Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Sunday, August 19, 2001

Maui plans granite memorial for war dead

WAILUKU >> Maui park officials are planning to engrave in a granite memorial the names of county veterans who died while serving in World Wars I and II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

The memorial is to replace a list of names in removable letters in a glass case near the entrance to the War Memorial Gym in Wailuku.

The county, scheduled to unveil the memorial on Veterans Day on Nov. 11, is accepting names until Sept. 4.

A list of the names included in the memorial may be obtained by accessing the county's Web site at http://www.co.maui.hi.us or calling parks official Karla Peters, 270-7931.

Hawaii receives $200,000 for wildfire education and prevention

The State of Hawaii has received $200,000 in federal fire prevention funding to help educate and prepare residents in communities near wildlands susceptible to brush fires.

Each county will receive $50,000, which can be used by local fire departments to purchase fire-resistant clothing, helmets, hoses, fittings, and for firefighter training and education. The fire departments also will make public awareness presentations in wildfire-prone communities.

Homeowners and businesses can obtain free educational brochures from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife on each island.

Here are some fire safety tips for homeowners:

>> Control vegetation: A fuel break of at least 30 feet wide should be maintained around all structures. Wider breaks are needed around buildings on steep slopes or in areas of dense, highly flammable fuels.

>> Clean your roof: Clean roof surfaces and gutters regularly to avoid accumulations of leaves, twigs and other flammable materials.

>> Keep these firefighting tools easily accessible: a ladder in case of a roof fire, 100 feet of garden hose, a shovel, a rake and a bucket.

>> Don't store combustibles: Keep all flammable materials well away from your home.

>> Have an exit plan: Keep access routes clearly marked with two exits from your property. Make sure your family has a planned emergency evacuation route in case of a wildfire.

>> Be prepared: Make sure house and property road signs and addresses are readily visible for arriving firefighting units.

For further information call the Division of Forestry and Wildlife: Oahu at 587-0166; Hawaii at 987-4221; Maui at 984-8101; Kauai at 274-3433; Molokai/Lanai at 553-1745.

Isle Boy Scouts set fund-raising record at annual dinner

The Aloha Council of the Boy Scouts of America set a record by raising more than $800,000 at its annual Hawaii's Distinguished Citizen Award dinner last week, organizers said.

More than 1,400 people attended the dinner Thursday night to honor Warren Haruki, president of Verizon Hawaii.

Wes Heu, Aloha Council finance director, said the amount raised, which will go toward state chapter-sponsored programs, outpaced an annual average of about $450,000.

The award is given to a person whose leadership in business, education and other community endeavors has contributed to Hawaii's vitality.

Volunteers needed to welcome Chilean navy ship's crew

Volunteers are being sought to help provide a "Day of Hospitality" for members of the Chilean Navy during the upcoming visit to Hawaii of its training ship, the CNS Esmerelda.

The Esmerelda is scheduled to arrive in Lahaina on Sept. 4 before coming to Pearl Harbor for five days beginning Sept. 7.

The nonprofit International Hospitality Center of Honolulu has planned a Day of Hospitality for Sept. 8. Volunteers are being sought to provide a warm welcome to the cadets and crewmen by taking them sightseeing, to beach picnics, barbecues and other recreational activities, officials said.

Those who wish to volunteer must be registered by Sept. 5.

For more information, contact the IHC at (808) 521-3554.

East will meet West at health fair for seniors

"East Meets West" is the theme of the annual Health Fair at One Kalakaua Senior Living from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday.

Seniors who live at other such residences or who participate in community programs for seniors have been invited. There is no fee.

The theme underscores the emphasis at One Kalakaua on activities and programs that incorporate Asian disciplines, philosophies and medicine with Western health care.

Karen Moscatello, One Kalakaua executive director, said a large number of residents participate in regular tai chi/qi gong classes and use services of acupuncturists, herbalists and massage therapists specializing in Asian techniques.

Victor Kwai Beu Young, also a senior, teaches the classes. He has studied and practiced tai chi chuan, qi gong, judo, aikido and meditation throughout the United States and China for more than 40 years.

One of his students, Ah Jook Ku, will participate in a demonstration at the health fair. Ku is a member of the board of directors of One Kalakaua Senior Living.

Ten-minute massage sessions will be offered with practitioners of foot reflexology, chair massage, acupressure and Japanese jorei (healing hands).

Complimentary refreshments will be served, including herbal teas, fruit smoothies, a new One Kalakaua energy bar, edible flower salads, and meatless chili.

For more information, call Moscatello at 983-4400.

UH president to discuss Leeward at town meeting

University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle will discuss proposals regarding Leeward Oahu at a town meeting hosted by Aiea and Pearl City legislators Tuesday at the Pearlridge Elementary School cafeteria from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Community members will be able to hear and comment on future plans for Leeward Community College and UH-West Oahu, as well as the possibility of moving a medical school to a Leeward location and building a new football stadium at the proposed UH-West Oahu site near Kapolei.

For more information, contact Rep. Roy Takumi at 586-6170.

Maui group to launch aerial attack on miconia

WAILUKU >> A Maui group is stepping up efforts to eradicate an alien plant that is threatening to eliminate large areas of native forest.

The Maui Invasive Species Committee, a coalition of private and government groups, plans to fly over east Maui seven days in August and nine days in September using Windward Aviation's yellow helicopters.

The group will be searching for and spraying an herbicide on miconia plants in areas inaccessible by foot.

Group spokeswoman Christy Martin said more than $200,000 in county and federal funds has been allocated for the operation.

[WINNERS & LOSERS]

[WINNERS]

<< NASA ingenuity:The space agency's giant solar-powered flying wing, Helios, took off from Kauai Tuesday and flew at an altitude of 96,500 feet -- more than 21,000 feet higher than the previous record, which stood for 25 years.

Best brains: Stanford University ecologist Peter Vitousek, who is from Honolulu, was named one of "America's Best" in science by Time magazine for his study of Hawaii's ecosystems.

Kauai boaters: The three remaining boat companies offering Na Pali Coast tours from Hanalei Bay won a preliminary injunction against state rules that would shut them down.

[LOSERS]

>> Convicted killer: Gregory Peregil was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for the 1997 murder of John Wailehua-Hansen in Waialua. Peregil apologized to Wailehua-Hansen's family during Monday's sentencing.

Isle education: Hawaii's public school students are once again caught in the middle as Gov. Ben Cayetano and the teachers union continue their war of words over the contract. The union has taken its fight to the state labor board.

Pesky leak: The state Capitol's roof is still leaking, just as it did after it was built in 1969 and after the $69 million renovation in the 1990s. The state has spent about $50,000 on its current attempt to stop the flow.

---

Corrections and clarifications

>> A story in Friday's Star Weekend section incorrectly listed dates for David Copperfield's magic show, "Portal." He performs daily at 8 p.m. today through Aug. 26. There are also shows at 5 p.m. today, and next Saturday and Sunday.

>> A file photo on yesterday's front page showed "Baywatch" actor David Hasselhoff on the Utah Memorial. The photo caption incorrectly identified him as being on the Iowa Memorial.

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 staff

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

LEEWARD OAHU

Firefighters keep busy battling 6 brush fires

Leeward firefighters responded to six brush fires Friday night, including one that flared up again after fire crews believed it was extinguished.

The brush fires took place between 6 and 11 p.m. at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Center, the Waianae Boat Harbor, Waianae High School, near the intersection of Farrington Highway and Ala Walua Street and behind the Tesoro gas station at 86-090 Farrington Highway. A flare-up at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Center forced firefighters back to the scene.

Capt. Richard Soo said though the fires appear to have been intentionally set, investigators will not be determining the cause because the fires did not destroy property or cause injury.

Nanakuli gas leak forces evacuation of 5 homes

Firefighters evacuated five homes in Nanakuli yesterday after a contractor broke into a liquid propane gas line yesterday morning.

Fire crews and hazardous materials teams responded to the emergency call at 11:48 a.m. near 87-257 Ahyoung Homestead Road. Fire crews evacuated 12 people for about an hour while air quality samples were taken. Families were able to return to their homes at 12:15 p.m.

Single-car crash kills Pearl City man, 22

A 22-year-old Pearl City man died at 1:03 a.m. yesterday, following a single-car crash at 10:02 p.m. Friday, police reported.

The man was entering H-1 freeway eastbound from the Campbell Industrial Park onramp when he lost control of his Honda Civic near the Kapolei Theater after making several lane changes at a high rate of speed, police said.

The car went off the right shoulder and up an embankment, rolled at least twice and hit a light pole.

The driver was thrown from the car. A 19-year-old Ewa Beach man, who was a passenger in the car, was also injured and is in fair condition at Queen's Hospital.

Police said speed and not using a seatbelt appeared to be factors in the death, but it was not known if alcohol was involved.

The death was Oahu's 51st traffic fatality this year, compared to 42 traffic deaths at the same time last year.

Kayaker in distress rescued off Barbers Point

A lone kayaker was found unharmed after an hour-long search yesterday afternoon off Barbers Point.

The U.S. Coast Guard launched a search helicopter and a fire rescue team launched a boat from Ko Olina after people on shore reported a kayaker in distress off White Plains Beach about 2:30 p.m., said Fire Department spokesman Richard Soo.

The kayaker was brought ashore by a boat at about 3:30 p.m. "He was tired but OK," said Battalion Chief John Coe.

WINDWARD OAHU

Man allegedly threatens to cut neighbor in pieces

Honolulu police arrested a 48-year-old Kailua man Friday for allegedly threatening to cut his neighbor up into pieces. Police said the situation started during an argument at a Kailua Road residence.

Police said the suspect was arguing with his neighbor, a 15-year-old boy, when the suspect entered the boy's house and came back with a kitchen knife. Police said the suspect pointed the knife at the victim's face and threatened to "cut him into little pieces."

Police were called and arrested the suspect for first-degree terroristic threatening.

Honolulu man dies in motorcycle accident

A 21-year-old Honolulu man died Friday after a motorcycle accident Aug. 11, police said. He was taken to the Queen's Medical Center after he lost control on a curve and he hit a cement culvert on Auloa Road, south of Pali Highway.