Victim in Kapahulu house fire identified
The Honolulu medical examiner has identified the body of the man who died in Thursday morning's fire in Kapahulu as Ian Cruz, 22. The medical examiner's office used Cruz's dental records from Guam to make the identification.The cause of death has yet to be determined. He was in Hawaii attending college. An official at Hawaii Pacific University said Cruz had been a student at the school for about a year. Fire investigators went back into the home a 4145 Duval St. yesterday but have not been able to identify the source or the cause of the fire.
FAA clears mail for travel on passenger flights
The Federal Aviation Administration is easing restrictions for carrying U.S. mail on passenger flights.The FAA cleared all Express Mail, registered, international and APO/FPO mail for transport on commercial airlines, said Honolulu District Manager Edward Broglio of the U.S. Postal Service.
A previous FAA ruling following the Sept. 11 attacks allowed only letter mail to be transported on commercial airlines.
Broglio said, "For people who rely on medical supplies and businesses needing urgent deliveries or sending live shipments, this will be welcome news."
Domestic mail weighing more than 16 ounces must still go on chartered cargo flights, which depart six times a week. Surface mail service remains unchanged.
HPD asks public to plan vehicle checkpoint entry
To prevent traffic congestion and delays, Honolulu police are asking people to minimize the number of items in their vehicles if they plan to drive through vehicle checkpoints.Vehicle inspections are conducted at the Honolulu Airport, military bases and the Prince Kuhio Federal Building.
Bones found in Ewa turned over to ID lab
Honolulu police turned over human skeletons, including several skulls, to the state's Historic Preservation Division and the U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory Hawaii for identification.Officials believe the bones are ancient.
The bones were found Sept. 30 in a box at a home in Ewa.
UH president joins delegation to promote education in Japan
As part of the delegation of Hawaii officials traveling to Japan to promote tourism in Hawaii, University of Hawaii President Evan Dobelle said he used the opportunity to promote the university."It was important to be part of the delegation, important to make sure education was represented, important to meet with the heads of Fuji, the heads of the government, the heads of (Japan Airlines), the heads of hotels there, as well as the heads of hotels here to talk to them about (travel industry management) programs," Dobelle said yesterday.
Dobelle spent two days in Japan as part of the delegation that included Gov. Ben Cayetano and former Gov. George Ariyoshi, county mayors and tourism officials. The group left for Japan on Sunday.
"I thought it was important for us not only to be there for Hawaii, but for us to be there and help support those places that do business with Hawaii," Dobelle said.
>> Bank of America has announced that Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children will receive a share of $17 million from the estate of the late Marjorie Hobbis. Shriners Hospital is slated to receive approximately one third of the amount. The Braille Institute in San Diego (Calif.) and the Unity School of Christianity (Mo.) are also scheduled to receive part of the money. [TAKING NOTICE]
>> Retired U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Stanley Nicholls has been awarded the Doleman Award by the Hawaii Chapter of The Retired Officers Association. The Doleman Award is given each year to a chapter member who has made significant voluntary contributions to the local community since retiring. Nicholls is currently a full-time volunteer who manages human resources for the Institute of Human Services. He was presented with the award during The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii's annual recognition luncheon.
>> Hilo resident Alan Clark has completed the General Dealership Management program administered by the National Automobile Dealers Association. Clark, who is employed at Hawaii Motors, was trained during the program on how to operate a car or truck dealership. He plans to use the skills developed during the 12-month apprenticeship course to prepare for further management responsibilities.
>> Lacey J. Richard-Arnold and Kyle C. Caires have been awarded $500 scholarships by the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council Inc. Richard-Arnold, a graduate of Kapaa High School, currently attends Colorado State University. Caires is a graduate of King Kekaulike High School. He is currently attending Oregon State University. Both students are studying Animal Sciences.
>> The Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce announced the following individuals as officers for fiscal year 2002: Howard R. Hanada, chairman of the board; Ronald Migita, chairman-elect; Arnold Hirotsu, first vice-chairman; Gregg Mueller, second vice-chairman; Yuri Giga, secretary; and Tony Masamitsu, treasurer. Akemi Kurokawa, Barbara Tanabe and Glenn S. Yamada were installed as auditors. Also, Joseph Sailer was presented with the Outstanding Member of the Year Award. The award was presented and officers installed during the HJCC's annual Installation Banquet, held July 14 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
>> Kamaaina Kids-Ewa Preschool has been awarded a $5,000 grant by the Hawaiian Electric Company. Kamaaina Kids plans to use the grant to upgrade playground facilities at the Ewa preschool. HECO's grant, the second presented by the company to Kamaaina Kids-Ewa Preschool, was presented during ceremonies at the preschool in July.
>> Honolulu legal group Na Loio has been recognized by The Foundation for Improvement of Justice as an award-winner for more than 18 years of service providing free legal services and advocacy to indigent immigrants and refugees. Na Loio provides multilingual legal materials on a variety of topics to assist new immigrants. The Foundation for Improvement of Justice will present a certificate of appreciation, a medal and a check for $10,000 to Na Loio at an awards banquet scheduled for Sept. 22.
>> Duke's Waikiki has named Kekoa Flood, Keith Brown and Ron Bregman as Lifeguards of the Month for April, May and June, respectively. The three had their names added to a commemorative koa paddle at the restaurant and also received a plaque.
Corrections and clarifications
>> Honolulu Theatre for Youth's "Beauty and the Beast" has been rescheduled to take place at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. today at Diamond Head Theatre. An item in yesterday's Star Weekend said it would be at Richardson Theatre. The production moves to the University of Hawaii Kennedy Theatre on Oct. 21 and Ron Bright Theatre at Castle High School on Oct. 28.>> Ray Texeira's title is vice president of manufacturing operations for Spirent Communications. An Oct. 3 story in Hawaii Inc. referred to Texeira only as vice president. Also, the stock of the firm's parent, Spirent plc, fell to $1.05 a share as of Oct. 5 from $9.83 on Oct. 5, 2000. The Oct. 3 article contained incorrect stock prices.
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
LEEWARD OAHU
Teen arrested in robbery at Kapolei parking lot A 17-year-old boy was arrested early yesterday in a robbery in the Kapolei shopping center. Police said a 70-year-old man was sitting in his parked vehicle at 1 a.m. when he was approached by a male brandishing a knife and demanding money.
The man told police he gave the robber $400. The man reported the incident to police, who found the suspect a short distance away. Police arrested the boy after the victim identified him.
Waianae brothers held in car shooting at Maili
Police arrested two brothers, ages 21 and 25, of Waianae for attempted first-degree murder Thursday in a shooting at Maili Beach Park last Saturday.Police said a car with three occupants was fired upon as it passed through the park. Two shots shattered the windshield, injuring the driver. One shot hit the rear of the vehicle.
Pearl City boy charged in sex assault on step-sister
Police charged a 14-year-old boy with the sexual assault of his 5-year-old step-sister in Pearl City yesterday.Police said the mother found the two in a sexual position, and the daughter told her that her step-brother had sexually assaulted her on two prior occasions between May and September.
WAIKIKI
Murder suspect charged in unrelated burglary The man who was the prime suspect in the robbery and bludgeoning death of an 81-year-old Canadian man in January at a Waikiki hotel was charged yesterday in an unrelated Jan. 23 burglary case, police said.
Steven Hauge, 44, is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail for a first-degree robbery at 7 a.m. Jan. 23.
Police said a tourist couple left their hotel room to go to breakfast, leaving their luggage inside for the bellman to pick up.
While downstairs, the couple overheard a bellman tell the tour desk when he arrived at their room, he was refused entry by a man inside who said he would bring them down later.
The couple identified themselves and returned to the room with the bellman. Their luggage was found cut open and the contents missing. Police say evidence found at the scene identified the suspect and he was arrested.
Hauge was never charged in the murder or robbery of Canadian tourist Norman Chaplan, but was arrested and tried for an unrelated robbery case at the time.
Chaplan was robbed Jan. 23 and died two days later from head wounds sustained after being beaten on the head with a rock.
[THE COURTS]
Man gets 10 years in jail for robbing man of $11
WAILUKU >> An $11 robbery on Maui has led to a 10-year prison sentence.The sentence was imposed Tuesday after Dennis Brooks, 25, of Lahaina pleaded no contest to reduced charges of second-degree robbery and second-degree terroristic threatening.
Brooks had been found guilty of first-degree robbery in 1996 and 1999, but both convictions were overturned by the state Intermediate Court of Appeals.
Circuit Judge Shackley Raffetto ordered Brooks to serve at least six years and eight months before becoming eligible for parole. Brooks was given credit for more than five years he has already spent in prison.
Brooks was accused of robbing Michael Holland in 1995 after threatening to stab him in the stomach and to slit his throat. Holland said he handed over $11 to Brooks.
Girlfriend of suspect in beating pleads no contest
HILO >> The girlfriend of a Big Island man accused of beating his 9-year-old son to death pleaded no contest to manslaughter this week for failing to stop the beating.Kuulei Kane, 31, is to be sentenced Nov. 20 in connection with the Aug. 23, 2000 death of her boyfriend's son, Derek Waki Jr. The father, Derek Waki Sr., 30, earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter and abuse of a family member. He will be sentenced Oct. 29.
The father, who said he was abused in his own childhood, told police he was trying to stop his son from repeated lying. The father admitted to police that he hit and shoved his son's head against hard objects.
