Gambling charges filed against HPD dispatchers
Two Honolulu Police Department civilian dispatchers and three other individuals were charged yesterday with first-degree promotion of gambling, according to Jim Fulton of the city Prosecutor's Office.The charges stem from a Sept. 28 dice game at the Aiea home of James Frank Ward, a police dispatcher, Fulton said. Ward is a 14-year veteran.
Ward, Ray Takeshita, Iris Takeshita and Romeo Marzan Jr. were charged with one count each of promotion of gambling, while dispatcher Trisha T. Takayesu was charged with five counts. Takayesu has been with the Police Department for six years.
Following their arrests, the dispatchers were reassigned to non-dispatch positions at HPD's main station, spokeswoman Michelle Yu said.
No bail amounts have been set and those charged have not yet turned themselves in.
The individuals were charged by means of a criminal complaint and will be arraigned in Circuit Court on Monday.
Sharks, drift line harry humpbacks off Maui
WAILUKU >> Federal officials say they don't have enough information to know if a whale that was being eaten by sharks off south Maui on Saturday was the same whale seen entangled in white rope last Wednesday."I really think there's no way we'll ever know for sure," said David Matilla, a whale rescue specialist with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
Matilla said there was no good documentation describing the calf and rope-entangled mother seen less than a mile off Olowalu in West Maui last Wednesday.
Fishermen noticed the sharks feeding on the whale entangled in white line in waters off Kaupo on Saturday.
Matilla said those who saw the entangled mother whale were required under federal law to remain 100 yards from it.
Federal officials who searched for the whale were unable to locate it.
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>> In a photo on Page A11 yesterday, Army Sgt. Monserrate Rodriguez was looking out a bus window saying goodbye to his wife Leyda and son Christian. The photo caption misidentified them as Sgt. Charlie Pepin and son Gabriel and wife Edna. 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.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Search for remains near Hanauma Bay continues
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HONOLULU
Elderly couple dies after crashing into post office
An 80-year-old man and an 81-year-old woman died yesterday after the car they were in hit a wall at the Kapalama Post Office parking lot at 1271 N. King St. about 10:10 a.m., Honolulu police said. The two may have been arguing in the car just prior to the accident police said.Police said the male driver had just dropped off some mail and had gotten into a 1988 Honda Civic when witnesses said both were involved in a domestic argument. Police then said for some reason the driver suddenly accelerated, jumped the sidewalk and hit a concrete wall.
Both victims later died of their injuries at separate hospitals. Police said speed appears to be a factor in the crash.
Japanese fisherman dies despite offshore rescue
A Japanese fisherman died yesterday despite best efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard to get him to medical attention in time. According to Coast Guard officials, Fukuo Miura, 43, was critically ill from a possible bleeding ulcer when they airlifted him off his fishing vessel, the Shoun Maru Number 151, 80 miles north of Oahu.Coast Guard rescue crew members performed CPR on Miura during the 45-minute flight to the Kuakini Medical Center. Upon landing at the hospital, Coast Guard officials said Miura's was still alive but "extremely grave."
LEEWARD OAHU
Sex assault allegations under investigation
Honolulu police are investigating an alleged sexual assault of a 9-year-old girl in Nanakuli. According to the victim, the suspect is a 29-year-old male who lives in the same house.Police said both the suspect and the victim live with the victim's grandfather, who has legal custody of the victim. Police said the victim told her aunt that she had been sexually assaulted by the suspect between Jan. 1, 2001, and Feb. 23 of this year. The case was reported on Sunday.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Police seek public's help in Kona fire investigation
Big Island police are seeking the public's help in the investigation of a fire last year in South Kona. The fire was reported at 11:05 p.m. on April 21, 2001, at a single-story residence at 82-6003 Manini Beach Road.Anyone with information about the fire or its cause is asked to call Detective John Leith Jr. of the Kona Criminal Investigation Section at 326-4230, 935-331, or CrimeStoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-8300 in Hilo.
