Liquor panel reaffirms nightclub's revocation
The Honolulu Liquor Commission reaffirmed yesterday its July 19 revocation of a Keeaumoku Street nightclub's liquor license, despite new evidence presented Nov. 30.Golden Dolls Showgirls had appealed its case to the Circuit Court, where a judge remanded the case back to the Liquor Commission to allow the nightclub to present new evidence.
The bar's alleged violations include having unregistered nude dancers and an underage dancer in a licensed area of the premises.
The club's attorneys contend the bar owner was told by a Liquor Commission investigator that the second floor was de-licensed, meaning it would be removed from laws governing licensed premises, and therefore would not be subject to liquor licensing laws.
However, the commission determined it had not authorized anyone to de-license any portion of the club.
The case will go back to the Circuit Court for further consideration by Judge Elizabeth Hifo.
AAA Hawaii offers tow for drivers who drink
Through New Year's Day, AAA Hawaii is offering free "Tipsy Tow" rides to take home drivers who have been drinking and their vehicles.Since Dec. 21 and continuing through 6 a.m. New Year's Day, people in the Honolulu area can call 1-800-AAA-HELP for a free tow home of up to five miles.
Callers simply have to say "I need a Tipsy Tow," and an AAA Hawaii-contracted emergency roadside assistance truck will be dispatched. It is the first time AAA Hawaii has offered the service.
The one-way, one-time service excludes rides for passengers, and the destination is restricted to the driver's residence.
Drivers can expect to be charged the tow truck contractor's rate for rides farther than five miles. Reservations are not accepted.
Richard Velasquez, manager for AAA Hawaii, said there are an average 56 alcohol-related traffic deaths a year in Hawaii.
He said Tipsy Tow provides a safe alternative for drinking drivers, who often cite the cost of taxis and problems retrieving their vehicles as reasons for not using alternative transportation.
Funds available to groups assisting homesteaders
A total of $273,000 in grant money to help organizations improve services to homestead residents is available under the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.Two types of grant money -- capacity-building grants and implementation grants -- are available under the program. Capacity-building grants are intended to help beneficiary organizations improve their ability to serve applicants and homestead residents and to conduct community activities.
Implementation grants are intended to support projects that help applicants become lessees, improve homestead areas and facilities and increase the use of homestead land.
Applicants must have tax-exempt status or a fiscal sponsor to receive an implementation grant.
Applications are available at any Department of Hawaiian Home Lands District Office on the neighbor islands or the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Planning Office at 1099 Alakea St.
Deadline for applications is Feb. 1. For more information or to request an application, call Christine Valles at 587-6424.
Hunter education classes offered for next 2 months
Hunter education classes, required for certification, are being offered in January and February through the state Department of Land & Natural Resources.The classes, for those 10 or older, cover firearms and archery safety, survival and first aid, wildlife identification and conservation, rules and regulations, game care and outdoor responsibility, the DLNR said.
Sessions are scheduled for:
>> Jan. 4, 5:45-10:15 p.m., Nimitz Business Center, 1130 N. Nimitz Hwy., Suite A-151, Ground Floor.
>> Jan. 5, 7:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Nimitz Business Center.
>> Jan. 18, 5:45-9:30 p.m., Nimitz Business Center.
>> Jan. 19, 7:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Nimitz Business Center.
>> Feb. 1, 5:45-10:15 p.m., Waianae Public Library, 85-625 Farrington Hwy.
>> Feb. 2, 7:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Waianae Public Library.
>> Feb. 15, 5:45-9:30 p.m., Nimitz Business Center.
>> Feb. 16, 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Nimitz Business Center.To pre-register or for more information, call 587-0200.
Maui plans yearly AIDS fund-raiser
The Maui AIDS Foundation will be holding a United We Dance fund-raiser and is looking for sponsored dancers to raise money and awareness.The 15th Annual James Manness Memorial will be held April 27 at the Grand Waikapu Country Club.
The funds will directly support client services, education, and HIV prevention and outreach programs.
Based on the amount of pledges collected, dancers may win prizes ranging from trips to the mainland or neighbor islands. Last year's fund-raiser raised $85,000.
Since 1986 the foundation has been dedicated to stopping the spread of HIV and assisting those living with AIDS.
To register as a sponsored dancer, call Maui AIDS Foundation at 242-4900, ext. 115.
>> Big Island police officer Warren Ke, on trial for alleged abuse of a woman, is assigned to the Kau District. A Page A5 story yesterday incorrectly identified him as a Hilo officer. 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.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
WAIKIKI
Christmas morning drowning victim is ID'd
A medical examiner identified a 65-year-old visitor who drowned in waters off Waikiki on Christmas Day as Zabin Barton of Berkeley, Calif.Around 11:40 a.m., a lifeguard spotted Barton floating face down near the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. He was taken to Straub Clinic & Hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced dead.
WINDWARD OAHU
Single-car crash kills man, 83, in Kahana
An 83-year-old man died yesterday after his car hit a utility pole in Kahana.Police said the man, driving a red 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix, was traveling north on Kamehameha Highway around 8:55 a.m. when he veered off the road and struck a pole near Trout Farm Road.
He was taken to Kahuku Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Diver rescued after 30 hours in cave
HILO >> A Big Island man who broke a leg on the way to diving for fish spent more than 30 hours in a shoreline cave before being rescued yesterday by a Fire Department helicopter.Terryle Christian, 32, was reported in guarded condition at Hilo Medical Center, where he was treated for exposure and dehydration.
Christian broke his leg Wednesday morning when he apparently slipped on his way down to the water at Kehena, acting Capt. Jonathan Patterson said. He was reported missing later in the day by a friend who became concerned after Christian failed to return.
The search was suspended Wednesday night because of darkness, and the crew of a Fire Department boat spotted Christian yesterday morning.
4 arrested in attack that ended in police shooting
HILO >> Police arrested four members of a family who were allegedly attacking a neighbor Sunday when a police officer shot the neighbor.Three men, ages 18, 20 and 46, and a woman, 49, were arrested at their Leilani Estates home yesterday and are being held pending burglary and assault charges, police said.
The incident involved the family attacking the neighbor, Santiago Vasquez, 39, in front of his house, police said.
An arriving officer found Vasquez fighting the intruders with a knife. The officer shot and killed Vasquez when he ignored orders from the officer to drop the knife. The officer, 37, has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation of the shooting.
Vasquez's girlfriend, 32, was injured in the fight. She was treated at Hilo Hospital and released.
Kona police seek help in finding 3 stolen ATVs
Kona police are seeking the public's help in their investigation of the theft of three all-terrain vehicles that were stolen from the Hokulia Golf Course Project on Aug. 23 and Dec. 8.The stolen ATVs include a red 1999 Honda Foreman TRX 400, vehicle identification number 478TE2000X4007076, engine serial number 8408881; a green Foreman TRX 400 FWI, VIN 478TE200514200434, engine serial number 8500831, with a drop rack on the rear; and a green Rancher TRX 350 FEY, VIN 478TE2546YA017809, no engine serial number, with a drop rack on the rear.
Kauai tourist on moped hurt in crash with truck
LIHUE >> A 34-year-old California woman was seriously injured shortly after noon yesterday when a pickup truck hit a moped she had just rented and she was run over by a trailer that the pickup truck was towing.The accident happened on Kuhio Highway in Waipouli. The driver of the pickup truck was a 16-year-old Kapaa youth, police said. Kauai police said she was first taken to Wilcox Memorial Hospital and then sent by air ambulance to the Queen's Medical Center on Oahu. She is reported in stable condition.
Maui man dies after moped collides with bus
LAHAINA >> William Todd Wales, 27, of Lahaina, died after the moped he was driving collided with a bus.Wales was traveling south on the shoulder of Honoapiilani Highway toward Prison Street about 9:14 p.m. Wednesday. A Wailuku man driving a white 1989 Hino bus made a right turn onto Prison Street and Wales hit the passenger side of the bus, police said.
Wales was taken to Maui Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The bus driver was uninjured, police said.
[THE COURTS]
Mirikitani's lawyer asks to withdraw as counsel
John Edmunds, the attorney who represented Andy Mirikitani in the former City Council member's theft and extortion trial, has asked the federal court to let him withdraw as Mirikitani's counsel.The move would clear the way for Mirikitani, 46, to ask for a court-appointed attorney to handle any appeal to his convictions for bribery, theft, extortion, wire fraud and witness tampering in a bonus-for-kickback scheme involving former Council staff members.
Mirikitani filed for bankruptcy following his sentencing earlier this month and said he cannot afford a lawyer.
Woman faces charges connected to shootings
Bernadette Laa was charged with driving the stolen van involved on April 17 in a high-speed chase, and unlawful possession of the shotgun that her husband, Levi Esperas, used to shoot two police officers on the H-2 freeway.Laa, 27, pleaded not guilty yesterday after waiving indictment on the charges in state court. A Feb. 25 trial is set. Prosecutors also hope to charge one of two others who were in the van with unauthorized control of the vehicle.
Police fatally shot Esperas, 27, after one officer was shot in the hand and another in the face with the shotgun. Both officers are back on duty. The police department's Internal Affairs Division is still investigating.
