Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Saturday, January 19, 2002

Hogue files suit alleging discrimination at KHON

Former KHON-TV sportscaster Bob Hogue has filed suit against his former employer alleging he was let go more than two years ago because of his age and race.

Hogue, who is white and is now a state senator representing the Kaneohe-Kailua area, worked for KHON-TV as a sportscaster and sports anchor from October 1998 until his contract was terminated in December 1999.

During his nearly 12 years with KHON-TV, Hogue consistently received positive performance reviews, was promoted and received numerous raises, the suit said.

At the time of his termination, Hogue, then 46, was sports director and weekday sports anchor.

Hogue alleges that at a September 1998 meeting with News Director James McCoy and then-General Manager Kent Baker, he was told of the possibility of changes at the station and that Hogue was the most "vulnerable" employee there. Baker also noted, "We are too old and too white," according to the suit.

Bill Spellman, vice president and general manager at KHON-TV since March 2000, said it was unfortunate that Hogue has filed suit.

"The charges are incorrect, and we regret that Mr. Hogue has filed this, but in business sometimes people have misunderstandings, and apparently this is one of them," he said.

Isle Holocaust survivors, heirs urged to file claims

Hawaii's Insurance Commissioner Wayne Metcalf advises Hawaii Holocaust survivors and heirs to file insurance claims with the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims before time runs out.

Deadline for insurance claims is Feb. 15. Forms may be obtained by calling the international commission toll-free at 800-957-3203 or by visiting the Web site www.icheic.org.

Participating companies are required to produce lists of Holocaust-era policyholders. A two-year period and a relaxed standard of proof were established for Holocaust survivors to file claims.

As of Dec. 7, the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims received 20,116 claims. Nine forms were submitted from Hawaii.

Goodwill to conduct fund-raiser

Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, which turns 100 this year, will hold its 11th annual fund-raising dinner and silent auction Feb. 5.

The dinner and auction will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

There will be hundreds of items to bid on, including neighbor island packages, shopping deals and Brite Smile teeth whitening. A trip for two to Disneyland will also be auctioned.

The event will raise money for occupational skills training and a career development program for the disabled and disadvantaged.

Gold and platinum sponsorships are available for $1,500 and $2,500. Individual tickets are $150 each. For tickets or information, call Laura Kay Rand at 836-0313, ext. 251.

Corrections and clarifications >> Washington, D.C., began issuing red-light camera tickets in August 1999. A story Sunday on the cover of Hawaii Inc. incorrectly said the program started last August. Also, Affiliated Computer Services Inc., the company paid to run the cameras, covers most of the costs of the program. >> President Bush's trip to Japan, South Korea and China next month will be his second trip to Asia since he took office last year. A news brief on Page A3 Thursday incorrectly said it would be his first trip. 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 staff

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

LEEWARD OAHU

Arson suspect allegedly tried to run over police

Honolulu police said a man charged with the attempted murder of several police officers is also the main suspect in an arson-burglary earlier this month. Police arrested the 28-year-old male suspect Jan. 9 after a car chase that allegedly involved the suspect reversing his vehicle toward four officers in Pearl City.

Police said the chase began after the suspect was spotted breaking into a car in the parking lot of the Red Carnation bar along Kamehameha Highway and tried to flee in a stolen vehicle. After the arrest, police said evidence found in the suspect's car and home were connected to a Pearl City house that had been burglarized and then set on fire New Year's Day.

Police said in that case the homeowner secured his Puu Alani Way home and left early in the morning. Police said a male suspect was seen parked outside the home at 7:30 a.m. and a few hours later was seen backing his vehicle into the carport.

At 11:15 a.m. neighbors heard a loud boom. After a second loud boom, neighbors said they saw the suspect driving away with several boxes in his vehicle.

Further investigation showed that the house had been burglarized and searched prior to the fire being set in multiple rooms. Police now say that the suspect started the fire to get rid of any evidence of a burglary. He is being held in lieu of $200,000.

HONOLULU

Suspect in burglaries at stamp machine caught

The U.S. Marshals Service has arrested a suspect in Honolulu who is believed to have been burglarizing stamp machines across Oahu for the last six months.

Postal officials said the suspect hit stamp machines in Kailua, Haleiwa, Hawaii Kai, Makiki and Ewa Beach. Postal officials said they were unsure of the total amount of cash stolen from the stamp machines.

HPD disciplines officer for covering license plate

The Honolulu Police Department has disciplined one of its officers for using an Eliminator license plate cover on his subsidized police vehicle.

HPD warned its officers last month not to cover their license plates with anything following a surge in sales of Eliminator plate covers.

Police officials said the officer received counseling and agreed to take the license plate cover off his car. The Eliminator has been touted by auto performance shops as the best way to beat the state's photo enforcement program by claiming to obscure the camera's view of the plate at a certain angle. Though HPD officials have stated that these plate covers are illegal, those who sell the Eliminator said many of their customers were police officers.