Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

City moves to take land for driveways in Kahaluu

The city filed suit yesterday to condemn three small parcels of land belonging to billionaire Japanese real estate tycoon Gensiro Kawamoto for use as public access to driveways off Hunaahi, Honekoa and Iuiu streets in Kahaluu.

On Feb. 13 the City Council voted 6-0 approving a resolution to force Kawamoto to sell the three parcels to create public access to the driveways of five homes in the Kahaluu neighborhood.

On Christmas Eve, Kawamoto had workers remove a driveway off Hunaahi Street that led to two of the homes, and put no-trespassing signs along the path. The families were blocked from their own carports.

Kawamoto's attorney, Carol Asai-Sato, had said the driveway encroached on Kawamoto's property. She said Kawamoto wanted to widen the access to a private residence for her client on a 130-acre parcel adjoining the other homes.

Owner of Ba-Le eateries earns top business award

The U.S. Small Business Administration has named Thanh Quoc Lam, owner of Ba-Le Inc., as Hawaii's "Small Business Person of the Year."

Since 1984, Ba-Le, best known for sandwiches, pastries and noodles, has grown into a statewide, multimillion-dollar operation with 21 stores and franchises.

Some raw sewage enters Keehi Lagoon after spill

More than 3 million gallons of raw sewage flowed from a ruptured line at Keehi Lagoon Park before the spill was stopped after 14 hours.

City crews were to continue repair work today on the pipeline from the Kamehameha Highway pump station to the Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The 36-inch pressurized concrete line ruptured Thursday at 3:30 p.m.

Raw sewage entered Keehi Lagoon through a storm drain, but this flow was stopped yesterday at 2 a.m.

The overall spill was stopped yesterday by 5:30 a.m.

The city is testing waters in the lagoon and has posted warning signs along the shoreline.

Rewards offered in animal cruelty cases

Information that would help police solve the Nov. 27 fire that killed two horses in a Maunawili Farm stable could bring a $1,000 reward to the tipster.

The reward is being offered for information in any animal cruelty case under a new joint effort between the Hawaiian Humane Society and CrimeStoppers Honolulu Inc.

The society investigated 1,200 reports of cruelty or neglect toward animals last year. Calls relating to animal emergencies may be made 24 hours a day to the society at 946-2187. Calls may also be made to the police by calling 911. Tips to the CrimeStoppers program are confidential.

"We hope that having an ongoing program like Animal CrimeStoppers will make people more aware of animal cruelty in their community and encourage them to provide information to help solve cases," said Humane Society President Pamela Burns.

"We realize that an act of cruelty against an animal is just another form of violence in our community, violence that should not be tolerated," said Honolulu Police Detective Letha DeCaires.

Initial funding for Animal CrimeStoppers came from the Hawaii Cat Foundation, which received a $1,000 grant from the city to educate the public about animal cruelty.

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Corrections and clarifications >> More than 30 years after the Chinese arrived in Hawaii in 1852 as contract laborers to work in sugar plantations, a number of the Chinese left the sugar industry to open their own businesses in downtown Honolulu. A story on Page A1 Monday incorrectly referred to the Chinese as Chinese Americans. During the late 1880s, Hawaii was still a kingdom and not yet a territory of the United States. >> Aloha magazine was founded in 1978 by Dwight and Ann Gick. Former stockbroker Rick Davis took it over some months later and ran it for 20 years. A Davis obituary on Page C6 Saturday incorrectly said that Davis was the founder. 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

CENTRAL OAHU

Wahiawa man surrenders in alleged stabbing at bar

A 21-year-old Wahiawa man surrendered to police Thursday in a stabbing that occurred last month, and was arrested for second-degree assault.

Police said the suspect and a 22-year-old Waialua man were arguing in front of a Wahiawa bar on Feb. 9 when the two men got into a fight.

The victim punched the suspect in the head, and the suspect punched the victim in his left rib area, police said. The victim felt a severe pain to his side and realized he had been stabbed with an unknown object.

A third person then punched the suspect, knocking him to the ground.

Police said the victim walked away and called police. While waiting for officers to arrive, police said, the suspect fled. The suspect turned himself in after being questioned by police about the incident. The victim has since recovered from his injury.

LEEWARD OAHU

Police seek suspect in 2 Thursday bank robberies

CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department are asking for the public's help to identify the man suspected of robbing two banks Thursday.

Police say the same suspect robbed the Waipahu branch of City Bank at 94-210 Pupukahi St. on Thursday at 11:45 a.m. and the American Savings Bank in the Pearl City Foodland located at 850 Kamehameha Hwy. about 45 minutes later.

The suspect handed a demand note to the tellers at each bank and then fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

The suspect is described as a male in his 30s, about 6 feet tall, with a heavy build, black hair, tan complexion and a mustache.

He was last seen wearing either wire-frame glasses or dark sunglasses, a dark-colored baseball cap worn backward, blue denim long-sleeve shirt over a light-colored T-shirt, jeans and dark athletic shoes.

CRIMESTOPPERS PHOTO CrimeStoppers and police are searching for this man, who is suspected of robbing bank branches in Waipahu and Pearl City within 45 minutes on Thursday.

Aid sought in search for man wanted on warrant

CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department need the public's assistance in locating William Wolters Jr. Wolters is wanted for a Family Court warrant, and police said he has been known to be armed in the past and should be considered dangerous.

Police said Wolters frequents the Leeward Coast and was last seen driving a black Oldsmobile Cutlass.

Wolters is described as a 38-year-old male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 175 pounds, with a medium build, brown hair, hazel eyes and a mustache.

Wolters also has several tattoos: the word "Chandra" is on his left upper arm, a black panther on his left chest and a tiger on his back.

Anyone with information about his location may call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.

CRIMESTOPPERS PHOTO William Wolters Jr. is wanted for a Family Court warrant. He has been armed in the past and should be considered dangerous.

Candle blamed for fire that damaged Aiea home

An unattended candle is to blame for a fire that caused $60,000 damage to an Aiea home yesterday, the Fire Department said.

Three fire engine companies responded to the 7:38 a.m. alarm at 98-864 Kaamilo St. and had the fire under control four minutes later. The home is just up the road from the Aiea Fire Station.

There were four men and two women in the home at the time. No injuries were reported.

The residents had been using candles for lighting in the home, which had the electricity shut off, fire officials said.