Powder found on jets delays two Hawaii flights
LOS ANGELES >> A "powdery substance" found in the bathroom of a jet headed from Honolulu to Dallas today forced the crew to land in Los Angeles where the powder was found to be harmless, authorities said.It's the second Hawaii flight delayed because of a powdery substance found on an American Airlines jet.
A white powder was found on an American Airlines passenger jet after it arrived on Maui from San Jose Saturday.
The return flight Saturday night was delayed until officials could complete tests on the substance, which were scheduled for this morning.
The delayed flight was carrying about 100 people including Hula Bowl players.
A hazardous materials team took a sample of the powder to a state health storage area.
Assistant Fire Chief Alan Cordeiro said he suspects the powder, found near a baby bottle liner, was infant formula.
This morning, American Airlines Flight 5, a Boeing 767 with 244 passengers and crew members aboard, landed at Los Angeles International Airport at 11:18 a.m.
By 11:47 a.m., Los Angeles firefighters based at the airport determined there was no danger from the powder, airport spokesman Harold Johnson said.
He would not say what the substance was.
The passengers and crew were not evacuated during the investigation. The plane was scheduled to resume its flight to Dallas.
Sailor rescued off Lanai after cell-phone SOS
WAILUKU >> A Lahaina man sailing off Lanai was rescued early this morning after suffering a back injury.The man used his cell phone to call for help at about 10:12 p.m. last night and was found about seven miles off Lanai by a Coast Guard vessel at 12:15 a.m. today, authorities said.
His 25-foot sailboat was towed to Manele Bay on Lanai, where he was treated and released from the island's community hospital.
Honolulu court nominees open for public comment
Chief Justice Ronald Moon is asking for public comment on nominees for a Honolulu District Court judge.The vacancy was left by the retirement of Russell Blair.
The Judicial Selection Commission has submitted the following individuals for the position: Hilary B. Gangnes, Dana S. Ishibashi, Paula Devens Matayoshi, Christopher P. McKenzie, Clarence A. Pacarro and Peter T. Stone.
Those who want to make a comment about character and qualifications must submit written comments no later than Feb. 11.
Comments may be mailed, faxed or delivered to Chief Justice Ronald T.Y. Moon, Supreme Court of Hawaii, 417 S. King St., Honolulu, HI 96813. Fax number is 539-4703. All comments will be kept confidential.
>> Local resident Michael Foley has been named a Horatio Alger National Scholar by the Horatio Alger Association of America. Foley is one of 107 students from around the country to receive the award and its accompanying $10,000 scholarship. Foley was selected from over 50,000 applicants based on financial need and a proven ability to overcome adversity through hard work, perseverance and integrity. He will be recognized during ceremonies scheduled for April 4-8 in Washington, D.C. [TAKING NOTICE]
>> The Housing and Community Development Corp. of Hawaii's board of directors recently announced that the Kuhio Park Terrace Resident Association, Hauiki Homes Residents Association and Mayor Wright Tenant Association have received formal recognition. Newly elected officers for the Kuhio Park Terrace Resident Association include Deborah Taamu, president; Francis Anetone, vice president; Melina Toilolo, secretary; Luisa Lemisio, treasurer; and Cherylann Makilan, sergeant-at-arms. Newly elected officers at Hauiki Homes are Luella Mulitauaopele, president; Cherie Ragasa, vice president; Faaiaeo Sale, secretary; Fule Fernandez, treasurer; and Isoefo Tuiteleleapaga, sergeant-at-arms. Newly elected officers at Mayor Wright Homes include Patrick Clemente, president; James Marino, vice president; Deriah "Dee" Aana, secretary; Hahn Minh Ngo, treasurer; and Gloria Castro, sergeant-at-arms. All three resident associations received formal recognition after complying with all U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations governing duly elected resident councils.
>> Tom Leland has been awarded the Jean Bulter Chapin Award by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. He received the award for his outstanding service as a community psychiatrist. Dr. Leland is the first recipient of the award. In addition, George Fujioka was awarded a meritorious citation by NAMI Oahu upon the occasion of his retirement from the state Department of Health.
>> The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill's Honolulu affiliate recently received a total of $10,000 in grants from the following organizations: the Rev. Abraham Akaka Ministries Foundation, the Pharmaceutical and Manufacturer's Association of America, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Biodyne-Magellan, Astra-Zeneca Pharmaceuticals LP and the Hawaii Clinical Research Center. The money will be used to assist with the agency's free education, support and advocacy programs.
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. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
HONOLULU
Makiki woman arrested in stabbing of taxi driver
A 38-year-old Makiki woman was arrested yesterday for attempted murder for allegedly stabbing a taxicab driver in the back.Police said the cab driver, 43, picked up the woman at Keeaumoku Street and Wilder Avenue about 1:30 p.m. She directed him to the McDonald's office building at 1060 Young St. While the driver was facing away from her, police said the woman stabbed him in the back with a knife.
The driver told police the woman dropped her handbag after he kicked her in self-defense. The woman fled but was arrested at her Kewalo Street apartment. Police said the driver was in guarded condition.
2 men sought in robbery at Kapiolani bus stop
Police are looking for two suspects who allegedly robbed two other men at gunpoint who were waiting at a Kapiolani bus stop just before midnight Saturday.According to police, a 20-year-old man and a 26-year-old man were waiting at a bus stop at the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and Pensacola Street when they were approached by two men in their 20s. One brandished a black semiautomatic pistol and ordered the men to place their wallets and money on the ground and leave the bus stop, police said.
Both suspects fled on foot.
WAIKIKI
2 Navy men arrested in leprechaun snatching
Two Navy men were arrested this morning for allegedly stealing the talking leprechaun from Kelley O'Neil's Bar at 311 Lewers St. in Waikiki.Police said an employee was closing the bar about 3:45 a.m. when he heard a crash.
When he went to check on the noise he discovered the bar's talking leprechaun missing and saw two men who were in the bar earlier leaving in a car.
A police officer stopped the car at the corner of Kalakaua and Ala Wai boulevards for an unrelated traffic stop and noticed the leprechaun in the back seat.
The officer arrested the two men for theft after hearing an alert about the case. One of the men was also arrested for DUI.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Honolulu man injured sledding on Mauna Kea
HILO >> A Honolulu man was hospitalized on the Big Island after a sledding accident on snowcapped Mauna Kea.The 21-year-old man crashed Saturday while using an inflatable raft as a sled, officials said.
The man complained of abdominal pain after hitting his stomach on rocks covered by snow, paramedic Richard Wells said.
Wells was aboard a county rescue helicopter that transported the man to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he was reported in guarded condition.
WINDWARD OAHU
Man sought in attempted robbery at Keolu Center
Police are looking for a man who allegedly attempted to rob a Keolu Shopping Center business at 10:15 p.m. Saturday.Police said a juvenile male said he and his co-worker were closing the business when an unknown male entered through an open door and brandished a knife.
The suspect told the employees to open the cash register and hand over the money, but they informed him it was locked and they could not open it.
The suspect could not open it either, police said.
The suspect fled in an unknown direction.
