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Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Charity walk raises $780,000

Even after the post-Sept. 11 slump in tourism, more than 11,000 people raised $780,340 for charity yesterday during the 24th annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk.

"Following 9/11, we were not sure there would even be a Charity Walk, so for us to have such an incredible showing today all in the name of helping others is a tribute to the aloha spirit of our people," said Ted McAneeley, chairman for this year's walk, in a press release.

Walkers on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island participated. Oahu raised the most money at $275,000, which was $5,000 more than last year.

Walkers enjoyed entertainment and food at stops at hotels along the seven-mile trek through Waikiki. Highlights included cage dancing, massages, the University of Hawaii mascot Vili, and even checkers and pogo. The theme of this year's walk was "Remember When..."

The walk is sponsored annually by the Hawaii Hotel Association. It is the largest single-day fund-raiser in the state. In 24 years, the charity walk has raised more than $13 million for Hawaii's charities.

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

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Kilauea lava flow ignites wildfire over 880 acres

A lava flow from Kilauea's ongoing east rift eruption ignited a wildfire yesterday morning that by nightfall had burned 880 acres on the Pulama Pali at an elevation of 2,100 feet, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park reported.

Thirty park firefighters fought the fire much of the day yesterday, said Mardie Lane, a spokeswoman for the park. Several firefighters with chainsaws were airlifted into the fire area to cut down dead trees left standing from previous fires, so they wouldn't provide fuel that could spread the fire.

Plants burned include kupukupu, hapuu fern, ohia, maile, kopiko and kolea.

A major concern of park workers as they continue to battle the blaze today is stopping the fire from spreading into the park's tropical rainforest.

Three helicopters attempted to prevent the fire from spreading by dousing hotspots on the fire's edge with water from 100-gallon buckets.

Late yesterday afternoon Lane said the fire was not endangering any homes or endangered plant or animals species. Park employees will remain on alert until the fire is put out, Lane said.

"We expect that molten lava will continue to ignite fires as it flows down the pali," said fire management officer Jack Minassian.

A light rain yesterday was a help in slowing the fire and additional showers are possible today.

The fire was not generating a lot of smoke and the Chain of Craters Road and lava flow overlook at the road's end were open yesterday, but that could change today if conditions change.

Police file false report in Big Isle alleged assault

KAILUA-KONA >> Big Island police investigating the alleged kidnapping of a student from Kealakehe High School wound up filing a false report case against the 15-year-old boy.

Police were called Monday after the boy told school officials two masked men kidnapped him from campus, took him to the Kaloko Ponds area of Honokohau Harbor, assaulted him and then returned him to the campus.

Investigators determined the boy had left school on his own and was then confronted by two 15-year-old boys he knew. The two boys then assaulted him, police said.

The two boys were arrested Friday and charged with second-degree assault and two counts of second-degree terroristic threatening.

Meanwhile, the false report case was referred to Family Court.

Kona police say revenge blamed for alleged attack

Two 30-year-old men allegedly assaulted a 17-year-old Konawaena High School student on a school bus on Monday in an apparent pay back for assaults on their brother, Kona police said.

Police said the two men are the twin brothers of a 21-year-old man who the 17-year-old had allegedly assaulted.

The boy told police the men boarded the bus at its regular stop in front of Hookena School and assaulted him. The boy reported being taken home by the bus driver and then taken to the hospital by his older brother. The boy was treated for bruises and contusions to his head and face and released, police said.

Police are asking witnesses to any of the assaults call Officer David Araki of the Kona patrol at 326-4200.

Police said counter-assault complaints have been initiated by the 21-year-old man.

A representative of the state Department of Education said the incident was isolated and gave assurances that it is safe to ride the school bus, police said.

Coast Guard looks for boat that left Nawiliwili Harbor

Coast Guard officials began searching for a missing boat last night after relatives of a man who was on the boat alone contacted the agency. Missing is a 22-foot power catamaran that left from Nawiliwili Harbor on Kauai at 8 or 9 a.m. Friday.

The boat was expected at Ko Olina Marina on Oahu by Friday night.

The man's son said he usually made the trip in about five hours.

HONOLULU

Alleged chase and assault ends at Ala Moana mall

An apparent domestic dispute led to a car chase and beating in front of Ala Moana Center around 3 a.m. yesterday, police said.

Police said two men were arguing on a boat in the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor when one left the scene in his car. The other man and a friend jumped into a car, chased the victim down and rammed his car off Ala Moana Boulevard, police said.

The 35-year-old man, who was beaten up after the car chase, was treated for injuries at Queen's Medical Center and released.

Two men, both 32, were arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault and first-degree criminal property damage.

EAST OAHU

2 elevator shafts blaze in Hawaii Kai condo

Electrical problems are suspected as the cause of a fire in two elevator shafts at a Hawaii Kai condominium Friday night.

The fire occurred on the fifth floor in the west tower of the Mauna Luan at 511 Hahaione St., causing "thick, black electrical smoke" to billow out from the roof top, said Capt. Richard Soo, Honolulu Fire Department spokesman.

Damage is estimated at $100,000.

There were no fire-related injuries, he said. An evacuation was not necessary because everyone had gotten themselves out. The fire was reported at 9:43 p.m. and under control at 10:19 p.m., Soo said.

The two elevators were expected to be out of service over the weekend. Six others in the west tower will continue to run, he said.