Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Sunday, December 30, 2001

4 schools receive repair grants
through Hawaii 3R's program

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Four public schools in Maui and Oahu were awarded a total of nearly $100,000 for repair and maintenance.

Baldwin High School, Roosevelt High School, Kapunahala Elementary School and Wahiawa Middle School will receive up to $25,000 each for improvement projects.

The grants will enable Roosevelt to renovate its locker rooms. Wahiawa will repaint its classrooms. Electrical repairs will be done at Baldwin and Kapunahala.

Less than a year ago, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye began an initiative called Hawaii 3R's (Repair, Remodel and Restore Hawaii's public schools) to bring outside financial and human resource together to tackle the $640 million repair and maintenance backlog in public schools.

Gov. Ben Cayetano enacted a law that provides initial funding of $1 million and tax credits for qualified professionals participating in the program. The state Department of Defense provided $100,000. More federal and private funds are being sought.

With grant money from Hawaii 3R's, private contributions and professional volunteerism, the project at Wahiawa Middle School will be completed at a cost of $25,000 -- originally estimated at $147,000 by the state Department of Accounting and General Services.

Hawaii 3R's will award grants to those public schools that step forward with private contributions and/or professional volunteerism -- "sweat equity" -- of equal or greater value to the requested grant amount. For more information, contact Ann Yamasaki, executive director of Hawaii 3R's, at 440-3876.

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School gives scholarships to help Sept. 11 hardship

A new professional psychology school in Honolulu hopes to offset the economic hardship suffered by Hawaii residents since Sept. 11 with $10,000 in scholarships.

Argosy University/Honolulu, one of the national for-profit university's 12 campuses, will award scholarships to new and continuing students facing unemployment and underemployment as a result of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Argosy President Roy Crossman said that he hopes the "Education is Freedom" scholarships will help spread the message that "the only way the economy can be diversified is through education."

The scholarships can be applied toward Argosy's master's program in marriage and family therapy and its undergraduate psychology program.

The university also offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, postdoctoral programs in clinical respecialization and psychopharmacology and master's degrees in clinical psychology.

Argosy is accredited by the American Psychological Association and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of College and Schools, making students eligible for federal financial aid.

For more information contact Eric Carlson, director of admissions at 536-5555 or visit the Web site at www.argosyu.edu

Isle child abuse center redesigns its Web site

Malama Na Keiki Foundation, an organization which provides funding for child abuse and neglect prevention programs in Hawaii, has redesigned it's Web site to improve opportunities for donors.

The Web site, www.malamanakeiki.org, features an interactive calculator that allows potential donors to receive instant information on charitable deductions and potential lifetime incomes based on the type and size of their gift.

Information about Hawaii's child abuse and neglect prevention programs also can be found on the site.

The Hawaii Hotel Industry Foundation's Visitor Industry Charity Walk provided $2,500 for the Web site project.

MADD puts out the call for safety on New Year's

Mothers Against Drunk Driving urges everyone to designate a driver this New Year's Eve, a traditionally high-risk period for mixing alcohol and driving.

Between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve last year, there were 1,708 alcohol-related traffic deaths nationwide. In Hawaii last year, the number of such fatalities rose to 54 from 43 the year before, the first increase in three years.

"Tragically, the National Safety Council predicts 533 people will die and another 28,300 will suffer disabling injuries in traffic crashes during the New Year's holiday period," said Yvonne Nelson, chairwoman of MADD-Hawaii. "But we can all play our part in preventing crashes involving alcohol by making a simple decision to designate a non-drinking driver."

As part of its Designate a Driver campaign, MADD is offering a free Safe Party Guide, which includes non-alcoholic drink recipes. For a copy and for more information on MADD-Hawaii visit www.maddhawaii.org.

New Year is open season on fishing in Waikiki

Fishermen may be spending New Year's Day in the waters off Waikiki Beach from the Ewa wall of the Natatorium to the Diamond Head Lighthouse.

That's because the stroke of midnight means the area is open to fishing in 2002.

Fishing is only allowed in the area during even-numbered years.

However, fishing in the Waikiki-Diamond Head Shoreline Fisheries Management Area does have its restrictions.

No nets and traps, except throw nets, are allowed. Spears are banned between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The adjacent waters, from the Ewa wall of the Natatorium to the Kapahulu groin, are not open for fishing. The state Land and Natural Resources Department warns that those caught fishing in the Waikiki Marine Life Conservation District will be cited and may face fines of up to $1,000 per violation.

For more information, people are encouraged to obtain a copy of the Hawaii Fishing Regulations or call 587-0100.

Drought emergency called off in Maui

WAILUKU >> The drought emergency for Upcountry Maui has been rescinded by the county's Board of Water Supply.

The drought declaration was issued in March 2000, with water conservation encouraged but not required.

The board also decided Thursday to adopt Water Director David Craddick's statement that water supplies are adequate, canceling a determination of inadequacy issued eight years ago.

In addition, the board sent to public hearing a rule solidifying the Upcountry priority list for new water meters. However, Craddick was told not to begin issuing more meters Upcountry.

The board also made minor adjustments to a new schedule of water system development fees, which would provide additional money to expand the system.

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 Publisher and Editor in Chief John Flanagan at 529-4748 or email him at jflanagan@starbulletin.com.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

WINDWARD OAHU

Woman, 4 teens escape from their burning van

A 45-year-old Nuuanu woman and four teenagers escaped without injury when their van caught fire on the Pali Highway just outside the Kailua side of the Pali Tunnel. The fire also closed the Pali Highway in the town-bound direction and backed up traffic for miles.

"When we got here, the flames were 20 feet high," said Capt. Peer Blichtfeldt of the Olomana Fire Station. It took firefighters about 15 minutes to put out, he said.

The fire gutted the van yesterday afternoon, which had been traveling in the townbound lanes of Pali Highway.

The fire department got the call at 1:16 p.m., and firefighters arrived at about 1:50 p.m. Blichtfeldt said they had trouble getting to the scene because of traffic. Both lanes were closed at about 1:30 p.m., and one lane was reopened at 1:48 p.m.

An oil leak caused the fire, Blichtfeldt said.

HONOLULU

Car repair dispute leads to kidnapping, robbery

A misunderstanding over a car in Kahala led to a kidnapping and robbery at knifepoint and the arrest of three men in Waialae, police said.

The incident began at a recording studio at 1323 Pueo St. at about 11 p.m. Friday night. Police said a 47-year-old man got into a dispute with a friend and two other men over fixing the friend's car.

One of the men allegedly punched the victim in the face, placed a knife to his neck and demanded the ownership papers and keys to the man's truck and two mopeds, police said. The men ordered the victim to get into their car and drove him to his house on 19th Avenue to retrieve the items.

The victim managed to escape, lock himself inside the house and call police. The suspects, age 19, 32 and 37, were arrested while trying to flee in their car.

Pedestrian, 86, dies after being struck in crosswalk

A 86-year-old Kalihi man died yesterday morning after being struck by a car Friday.

Police said the man was crossing in a crosswalk with the walk signal on Kohou Street at North King Street when he was struck by a raised 4x4 Chevy Silverado driven by a 22-year-old Kalihi man.

The victim was taken to the Queen's Medical Center where he died yesterday morning.

Speed and alcohol were not factors in the accident, which occurred at 7:15 a.m. in heavy traffic, police said.

Police look for suspects in Kalihi shooting Friday

Police were looking for the suspect or suspects involved in a Kalihi shooting Friday morning.

Police said the victim, a 65-year-old man, was walking on North School Street at 8 a.m. when he felt a sharp pain in his left armpit area. He noticed blood and walked back to his workplace for help.

The man had been shot with an unknown type of gun, police said. He was taken to Queen's Medical Center where he remained yesterday in good condition.

Man holds up gas station manager using a knife

Police were looking for a man suspected of robbing Aloha Quality Gasoline at 1403 N. School St.

A manager was opening up the shop just after 5 a.m. yesterday when she was confronted by a man who had a knife, police said. The man demanded money and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash and checks, police said.

The suspect is described as in his late 20s, 5-foot-5, 150 pounds, with a slim build, tan complexion and black, bushy hair. He was wearing a black, hooded sweater and blue jeans.

CENTRAL OAHU

Investigation opened into 2-year-old's head injuries

Police opened an assault investigation after a 2-year-old boy was brought to the hospital with head injuries Christmas morning.

Police said the boy was in the care of several family members while his parents were off-island. His grandmother brought him to the hospital from a Wahiawa residence.

Hospital staff were told the child had fallen recently, but they did not feel that was consistent with the boy's injuries.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Charges filed in attack that led to cop shooting

HILO >> Burglary and assault charges have been filed against three members of a Big Island family who figured in a fatal police shooting.

A police officer fatally shot Santiago Vasquez, 39, on Dec. 22 after responding to a disturbance call at his home in Leilani Estates. Police officials have said the shot was fired when Vasquez refused an order to drop the dagger he was wielding.

Before the officer arrived, members of the family forcibly entered Vasquez' home and assaulted him and a woman, police said.

Bail for Kawika Kahee, 18, was set at $2,500. Leroy Kahee, 46, was also charged with promoting a detrimental drug, and his bail was set at $9,100.

Yvonne Samson, 49, is facing a charge of possessing drug paraphernalia, in addition to burglary, assault and promoting a detrimental drug charges. Her bail was set at $3,600.

A fourth member of the family was arrested, but released pending further investigation.

Hiker dies on Maui after fall near Keanae

A hiker fell to his death while hiking mauka of the Hana Highway yesterday.

Maui Fire Department rescue workers were called at 3:05 p.m. and removed the man's body by helicopter.

A spokesman said the man fell 200 to 300 feet while hiking with another man. The hikers were on a trail near Keanae, three to five miles mauka of milepost marker 10 on the Hana Highway. No further details were available last night.

Man arrested in possible drunk-driving accident

A 28-year-old woman was flown to Queen's Medical Center from Kauai yesterday after her car was hit by a suspected drunken driver.

A 26-year-old Kalaheo man was driving west on Kaumualii Highway just before 4:30 yesterday morning when he crossed the center line and collided head-on with the woman's car, police said.

The man was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. It was unknown whether he sustained injuries.

Injured hiker rescued from Na Pali Coast trail

Fire rescue crews airlifted a 57-year-old Hanalei woman to safety Friday afternoon after she hurt her ankle along a Na Pali Coast trail.

The woman was about a mile and a half in on the Hanakapiai trail. Crews from Hanalei and Lihue responded to the 1:30 p.m. call and treated her at the scene. She was then taken by helicopter to the Princeville Airport.

Help sought in finding girl missing since Nov. 4

Police are asking for the public's help in finding a 17-year-old girl who has been missing since Nov. 4.

Tina Thill of Hawaiian Paradise Park is 5-feet-3, 105 pounds and has blonde hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Peter Kualii of the Hilo Juvenile Aid Section at 961-2373 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo, or 329-8181 in Kona.