Maui circuit judge retires after 3 years in Judiciary
Maui Circuit Judge Artemio C. Baxa will retire Dec. 28. Baxa has served in the state Judiciary since May 1998, after Judge E. John McConnell retired.Baxa said, "Although my length of service with the Judiciary has been brief, I will always treasure it as the most significant and rewarding part of my legal career."
Baxa previously served as a deputy corporation counsel and deputy prosecuting attorney in Maui.
He was also in private practice before being appointed to the Judiciary.
Baxa obtained his law degree at the William S. Richardson School of Law. He later received his Master's of Comparative Law degree from the University of Chicago Law School.
The Judicial Selection Commission will submit a list of nominees to the governor to fill the vacancy.
Civil Defense to test new sounds of sirens
New civil defense sirens will be tested today and tomorrow in different locations on Oahu. The siren tests by both Oahu and State Civil Defense are to get the public used to the new siren sounds.Times and locations are:
>> Today, 9 a.m.: Kalaeloa Point near the intersection of Coral Sea and Tripoli streets.>> Today, 1 p.m.: Makakilo Board of Water Supply Booster Station.
>> Tomorrow, 9 a.m.: Kainalu Elementary School.
>> Tomorrow, 1:30 a.m.: Near Cane Haul Road and Kamehameha Highway, Haleiwa.
UH College of Education gets 5-year accreditation
The University of Hawaii-Manoa's College of Education has been nationally accredited for five years after meeting all of the 20 standards in curriculum, quality of candidates, quality of instructors, and governance and resources.The program is the only teacher education program in Hawaii to be accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.
The accreditation process includes a self-study by the college, a written report, a site visit by six experts from across the country and a final review of the reports by a board of professional educators.
Health fair scheduled at Kuakini Health System
Kuakini Health System is sponsoring a Healthy Holidays Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Kahala Mall.The fair will feature health information, free blood pressure screenings, computerized breast cancer risk assessments, stroke risk assessments, carbon monoxide screenings, pulse oximetry readings, educational games and free recipes. Call 547-9168 for information.
Diabetes association plans biking fund-raiser
A bicycle-riding fund-raiser for the American Diabetes Association Hawaii will begin at 7 a.m. Sunday at Kakaako Waterfront Park.Hawaii's first Bud Light "Tour de Cure," presented by Star Markets, will include round-trip rides of nine, 20, 28 and 33 miles. The shortest will be to Ala Moana Beach Park and back, and the longest to Sandy Beach and back.
Riders of all skill levels are in invited to participate. Registration is $35 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under, and $25 for families or teams of three or more. Larger teams will have a smaller registration fee, depending on the team's size.
Registration forms are available online at www.tourdecurehawaii.com, at all Star Markets or by calling 888-DIABETES or 947-5979.
HPD, businesses sponsor Windward blood drive
The Honolulu Police Department's District 4 and area businesses will sponsor the 11th Annual HPD/Windward Community Blood Drive at Benjamin Parker Elementary School from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.Police officers and representatives of the Blood Bank of Hawaii are scheduling appointments for the blood drive at Windward Safeway and Longs Drug Stores. Appointments can also be made by calling the Blood Bank of Hawaii at 845-9966. Walk-ins are welcome.
>> Hawaii Pacific University associate professor of history and humanities John Kearns has been appointed assistant dean for faculty matters at the university. He will assist in fostering lines of communication between the Office of Academic Administration, the Faculty Council and the standing committees of the Faculty Assembly at HPU. Kearns has been at the university since 1997. [Taking Notice]
>> Fun Factory Inc. and the University of Hawaii have awarded 2001 Fun Factory/ University of Hawaii scholarships to the following students: Shelah Aczon, Kaiser High School; Meredith Chee, Kealakehe High School; Felma A. Duque, Lahainaluna High School; Jennifer A. Funtanilla, Moanalua High School; Esther N. Gabriel, Waianae High School; Sheena Hokutan, Moanalua High School; Michelle Isa, Kailua High School; Tracie Jacinto, Kauai High School; Darwin Javier, Lanai High School; Katherine Y. Koga, Konawaena High School; Li'ula Kotaki, Kamehameha Schools; Kristi K. Kusunoki, Maui High School; Jonathan Ono, Lanakila Baptist; Erica L. Rabe, Moanalua High School; Luela M. Ramos, Campbell High School; Jayson C. Reynon, Lanakila Baptist; Tracy Saturno, Wai-anae High School; Jodie Tatafu, Kaimuki High School; Erin Tsuda, Kauai High School; and Justin M.J. Young, Iolani School. Each student will receive a one-year tuition waiver to the University of Hawaii.
>> Jesse K. Winterbottom has been named an Eagle Scout by the Aloha Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Winterbottom, a member of Troop 228, became an Eagle Scout on June 30.
>> Progressive Community Treatment Service was recently awarded a three-year accreditation from the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission. The three-year accreditation is the highest level available and is the first of its type awarded to PCTS. The nonprofit agency received accreditation for its assertive community treatment, community housing and day treatment programs.
>> Honolulu resident Jack A. Tappe has been awarded the Fred A. and Clare C. Skina Scholarship by the University of Idaho. Tappe was selected for his academic record as well as his activity and leadership involvement on campus and in the surrounding community. More than $9 million was distributed to more than 4,700 students through University of Idaho scholarship programs for the 2001-2002 academic year.
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 staffNEIGHBOR ISLANDS Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Domestic fight allegedly results in Big Isle blaze
HILO >> A Big Island woman angry at her ex-boyfriend burned down the rural cabin where he was living Tuesday night, the Fire Department said.Wilbur L. Alvarez told firefighters that he ran away from the cabin in the Hawaiian Acres subdivision while his ex-girlfriend, whose name was not released, remained there. She then set the structure on fire and was not injured, Alvarez told firefighters.
Police are investigating.
A neighbor who reported the 8:52 p.m. fire said he heard yelling from the home for about an hour before he noticed fire at the cabin.
Firefighters said the cabin was attached to a motor home. The damage was total and the value was $10,000, they said. The owner was given as Alan U. Costa.
Suspect charged in Hilo after shooting incident
HILO >> Police have charged Kevin Anthony Sulgit, 40, of Kalapana Seaview Estates with nine felonies in connection with a shooting incident Sunday in which a bullet grazed a man's head.Sulgit was charged Tuesday with seven counts of reckless endangering, police said without explaining the number of the counts. He was also charged with one count each of criminal property damage and having a firearm in a prohibited place.
Sulgit is being held in lieu of $11,000 bail.
The victim, Michael Patrick Hartman, 20, was treated Sunday at Hilo Hospital and released.
HONOLULU
HPD welcomes ex-worker at old job with an arrest
Patrol officers arrested a 17-year-old male yesterday for allegedly breaking into his former workplace and stealing cellular phones.Police said the suspect worked for a cellular phone company located along Waialae Avenue in Kaimuki.
Police said the suspect kicked a hole in the business plate glass window about 3:30 a.m. to gain entry. Once inside, police said, he stole cell phones, then crawled out the way he entered. Witnesses who saw the suspect crawl out flagged down police officers, who arrested the suspect as he tried to flee on foot.
LEEWARD OAHU
Teenager arrested for allegedly fondling cousin
Honolulu police arrested a 15-year-old male yesterday after the suspect's 8-year-old cousin said he fondled her on several occasions in Pearl City. According to police, the suspect had been staying with the victim's family when the sexual assaults occurred.Police said the incidents took place between June and August of this year. Police arrested the suspect for six counts of third-degree sexual assault. He was released pending investigation.
