Motor vehicle disposal facility faces complaint
The state Department of Health has filed a complaint against a motor vehicle disposal facility that violated the state's solid-waste and used-oil rules when it shut down a year ago.Storage Services Inc. and its general manager, William Mahas, face a $57,500 penalty and have been ordered to comply with state hazardous-waste rules. They have been given 20 days to answer the complaint and order.
According to health officials, the company improperly disposed of used motor vehicles and mismanaged its solid waste. A large quantity of scrap motor vehicle tires were left behind after the site was abandoned before Aug. 17, 2000.
Navy officials to visit Ehime Maru victims' kin
MATSUYAMA, Japan >> The commander of the U.S. Navy in Japan, along with other Navy officials, will visit Uwajima in Ehime prefecture Saturday to speak with the families of the nine people missing in a collision between a fisheries training ship and a U.S. nuclear submarine off Hawaii, U.S. Navy officials in Japan said yesterday.Rear Adm. Robert Chaplin and others will explain to the relatives the specifics of the salvage operation currently under way of the Uwajima-based fisheries training ship Ehime Maru and also inquire about the relatives' intention to travel to Hawaii.
The last time U.S. Navy officials visited, in mid-June, they explained that the search for bodies within the ship will begin in September and that the operation related to raising the ship is scheduled to be completed in mid-October.
The 499-ton Ehime Maru sank off Hawaii after it was rammed by the nuclear-powered U.S. submarine USS Greeneville on Feb. 9.
Nine of the 35 people aboard the ship are missing and presumed drowned.
Whale sanctuary council makes several resolutions
The Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary's 25-member Advisory Council took a stand this week on several issues it considers important to the well-being of whales.Meeting at the Honolulu Airport, the group resolved to:
>> Oppose any carbon dioxide sequestration experiments in Hawaii waters.
>> Oppose Navy plans for expansion of its Hawaiian Shallow Water Training Range in the water of the Auau Channel between Maui and Kahoolawe.
The council also decided to seek federal funding for a new sanctuary office on the Big Island. The 5-year-old sanctuary currently has a main office on Maui and smaller offices on Oahu and Kauai.
UH-Manoa music dept.'s doctoral program gets OK
The University of Hawaii at Manoa Music Department has been granted final approval by the National Association of Schools of Music for its doctoral degree program with emphases in composition, music education, ethnomusicology or musicology.The program was officially recognized after it graduated two people.
The national association commended UH's program for integrating the study and teaching of world music with composition, music education and musicology.
Honors go to those who help seniors contribute
Rene Nakama, founder of Hawaii's foster grandparents program, and Sen. Suzanne Chun-Oakland (D, Alewa Heights-Palama) will receive awards at the third annual Keiki-Kupuna festival Aug. 16.Waianae Elementary School's Senior Fellows program and American Savings Bank also will receive awards at the event, sponsored by the Hawaii Intergenerational Network and Seagull Schools Inc.
Mayor Jeremy Harris will present the awards at a dinner from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Laulima Room of Hale Koa Hotel.
The awards recognize organizations and persons who help senior citizens contribute to the community through assisting children and youths. The Hawaii Medical Service Association supports the program.
For more information, call 261-8534. The cost to attend the event is $20.
Wahiawa firefighters await new facilities
The Honolulu Fire Department will remain in Wahiawa in temporary facilities while construction of its new station takes place.Chief Attilio K. Leonardi said construction of the new station, at a cost of about $1.8 million, is scheduled to be completed next July. The old station was built in 1941 at a cost of $33,094.
The new station will include a standby emergency generator, a decontamination room and central air conditioning.
Group awards $24,793 for humanities projects
The Hawaii Council for the Humanities announced it recently awarded $24,793 to nonprofit groups in support of public humanities projects:>> $10,000 to Pili Productions Inc. and the University of Hawaii Center for Pacific Island Studies to produce a Web site and hold workshops for teachers on relationships between the environment, society and history.
>>$9,793 to the Biographical Research Center and King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center to hold live history forums on five men and women who made lasting impacts on Hawaii's history, culture and society.
>> $2,500 to the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii, Animal Rights-Hawaii and Leeward Community College to hold a presentation and discussion on the history of animal rights with philosopher and author Peter Singer.
>> $2,500 to Friends of Waipahu Cultural Garden Park and the Puerto Rican Heritage Group to print a brochure on the Puerto Rican house at Hawaii's Plantation Village.
'Walk in the Mall' marks second anniversary
The public is invited by St. Francis Hospice to celebrate the second anniversary of the "Walk in the Mall" from 8 to 9 a.m. Wednesday at Kahala Mall Shopping Center.Members of the "Walk in the Mall" Support Group have been walking together to cope with the grief of losing a loved one and find support from others.
The celebration began Aug. 1 at Pearlridge Shopping Center where walkers meet the first Wednesday of the month at center stage. They meet the third Wednesday of the month at Kahala Mall.
Anniversary celebrations include a blessing ceremony followed by reading of a grief article, door prizes and refreshments. St. Francis Hospice also will have a nurse available to take blood pressure and pulse rates.
For more information or to register for the monthly walks, call Felicia Marquez-Wong at 595-7566.
Diabetes Youth Camp taking place in Mokuleia
The annual Diabetes Youth Camp for youths ages 6 to 17 is under way at YMCA Camp Erdman in Mokuleia.About 40 kids and teens are attending the five-day camp, sponsored by the American Diabetes Association Hawaii. It began Monday.
Besides hiking, sports, arts and crafts, campfires and scavenger hunts, campers will learn about Type 1 diabetes, which requires diet and doses of insulin to control their blood sugar.
Doctors, dietitians, nurses and other volunteers will help the children understand the complicated relationship between blood sugar, nutrition, water consumption, heat, stress and insulin dosage.
>> Irmgard Aluli, Gladys Brandt, David Peters and Myron "Pinky" Thompson will be honored during the Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club's 2001 Scholarship Fund-raising Luncheon. The four were selected for their contributions to the organization and the general community. The luncheon serves as the Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club's primary fund-raiser for the year. [TAKING NOTICE]
>> The Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii has awarded formal recognition to the Puu Hale O Nanakuli and Koolau Village Resident Associations. Newly elected officers for Puu Hale O Nanakuli include Michael Rohrer, president; Janice Kahawai, vice president; Terri Soares, secretary; Sylvia Mercado, treasurer; and Leo Molina, sergeant-at-arms. The Koolau Village Tenant Association also named the following individuals as officers: Dolly Keama, president; Coates Cobb-Adams, vice president; Tina Decker, secretary; Celina Torres, treasurer; and Gilbert Farm, sergeant-at-arms. Both associations met U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations to be recognized as the representative for their public housing community.
>> The Venture Club of Honolulu has named the following individuals as officers and directors for 2001-2002: Shari Higa, president; Diedre Suenaka, vice president; Tricia Lee, secretary; Kara Yoshida, treasurer; Cindy Iwata, director of service; Kay Mukaigawa, director of individual development; Amy Leong, director of membership; Jo Kim, director of public relations; Sherri Hanashiro, director of ways and means; and Blair Odo, Soroptimist International of Honolulu liaison.
>> Diane Parker, Patricia Young, Betty Easley and Pamela Fujinaka were named winners of 2000 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The awards are the nation's highest honor for K-12 math and science teachers. Parker is a teacher at Waikele Elementary School. Young teaches at Roosevelt High School. Easley is employed at Kahakai Elementary. Fujinaka is a teacher at Iolani School.
The four are among approximately 200 educators nationwide to receive the award. Each awardee received a $7,500 grant from the National Science Foundation to direct a math or science project at their school and a trip to Washington, D.C., to receive the award.
In addition, Timothy Cantley of Sacred Hearts, Maria C. Rogers of Maryknoll School and Joel Truesdell of Kamehameha Schools were named state finalists and received a $750 award from the NSF. The awardees were honored locally during a luncheon held June 2 at the Halekulani Hotel.
>> The Army/Air Force Exchange Service at Hickam AFB has been awarded the State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation's Outstanding Employer of the Year award for the central section of Oahu. State Sen. Cal Kawamoto (D, Pearl City) presented a plaque on behalf of the state during ceremonies held June 5.
Corrections and clarifications
>> Ronald Labasan, 34, did not tell state officials that he had received more than $19,000 in workers' compensation and personal injury settlements when he applied for welfare. A story in Tuesday's paper said he stole more than $19,000 in workers' compensation and personal injury settlements.>> An article in some editions yesterday about dredge material from the Ala Wai Canal incorrectly referred to dredging Ala Wai Harbor. Only the canal is scheduled to be dredged later this year by a contractor under direction of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
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
HONOLULU
Two men arrested in Nuuanu death
Police arrested two 18-year-old men in connection with the death of a man whose body was found in Nuuanu Stream last week.The body of Benjamin Amarino, 59, was pulled from the Nuuanu Stream on August 1. Police opened a homicide investigation after the medical examiner determined Amarino drowned after being hit on the head.
Lockdown at OCCC continues this morning
The lockdown was to resume this morning at Oahu Community Correctional Center where about 100 Department of Public Safety officers will continue to search for weapons, drugs and other contraband.No illicit weapons or drugs were found yesterday in the search. Objects that could be fashioned into weapons as well as homemade liquor, or "swipe," were uncovered, watch Capt. Time Leae said last night.
Inmates are confined to cells and meals are served in the cells during the lockdown, he said. Privileges such as telephone calls and visitors are curtailed, but the prisoners are allowed access to medical care and their attorneys and are transported to scheduled court appearances.
Inmates were allowed out of their cells after the search was suspended yesterday about 4 p.m. Leae said the search may continue tomorrow until the entire Kalihi facility is covered.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Suspect in 1997 fire held on $100,000 bail
WAILUKU >> A 42-year-old woman is being held on $100,000 bail awaiting an Oct. 29 trial for allegedly starting a fire that endangered residents and damaged apartment units at Puuone Terrace in Wailuku.Michelle Seung Ae Yun, also known as Michelle Lee, was arrested on Oahu and brought back to Maui to face 31 counts of first-degree criminal property damage.
Dozens of residents were evacuated when a fire occurred at 1:52 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1997.
Fire scorches 150 acres of brush on Big Island
PUNALUU, Hawaii >> A fire of unknown origin burned 150 acres of brush land below the Hawaii Belt Highway near Punaluu in the Big Island's Kau district, the Fire Department said.The fire was reported at 8:18 p.m. Tuesday and was declared under control at 1:38 a.m. Six firefighters remained at the site during the night to prevent flare-ups yesterday.
Visitor critically injured in waters off Maui
KAANAPALI, Maui >> A 36-year-old Japanese woman was in critical condition yesterday at Maui Memorial Medical Center after being pulled unconscious from waters off the Sheraton Maui Resort.A man swimming in the water found the woman floating face down in the water about 100 yards offshore at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday.
Sgt. Don Simpson said the woman from Chiba-shi, Japan, had a broken neck.
CENTRAL OAHU
Soldier charged with Waiau stabbings
A Schofield Barracks soldier is being held on $100,000 bail after he was charged last night with two counts of attempted murder in connection with the stabbing of his estranged wife, 32, and another man.Police said James Acosta, 32, confronted and stabbed his wife and a 38-year-old Pearl City man at a street corner in Waiau early Tuesday. Acosta's wife was driving a co-worker home and the man was following in another vehicle. Acosta then drove his wife to Tripler Army Medical Center where he was arrested.
Acosta was also charged with two counts of terroristic threatening and kidnapping. Police said Acosta's wife had a restraining order against her husband at the time of the stabbing.
WAIKIKI
Police looking for suspect in 2 sidewalk robberies
Honolulu police are looking for a man who may have been involved in two separate robberies in Waikiki early yesterday morning.The first robbery took place at 330 Hobron Lane at 12:05 a.m. Police said a woman walking home from work heard someone running behind her.
When the woman turned to look, she saw the suspect, who pointed a gun at her and demanded her handbag and groceries, which she surrendered, police said.
At about 2:30 a.m. a 28-year-old woman also was walking near Ena Road and Hobron Lane when a man got out of a vehicle and demanded her purse, police said. When the victim refused, police said the suspect struck her in the head with a handgun, took her purse and fled in the vehicle.
The suspect in both cases was described as a man his 30s, about 5-feet-6 and between 140 and 160 pounds. He was described as having a thin to medium build, short hair and wearing dark baggy pants. Police said the second victim described the suspect's vehicle as a red, four-door American model and gave a partial license plate number of GYX.
LEEWARD OAHU
Woman arrestedin angry break-in
Honolulu police arrested a 24-year-old woman for breaking into her neighbor's apartment after finding her husband there with several other women. Police said the incident took place when the suspect arrived at her Pupupuhi Street home around 3 a.m. yesterday.Police said the suspect got into a confrontation with a 21-year-old woman. Police said that at some point the 24-year-old woman was locked out of the apartment and threw a beach chair through the unit's glass louvered windows to gain entrance.
Once inside, police said, the suspect assaulted the victim before being separated by responding officers.
