Hawaii's giving spirit swells to $826,000
More than 5,600 Hawaii residents and organizations have donated $826,000 to the Sept. 11 Fund benefiting victims of the terrorist attacks."Hawaii has always had a tradition of charitable giving," said Hawaii Community Foundation President Kelvin Taketa. "But the tremendous level of support that residents and businesses showed through contributions to the Sept. 11 Fund was extraordinary."
The foundation is closing its collection sites for the fund and is asking residents to give to local nonprofit agencies, Taketa said.
The time has come for people to direct their generosity toward local agencies, he said.
Taketa said that at least 90 percent of the money collected locally for the Sept. 11 Fund will go to the national fund in New York City. Up to 10 percent collected here may be given to local families who suffered losses in the attacks.
The fund does not include money donated in Hawaii through the American Red Cross.
City seeks help to staff Honolulu City Lights
The city is asking for volunteers for the city's 17th Annual Honolulu City Lights on Dec. 1.Volunteers are needed to distribute programs at Honolulu Hale from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Docents and volunteers are also needed to help with large school groups in the Honolulu Hale Courtyard from Dec. 3 through Dec. 21.
For information, call Lorraine Fay at the Department of Community Services, 523-4545.
Waipahu secures funds for Filipino civic center
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved $800,000 for the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu, said Rep. Neil Abercrombie.The project was included in the HUD Economics Initiatives section of the FY 2002 appropriations bill for the Department of Veteran Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and independent agencies.
Construction has already begun on a two-acre parcel at Mokuloa and Waipahu streets. The three-level building will have spaces for commercial offices, retail shops, social services, exhibitions, food preparation and administration. Costs for the project are expected to total $14.2 million
Coast Guard looks for cook missing at sea
The Coast Guard was searching for a 59-year-old cook on a Japanese fishing vessel who is believed to have fallen off the ship Friday morning 500 nautical miles northwest of Midway, a Coast Guard official said.A group of Japanese fishing vessels in the area conducted a surface search for the man, a Japanese national, who reportedly fell off the Syoun Maru #151, a 319-ton vessel, at about 9 a.m. Friday.
The Coast Guard received a report at 3:45 p.m. Friday and dispatched a C-130 aircraft. The plane arrived at 5:45 p.m., but did not conduct a search because of darkness.
The Coast Guard searched the area for 11 hours yesterday beginning at first light.
The weather was rough, with winds at 25 knots and 12-foot seas.
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
Kaneohe man dies after brawl following cock fight
A 39-year-old Kaneohe man died after he was beaten by three men in an argument over a cock fight Friday night in Kalihi, police said.Police said the victim got into a fight with another man over an allegedly fixed chicken fight at a house on Bannister Street at 10:30 Friday night.
At least three men jumped the man, beating and stomping him into the ground, police said. A 41-year-old Waipahu man got into the argument and he was hit over the head with a tree branch.
The suspects fled the area in an unknown vehicle before police arrived.
The victims were both taken to Kaiser Medical Center by ambulance. The Kaneohe man suffered severe head injuries and died yesterday. The Waipahu man was upgraded to guarded condition from critical with head injuries, police said.
Police were interviewing possible suspects last night, although no arrests had been made by early evening.
White powder in letter sent to Salt Lake address
Police are investigating a case of extortion involving a letter containing white powder sent to a Salt Lake business.Police said a woman picked up the mail from her business on Ala Hahanui Street and opened the mail at home on Friday. She found white powder in the envelope with a letter demanding money. The letter threatened harm if the money was not delivered or if police were notified.
The letter was rambling and not addressed to anyone in particular, police said.
Police and the fire department's hazardous materials unit responded to the call.
The powder was not found to be hazardous.
Police arrest suspect for allegedly punching biker
A 23-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly punched another man in the face and stole his bicycle in Moiliili.The 25-year-old man was riding his bicycle on Dole Street in the Oliver Street area at about 7:30 Friday night, when a 23-year-old Kalihi man robbed him of his bicycle, police said. The suspect was located and the victim was able to identify him, police said.
LEEWARD OAHU
Car crash on H-1 leaves driver critically injured
A man was in critical condition yesterday afternoon after a single car accident on the H-1 freeway near the Makakilo onramp.The man was driving a Mazda Miata convertible in the fast lane eastbound on the H-1 freeway when his car hit a concrete median at about 1:50 p.m.
The man was taken to Tripler Army Medical Center.
