Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Neighbor isle meetings to discuss airline merger

Two Senate committees will be holding informational briefings on the neighbor islands to get public opinion on the proposed merger between Aloha and Hawaiian airlines.

Sen. Ron Menor (D, Mililani-Waipio Gentry) said: "Neighbor island residents will be affected most by any changes in the number of flights and increases in interisland air fares and air cargo rates. Because the potential economic impact from changes in these would be felt more by those living outside of Oahu, we want them to share with us any concerns they have or proposals to avoid potential negative outcomes."

The Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing Committee and the Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations Committee are responsible for the measures in the Senate dealing with the proposed merger.

Meetings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.:
>> Tomorrow at the Kealakehe High School cafeteria in Kona.
>> Wednesday at the Hawaii County Council chambers in Hilo.
>> March 6 at the Maui County Council chambers.
>> March 8 at the Kauai County Council chambers.

Superintendent to share goals for public education

Schools Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto will be speaking at a town meeting tomorrow on her vision and goals for public education and reorganizing the Department of Education at the state and school-complex levels.

The meeting, "Building Excellence in Education," will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Stevenson Middle School cafeteria.

Raelene Chock, the complex-area superintendent for McKinley and Roosevelt, will also be present.

The meeting is sponsored by Sen. Carol Fukunaga (D, Tantalus-Makiki) and Reps. Sylvia Luke (D, Nuuanu-Dowsett Highlands-Pacific Heights-Pauoa-Punchbowl) and Brian Schatz (D, Makiki-Tantalus-Manoa).

They will speak on current education reform measures and other bills of district interest. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call Sen. Fukunaga's office at 586-6890.

UH fellow to guide trip among stars

Dr. Michael C. Liu, who holds a prestigious fellowship at the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy, will discuss "Worlds Around Other Stars: New Sharp Views from Mauna Kea" at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the School of Architecture auditorium, 2410 Campus Road.

Liu, the institute's Beatrice Watson Parrent Postdoctoral Fellow, will present the first in a series of public lectures sponsored by the IFA and its education and outreach support group, Friends of Hawaii Astronomy.

He will discuss latest findings on brown dwarfs (failed stars) and planets around other stars.

He will also describe adaptive optics, new technology that corrects for blurring effects of Earth's atmosphere and gives astronomers the sharpest images they have ever obtained.

He will show spectacular pictures of a brown dwarf orbiting a nearby sunlike star to illustrate the capabilities of the adaptive optics systems on the Gemini and Keck telescopes.

Charges say jeweler failed to file taxes

The state Tax Department charged an isle jeweler last week with failing to file annual general excise tax returns for two businesses.

Vincent F. Sage failed to file returns for The Diamond Co. Inc. from fiscal years 1997 to 2000 and for Sage Diamond Co. Inc. from calendar years 1997 to 1999, the department alleged. The department also charged the businesses themselves with the same violations.

If convicted, Sage faces up to $25,000 in fines, up to a year in prison, or both. The companies can be fined up to $100,000 for every year they failed to file returns, or up to $700,000.

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Corrections and clarifications 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.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

California visitor dies after being struck by van

Police charged a Kailua-Kona man with manslaughter and drunken driving for allegedly driving a van that struck and killed a tourist from California Saturday.

Stephen St. Clair, 39, of Kailua-Kona, also faces a charge of reckless endangering and was being held on $14,000 bail.

Police said tourist Jane O'Brien, 58, of Santa Barbara, was struck by a van on the side of Alii Drive in front of Hale Halewai O Holualoa Church in Kailua-Kona around 4:06 p.m.

The victim and her sister were on their way back to their condominium after a day of shopping, police said. O'Brien's sister told police they stopped in front of the church to read a sign when they heard a loud squeal of tires.

Police said St. Clair was exiting Holualoa Beach Park onto Alii Drive in a 1982 GMC van when he sped up, crossed the center line and struck the victim, knocking her into a stone wall. O'Brien was taken to Kona Community Hospital where she died at 4:44 p.m, police said.

Police alleged that St. Clair was drinking at the park and was "highly intoxicated" at the time of the accident.

2 drown at Kealakekua in separate incidents

CAPTAIN COOK, Hawaii >> Two mainland women apparently drowned in separate incidents at Kealakekua Bay yesterday, police said.

Fire rescue personnel responded to the Keei area of the bay at 11:53 a.m. Ruth Doris Karlsson, 69, of Golden, Colo. was treated there but could not be revived.

At 12:47 p.m., officials responded to a call at Napoopoo where they found Phyllis Catz, 59, of West Orange, N.J.

Autopsies will be done to determine the cause of the deaths.

LEEWARD OAHU

Motorcycle hits tree, killing Schofield man, 27

A 27-year-old man died just before midnight on Saturday when he hit a tree while riding his motorcycle, police said.

The man, who lived on Schofield Barracks, was driving south on Hanua Street near the Malakole Street intersection in Campbell Industrial Park when he veered right, struck the concrete curb and hit a tree, police said. He was taken to St. Francis West Hospital in critical condition and later died there, police said.

The man was wearing a helmet, police said. Speed may have been a factor in the crash, and police said they have not determined whether alcohol was a factor.

WEST OAHU

2 at swap meet arrested on stolen property charge

A 20-year-old man and 38-year-old woman, both from Pearl City, were arrested at the Kam Swap Meet yesterday after allegedly selling stolen property from a stolen pickup truck.

The truck owner, who had reported his vehicle stolen on Feb. 18, called police when he saw his pickup at the swap meet with different license plates.

Police located the couple, who were the last ones seen operating the vehicle, and arrested them for auto theft and possession of stolen goods. The man was also arrested on fraudulent use of license plates, drug and drug paraphernalia charges. Police said the man had a glass pipe with crystal methamphetamine residue in it. Police also arrested the woman for possession of a prohibited weapon after they found a butterfly knife in her possession.

CENTRAL OAHU

Man accused of breaking girlfriend's nose

A 33-year-old Wahiawa man was arrested for second-degree assault yesterday after he allegedly broke his girlfriend's nose during an argument.

Police said the couple were arguing at their Wilikina Drive residence about 4:45 a.m. when the man hit the 32-year-old woman in the nose with his elbow. The woman was taken to Wahiawa General Hospital where she was treated and released. The man was arrested without incident.

HONOLULU

Police arrest suspect in Kaimuki robbery

Police arrested a man last night after he allegedly robbed another man Saturday in Kaimuki.

According to police, three suspects went to the victim's residence and demanded money and property. One of the suspects brandished a shotgun when the victim resisted, police said. The victim received minor injuries in an ensuing scuffle.

The victim knew one of the suspects, who was later arrested, police said.

Pedestrian hit by car that allegedly ran a light

Witnesses stopped a car that ran a red light and hit a woman crossing Kamehameha Highway near the Marukai Wholesale Mart in Kalihi, police said.

A 23-year-old man allegedly ran a red light and hit the 31-year-old woman in a crosswalk Friday night about 9:30 p.m.

The woman suffered a fractured right knee and abrasions and was taken to Queen's Medical Center. The suspect was arrested on suspicion of failure to render aid.

Homeless man arrested in December beating

Police arrested a 20-year-old homeless man yesterday morning after he allegedly assaulted a man with a club after the victim found him sitting in his car late last year.

According to police, a 56-year-old Honolulu man found the suspect sitting in his vehicle on Dec. 21. He asked the man to get out of his car, then asked the suspect for his identification, and the suspect complied, then left.

About 10 to 15 minutes later, the suspect returned, hit the victim with a club and fled, police said.

Crime reduction officers located and arrested him yesterday without incident.

WAIKIKI

Soldier nabbed in alleged assault of woman last year

Police arrested a Schofield Barracks soldier in Waikiki on Saturday almost one year after he allegedly assaulted and robbed an Ewa Beach woman he paid to have sex with him.

The assault took place on March 3 at approximately 3:30 a.m. According to police, Daniel Lee Hutchinson punched the woman in the nose, causing a fracture, then fled with the woman's purse.

Police said the case was reported late.

Crime reduction officers arrested the man with a warrant. Hutchinson is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Man suspected in carjack of couple at red light

Police were looking for a 23-year-old man suspected of carjacking Friday night.

The suspect, armed with a handgun, approached a man and woman at a red light on the corner of Ala Moana and Hobron Lane at about 11:30 p.m. and told them to get out of their car, police said. When they complied, the suspect got in and drove off. Police said the woman, 19, and man, 23, both know the suspect.

WINDWARD OAHU

Hiker, 23, dies in fall from Waimanalo ridge

A 23-year-old man died yesterday after he fell off a ridge while hiking in Waimanalo.

Fire Department spokesman Capt. Richard Soo said a group of hikers were atop a ridge overlooking Waimanalo Beach Park at 41-525 Kalanianaole Highway.

Police said one of the hikers called from a cellular phone around 2:05 p.m. after the victim fell about 500 feet down from the ridge.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, Soo said.

Father allegedly shoots son during argument

Police arrested a 55-year-old man for attempted murder after he allegedly shot his son yesterday morning in Waimanalo.

Detective Nani Kaopua of the Criminal Investigation Division said the suspect and his son were arguing on Waikupanaha Street around 10 a.m. when neighbors heard a gunshot.

Witnesses said the victim was shot near his left eye and was seen running away from his father's home.

Kaopua said a .22-caliber handgun, registered to the suspect, was found at the residence.

Kailua police released the father last night after they received a call from the son saying he was OK, but police said the son was otherwise uncooperative. Police are still investigating the incident.