Mililani man gets manslaughter for killing guard
A state judge convicted a 19-year-old Mililani man of manslaughter yesterday in the death of a security guard he struck with a car while fleeing the scene of an early morning robbery in August 2000.Travis Limoz was charged with murder, but Circuit Judge Wilfred Watanabe convicted him of the lesser charge of manslaughter following a nonjury trial that began last September. Limoz faces 20 years in prison when he is sentenced.
Police say Limoz was driving a car that struck security guard Cecil Mosley, 23, at about 4 a.m. on Aug. 13, 2000, at Kalauokalani Way and Kapiolani Boulevard near the Hawai'i Convention Center.
Limoz continued driving with Mosley on the hood of the car for about 500 feet before slamming on the brakes.
The sudden stop caused Mosley to be thrown off the vehicle, resulting in head injuries, police said.
Mosley died four days later at Queen's Medical Center.
Hawaii has second-worst tax burden
Hawaii taxpayers had the second-highest per capita tax burden in the nation in 2001, with the average isle resident paying about $2,865, according to a tax report released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.Connecticut was the highest-taxed state at about $3,092 per capita. The national per capita average was about $1,968.
Overall, tax revenues for the 50 states were $559 billion in 2001, with California ($90.5 billion), New York ($44.9 billion), Texas ($29.4 billion), Florida ($24.9 billion) and Illinois ($23.1 billion) in the top five.
Hawaii, with 1,224,000 residents, ranked 37th with $3.5 billion in total taxes paid in 2001.
The state raised $1.6 billion in state general sales tax and gross receipts that year, $1.1 billion from individual income tax and $557.8 million in selective sales taxes for alcohol and for insurance premiums.
The figures compiled in the report are from state government records.
State tax tally The average per capita state tax burden in the United States was about $1,968 in 2001. Here are the top and bottom five states:
Per capita by state
1. Conn.: $3,092
2. Hawaii: $2,865
3. Del.: $2,731
4. Minn.: $2,722
5. Mass.: $2,700
46. Ala.: $1,426
47. N.H.: $1,410
48. Texas: $1,380
49. Tenn.; $1,363
50. S.D.: $1,292
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Baby dolphin mourned at Kewalo marine lab
Students and staff at the Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory are mourning the death of a female baby dolphin born April 20 to parent dolphins Akeakami (Ake) and Hiapo.The baby was named Mana for "miraculous" in celebration of her birth. But Ake wouldn't nurse her calf, so the staff had to take over the mothering, feeding the baby every four hours.
Marine mammal veterinarians Carolyn McKinnie and Sam Dover and laboratory director Louis Herman supervised an intensive care effort. Trainer Jeff Pawloski, laboratory assistant director Adam Pack and McKinnie fed the baby with Ake's milk, occasionally supplemented with a nutritious formula developed for dolphin calves.
However, the baby died on the fifth day.
"The necropsy showed a well-developed calf, but without a mother dolphin's care, it had little chance," the laboratory said, noting animals may abandon newborns for unknown reasons.
The scientists observed several humpback whale calves abandoned by their mothers in Hawaiian waters during winter months.
Infant dolphins have a high mortality rate of 30 to 50 percent whether born in the wild or in captivity, the laboratory said.
While the grieving loss of the dolphin baby, laboratory researchers said they're continuing efforts to learn as much as possible about dolphin behavior and biology and to share the discoveries with the public.
Busted water main forces Windward college closure
The Windward Community College campus was closed yesterday afternoon for the second time in 10 days due to a broken water main near the school.Community college Provost Angela Meixell said the water main was broken both times by construction crews working near the campus.
Since the campus does not have another water source, classes had to be canceled on each occasion.
Maui officials suggest staying off Pulehu Road
WAILUKU >> Maui County officials say the public may want to seek another route rather than Pulehu Road on Maui starting Monday because of highway construction work.Goodfellow Brothers has a $664,000 contract to install two new concrete box culverts and repave a portion of the road mauka of the intersection of Pulehu and Omapio roads.
BACK TO TOP
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[Taking Notice]
HONORS
>> Jacob Kaio Jr., pipe major of the Honolulu-based Hawaiian Thistle Pipe Band, was recently profiled in a quarterly Scottish newsletter, The Piping Center, which promotes excellence in the study of the Great Highland bagpipe and its music. He is the first and only native Hawaiian pipe major in the world, the article said.>> Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink (D-Hawaii, 2nd district) is one of six women featured in the 2002 National Women's History Month commemorative poster this March. The theme of the poster, produced by the National Women's History Project, was themed "Women Sustaining the American Spirit."
Mink is described as the first Asian-American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, who played a key role in the enactment of Title IX, which expanded women's educational opportunities.
>> Atlas Insurance Agency Inc. has promoted Russell J. Park to vice president in charge of business development and Lynne Nishiura to assistant vice president in charge of human resources.
>> Winners of the state Department of Transportation's International Aviation Art contest, "Silent Flight," from first to third place in the ages 6 to 9 category, include Madline Thorn of Shafter Elementary School, Sarah Nishioka of Kipapa and Darin Chun of Manoa. In the ages 10 to 13 bracket, first to third winners are Stephanie Patoc, Gian Gizelle Alconcel and Ruel Cachero, all of Kalakaua Middle School.
Each will receive a savings bond, and the artwork of first-place winners will be sent to Washington, D.C., for entry in the national competition.
>> Ramsay, the quill and ink artist based at Ramsay Museum in Chinatown, celebrated 30 years in business recently with a book signing for Pam Chun, author of "The Money Dragon."
>> Hokule'a navigator Nainoa Thompson has received the Agnes Baldwin Alexander Award for Service to Humanity, sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Hawaiian Islands. Thompson sparked a renaissance of Hawaiian culture through the voyages of the Hokule'a, which affected Polynesian communities throughout the Pacific, according to the sponsor.
>> Three teens from Hawaii were recognized out of nearly 6,000 applicants in a talent search conducted by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. Jennifer Anne Rowe, a ballet dancer who attends the University of Hawaii Laboratory School, received an honorable-mention award and $100. Jin Young Kwak, a visual artist from Moanalua High, and Jayson B. Santos, a visual artist from St. Joseph High, received merit recognition awards.
>> Tanya Ferreira, a Mililani Middle School eighth-grader, has won the annual peace poster contest sponsored by the International Association of Lions Clubs of Hawaii. Other merit winners of the contest, held to honor the late U.S. Sen. Spark Matsunaga -- a Lion member and peace advocate -- include Chelsey Kaneshiro of Stevenson Middle School and Reyn Nishizuka and Charissa Wittig, both of Kailua Intermediate School.
>> The following students were state winners in the 2002 Values for Life Essay Contest, sponsored by the Nisei Veterans Endowed Forum Series, Universal Values for a Democratic Society:
First place: Katherine Ashley Wooldrige, 11th grade, Radford High School
Second place: Ramon Christopher Go, 11th grade, Radford High School
Third place: Megan Jen, 10th grade, Kaimuki High School
Honorable Mention: Isaac Okuda, 10th grade, Kaimuki High School
Awards for first, second and third place of $1,000, $500 and $250, respectively, will be made on behalf of the student winners to charitable organizations or schools of each student's choice.>> Denarius Gavin of Mililani advanced to the final round of the 65th Annual American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest and competed against 52 others for a total of $48,000 in scholarships for the top three winners.
Gavin, a junior at Moanalua High School, went to the final round competition at the University Place Conference Center and Hotel on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis.
In each round, competitors deliver a rehearsed eight- to 10-minute address and a randomly assigned three- to five-minute speech on a constitutional topic, each without notes and in front of a live audience and judges. The 53 champions represent the 50 states; Washington, D.C.; and European and Latin-based operations of the American Legion, the nation's largest veterans organization.
GRANTS
>> The Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Alexander & Baldwin Foundation to support its ongoing disaster relief and emergency preparedness programs. The foundation has contributed $100,000 to the Red Cross over the past 14 years.>> The Hawaii Youth Symphony Association has received a $25,000 grant from the First Hawaiian Bank Foundation to underwrite the costs of the association's annual spring concert, involving 265 advanced student musicians.
>> The 2002 25th annual Honolulu Heart Ball raised more than $555,000 in ticket sales and auction proceeds for cardiovascular disease research and education programs. Macy's West donated all of the event's decor and printed materials. Cartier donated 50 surprise gift boxes, sold for $100 each.
>> Fresh Start Inc., a Waipahu program helping the homeless and those with substance abuse problems, has received a $15,000 grant from the Sophie Russell Testamentary Trust. The funds will be used for the gender-specific women's program.
>> Castle Medical Center has been awarded a $100,000 grant from First Hawaiian Foundation, the charitable arm of First Hawaiian Bank, for the expansion of its services for Windward Oahu residents. The grant will be paid over five years to support the new Castle Medical Plaza and Wellness Center, which will open next to the Castle Medical Center in Kailua.
OFFICERS
>> Hawaii Meals on Wheels Inc. has elected Edward Cruickshank, president; Michael A. Warren, vice president; Diane H. Murayama, secretary; and Jack E. Randall, treasurer. Directors are Teri Ann Horibe-Chigawa, Steven M. Egesdal, Joanne H. Kealoha and Lella Migita. Advisory Council members include Emi Anamizu, John J. Ida, Gregg K. Kimura, Doug Moore, Carla Nip-Sakamoto, Elizabeth Loui Tom and Werner Umbhau.|
>> The St. Louis School annual Ohana Festival will be held today from 12:30 to 11 p.m. at the Gerber Field House and McCabe Gym on the St. Louis campus. A story on Page A2 Wednesday incorrectly said the event would be held tomorrow. 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
HONOLULU
2 houses burned to show the benefits of sprinklers
The Honolulu Fire Department demonstrated the value of a sprinkler system in a controlled burn of identical model homes -- one with sprinklers, the other without.The homes were erected in Diamond Head crater as part of a three-day fire training seminar hosted by the Hawaii Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; and HFD.
The purpose of the seminar, which ends today, is to bring together county, state, federal, insurance industry and private investigators to learn basic fire dynamics and effectively determine the source and causes of fires.
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Police seek public's help in finding robbery suspect
CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department want the public's assistance in identifying a man who robbed a 75-year-old female April 2 at 7 a.m. in the Maunakea Tower apartment complex at 1245 Maunakea St.Police said when the victim entered the elevator in the lobby, the male suspect was the only other passenger. When the victim reached her floor and was about to step out, police said, the suspect yanked a gold chain pendant off of her neck and pushed her out of the elevator.
At that point, police said, the door closed, and the suspect fled from the building.
The suspect is believed to frequent the Chinatown area and is described as in his 30s, 5 feet 4 inches, about 140 pounds, with a medium build, tan complexion and straight black hair.
The suspect was last seen wearing a dark baseball cap and a sleeveless T-shirt.
Anyone with information about this case may call Detective Eric Yiu at 529-3436 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
WINDWARD OAHU
Child custody complaint leads to father's arrest
Police arrested a 26-year-old Honolulu man for custodial interference Wednesday night after he allegedly took his 3-year-old daughter without the mother's permission.Police said the man, who is going through a divorce with the girl's 21-year-old mother, took their daughter from the U Wash & Dry laundromat at 11 Hoolai St. in Kailua at 11:50 p.m. and put her in a car where the girl's grandmother was waiting. The grandmother then drove off. An off-duty police officer stopped the man on Pali Highway and arrested him.
Police found the daughter at her grandmother's house and returned the girl to her mother.
