Grant to Legal Aid to fight housing discrimination
The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii recently secured a federal grant to investigate claims of housing discrimination. Services are free and available statewide.Attorney Mike Cruise, who is leading the investigation, said, "We do receive a steady stream of complaints."
A key component of the project will be the fair-housing testing method in which investigators will pose as prospective home buyers in renting, purchasing and applying for home loan insurance.
If investigators are treated differently on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status, age, ancestry, marital status or HIV, housing providers could face federal lawsuits or adjunction by state or federal enforcement agencies.
"This is a powerful tool for enforcing civil rights," investigator Jason Kanda said.
"We have the means to ensure that people don't lose out on housing opportunities because housing providers are discriminating against them illegally," Kanda said.
Those with fair-housing complaints or questions regarding their rights under federal and state fair-housing laws can call 527-8024 on Oahu or toll-free at 866-527-FAIR for neighbor islands.
Tech center to offer Microsoft certification
The Pacific Center for Advanced Technology Training and Honolulu Community College will be providing information about their Microsoft certification programs on Thursday.PCATT has been selected as one of 12 Microsoft IT Academy Regional Centers in the country, which will support Microsoft IT Local Academies.
The Microsoft program provides schools with faculty training, technical support and marketing tools to help schools provide certification courses.
An open house will be held on the HCC campus from 9 to 11 a.m. in Building 2, Room 514. For more information or to RSVP for the open house, contact Jerry Cerny, PCATT Microsoft IT Academy Program coordinator, at 845-9215.
>> The G.N. Wilcox Trust has awarded Seagull Schools Inc. a $30,000 grant. The money will be used to support the capital campaign to expand the space for its Kapolei Child and Adult Day Care Center. After construction is completed, the school will be able to double its adult day care enrollment. [TAKING NOTICE]
>> The Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation has awarded a $7,000 grant to the Hawaii Council for the Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The money will support the HCH council-conducted programs Hawaii History Day and Motheread Hawaii.
>> The Mission Houses Museum recently received $100,000 from the Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation and $300,000 from the Atherton Family Foundation. The money will be used for the preservation of the historic Chamberlain House on the museum's grounds. Repairs are scheduled to be made to the 170-year-old structure in order to allow people to continue visiting the museum.
>> Goodwill Industries Hawaii has been awarded $10,000 from the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation. The money will be used to fund Goodwill's Emergency Job Training and Placement Assistance Program. Goodwill plans to administer the program to individuals who lost their jobs due to the economic fallout following Sept. 11.
>> The Big Island Press Club has named Hunter Bishop as president for 2002. Other newly elected officers include Tiffany Edwards, vice president; Rod Thompson, treasurer; Patricia Tummons, secretary; and Hugh Clark, Chris Loos, Dave Smith, Tim Bryan and Rick Castberg, professional and associate board members. The officers and board members were installed during a banquet Feb. 1.
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
WINDWARD OAHU
Castle hospital guards catch man carrying rifle
Police arrested a 39-year-old man yesterday after he allegedly entered Castle Medical Center with an AR-15 rifle and 20 rounds of bullets.Around 9:40 a.m., the suspect parked his van behind the hospital and entered an elevator, which led up to patient floors, near the cafeteria, said Kailua police Officer Larry Santos.
Two security guards wrestled the man to the ground and took away the gun, Santos said. It was not known why he went there with the weapon. No one was injured, said Castle spokesman David Earles.
EAST OAHU
2 Korean visitors hurt in parasailing accident
Two tourists from Korea were sent to Queen's Medical Center in critical condition Saturday morning after falling 150-foot while parasailing in Maunalua Bay off Hawaii Kai.The couple, ages 27 and 28, fell after the wind shifted, said fire Capt. Richard Soo. They were brought back to Koko Marina Pier by the boat they had gone out on.
Morning fire damages Hawaii Loa Ridge home
Fire investigators are looking into what caused a fire at a Hawaii Loa Ridge home yesterday morning.No one was home at 174 Kokololio Place when the alarm sounded at 5:23 a.m. The fire was under control by 5:38 a.m.
Damage was estimated at $150,000 to the home and $20,000 to the contents, according to Capt. Richard Soo. The fire appears to have originated around a fireplace, he said
NORTH SHORE
Theft suspect released after items recovered
A 41-year-old Haleiwa man on parole was arrested for an outstanding contempt warrant after he was arrested in a theft at a Haleiwa jewelry store.But he was released when the owner refused to prosecute him. Police said the man reached over the counter, grabbed several items, then fled about 4:50 p.m. yesterday. The owner chased and caught him, holding him until police arrived.
But the owner decided not to prosecute after recovering all the stolen items.
HONOLULU
Returning stolen goods gets 2 suspects arrested
An employee of an Ala Moana Center store was arrested yesterday for theft in a scheme that was uncovered when his accomplice tried to return the stolen items.Police said the 20-year-old male employee voided the purchase of merchandise by the accomplice on Jan. 11 by using his credit card. However, the scheme fell apart when the accomplice returned the next day with the merchandise to get a cash refund.
Police seek 4-5 suspects in stabbing and beating
Police are looking for four to five suspects who stabbed a man several times yesterday, then beat him with a sign post pulled out of the sidewalkThe victim was reported in guarded condition today at Queen's Medical Center.
Police said officers were sent to Amana and Makaloa streets about 5:30 a.m. yesterday after witnesses from apartment buildings reported the beating. A knife and the sign post were recovered at the scene.
Boy playing with lighter starts fire that guts home
A fire started by a 9-year-old boy playing with a lighter gutted a Hiilawe Street home in Pauoa yesterday afternoon, causing an estimated $100,000 in damage to the structure and $25,000 to its contents.The boy had been home alone while his grandmother, 49, and mother, 27, were at work. A 5-year-old girl and an infant also lived in the two-bedroom house.
The grandmother was relieved to find her grandson outside yesterday afternoon when she returned to find her rental home engulfed in flames.
"The grandmother thought he was in (the front bedroom), so she wouldn't move from the front lawn. We tried to persuade her to come across the street because with the smoke she might get sick, but she refused," said Amy Ishikawa, who lives across the street. Eventually neighbors persuaded her to come across the street when firefighters began extinguishing the fire a little before 2 p.m. The fire was under control by 2:17 p.m., said Capt. Richard Soo.
Ishikawa said she noticed the grandson riding his scooter and told him, "Grandma's crying because she thinks you're in the house." Ishikawa said she took him to the grandmother, and they hugged each other.
LEEWARD OAHU
Police probe death of 5-month-old girl
Police are investigating the death of a five-month-old girl, who was pronounced dead yesterday at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. The baby was taken there after she was found lifeless in bed.
Man sought for taking his ex-girlfriend hostage
Police are looking for a man who allegedly came to his ex-girlfriend's home, held her hostage for 15 hours, then stole and destroyed her property after she escaped.The 25-year-old Waimanalo suspect entered his ex-girlfriend's Ewa Beach home at 9 p.m. Saturday, using a spare key. He physically assaulted the 22-year-old woman, refused to leave when she asked and would not let her leave, police said.
About noon yesterday, the woman managed to escape and call police.
