensing agents on Oahu.
Anglers awarded a valid state freshwater game-fishing license and entry fishing card will be assigned specific dates and times to fish. There will be no make-up periods or refunds.
Fishing will be held on consecutive weekends until all anglers have been accommodated.
Children 8 years and under are not required to be licensed but must be accompanied by a licensed, supervising adult. Those 15 years and younger must also be accompanied by a supervising adult.
The bag limit is two channel catfish per licensed angler. Any catfish 16 inches long or larger must be kept. Anglers 8 years or younger may obtain their own license to obtain their own bag limit.
Fishing periods will be divided into four-hour fishing periods. Morning sessions run 7 to 11 a.m., and afternoon sessions from noon to 4 p.m. The next catfish season will be in November.
For more information, call 587-0100.
Pacific Century accepting applications for fellows program
The Pacific Century Fellows Program is accepting applications for the class of 2001-2002.The program, modeled after the White House Fellows Program, recognizes and encourages Hawaii's future leaders through a nine-month program geared to provide fellows a better understanding of the issues confronting our community and nation through direct contact with senior community, social and government leaders.
Those selected will participate in a two-day retreat and then meet monthly at all-day seminars focusing on a particular topic.
Approximately 25 fellows in their mid-20s to early 40s will be chosen by a 19-member committee of prominent citizens based on their demonstrated ability to achieve goals and their leadership qualities in previous professional, volunteer and civic activities.The cost is $1,500 to cover expenses. Individual companies may sponsor candidates for the program, and tuition assistance is available.
Applications are available by contacting the Pacific Century Fellows Program at 377-2332. Deadline for submission is July 23.
WINDWARD BRUSHFIRE
Libraries host Air Force recovery presentations
Two public libraries will host a free slide and video presentation of the U.S. Air Force 6,594th Test Group's historic midair recovery of de-orbiting film capsules from U.S. spy satellites over or in Hawaiian waters.The program, "Catch a Falling Star," will be presented 2 p.m. today at Pearl City Public Library.
Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Al Blankenship will conduct the program. He served in the 6,594th Test Group at Hickam Air Force Base from 1969 to 1986.
The test group made 40,000 aerial recoveries and retrieved more than 100 film capsules.
It used modified and specially configured cargo airplanes to make a midair catch of the capsules as they fell to Earth. Helicopters and ships were used to retrieve capsules in the water.
For more information, call Kaimuki Public Library at 733-8422 or Pearl City Public Library at 453-6566.
ASTROvaganza pits man's navigation against nature
HILO >> Ceremonies marking the dawn arrival of the Hawaiian voyaging canoe Makalii in Hilo Bay tomorrow will be the opening event in a weeklong science and culture conference called ASTROvaganza 2001.Sixty high school science teachers, mostly from Hawaii but some from as far as Vermont and New Zealand, will study ancient "wayfinding" used to navigate without instruments and modern astronomy using Mauna Kea's Gemini telescope.
Organized by assistant professor Alice Kawakami of the University of Hawaii at Hilo Education Department, the conference will also demonstrate ways that teachers can put into practice in their classrooms what they learn during the conference.
The canoe Makalii is expected to arrive at the waters fronting the Hawaii Naniloa Resort at 6 a.m. A formal welcoming ceremony set for 8 a.m. will include a public appearance and comments by Mau Piailug, the Micronesian navigator who taught the art to the Hawaiian sailors of the canoe Hokule'a during the 1970s.
A hoolaulea, or community celebration, including arts and crafts, food and entertainment will follow until 4 p.m. All events are open to the public, and everyone is asked to wear a lei.
Participants in ASTROvaganza 2001 will sail on the Makalii and visit the Gemini observatory on Mauna Kea and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration observatory on Mauna Loa.
H-1's Punahou onramp to close 3 nights
The Punahou onramp to the H-1 freeway westbound will be closed nightly tomorrow through Tuesday so work on the Punahou Street ramp-widening project can be performed.Also closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on the same nights will be the right lane of the H-1 freeway westbound between the Alexander Street onramp and the Lunalilo Street offramp.
>> Incoming University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle will address the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii at its annual membership luncheon July 18. An incorrect date was given in the early edition Thursday. Corrections and clarifications
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 staffWAIKIKI Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Passenger arrested in threat to driver
Police arrested a 39-year-old passenger on a city bus Thursday after he allegedly threatened the bus driver.Police said the suspect caught the bus near the Waikiki Aquarium on Kalakaua Avenue at 8:02 a.m.
Police said that when the bus stopped to pick up more passengers at the intersection of Paki and Monsarrat avenues, the bus driver asked the suspect to move his belongings to make more room.
Police said the suspect complied but then started swearing and threatened to do bodily harm to the driver.
At that point the bus driver radioed TheBus dispatch of the situation, and police arrived to arrest the suspect for interfering with the operator of a public transit vehicle.
Beating victim reveals earlier injury from lover
Honolulu police arrested a 29-year-old male yesterday for breaking the arm of his live-in boyfriend.Police said the incident happened on May 26 but was not reported until yesterday morning when the suspect allegedly assaulted the victim again.
Police said that on May 26 the suspect kicked the victim, who suffered the injury after he blocked the kick with his arm.
The victim's arm was later discovered broken, but the victim refused to file a police report while he was getting medical treatment.
Police said the victim finally reported the incident yesterday after the suspect punched the victim repeatedly in their Seaside Avenue apartment.
LEEWARD
Driver in stolen vehicle eludes police after chase
Honolulu police are looking for an unidentified male suspect who was in his vehicle stopping and looking at parked vehicles near Kamehameha Highway in Pearl City.Police said a license plate check on the vehicle showed it was a stolen car.
A pursuit ensued up Kaahumanu Street and back to Kamehameha Highway, where officers were able to stop the suspect's vehicle.
At that point the male driver fled the scene on foot, police said.
A female passenger in the car also tried to flee on foot but was caught and arrested.
HONOLULU
Fatality in Monday crash was 49-year-old woman
The Honolulu medical examiner has identified the woman who died in a single-car traffic accident on the H-1 freeway Monday.Police said Kamaileohualalai Shoaf, 49, of Honolulu, died after her car slammed into the concrete barrier on the right side of the freeway at the westbound Alexander Street onramp about 5:14 Monday morning, crossed over to the left side of the freeway and slammed into the concrete median before coming to a stop in the middle two lanes of the H-1.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Armed gang robs 2 teens of skateboards and money
Two 15-year-old males said they were robbed by five other teenagers armed with chains, a knife and Exacto blades Thursday at Washington Middle School.Police said the suspects stole a skateboard, a watch and money and then fled on foot.
The victims said they were skateboarding with three friends when they were approached by the five suspects, who ranged in age from 13 to 20 years old.
Police said no one was injured during the robbery.
Suspect surrenders in attempted stabbing
Honolulu police arrested a 42-year-old female for attempted murder this week after the suspect allegedly tried to stab another woman with a barbecue fork.Police said the incident happened in Kalihi last November but that the suspect turned herself in on Thursday.
Police said the suspect accused the 43-year-old victim of taking her welfare check and confronted her about it.
Police said the suspect knocked the victim to the ground, then attempted to stab her several times.
Police discover shoplifter is also a prison escapee
A 39-year-old man arrested for shoplifting turned out to be a Laumaka Work Facility escapee.Police said the suspect was picked up at a retail store Wednesday, and while he was being processed, they discovered that he had escaped the facility on May 27.
Police arrested the suspect on Wednesday for escape and theft.
