Remains of servicemen to be honored at Hickam
The remains of three Americans who died in the Vietnam War will be honored tomorrow at Hickam Air Force Base.One set of remains, recovered in Vietnam, were from the site of a F-4B Phantom aircraft, which is believed to have crashed during 1967 in Nam Dinh.
Another set of remains is believed to represent another American service member, turned over by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The third set is thought to be an American recovered by one of the four teams that were deployed to Laos in February. They were recovered from the crash site of a UH-1D helicopter that is believed to have crashed during 1968 in Savannakhet Province.
Following tomorrow's 9 a.m. ceremony, the remains of the three servicemen will be transported to the U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory where forensic anthropologists and odontologists will analyze them for potential identification.
Since 1973 the Central Identification Laboratory has identified and returned to their families more than 1,030 Americans formerly listed as missing in action.
About 720 of those servicemen were from the Vietnam War. Others were servicemen from the Korean War and World War II. There are still 1,947 servicemen missing in Southeast Asia.
Permits due for special pig hunting season
An attempt by the state Department of Land & Natural Resources to clear the Makiki-Tantalus area of wild pigs gives hunters an opportunity to hunt in the Honolulu Forest Reserve, an area that is not normally open to hunting.The DLNR's Division of Forestry & Wildlife will hold a special hunting season for the Honolulu Mauka Trail System, which spans the Makiki-Tantalus area across Manoa Valley to Waahila ridge.
Hunting for feral pigs will be allowed by permit on Tuesdays and Thursdays only from sunrise to 11 a.m. from April 2 through June 27.
All permit applications must be received by 3:30 p.m. tomorrow, and hunts will be awarded either by lottery or rotation, based on the number of applications received.
Coffee processing spat winds up in federal court
The owner of a coffee milling company in Kona has sued convicted businessman Michael Boulware and his Hawaiian Isles Kona Coffee Co. in federal court for allegedly reneging on a deal last year.But Boulware's attorney said Robert A. Jones of Nevada simply wants to avoid paying for equipment from his client.
Jones, president of Red Mountain Farm of Kona Inc., alleged in a lawsuit filed Monday that in July, Boulware agreed to purchase between 1.7 million and 2.5 million pounds of cherry Kona coffee and have it processed by Jones and his company at 20 cents per pound.
But Boulware's attorney, Michael McCarthy, said there is no truth to the allegations.
"He has nothing in writing and he's a very imaginative fellow," McCarthy said of Jones.
Rather, Jones wanted to use Boulware's processing table, later wanted to buy it and was supposed to pay for it but never has, he said.
"We're attempting to get paid for it," McCarthy said.
U.S. appellate court sides with former prison doctor
SAN FRANCISCO >> A federal appeals court upheld yesterday a federal judge's ruling in favor of a former Hawaii prison doctor who claimed he was harassed because he blew the whistle on the abuse of inmates.The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the July 1999 decision by U.S. District Judge Alan Kay in which three former state prison officials were ordered to pay a $110,000 judgment to Dr. Terence Allen. In March 2000, Kay ordered the three officials to then pay more than $500,000 in legal fees.
Allen's 1997 lawsuit alleged he was investigated, locked out of Halawa Correctional Facility and denied promotion after he spoke out about conditions at the prison.
The lawsuit named former Public Safety Director George Iranon, former Public Safety Deputy Director Eric Penarosa and former Halawa Warden Guy Hall.
Iranon retired in 1996. Penarosa, who became Halawa warden after Hall, retired in 1999. Hall, who was acting evaluation and compliance officer for the prison system in 1998, later moved to the mainland.
Free program addresses brain-related disorders
Information about brain-related disorders will be presented during a free program from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday in the fifth-floor conference rooms of the Weinberg Medical Pavilion building, St. Francis Medical Center."Brain Matters: What's on Your Mind" will cover Alzheimer's disease, stroke, Parkinson's and head injury.
Participants will learn what the disorders are, the warning signs and treatments from a neurologist and experts in the community.
Registration will begin at 8:45 a.m. For reservations and information, call the Education Department, 547-6410.
Free blood pressure screenings, risk assessments, Safe Return registration, refreshments and parking will be provided.
Joining St. Francis in organizing the event are the American Heart Association of Hawaii, the Alzheimer's Association, Think First Hawaii and the Pilot Club of Downtown Honolulu.
Traveling volunteer dentists receive $10,000 grant
The Hawaii Dental Association's Dental Samaritans have received a $10,000 grant from the Pierre Fauchard Academy to help continue the program, which provides volunteer dentists for nonprofit dental clinics.Dr. Russell Masunaga, association president, said the Dental Samaritans group was founded because of "a need to help those that were falling through the cracks."
The program was funded previously by the Hawaii Dental Association and donations from members and the public.
The association recruits volunteer dentists and pays for travel, supplies and other expenses involved in sending them to sites such as the Big Island Mobile Care Health Project, Oahu's Kalihi-Palama Health Center and the Institute for Human Services.
The Pierre Fauchard Academy works to improve standards and practices of the dentistry profession worldwide and educates dentists in the latest techniques. It also encourages sharing of ideas to improve the dentistry practice. Dr. Shig Ryan Kishi is executive director.
Home health-care provider gains accreditation
Hawaii HealthCare Professionals Inc., the largest private-duty home health-care provider in the state, has received accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations."It means we have made the grade, that we have been recognized for complying with rigorous national performance standards that promote quality health-care delivery," said Carolyn Frutoz, president and chief executive officer of HealthCare Professionals.
The agency provides licensed and supervised home companions and chore helpers, certified nurse assistants, licensed practical nurses and registered nurses as needed for three hours to around-the-clock coverage on Oahu, Maui and Kauai.
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>> The Mamalahoa Bypass highway through the Hokulia project in Kona will cost $37 million. An article on Page A5 Tuesday incorrectly reported that it was a $26 million highway project. Corrections and clarifications
>> Jay T. Kanegawa of the Aiea Family Dental Group has been re-elected board chairman of Hawaii Dental Service. Monday's "Taking Notice" section on Page C3 misidentified that organization.
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 staffWAIKIKI Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Three injured in car fire at Hale Koa Hotel
Three Hale Koa Hotel employees were taken to Queen's Medical Center by ambulance this morning after they suffering smoke inhalation trying to extinguish a car fire in the hotel's parking structure.Fire officials said a woman employee had parked her car on the first floor of the structure just before 7 a.m. when the car started to smoke, then caught on fire.
Five employees who were doing landscaping nearby tried to put out the fire before firefighters arrived. Two of the men were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene. The woman refused treatment. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
HONOLULU
4 suffer stab wounds in Bowl-O-Drome fracas
Four men were taken to Queen's Medical Center last night -- two in critical condition and one in serious condition -- with knife and stab wounds they suffered in a fight outside the University Bowl-O-Drome at 820 Isenberg St.Police said the fight started inside the bowling alley about 11 p.m. over a pool game and spilled over into the parking lot. There have been no arrests.
HPD seeks woman in bank robbery case
The Honolulu Police Department wants the public's help in locating Carolyn Gates in connection with the robbery of the main branch of Bank of Hawaii Monday.A woman walked into the bank at 1111 S. King St. at 12:40 p.m. Monday, approached the teller, lifted her shirt to display a handgun, then fled with an undisclosed amount of money, police said.
Gates, 48, is described as 5 feet 2 inches, 170 pounds, with a heavy build.
Anyone with information about this case may call robbery detective Taro Nakamura at 529-3392, or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
Alleged assault stems from a single cigarette
Police arrested a 25-year-old Palolo man Tuesday night for assault for allegedly breaking another man's nose for not giving him a cigarette.The alleged incident occurred at an Ahe Street address at about 8:20 p.m.
Police said the suspect asked a 39-year-old man for a cigarette earlier in the evening, but the man refused. Later, the suspect confronted the man and punched him in the nose, police said.
LEEWARD OAHU
Photo-enforcement sign stolen from Maili Point
A photo enforcement road sign on Farrington Highway was stolen yesterday while a camera van operator was monitoring traffic nearby.The operator told police he saw the sign posted at Maili Point when he parked his van there at 3:15 p.m. and noticed it missing at 5 p.m. State law requires the placement of the signs at the entrances to roadways that are subject to photo enforcement.
Ewa Beach house fire kills 7 exotic birds
A fire in Ewa Beach burned a house to the ground and killed seven exotic birds, according to Honolulu fire officials.The fire at 91-752 Kilipoe St. was called in at 2:24 p.m. and reported under control by firefighters at 2:31 p.m. The 71-year-old man who lived there was home at the time but was not injured. The man said he owned nine parrots and only two survived the fire.
Fire officials estimated the damage at $200,000.
Waianae man arrested for alleged assault of wife
Police arrested a 34-year-old Waianae man yesterday after he allegedly held his wife against her will in their home.Police said the 31-year-old female victim and the suspect got into an argument Monday night and that the suspect would not let her leave. They said the suspect then assaulted his wife, who later escaped while the suspect was taking a shower.
The suspect surrendered to police yesterday and was arrested for kidnapping and abuse of a family member.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Big Isle motorcyclist dies after hitting pickup truck
HILO >> A Big Island man died yesterday after his motorcycle hit a pickup near downtown Hilo at 6:44 p.m. He was identified as John Lapinid, 29, of Hilo.Lapinid was riding on Waianuenue Avenue when he hit the truck head-on, causing the motorcycle to hit the windshield of the truck. The motorcycle burst into flames and was destroyed.
Officials were not immediately able to determine whether Lapinid was wearing a helmet, police said. The 77-year-old man driving the truck was not injured.
Maui woman suffers burns in kitchen fire
WAILUKU >> A Maui woman was in stable condition at Maui Memorial Medical Center yesterday after suffering second- and third-degree burns on her face, arms and chest in a kitchen fire.Assistant Fire Chief Gordon Cordeiro said the woman was burned by cooking oil after she tried to toss the oil in a pan into a sink at a home on Wainohia Street in Kihei before 7:16 a.m.
Cordeiro said the fire caused about $750 in damage to cabinets.
Puna man turns up safe after reportedly missing
Big Island police said a 31-year-old Puna man who was reported missing last month has turned up safe.Robert Dean Corsant Jr. of Kapoho called police about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday after he learned they were looking for him.
He reported he was safe and in good health.
Police had issued a news release on March 4 seeking the public's help in locating Corsant, who had been reported missing since Feb. 24.
