Pedestrian dies after being hit by car
A fatal pedestrian accident on Kamehameha Highway between Wahiawa and Whitmore Village closed the highway in both directions during rush hour this morning.Police said a Wahiawa-bound car hit a 45-year-old woman on the Karsten Thot Bridge between Whitmore and Kilani avenues at about 4 a.m. The driver put the victim in his car and took her to nearby Wahiawa General Hospital where she died.
Traffic from the North Shore was backed up for several hours until the highway was reopened about 7:20 a.m.
Haleiwa woman gives birth to girl on H-2
A 25-year-old Haleiwa woman gave birth to a girl yesterday in a sport utility vehicle on the H-2 freeway.Capt. Vernon Enriques of the Pearl City Fire Station said he and his crew were returning from a Mililani brush fire when they were flagged down by a man parked on the side of the town-bound lanes, 1 1/2 miles from the Waianae offramp.
Enriques said Leslene Lele's contractions were too close to take her to the hospital. Firefighters assisted Lele for about five minutes before she gave birth at about 5:30 p.m.
An ambulance crew took Lele, who had no complications, and her baby to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center.
Roadwork to affect Kalihi Street, Kahekili Highway
The state Department of Transportation advises motorists to use caution due to roadwork in these areas:>> Kahekili Highway: One Honolulu-bound lane between Kulukeoe Street and Likelike Highway will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today to install an electronic sign.
>> Kalihi Street: Motorists traveling on Kalihi Street will be restricted from turning left onto Dillingham Boulevard from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
BRUSH FIRE BURNS 2 ACRES IN MILILANI
EMPLOYEES RALLY AT KAPIOLANI MEDICAL CENTER
Union says proposal could take away sick leave
Gamma Knife will be focus of online chat
Dr. Bobby Baker will host a live Internet chat from 2 to 3 p.m. tomorrow on the topic "New Treatment for Metastatic Brain Tumor with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery."Metastatic brain tumor is caused by cancer elsewhere in the body that spreads to the brain. Such tumors can be treated with the Gamma Knife -- a radiosurgical device that treats brain tumors and other brain disorders with 201 sources of radioactive cobalt 60. The one-treatment procedure lets the patient return to normal activities the next day.
A radiation oncologist, Baker has extensive experience in treating brain tumors with Gamma Knife radiosurgery. He founded the Cancer Institutes of Guam and Maui and is medical director and chief of radiation oncology at both facilities. To join the free chat, log onto www.stfrancishawaii.org or its affiliate site, www.americasdoctor.com.
For those unable to participate, a transcript will be posted in the library archive of AmericasDoctor.com.
For more information, call Moon-Yun Choi at St. Francis Medical Center, 547-6337.
SLICK SPOT ON THE PALI
Groups receive grants to push healthy lifestyles
Twenty-six community groups statewide have received community planning grants of up to $24,000 each through a state effort to encourage healthy lifestyles and environments.The state Department of Health is sponsoring the program through its "Healthy Hawaii Initiative."
"The focus of this grant is to stimulate local, community-driven planning efforts that we hope will lead to healthier communities," said James Rarick, community health initiatives coordinator.
In the first phase of the program, communities are to look at their primary health concerns and develop an action plan to address their priorities and promote healthy living. Community plans will be funded in the second phase.
Rarick said long-term changes are sought in social and physical environments to make it easier for people to choose healthier lifestyles.
"By funding community members to lead their own planning processes, we believe it gives people the opportunity to work together to make meaningful, sustainable change at the grass-roots level to enhance overall health."
Star golf tourney benefits the Kuakini Foundation
Kuakini Foundation, subsidiary of Kuakini Health System, will be the major beneficiary of the eighth annual benefit golf tournament hosted by Star Markets Ltd., Sept. 25 at the Honolulu Country Club.Single-player sponsorship is $300, including lunch and dinner. Players also may be a Gold Sponsor for $1,000, which includes hole sponsorship and lunch and dinner for a three-person team. Dinner also is available for nonplayers for $75. Part of the contribution is tax-deductible.
The tournament will use a shotgun start and a one-team, best-ball, full-handicap format. Par 5 holes will employ a two-best-ball medal-play format.
For more information, call George Otani at Star Markets, 832-8400.
To donate money or prizes or volunteer to be a course monitor, call Wendy Chong at the Kuakini Foundation, 547-9296.
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 staffNEIGHBOR ISLANDS Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
California man 'critical' after free-diving accident
KAILUA-KONA >> A California man was in critical condition at Kona Hospital after blacking out and nearly drowning yesterday while free-diving in 60 feet of water near Kailua Bay.A diving partner alerted nearby boaters who called 911 at 5:49 p.m., the Fire Department said. The partner remained in the water to mark the spot where the victim was last seen. By the time rescue personnel arrived, 30 minutes had passed, the department said.The victim was removed from the water in a condition that the Fire Department described as "grave" and "extremely critical."
'Steve Martin' scam on Big Island is no joke
HILO >> Police are warning Big Islanders who get a call from "Steve Martin" that they are talking to a scammer, not the famous comedian.In the latest scam to hit the Big Island, a man calling himself Steve Martin tells intended victims, generally elderly, that they can obtain $10,000 if they send $4,000 to an address in the Slovak Republic.
LEEWARD OAHU
Waianae man charged in murder-suicide try
Police have charged a man who set himself on fire at his Waianae home last month with attempted assault, terroristic threatening and abuse of a household member.Vance Apolo, 46, was arrested Tuesday after his release from Straub Hospital, where he had been since the alleged June 8 incident on Piliuka Street.
Police said that after Apolo set himself on fire, he grabbed his 40-year-old wife and told her: "We going burn now, you and I. We're both going to die."
On May 29, Apolo allegedly pointed a loaded rifle at his wife and told her, "I'm going to kill myself, but first I'm going to blow your face off." A struggle ensued, ending with Apolo firing eight shots into the ceiling and his wife fleeing the home with their children, police said.
HONOLULU
Neighbors do their part to put out Kapahulu fire
Waikiki firefighters said bystanders did a great job putting out an apartment fire yesterday afternoon at 910 Kapahulu Ave."They did a real good job," said Capt. Gerald Komine. "By the time we got there, the fire was pretty much extinguished."
Komine said one resident suffered lacerations after breaking glass with his elbow to get to the building's water hose. Another resident was treated for smoke inhalation.
The fire started on the lanai of a first-story apartment unit while a female resident was sleeping. Fire officials said she awoke when she heard "popping" sounds and ran for help.
Komine said the fire caused an estimated $20,000 in damage. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
