46 isle Army reservists are called for active duty
The Army Reserve has called up an additional 46 reservists to active duty for homeland defense duties at Fort Shafter for a year.Thirty-six of the Army reservists are members of the 368th Military Intelligence Company. The remaining 10 are members of the 9th Regional Support Command. That means a total of 105 local Army reservists are now on active duty.
More than 500 Hawaii Army and Air National Guard soldiers and airmen also have been placed on homeland defense active duty. Of that number, 320 are from the Air Guard and 180 are Army Guard soldiers.
State laboratory confirms 4 new dengue fever cases
The state Department of Health reported four new confirmed cases of dengue fever yesterday, three on Oahu and one in Hana.Of the Oahu cases, two were from Hauula and one from Kaneohe.
Those numbers bumped the Oahu total to 17, Maui to 60 and statewide to 82.
These are the first results coming from the state's own Waimano laboratory.
Collection firm sued for overcharging serviceman
The U.S. Attorney's Office filed a lawsuit yesterday against a California collection company that charged a Coast Guardsman, now stationed in Honolulu, more than 6 percent interest.The suit alleges that in 1999 the Coast Guardsman and his wife bought a San Francisco time-share unit while he was a civilian. When he enlisted in the Coast Guard later that year, their income dropped significantly.
The action by Monterey Collection Services violates the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act, which forbids creditors of service personnel from charging more than 6 percent interest on a debt that arose before the service member joined the military.
Elliot Enoki, U.S. attorney for Hawaii, said the statute is designed to protect service members whose pay is substantially reduced upon entering the military.
The Oceanside, Calif., collection agency later demanded the serviceman pay the loan in full and a $4,000 collection fee. The company allegedly refused to lower the interest rate from 15 percent to 6 percent.
SURF'S UP AT THE OCEAN CLUB
Doctors conference to be held at Waikoloa resort
WAIKOLOA, Hawaii >> The neuropsychopharmacologists are coming, and the best news is that there are even more of them attending than there are letters in their professional title.The Hilton Waikoloa Village will be the gathering place next month of 1,500 members and guests of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology as well as some of their Canadian and European counterparts.
Some idea of what these doctors do is revealed by conference topics: use of drugs in treating psychiatric and brain disorders, brain-behavior drug interactions, and methods for new drug development.
Hilton manager Dieter Seeger said the conferees will be a welcome presence in "this time of economic turmoil for the state." The conference takes place Dec. 8-13.
Hotel workers asked to donate used eyeglasses
EyeSight Hawaii laser eye center and the Lions Foundation have teamed up to increase the number of used eyeglasses collected for refurbishing to give to needy people in Third World countries.EyeSight Hawaii has placed eyeglass collection containers at various hotel sites across the state. Employees are encouraged to donate their old glasses to the Lions Foundation and, in return, will receive a pair of EyeSight Hawaii sunglasses. They also are eligible to enter a drawing for a pair of round-trip interisland tickets.
The first employee-winner was Roister Nagun of the security department at the Hilton Waikoloa on Nov. 7.
HawaiiDiet author to host workshop and tasting
An informational workshop and food-tasting will be presented by Dr. Terry Shintani, author of the HawaiiDiet, from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Holistica Hawaii Health Center.The health center and Hawaii Health Foundation are sponsoring the event, featuring 12 ways to make holiday eating tasty and healthy, seven ways to make healthy eating fast and easy, losing weight during the holidays, and door prizes.
The center is at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa, 2005 Kalia Rd. There is a $20 fee. Reservations are required. Call 951-6546.
HMSA presents its third annual free diabetes fair
The Hawaii Medical Service Association invites members to "Take a Cruise to Good Health" at its third annual Diabetes Health Fair from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Neal Blaisdell Center. Admission is free.Information will be presented on diabetes, stopping smoking, diet and exercise, stress management and dental health.
Free screenings will be available for blood pressure, cholesterol, peripheral arterial disease, dilated retinal eye exams and foot exams.
Free refreshments, games and drawings for prizes will also be featured. Parking is available for $3 in the center.
Participating organizations include the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Hawaii Diabetes Educators, National Kidney Foundation and various pharmaceutical companies.
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
Big Island police seek alleged parole violator
HILO >> Big Island police are looking for Eric Lopaka Poepoe, 37, who allegedly violated the terms of his parole.He is believed to be on the Big Island.
Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 935-3311 or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 or 329-8181.
HONOLULU
Police arrest man suspected of forgery
Honolulu police arrested a 38-year-old male yesterday for allegedly forging a $6,000 check last summer at a Kaimuki bank. The incident happened July 23 at the American Savings Bank at 3221 Waialae Ave.Police said the suspect used a fake Hawaii driver's license and the victim's personal information to cash the check and made the amount payable to himself. Police arrested the suspect for forgery, theft and unlawful use of a driver's license.
Student arrested after argument with teacher
Police arrested a Waianae Intermediate School student for assault after she allegedly punched her teacher.
Upon returning to class, the teacher found the female student sitting on his desk and repeatedly asked her to get off, police said. The student refused, argued with the teacher and allegedly punched him in the chest area.
NORTH SHORE
2 teen males accused of sexual assault at party
Wahiawa police arrested two males, 17 and 18, yesterday after a teenage female said they both sexually assaulted her while she was intoxicated. Police said the sexual assault took place Monday afternoon while the victim was at a party on the North Shore.The victim told police she was inebriated when the first suspect sexually assaulted her. That suspect left the room, and she was then sexually assaulted by the second suspect, police said.
The victim reported the incident the following day, police said.
CENTRAL OAHU
Police hunting for man who kidnapped woman
Honolulu police are looking for a man who kidnapped a 29-year-old Supercuts employee yesterday.Police said that at about 5:30 p.m. the suspect entered the Wahiawa Supercuts store at 935 California Ave. and forced the victim into his car.
Police found the woman several hours later.
