Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Monday, November 26, 2001

Lawyer's former clients are asked to pick up files

Former clients of Honolulu attorney Randolph J. Amen may want to contact the Office of Disciplinary Counsel to retrieve any files of theirs he had in his possession.

The disciplinary counsel was informed on Sept. 26 that Amen had abandoned his office, at 680 Ala Moana, Suite 306.

"The landlord was planning to throw everything away in the office, including files belonging to clients," said Carole Richelieu, chief disciplinary counsel.

According to a petition to appoint a trustee, Amen had disappeared several months ago with no one to accept responsibility for the files.

The Supreme Court of Hawaii's Office of Disciplinary Counsel suspended the 56-year-old lawyer from practicing law Nov. 16. The disciplinary counsel asked the court to appoint a trustee and got the court to place the client files under trusteeship.

"Otherwise, everything would have been destroyed," Richelieu said.

Amen may not be reinstated until he pays all costs and interest incurred and the trusteeship has been completed.

The disciplinary counsel ran an ad to find former clients. Any former clients of Amen may call Debbie at 521-4591.

New rates announced for Pearl Harbor conference

The National Park Service announced a new day rate for the Pearl Harbor 60th Anniversary Conference on a space-available basis.

The cost is $75 a day for the general public, or $50 a day for students, faculty and military personnel, whether active duty, reserves or retired.

The Pearl Harbor 60th Anniversary Conference: "A Day to Remember, A Time Not Forgotten," runs Saturday to Dec. 5 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki.

It will feature question-and-answer sessions by Pearl Harbor survivors, Japanese aviator veterans, authors, historians and military personnel.

Registration for the whole conference is $249, with a $100 discount for military (active duty, retired and reserves), students and faculty.

For registration and program schedule, call 422-2771, ext. 110, or check online at www.pearlharborevents.com.

Government surplus up for auction to public

The public is invited to bid on surplus government vehicles and other items. The General Services Administration will conduct a public sealed bid 10 a.m. Dec. 5 at 530 Kuntz Ave., Building 1726, 448-2067.

Prospective buyers may inspect the items starting Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bids may be mailed to GSA Sales Office, P.O. Box 31344, Honolulu 96820-1344.

Fund drive aims to brighten lives of children

The 11th annual "Light Up a Child's Life" campaign will be held next month to raise money for children with the most severe medical problems and disabilities at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children.

The campaign, Saturday to Dec. 31, is sponsored by Central Pacific Bank and the Kapiolani Children's Miracle Network. It will take place at all 24 CPB branches statewide. The goal is to raise $40,000 to provide ventilators and other advanced technological equipment for disabled children, many of whom have no home other than the hospital.

A customized communications device hooked up to a powered wheelchair, for example, would allow a child to make choices such as selecting toys to play with or snacks to eat -- functions generally taken for granted.

Children also might be able to return home for short periods with additional resources.

Last year's campaign raised more than $45,000 for Kapiolani's Pediatric Cardiac Program, which treats children born with congenital heart defects.

This year, for every donation of $5 or more, a paper candle ornament with the donor's name will be displayed in the lobby of the bank branch where the donation is made.

Candle ornaments also can be sponsored in memory or in honor of loved ones.

More than $355,000 in donations has been raised the past decade through donations by CPB customers, employees and the community.

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[TAKING NOTICE]

NEW JOBS

>> Eden Kapaun has joined the Maryl Group as a receptionist and administrative assistant. She joins the company after serving as a dental receptionist.

PROMOTIONS

>> Lorraine Faithful has been named executive director at Sisters Offering Support. She was formerly a program director at the organization. Founder and outgoing executive director Kelly Hill will remain as special advisor.

ON THE BOARD

>> The Hawaii Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers has elected Tony C.G. Lau president for 2002. Other new officers include: Horst G. Brandes, president-elect; Westley K.C. Chun, vice-president; Keith K. Niiya, secretary; Walter A. Billingsley, treasurer; Willie L. Gacutan, Younger Member Forum director; and Joanna L. Seto P.E., past president.

Corrections and clarifications The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Managing Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

WINDWARD OAHU

Hiker dies after fall from cliff in Kaaawa

A 28-year-old hiker who plunged more than 200 feet off a cliff in Kaaawa yesterday did not survive the fall.

Honolulu firefighters aboard the department's Air One Helicopter spotted the man's body about 8 a.m. today on a ledge halfway up the sheer cliff.

HFD rescue specialists rappelled down to the site and found the man had no vital signs, said Fire Department spokesman Capt. Richard Soo.

Firefighters recovered the man's body and took it to Swanzy Beach Park where a command post was set up.

The man was hiking with a relative on a trail behind a banana patch near Hauhele Road yesterday when he fell. Search and rescue crews were called at 2:03 p.m. but could not find the victim before nightfall.

HONOLULU

Teen detention fugitive is arrested for shoplifting

A 17-year-old boy who violated a court order by leaving a detention facility earlier this month was arrested Saturday for shoplifting.

The teen walked away from Home Maluhia, 902 Alder St., at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5, although he was ordered by the court to remain there until a further hearing on Nov. 14, police said.

The youth was arrested at about 9:30 a.m. at Longs Drugs Store in Ala Moana Center.

Decomposed body found off lower Pali Highway

A person walking on the side of Pali Highway near Kapena Falls in lower Nuuanu spotted the badly decomposed body of a man yesterday, police said.

The witness looked over the side of the highway and saw a person's legs lying on a concrete embankment, police said. He called the police and fire departments before 8:15 a.m.

The man was found lying on a mattress. Police said the man appeared to be homeless. The case was turned over to homicide detectives, although police said there did not appear to be any signs of foul play.

Man, 24, beaten badly by group near Kalihi bar

Police opened an attempted-murder and assault case after a 24-year-old man was beaten by a group of men early yesterday morning during a large fight outside a Kalihi bar.

The victim got into an argument with a man at the Micronesian Lounge on Dillingham Boulevard and went outside to fight at about 3 a.m., police said. Once outside, the victim's friends jumped the other man, and then the other man's friends came from across the street and jumped the victim, police said.

As the men fled, the victim staggered away, and a red Jeep-like vehicle followed him, climbed the curb and brushed him, police said. The victim was taken to Queen's Medical Center in critical condition.

Police seek male suspect in video store robbery

Police are looking for a man who threatened and robbed a video store clerk yesterday near downtown Honolulu.

At about 10:45 a.m. the suspect entered Alpha Video on Kukui Street and presented a note to the clerk demanding money, police said. The suspect then took out a knife and fled the store, police said.

Police described the suspect as 5 feet 6 inches tall and between 160 and 170 pounds.

LEEWARD OAHU

Unattended candle cited in fire at Aiea apartment

An unattended candle set a bathroom on fire in an Aiea apartment, fire officials said.

At about 6:35 p.m. a resident of the 18-floor apartment complex The Park at Pearlridge, 98-487 Koauka Loop, was in his living room when a candle burned some towels and clothes in the bathroom, said Fire Department spokesman Capt. Richard Soo.

Soo said a 34-year-old resident who lived a floor below suffered from smoke inhalation after he entered the apartment to extinguish the fire. He was taken to Pali Momi Medical Center, treated and released. Damage to the building and contents are estimated at $600, Soo said.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Kauai brush fire set intentionally, KFD says

Kauai fire department officials said a brush fire that burned 90 to 100 acres in Anahola and forced the evacuation of five homes yesterday was intentionally set.

The fire was brought under control by 11 p.m. and residents were allowed back into their homes. Firefighters, however, were still putting out hot spots this morning.

Three engines were positioned next to the homes near Kealia Road as a bulldozer cut a firebreak. Fire officials said the flames burned right up to the firebreak. Water from the engines helped stop the flames' progress. Two helicopters were used to make water drops. Officials said they believe the fire was started just off Kuhio Highway.