Servicing of computers delayed welfare checks
Welfare recipients who have their monthly cash benefits deposited directly into their bank accounts had a two-day delay this month because state Department of Human Services computers were being serviced.Kris Foster, a department administrator, said the department's computer system was down for modification and testing two days last week, which meant the payments could not be transmitted on time.
The department had no advance warning and so was unable to warn any clients, although people who called in were informed of the situation.
Foster said all authorized payments were issued by Wednesday.
Box jellyfish not likely to leave for 2 more days
Honolulu Ocean Safety officials have issued a warning for today, predicting that an influx of box jellyfish is expected to peak over the next two days.Most of the jellyfish should have departed affected areas on Tuesday.
Areas commonly affected by jellyfish are the Ala Moana Beach Park swim channel, Waikiki Beach, Hanauma Bay, Pokai Bay and Makaha Beach. Lifeguards will assess the beaches for box jellyfish during the alert period. If box jellyfish are found in any beach area, warning signs will be posted. Advisories will be posted as warranted.
Kapolei Hale to host first Christmas party tonight
A tree-lighting ceremony and parade will ring in the holiday season tonight at the first Christmas of Kapolei Hale.The parade is slated to begin at 6 p.m. at Kapolei Shopping Center. It will proceed down Kamokila Boulevard, turn left onto Uluohia Street and end at Kapolei Hale.
Parade units will feature the community's keiki, Santa and one of his elves, and vehicles that participated last week in the Honolulu City Lights electric light parade.
After tomorrow, trees will be available for viewing at Kapolei Hale Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. through the end of the month.
For group tours, call 692-5400.
Corrections and clarifications
Corrections and clarifications
>> The Hawaii Ballet Theatre production of "Nutcracker" at Leeward Community College Theatre will be at 2 p.m. today, tomorrow, next Saturday and Dec. 16, and 7:30 p.m. today and next Saturday. An article on the cover of At Home yesterday gave an incorrect time for the afternoon performances.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.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
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HONOLULU
HPD searches for man in soda machine break-ins
CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the suspect responsible for breaking into soda vending machines on the Maryknoll High School campus, located at 1402 Punahou St. Police said the suspects caused an estimated $3,185 in damage to five machines.Surveillance cameras caught the suspect as he damaged the machines to steal the money. The break-ins occurred between Nov. 21 at 4 p.m. and Nov. 26 at 7 a.m. The surveillance camera photos are from 5:04 a.m. on Nov. 22.
Witnesses to this case may call Detective Walter Calistro directly at 547-7213. Anonymous calls may be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
Police look for man who robbed bank branch
Honolulu police are looking for a male suspect who robbed the American Savings branch, 737 Kapahulu Ave., yesterday. Police said the suspect walked into the bank at 1:40 p.m. and said he wanted to open a bank account.Police said the suspect at first appeared to be reading literature at the customer service desk before approaching a bank teller. The suspect then made a verbal demand for money while holding his left hand in a paper bag.
Police said the teller believed there was a weapon in the bag, although it was not used in a threat. The suspect is described as 20 to 30 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 220 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with any information on his whereabouts is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
Phone scam claims affiliation with police
The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers wants to warn the public about a possible telemarketing scam that is using the police union name. CrimeStoppers received a report of a male telephone solicitor who called requesting donations on the behalf of SHOPO.The male caller stated donations were accepted at three levels: $250, $150 and $25. Donors were promised SHOPO stickers and decals that "when applied to a vehicle, would allow them to get through the holiday roadblocks without problems." According to the CrimeStoppers tip, the larger the donation, the higher the number of decals and stickers sent.
SHOPO was notified and immediately conducted an audit of all stickers and decals. The inventory check noted no discrepancies. SHOPO has never solicited telephone donations in exchange for the sale of SHOPO stickers and decals. The SHOPO seal has recently been trademark-protected, and any organization that attempts to copy the trademark without authorization will be liable for federal law violations.
Police urge the public not to give their personal information out to telephone solicitors. The Better Business Bureau Web site has more information on telephone solicitation and charitable organizations at hawaii.bbb.org.
Media exposure, public help find missing person
The Honolulu Police Department's Missing Person Detail and CrimeStoppers want to thank the public for their assistance in locating Margaret B. Asuncion. Asuncion was reported missing Thursday.
Witnesses recognized Asuncion from news reports yesterday evening at a bus stop at Koko Head and Waialae avenues. Police were notified and Asuncion was located.
Police said Asuncion's family dropped her off on Fort Street Mall at 9 a.m. Sunday. Asuncion's wallet and state identification card were found at the same bus stop where she was later found.
Driver admits stealing purse left on tour bus
A tour bus driver was arrested for theft after he admitted to his supervisor that he took items from a bag left on his bus and dumped the bag.
A female tourist and her husband reported that they left their bag on the tour bus Wednesday at Pier 29.
Police said the driver found the bag, took the contents and dumped the bag. When he was confronted about the bag, he admitted to his supervisor that he stole the victims' property.
LEEWARD OAHU
Police arrest 15-year-old in purse-snatching case
A 15-year-old boy was arrested Thursday for a purse snatching that happened on Oct. 17.Police said a 49-year-old woman was at a bus stop at the Kamehameha Highway-Lumiaina Street intersection in Waikele when a boy grabbed her purse and ran.
Two other boys also ran, but one of them was caught by a resident of a nearby home and arrested.
Police said their investigation identified the suspect as the person who grabbed the woman's purse. He was arrested and released to his father pending further investigation.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Police search for suspect in stabbing at Hilo bar
Police are looking for a 43-year-old Hilo man who allegedly stabbed a male victim Thursday during an altercation at a Banyan Drive bar. The suspect has been identified as Randy Galima, a resident of the building in which the bar is located.
Police said the victim, identified as Mark Lamont Dehl, 51, of Pleasanton, Calif., was reported in serious but stable condition after being treated at the Hilo Medical Center for stab wounds in his upper chest and abdomen.
Police said both victim and suspect were in a fight shortly before the stabbing at Shooters Bar & Grill on Banyan Drive. By the time officers arrived, witnesses said the suspect had fled the scene in a car.
Galima is described as being 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing about 195 pounds and having brown eyes and brown hair. Police said he is believed to be armed and dangerous.
Last March, Galima held officers at bay for eight hours while holding an infant hostage, police said. After hostage negotiations failed, officers finally subdued Galima with pepper spray and rescued the child unharmed.
Anyone who knows of Galima's whereabouts is asked not to approach him, but call Detective Duane Rapoza of the Hilo Criminal Investigation Section at 961-2377, or the police department's nonemergency number at 935-3311. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
CENTRAL OAHU
2 witnesses say suspect shot man in the chest
A 20-year-old Wahiawa man was charged with manslaughter after allegedly shooting another male in the chest this week. According to a police affidavit filed in District Court, two witnesses identified Jared Lee Williams as the person who shot Robert Rhoda Jr. in Williams' apartment.The shooting happened Wednesday at 95-257 Waikalani Dr. on the sixth floor of Building B. The police affidavit also stated that Williams was charged with the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
