The University of Hawaii-Manoa's Asian studies program has received a $1.2 million grant from the Freeman Foundation to support visiting faculty, faculty travel, study-abroad programs, electronic curriculum delivery and residencies in Asian arts over the next four years. UH receives Asian studies
program grantPart of the School of Hawaiian, Asian and Pacific Studies, the Asian studies program offers undergraduate and graduate courses, including courses on Central Asia, the southern Philippines, minorities in China and Asian film.
"The residency in the arts component of the grant is unique, and complements the university's commitment to expressive culture as one way of understanding Asia," said Ricardo Trimillos, chairman of the Asian studies program and author of the grant proposal.
Tax fraud investigation nets fifth guilty plea
An Aiea woman pleaded guilty yesterday to six counts of aiding and abetting in the preparation of fraudulent tax returns.Vivian Soong, 56, a tax preparer for RB Tax Service, is the last of five people with the firm to plead guilty. She initially was charged with 30 counts of aiding and abetting.
The state is expected to ask that she spend up to six months in jail and pay $30,000 in fines as a condition of probation when sentenced May 16, said Deputy Attorney General Rick Damerville.
State TB control program moves to 2 new sites
The state Health Department's Tuberculosis Control Program has closed services at in the Lanakila Health Center and will reopen at two temporary sites starting Tuesday.The program must move for about a year to allow a complete renovation at the health center.
Its services and offices will be divided temporarily between Leahi Hospital and Dillingham Plaza.
It will be closed for one week during the move, reopening at 7:45 a.m. on Tuesday at the two locations.
The tuberculosis testing clinic will be at Dillingham Plaza, 1505 Dillingham Blvd., in Kalihi. It will be on the second floor above Savers. Free parking is available.
The public also is encouraged to use other public health nursing clinics, such as the Diamond Head Health Center or Leeward health Center, for tuberculosis skin tests.
The TB chest clinic, providing X-rays, will be in the outpatient services clinic at Leahi Hospital, 3675 Kilauea Ave., in Kaimuki.
The public is cautioned that delays and longer waits may occur when the program reopens at the new sites.
The renovated facilities at Lanakila Health Center are expected to reopen early next year.
The TB Control Program's services are free, including skin tests, chest X-rays, TB evaluations and medications.
For more information about services after the move, call the TB Control Program at 832-5731; the 24-hour TB Info Line at 832-5738, or visit www.hawaii.gov/doh/resource/comm_dis/tb.
Big Isle man sentenced to life term plus 60 years
KEALAKEKUA, Hawaii >> A Big Island man described as a "dangerous psychopath" has been sentenced to life in prison plus 60 years for an April 20, 2000, knife attack on a Kona woman, the county prosecutor's office said.Judge Ronald Ibarra sentenced Norbert Lee Alcaide, 27, for attempted murder, four counts of sexual assault, kidnapping, burglary, terroristic threatening and unauthorized entry into a car.
Deputy Prosecutor Dale Ross said Alcaide broke into the victim's home at night, sexually assaulted her and stabbed her in the neck and face. The victim broke free and escaped.
The judge ruled Monday that the 60-year-term must follow the life term, and both must follow the current 10-year term Alcaide is serving for an unrelated burglary.
In a sentencing hearing, neuropsychologist Harold Hall called Alcaide a "dangerous psychopath."
Ex-cop's hearing delayed at defender's request
HILO >> A hearing for a former Big Island police detective charged in the fatal shooting of his wife has been postponed.Deputy Public Defender Melody Parker filed court documents saying it would be a conflict of interest for her office to represent Albert Pacheco because he was a material witness against another client her office represents.
The state Office of Disciplinary Counsel advised Parker to withdraw from the case. Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura is expected to appoint a replacement attorney at a hearing next Wednesday.
A bail hearing scheduled for today was postponed until a new attorney is named.
Pacheco, 45, has pleaded innocent to charges of second-degree murder, criminal property damage, terroristic threatening and using a firearm in the commission of a felony.
He is accused of ramming his car into the van of his wife, Cathalene, and then shooting her near their Waikoloa home on Jan. 4.
Pacheco resigned from the police force on Feb. 6.
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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 police will set up drunk driving checkpoints during the three-day President's Day weekend to deter alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers, police announced. Police roadblocks up
for holiday weekendThe roadblocks will be at unannounced times and locations from tonight through Tuesday morning.
Police said that as of this morning, 12 people have died on Oahu roadways compared to four traffic-related deaths during the same period last year.
Alcohol was a factor in two of this year's traffic fatalities and speed was a factor in four of them, police said.
HAZMAT RESPONDS TO ANTHRAX CALL
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EAST OAHU
Man charged with trying to run woman off road
A 31-year-old man was charged with terroristic threatening this morning for allegedly attempting to force another driver off the road and threatening her several times on Kalanianaole Highway last night.Police said a 20-year-old woman was driving in Hawaii Kai about 9:30 p.m. when the man, driving a red truck, tried to force the woman's vehicle off the roadway. She called 911 on her cell phone, and police located the man in Kaimuki.
HONOLULU
Shoplifting suspect pulls knife on store employees
Police arrested a 33-year-old shoplifting suspect for second-degree robbery yesterday after he allegedly pulled a knife in an Ala Moana Center store.Employees at Sam Goody witnessed the suspect stealing a video game and then confronted him, police said.
The suspect pulled out a knife and then fled, police said. Ala Moana Center security personnel caught him.
LEEWARD OAHU
Man accused of hitting mother with baseball bat
Police arrested a 19-year-old man who allegedly tried to break into his mother's house on 3rd Avenue in Pearl City Wednesday and accidentally hit her in the mouth with a baseball bat.The suspect argued with his brother and was told to leave the house, police said. The suspect tried to get back inside by climbing in an upper window and fell from the window after his mother pulled him down and he fell backwards, breaking windows on the bottom floor.
Police said the man tried to damage the home with a bat and accidentally hit his mother.
Police later arrested the man for driving under the influence.
Police seek suspect in Kapolei robbery, threat
Police are looking for a suspect who robbed a Kapolei man in his home last night and threatened him with a knife.Police said the suspect, a man believed to be between 35 and 40 years old, entered the home and took a jewelry box. When the resident, a 67-year-old man, confronted the suspect, the suspect threatened the man with a knife then fled. Police found the empty jewelry box in the area.
Man mugged in Nanakuli blames assault on 2 men
Honolulu police are looking for two suspects who jumped a 73-year-old man in Nanakuli yesterday morning. Police said the victim went for his daily walk at 5 a.m. on the beach near Farrington Highway and Kahau Street when two males attacked him.Police said the victim managed to call an ambulance from a pay phone. He was taken to St. Francis West Medical Center, where he was treated for a broken jaw and a head laceration.
