People linked to an Aiea engineering firm filed a motion in Circuit Court to quash several subpoenas issued by the state Campaign Spending Commission. Hiratas ask court
to quash subpoenasIn legal papers filed yesterday in state Circuit Court, Ernest Hirata, president of Ernest K. Hirata and Associates, and his 89-year-old father, James Hirata, said the commission subpoenaed them last month, seeking their banking records.
Separate motions to quash were filed by several employees of Hirata's engineering firm.
The subpoenas were issued in connection with the commission's investigation into Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris' 2000 political campaign.
The Hiratas said the subpoenas were overly broad and burdensome and should be modified.
Ernest Hirata said he already submitted various business and personal records and was interviewed by private investigators hired by the commission.
He added that his father suffers from medical disabilities related to his age.
James Hirata donated $3,900 to Harris' successful 2000 re-election effort. Other people connected to the Hirata firm contributed $6,000 to the Harris campaign.
FINEST OF HONOLULU'S FINEST
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Hanauma Bay closes after jellyfish take over
The monthly influx of box jellyfish closed Hanauma Bay yesterday, and it may be closed today as the stinging creatures reach their February peak, according to the Ocean Safety Division.Although Waikiki and Ala Moana beaches remained open, there were several warning signs up, and more than 50 stings were reported.
Jellyfish were also spotted from Nanakuli Beach to Makaha surfing beach.
Lifeguards assess the beaches for box jellyfish during the alert period and post warning signs at any beach where the stinging creatures are spotted.
Underage abortion policy on hold after challenges
A new policy that required a minor to have parental consent for an abortion at a state hospital has been suspended after some state lawmakers, the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood of Hawaii had raised questions about its constitutionality.Hawaii Health Systems Corp., which manages the 12 state hospitals, notified the Department of Health that the Jan. 14 policy has been "put on hold," said department spokeswoman Janice Okubo.
"We're glad to hear they rescinded it and it will go under review," said Barry Raff, chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood of Hawaii.
"This policy was set without any debate. It should be discussed in the Legislature, not implemented in a mandate from a quasi-state agency.
"Hawaii has no parental consent law. Federal law requires that any such law have a judicial bypass clause, a way for the girl to go to a court or into some other intervention to be judged mature" and get an abortion without consent.
The policy would have had its greatest impact on the neighbor islands, where 10 of the state hospitals operate and where there are fewer inpatient clinics than on Oahu, Raff said.
The Big Island and Maui have a higher teen pregnancy rate than on Oahu, he said.
Hawaii Health Systems Corp. officials could not be reached for comment.
The corporation was created by the Legislature to take over hospitals' management from the Department of Health.
Nutritional biochemist offers 2 health seminars
Stephen Cherniske, nutritional biochemist with more than 30 years of academic, research and clinical experience, will give two free health and nutrition seminars here this week.Cherniske taught clinical nutrition at Southern California universities and directed the first clinical laboratory specializing in nutrition testing licensed by the Food and Drug Administration.
His books include "The DHEA Breakthrough," "Caffeine Blues" and "The Metabolic Plan."
He will speak at a Wellness Workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at the Ilikai Hotel. (Live jazz with Synergy will begin at 6 p.m.)
Wellness for Women is the theme of a seminar 12:30 to 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Ala Moana Hotel. For more information, call Michele Archie, the Harbinger Institute, 389-9995.
New fitness center serves the Koolauloa community
A health and fitness center has opened in Kahuku as a joint project of Kahuku High School and Ke Ola Mamo (Native Hawaiian Health Care System, Oahu).The Kahuku Ho'ikaika Fitness Center offers a full range of health and fitness activities to residents from Sunset Beach to Kaaawa for a $10 fee.
"Until now there have been no facilities available to the community in the Koolauloa area," said Annette Ostrem, coordinator of Kahuku Complex School Health. "This center fulfills a need that has long been unmet."
Kristi Potter Tauti, the center's certified fitness trainer, said the program includes health screenings and floor-based and equipment-based activities.
They include walking/jogging, circuit training, pilates, yoga, kickboxing, flexibility, body pump, floor and step aerobics.
The center is available to students throughout the Kahuku complex during school hours, and the public is invited to use the facilities after school hours.
Castle Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente Kahuku helped to fund the center.
For more information, call Tauti or Deirdra Alo of Ke Ola Mamo at 232-2222.
Bloodmobile schedules stops this month on Oahu
The Blood Bank of Hawaii's bloodmobile will be accessible to residents at various locations around the island this month.More than 250 donors are needed daily to meet state needs. Donors must be in good health, 18 or older, weigh 110 pounds or more and provide a valid photo ID.
To make an appointment or get more information, call 845-9966, see www.bbh.org or visit the bloodmobile at these sites:
>> Tomorrow, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Manoa Shopping Center.
>> Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Town Center of Mililani.
>> Monday, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Laie Shopping Center.
>> Wednesday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Kaimuki Municipal Parking Lot, 11th and Harding avenues.
>> Feb. 15, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., UH-Kapiolani Community College.
>> Feb. 17, 2-6 p.m., Waikele Center.
>> Feb. 18, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Foodland, Ewa Town Center.
>> Feb. 22, 2-6:30 p.m., Safeway-Mililani.
>> Feb. 23, 9 a.m. -2 p.m., Kapolei Shopping Center.
>> Feb. 20, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Honolulu Community College.
>> Feb. 27, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Chaminade University.Hawaii Dental Service institutes new ID numbers
Hawaii Dental Service has substituted randomly assigned identification numbers for Social Security numbers previously used on subscriber ID cards and benefit statements.The change was instituted to protect the security and confidentiality of customers' personal information, HDS said.
Subscribers may continue to use their existing cards, or they may request a new one. Those who want a new card should contact HDS Customer Service at 529-9248. Neighbor islanders may call 800-232-2533, ext. 248.
Also, to keep out-of-pocket costs down for subscribers, HDS began offering two exams last month to its group plans, covered at 100 percent of the eligible fee, per calendar year.
Free classes offered for registered vets
Free classes are being held this month at the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical and Regional Office Center for veterans registered with the VA and their families.They are as follows:
>> Next Thursday, 1:30-3 p.m., Orientation to the Spark Matsunaga Clinic to learn to use VA health care effectively.Veterans attending classes must be registered with the VA. Those who are not registered may register ahead of time or arrive before the start of class to register.>> Feb. 15, 1-3 p.m., to discuss the benefits of chiropractic care and services the VA will cover and how to access them.
>> Feb. 22, 1-3 p.m., to learn effects of gout and what can be done about it.
>> Feb. 25, 1-3 p.m., on causes of pain and methods of controlling it.
Veterans should take a copy of their discharge certificate (DD 214).
Family members also are encouraged to attend.
The Care Center is located on the Tripler Army Medical Center grounds, mountainside.
To register or obtain more information, call 433-7676.
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 staffWAIKIKI Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
5 arrested in Waikiki in phony NFL T-shirt sale
Five California men were arrested in Waikiki last night selling counterfeit National Football League logo T-shirts. A 35-year-old man was arrested at the corner of Kalakaua and Kaiulani avenues, while four other men, ages 42, 40, 24 and 33, were arrested at Kalakaua Avenue and Lewers Street.LEEWARD OAHU
Police arrest man, 27, after Waipahu chase
A 27-year-old Pearl City man was arrested yesterday on numerous charges after he led police on a chase through Waipahu.Police said a solo bike officer clocked the man speeding on the H-1 Freeway. A check of the license plate revealed the car he was driving was stolen. He sped away, taking the Kunia offramp to Farrington Highway, colliding with another vehicle in Waipahu, police said. Despite a damaged tire, the suspect drove toward Waipahu High School, turning onto Waipio Point Access Road and a bike path before crashing in a ditch.
Police said they found a 9 mm handgun reported stolen in a 1996 burglary in his possession. He was booked for driving a stolen car, being a felon in possession of a firearm, carrying a weapon without a permit, theft, having possession of stolen property, failing to obey a police officer, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
He was treated for minor injuries at The Queen's Medical Center, then transferred to HPD's main cellblock.
Pearl City woman nabbed in alleged knife threat
Police charged a Pearl City woman with first-degree terroristic threatening after she allegedly threatened a 38-year-old man with a knife last week.Police arrested Mandy Collazo, 41, on Tuesday after she was released from The Queen's Medical Center for injuries she received Jan. 30. Around 12:35 a.m. that day, police said she and the victim got into a domestic argument on Kuokoa Street after she followed him outside her home. Collazo attempted to stab the victim's vehicle as he was trying to leave, police said. She fell and was taken to Queen's for treatment. She is being held in lieu of $15,000 bail.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Hand grenade found at Big Island school
Officials of Waimea Middle School on the Big Island plan to close the school's garden after several youths found an unexploded hand grenade.Students said it was missing a release handle, which is used to set off the explosive. A bomb disposal team from the Army's Pohakuloa Training Area was called to remove the grenade.
According to ordnance experts, such devices are not uncommon in South Kohala because the area was used for military training exercises during World War II.
In the early 1950s, two Parker Ranch workers were killed by leftover ordnance.
Principal John Znamierowski said the 1-acre garden was inspected for ordnance before it was used by students.
