Restaurant manager faces fine over tax returns
A federal jury has convicted the manager of Kengo's Seafood Buffet of three counts of filing a false tax return.Kengo I. Nozaki filed false corporate tax returns for the year 1992 for Kapiolani Enterprises Inc., doing business as Kengo's Royal Buffet. He also filed false individual tax returns for the years 1993 and 1994.
Nozaki hid about $112,000 in 1992, $166,000 in 1993 and $68,000 during the first half of 1994 while he was the general manager of Kengo's Royal Buffet on Kapiolani Boulevard.
Several former employees of Kengo's Royal Buffet testified that during this time period Nozaki skimmed profits from the establishment. The money was not reported on Nozaki's personal tax returns or on the corporate tax return filed for 1992.
District Judge Alan Kay will sentence Nozaki on Feb. 11. Each count of filing a false income tax return carries a maximum of three years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Free entry to national parks for Veterans Day
People in private vehicles may visit national parks, monuments and memorials for free during the Nov. 10-12 Veterans Day weekend, the federal government announced.In the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, entrance fees will be waived to encourage Americans to "draw strength from national icons of freedom and peace from splendors of nature," said U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton.
Hawaii sites that will be affected are the USS Arizona Memorial, Haleakala National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park and Kalaupapa National Historical Park, a spokeswoman said.
Judiciary division head to take on additional role
The head of the state Judiciary's Support Services Division will take on the additional role as deputy administrative director of the courts starting Thursday.Nathaniel Kim will hold both posts as part of the Achieving Court Excellence Project, a 1999 initiative that aims to streamline the Judiciary.
Kim's dual roles will help assess the effectiveness of ACE, the Judiciary said. A University of Hawaii graduate, Kim has worked for the Judiciary since 1976 as a probation officer, social services manager and chief court administrator of the First Circuit Court.
"(Mr. Kim) has been a key leader in the development of our ACE initiatives," said Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald Moon. "We gain much by his many years of experience, knowledge and skill, and we certainly appreciate his willingness to accept even more responsibilities in serving the people of Hawaii."
AIEA FIRE IS ANYTHING BUT CHILD'S PLAY
Experts to present public talk on dengue
A panel of health professionals will hold a forum on dengue fever and other public health threats from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the state Capitol.Dr. Paul Effler, chief of the state Health Department's Epidemiology Branch, will address the epidemiological, public health nursing, environmental health and community education aspects of the dengue outbreak.
Others on the panel will be Dr. Lorrin Pang, Maui District health officer; Salvatore Lanzilotti, city-county emergency medical services director, and Charlotte Fusato of the Maui Public Health Nursing Division.
The forum is sponsored by the Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Nurses' Association, Hawaii Public Health Association and University of Hawaii School of Public Health Alumni Association.
Sharyn Stephani Monet, director of education and practice for the Nurses' Association, said, "Our purpose is to ensure that all health professionals receive information on recognition and treatment of dengue fever and other emerging public health threats."
While the briefing is intended to address concerns of health professionals working with dengue and other health hazards, the public is invited to attend.
Army can burn carbon at Johnston
The federal Environmental Protection Agency approved the Army's request to burn used carbon at the Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System.The carbon, or charcoal, was used to filter out contaminants as chemical weapons were being destroyed, said Lt. Col. John Esce, U.S. Army Pacific Nuclear Biological and Chemical Officer. The charcoal came from masks and the ventilation system of the munitions demilitarization building, he said.
Esce said the EPA conducted tests at the site in September to "ensure the process doesn't cause any additional pollution and the entire system is functioning to EPA standards."
The permit approval has gone into effect, but appeals may be filed by Nov. 16.
"It's good news for everybody because it just eliminates the overall waste," Esce said. "It's just one step further in closing out the entire mission there."
Since 1990 the Army has destroyed 4 million pounds of chemical agents and weapons stored at the atoll 800 miles southwest of Honolulu. The Army destroyed the last chemical weapons stockpiled on Johnston Atoll last November.
Community colleges receive $2.3 million
The University of Hawaii community colleges have received $2.3 million in federal grants over the past two months.Kauai, Maui and Leeward community colleges will each receive Housing and Urban Development grants of almost $400,000 from the Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Institutions Assisting Communities program to address community development needs.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has granted approximately $1 million to all seven community colleges.
Leeward received an additional $104,000 from the Native Hawaiian Education Act grant to extend its native Hawaiian vocational program to inmates at Waiawa minimum security prison.
Cayetano could be sued over emergency powers
House Republicans said yesterday they may mount a court challenge against legislation that would grant Gov. Ben Cayetano emergency powers for six months.Rep. Charles Djou, R-Kaneohe, said the bill would unconstitutionally infringe on the separation of powers doctrine by giving Cayetano the power to suspend any rule or law he chooses if deemed necessary to helping the state's economy pull out of its slump.
Republican lawmakers have dubbed the measure the "King Ben Bill." House Minority Leader Rep. Galen Fox of Waikiki said placing the future of Hawaii's economy into the hands of one individual is not only undemocratic, but would not work.
Cayetano said Friday he understands concerns about the concentration of power and said debate on the matter is necessary. But proponents say Republicans are exaggerating the extent to which the Legislature would lose power.
Democratic leaders say the governor needs the temporary powers to address unanticipated situations that will arise and can't wait for the Legislature's regular session in January. The bill is expected to clear the House and Senate before the current special session ends Wednesday.
Get familiar with garbage at 'Tour de Trash'
The Partnership for the Environment encourages Oahu residents to get to know their trash -- and how it is being recycled -- via free, daylong tours of recycling operations in its Nov. 15 "Tour De Trash 2001."Choices are multi-industry; hotel/restaurant; construction and demolition; recycling and waste processors; and recycled products.
All tours begin and end at Aloha Tower Marketplace and include transportation, a T-shirt and tote bag (made from recycled products, of course).
The Partnership for the Environment is a coalition of businesses coordinated by the City and County of Honolulu to support waste reduction, recycling and the purchase of recycled products.
Reservations must be received by Friday and confirmed the week of Nov. 5. There is no cost, but participants will want to pack a lunch or bring money to buy one. For more information or to register, call the city recycling office at 527-5335.
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
Man hospitalized after shooting at S. King 7-11
A 29-year-old man was in serious condition at Queen's Medical Center today after an early-morning shooting at a 7-Eleven in Moiliili.According to police, the male suspect and victim got into an argument at 2:34 a.m. while the victim was parked in the gasoline aisle of the convenience store at 2646 South King St.
The suspect approached the open driver's side of the vehicle and shot the victim in the head with a small-caliber handgun, police said. The suspect then fled in a car and remains at large. Police said the victim walked into the 7-Eleven to report that he had been shot and both police and an ambulance were called.
Man accused of hitting officer with police baton
Police arrested a 38-year-old man on Makaloa Street early yesterday for allegedly striking an officer with his own baton.Police initially responded to a report of an argument between a man and woman at 5 a.m. When police arrived, the woman said she was physically assaulted by her boyfriend and pointed him out, police said. When the officer approached the boyfriend, his father intervened and tried to take the officer's baton and struck him, police said. The officer subdued and arrested the father.
LEEWARD OAHU
Officer in fair condition after being hit by car
A police officer is in fair condition after he was struck by a car while directing traffic in Aiea Saturday night. The 35-year-old officer responded to a car accident after a vehicle ran over a fire hydrant shortly after 8:15 p.m., police said.The officer was directing traffic when he was struck by a pizza delivery man in his 20s operating a compact car going townbound on Moanalua Road near Ualo Street, police said. Police said the officer suffered a fractured leg and contusions and was taken to Queen's Medical Center.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Maui woman rescued after fall from lookout
WAILUKU >> A 22-year-old Maui woman was rescued this morning after she fell about 100 feet from a lookout at Waialua in East Maui.Fire rescue officials responding to her boyfriend's telephone call pulled the woman to safety at 3:13 a.m., after rappelling down and securing a harness around her. Acting Assistant Fire Chief Joseph Blackburn said the woman apparently was sight-seeing when the accident occurred.
The woman had no apparent major injuries but was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center for evaluation, he said.
Foul play suspected after body found near hotel
LIHUE >> Kauai police have opened a homicide probe into the death of a man whose body was found near the abandoned Coco Palms Hotel.The victim has been identified as Brent Kerr, 44, also known as "Kerby." His body was found Friday on the shoulder of Kuhio Highway fronting the hotel grounds, police said.
Police are seeking information about Kerr's whereabouts Thursday and Friday. Police also are seeking information on vehicles that may have been parked in the area, or near the public beach shower closest to the former Sea Shell Restaurant either Thursday evening or Friday morning.
