[TO OUR READERS]
Star-Bulletin makes changes
Changes in the Star-Bulletin, beginning today, will make the paper easier to read.Some sections and their content are different, and there are design changes. The first section remains largely the same, but Sports becomes the second section. The third section includes Hawaii Inc. and Classified.
The fourth section -- Features -- houses our two pages of comics, columns and puzzles. Our color weather page moves to this section's back page.
Also today, we unveil a new weekly page -- Hawaii's Schools -- produced by teenagers from throughout the islands. Mililani High School journalists are up first. Look for their page in the Today section, on D5.
Water main break slows traffic near Blaisdell Arena
A water main break near the Neal Blaisdell Center forced police to close two Koko Head-bound lanes of Kapiolani Boulevard from Ward Avenue to Piikoi Street to morning rush hour traffic."We've got three lanes Ewa bound open and one lane Koko Head bound open," said Tracy Burgo, Honolulu Board of Water Supply spokeswoman.
The break also prevented road crews from opening the morning contra-flow lane on Kapiolani Boulevard, police said.
Burgo said the break is to a 12-inch main and repairs are expected to last all day affecting afternoon rush-hour traffic.
The break is about 100 yards east of Ward Avenue. Burgo said a few nearby business are without water.
Board of Water Supply officials were notified of the break at 12:15 a.m. by police who saw the water spilling onto the roadway.
Filipinos' workshop aims right at the heart
A free health workshop will be presented Sept. 29 for Filipinos, who are at higher risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases than most other ethnic groups in Hawaii.The American Heart Association of Hawaii will sponsor the "Caring for Hawaii's Filipinos" event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Philippine Consulate General, 2433 Pali Hwy.
Topics will include reducing risks for heart disease and stroke, diabetes as a major risk factor and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Rigolette Baraquio, mother of Miss America Angela Perez Baraquio, will discuss her experience with heart disease.
The workshop will begin with registration, blood pressure and diabetes screening and stroke risk assessment.
Philippine Consulate General Rolando Gregorio will welcome participants, and Emme Tomimbang, president and executive producer of Emme's Island Moments, will speak on "Taking Wellness to Heart, a Personal Testimony."
Other speakers and their topics include:
>> Cardiologist Sam Dacanay, "The Heart of Filipinos -- Reducing Your Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases."
>> Neurologist Leo Maher, "The Latest on Stroke -- Risk Factors, Signs and Symptoms and Current Treatments."
>> Endocrinologist Laurie Tom, "Diabetes as a Major Risk Factor for Heart Disease and Stroke."
Lunch and health screenings will be at noon, with a presentation by Rigolette Baraquio on "how Miss America's mother nearly missed her daughter's triumphs."
Door prizes and free translated educational materials will be available, and Clinical Laboratories of Hawaii will provide free cholesterol screening.
Seating is limited, so registration is requested. Call the heart association at 538-7021, ext. 34.
Limited parking is available at Nuuanu Congregational Church, 2651 Pali Hwy. Carpooling is suggested.
Legal isle-grown hallucinogen attracting attention of the DEA
A powerful hallucinogenic plant that is legal and commercially grown in Hawaii and other places is drawing the interest of medical researchers and law enforcement.Anecdotal accounts of use of the herb, called Salvia divinorum, describe hallucinogenic trips that make the user feel like an inanimate object or worse.
"I don't know anyone who has ever taken it and said, 'Gee, that was fun,'" said Dr. Ethan Russo, a Missoula, Mont., clinical neurologist and expert on psychotropic herbs.
No federal laws govern the plants, even though, by weight, the active component of Salvia divinorum is the most powerful natural hallucinogen known, Russo said.
The drug's effects last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour and more. During that time, users can lose all perception of reality. Salvia users and foes alike say it should never be taken while alone.
In Hawaii the state Narcotics Enforcement Division is aware of the herb, but Administrator Keith Kamita said, "We're not really seeing it."
He said the division has not heard reports of people using it, just that "there is a substance sold on the Internet that gives you a legal high."
Experts said interest in the plant, a member of the sage family, springs from its use as a ritual herb by an Indian tribe near Oaxaca, Mexico. Other hallucinogens, like the South American brew ayahuasca, have similar followings.
For now, the hallucinogenic plant is legal and is commercially grown in Hawaii, California and its native Mexico. However, the Drug Enforcement Administration is reviewing it, and the state narcotics division awaits the DEA findings.
"We're still in more the research phase of finding what this item contains," Kamita said. "We know DEA is doing the research, so we're taking a back seat in this substance right now just to see what they come up with."
Under state law a substance can become controlled only after toxicity, level of abuse and numerous other factors are determined, he said. "Part of the thing is to see if it is a danger to the public," he said. "As for right now, we haven't got any calls one way or another."
Although it was not known how large the local industry is, at least two companies sell the herb on the Internet. Both advertise that it is homegrown.
The Web site for Kava Kauai, which sells 7 grams of the herb for $20, reads: "Whole dried Salvia divinorum leaves organically grown without chemicals in the rich volcanic soil of Hawaii. Always fresh. Harvested and dried daily."
Kava Kauai declined comment.
How Salvia divinorum produces its hallucinogenic effects is unknown because its active component, Salvinorin A, does not work on any neurotransmitter sites affected by other hallucinogens, including THC, the active component of marijuana. Nor does it contain nitrogen, which makes Salvinorin A unusual as a psychoactive molecule.
Russo, the clinical neurologist, said he hoped the drug was not outlawed.
"That would be crazy on numerous levels -- first, we don't even know how this stuff works," Russo said. "It's possible Salvia and Salvinorin A can lead us to a better understanding of our own neural chemistry."
Traditionally, the leaves of the plant are chewed by Mexico's Mazatec Indians during ritual ceremonies to produce mild hallucinations.
Audit criticizes delays at state public housing agency
An audit of the state's public housing agency found problems in its accounting and internal controls, but the agency said it has implemented most of the recommendations.The audit report released Friday by the certified public accounting firm of KPMG LLP for the fiscal year ending June 30 said inadequacies in the Housing and Community Development Corp.'s new information system resulted in delays and added costs.
The audit also faulted a 23-month delay in executing a design consultant contract and procedures it says could have resulted in a freeze of federal funding assistance. Slow placement of applicants for low-income housing and rental assistance could lead to a waiting period of two to seven years, the audit said.
HCDC's executive director, Sharyn Miyashiro, objected to the concern that the agency had not been successful in fulfilling its mission. It ignores the tremendous efforts the agency has made to provide affordable housing, considering market, economic and social conditions in the state, she said.
The audit said that as of July 31, 2000, about 7,200 applicants were on the waiting list for low-income public housing, and 5,800 on the list for rental assistance, although some are on both lists.
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 staff
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
CENTRAL OAHU
Wahiawa man arrested in domestic abuse case
Police arrested a 41-year-old Wahiawa man yesterday who allegedly threatened his former girlfriend Tuesday in her Wilikina Drive apartment, then barricaded himself inside.Police are seeking charges of terroristic threatening and abuse of a family or household member.
Police said the man had threatened the woman by slashing at her with a fishing pole. He missed and damaged items in her home.
He then chased her around the apartment with a pair of scissors. Although he did not strike her, he did shove her against the bedroom door several times, police said.
The man then barricaded himself in the bedroom and refused to leave, police said.
Specialized Services Division and police negotiators were called to the scene. SSD apprehended the suspect, and he was taken to Wahiawa General Hospital for observation. Police said he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
He was transferred to Queen's Medical Center, where he was kept for psychiatric evaluation. He was arrested after being released from the hospital yesterday.
The man also was arrested for terroristic threatening in a similar incident in which he barricaded himself and the same woman in her Wahiawa apartment on June 16. He previously was hospitalized for psychiatric evaluation but was not charged.
HONOLULU
Coast Guard resumes search for missing sailor
Two Coast Guard helicopters, a C-130 aircraft and the 87-foot cutter Kitiwake resumed the search this morning for a sailboat captain missing since Saturday.The 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Assateague and an auxiliary vessel were expected to join the search later in the day.
The man was knocked overboard by a swinging boom in waters about three miles south of Diamond Head about 6 p.m. Saturday.
The Coast Guard will be searching waters west-southwest of Barbers Point taking into account ocean drift.
The missing man had two friends aboard his sailboat when he went overboard, but they were inexperienced sailors and had trouble turning the boat around to try to save the man, police said.
The two passengers also did not know how to contact the Coast Guard from the boat.
The Coast Guard was contacted an hour later when they sailed to another boat, the Royal Princess, a dinner cruise boat.
Woman and boyfriend beat each other
A 34-year-old Makiki woman who was arrested yesterday for abuse of her boyfriend told police the man had repeatedly hit her on the head with his fists on Aug. 1.After the woman was taken to the hospital and her injuries were confirmed, the 41-year-old man was arrested for second-degree assault, police said.
The man was arrested after he was treated and released from the hospital, police said.
LEEWARD OAHU
Pipe bomb explosion injures Waimalu man
A 57-year-old Waimalu man suffered injuries to his hands and face when a pipe bomb exploded in his hands Saturday evening, police said.Police said the man's sister found the device at their home and that it detonated when he pulled it apart. The device was about 6 inches long and looked like a cigar holder.
He was taken to Queen's Medical Center in serious condition. Police have opened a first-degree assault case in the matter, but have no arrests have been made.
Infant with broken leg prompts HPD inquiry
Police detectives are investigating a possible second-degree assault case involving a 24-day-old Waipahu infant.The infant was brought into Kapiolani Medical Center with a swollen leg. Doctors further discovered the child had a fractured right femur.
No arrest has been made. The case is under investigation.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Hilo man apparently drowns fishing off Puna
PUNA >> A 62-year-old Hilo man apparently drowned early yesterday in waters off Puna in a fishing accident, authorities said.He was identified as Dodd Balock. The Coast Guard received a distress signal at midnight Saturday from a fishing boat off Pohoiki Bay.
A fire department rescue helicopter checking the coastline spotted a boat washed ashore at 1:21 a.m. yesterday. Fire rescuers recovered the body from the water just north of Pohoiki Beach Road.
The man was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 4:30 a.m.
