Counselor in hospital
after push from teen

A heart attack followed the hallway
scuffle at Waialua High School

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By Rod Antone
rantone@starbulletin.com

A Waialua High School guidance counselor was in critical condition at Kuakini Medical Center after having been pushed by a 17-year-old student yesterday morning, according to police.

Kuakini officials said the 55-year-old man is being treated for a heart attack that police say he suffered about three to five minutes after being pushed.

"The victim said he wasn't feeling so well, but he remained conscious," said police Lt. Bill Kato. "Someone called an ambulance, and it was on the way to Wahiawa General Hospital that he took a turn for the worse."

Honolulu police arrested the suspect for first-degree assault, and the case is being investigated by HPD detectives. Police later released the suspect at 3:45 p.m. pending an investigation.

Department of Education officials said they would look into the incident.

"The student has been suspended and an investigation has been initiated," said Department of Education spokesman Greg Knudsen. "The circumstances of how this escalated will be examined."

According to police, the victim and a teacher spotted the suspect, a male student who lives in Haleiwa, in the hallway between classes and asked him where he was going. Kato said the suspect pointed to a nearby classroom that both school officials knew he did not belong in.

Both the victim and the teacher then walked the suspect to a school office. Kato said the suspect argued that he did not want to go and pushed the victim in the chest with both arms.

Kato said the victim stepped back but did not fall and that both the teacher and the victim then grabbed the suspect and continued to the office.

At some point, Kato said, the suspect went after a third teacher. During the scuffle all four fell.

The teachers and the victim finally detained the suspect and took him to an office and called police. While awaiting police, the victim complained about chest pains.

Emergency medical personnel transported the victim to Wahiawa General Hospital, then later to Kuakini.