Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Waialua students claim first place for robotics

Students from Waialua High and Intermediate School were part of a team that took first place at a robotics competition in California. It's the second straight year the Waialua students have won.

This year, they were joined by students from Kingman High School of Arizona and Bellarmine High School of San Jose, Calif., in winning the Silicon Valley Regional of the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition at San Jose State University Event Center, held Thursday through Saturday.

Last year, students from Waialua and Waipahu High schools were part of the Championship Alliance.

Waialua Principal Aloha Coleman said: "You have to cooperate with your alliance in order to do well. That's been our strength in reaching out and working with other people."

"Not only do they learn technical skills, but the social skills that are necessary," Coleman said.

Waialua was one of five Hawaii high schools -- the others being McKinley, Waipahu, Mililani and Hawaii Preparatory Academy -- that entered this year's competition.

Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway Human Transporter, is the creator of the robotics competition and founder of FIRST. The FIRST Robotics Competition is held to inspire high school students to explore career paths in engineering, science, mathematics and technology.

Waialua team members also won the judges' award for outstanding accomplishment in the competition.

Ewa libraries to host preschool April story time

The Ewa Beach Public and School Library will host free preschool story time programs every Wednesday in April at 10:30 a.m. The half-hour programs are open to 3- to 5-year-olds. All children must be supervised by an adult.

For more information, or to request a sign-language interpreter at least seven days in advance, call the library at 689-1204.

Kuakini offers free walk-in flu vaccinations

Kuakini Medical Center will offer free flu vaccinations from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the McCully Family Practice Center, 2016 S. King St. Vaccinations will be given on a walk-in basis while supplies last.

People who should be vaccinated include those 50 or older with chronic medical conditions or disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, or with asthma, diabetes or renal dysfunction.

Health-care workers and household members of people with chronic medical conditions should also be vaccinated.

Those allergic to eggs should not be vaccinated. For more information, call the McCully Family Practice Center, 941-3636.

Big Island police report fatal crashes on the rise

HILO >> Traffic fatalities on the Big Island have more than tripled so far this year, while drunken-driving arrests and major car accidents have dipped slightly compared with last year.

Hawaii County police have investigated 11 traffic fatalities as of March 25, compared with three during the same time last year.

Three of the this year's fatalities were deemed alcohol related, compared with none last year, police said.

Police have made 191 DUI arrests so far in 2002, compared with 198 during the same period last year.

There have been 493 major accidents so far, down 7 percent from the 531 reported during the same time last year.

Police said they will continue with their DUI roadblocks and patrols across the island.

Work begins to construct a new sign for Hawaii Kai

City officials held a groundbreaking ceremony recently to begin construction on a Hawaii Kai sign.

Workers will build a sign at Hawaii Kai Drive and Kalanianaole Highway that is set to be completed in three months.

Hawaii Kai resident Murray Luther, founder of Rediscover Hawaii Kai, was honored with a mayor's proclamation for his efforts to have a sign built and to revitalize businesses in the area.

The sign will reflect a nautical theme that will include a natural rock base, a wave on the bottom edge and a sail between two sign faces.

The Rediscover Hawaii Kai committee worked for years to obtain approval for the sign, which was removed but never replaced after the Kalanianaole Highway expansion project took place. Two signs are also slated to be built in Aina Haina.

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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

WEST OAHU

Pearl City man arrested after standoff with cops

A 24-year-old Pearl City man was arrested this morning for burglary and a temporary restraining order violation following a two-hour standoff with police.

Police said the man broke into a second-floor window of his home on Paaaina Street about 10:50 p.m. The man's 59-year-old mother has a TRO against him to keep her son away from the home.

When police arrived at the residence, the man barricaded himself in his bedroom and threatened to kill himself with a knife. The man was arrested after police persuaded him to leave his bedroom.

WINDWARD OAHU

Funny money in Kailua leads to woman's arrest

Police arrested a woman for forgery yesterday morning after she tried to use a counterfeit $50 bill at a Jack-in-the-Box drive-through window in Kailua.

The woman had previously worked at the Oneawa Street restaurant, so her former workers were able to locate and identify her, police said.

CENTRAL OAHU

Teenage Kalihi girl examined in sex assault

A 16-year-old Kalihi girl was taken to Queen's Medical Center for observation after she told police she was sexually assaulted early yesterday morning by several men in Wahiawa.

The victim told police she was in a building at Schofield Barracks when she was assaulted by several men sometime between midnight and 2 a.m.

EAST OAHU

Hikers get wave scare near Makapuu tide pools

Two women suffered minor injuries while hiking near the tide pools below the Makapuu lighthouse yesterday, according to fire rescue officials.

Four women and a man ventured near the tide pools around 2:55 p.m., when a set of large waves came in.

One of the hikers called for help on a cellular phone when they thought they were trapped near the pools, officials said. However, conditions improved, and they were able to leave the area.

HONOLULU

Waianae man gets nose busted in Kalihi bar fight

A 42-year-old Waianae man suffered a broken nose after he was involved in a fight with two men in a Kalihi bar yesterday afternoon, police said.

Police said the fight occurred at Club 77 on Republican Street around 5 p.m., following an argument between the victim and two men from Kalihi, ages 40 and 34. Police arrested the two suspects for assault.