Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Cayetano picks Harimoto to fill opening on BOE

Gov. Ben Cayetano has appointed Breene Harimoto of Pearl City to fill the vacated seat on the Board of Education, the governor's spokeswoman said yesterday.

Harimoto, 48, has been the deputy director in the city Information Technology Department since January 2001. Before then, he spent five years at First Hawaiian Bank as assistant vice president and data center operations manager.

Harimoto has been a member of the Pearl City Neighborhood Board for more than a decade as well as the Pearl City Community Association. He was formerly involved in the school/community-based management council at Pearl City High School.

Harimoto's wife, Cheryl, is a social worker with the state Department of Education.

Harimoto said his appointment was made Thursday and is effective immediately. He will represent the Leeward District seat, which has been empty since Marilyn Harris resigned this month citing health reasons.

A permanent board member will be chosen in the November election.

Kimura replacing Yamada as chairman of state PUC

Gov. Ben Cayetano announced yesterday the appointment of Wayne Kimura to be the chairman of the state Public Utilities Commission.

Kimura was the state comptroller when Cayetano appointed him to the commission in November.

On July 5, Kimura will replace Dennis Yamada as chairman. Yamada will remain as a commissioner.

Kimura's term runs through June 30, 2006.

The third commissioner is Janet Kawelo.

She was deputy director of Department of Land & Natural Resources when Cayetano named her to the PUC in January.

The commission oversees the state's public utility and commercial transportation industries.

Liliuokalani trustees back ex-judge for spot on board

Former state Circuit Judge Patrick Yim has been nominated for a position on the Queen Liliuokalani Trust board of trustees.

Yim, 60, was nominated by trustees Thomas Kaulukukui Jr. and David M. Peters.

Yim retired from the state Judiciary in 1994, after 23 years on the bench. He is a University of Hawaii graduate and received his law degree from Boston University.

"Pat Yim has given the trust his commitment that he will dedicate himself to helping native Hawaiian orphans and children in need," Kaulukukui said.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM This balloon advertising Quizno's, a sub sandwich shop, was tethered over Market City Shopping Center yesterday.

City deflates eatery's balloon advertisement

A tethered red balloon advertising a new Quizno's restaurant in Market City Shopping Center has been drawing puzzled looks from motorists on H-1 freeway.

Now it's also drawing the attention of the city.

"They (city officials) said take it down," said Omar, who identified himself as the manager of the restaurant but would not give his last name.

The balloon with "Quizno's" on it went up over the restaurant Wednesday, when the restaurant opened, he said.

The Outdoor Circle said the balloon is an illegal billboard.

"I have confirmed with the city that it is illegal, and I filed a complaint," said Mary Steiner, Outdoor Circle chief executive officer.

Omar said he never intended to keep the balloon over the restaurant indefinitely, and has already paid a contractor $200 to take it down. However, he did not say how long he had intended to keep the balloon above the restaurant.

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Corrections and clarifications >> The Kapolei Library is at 1020 Manawai St. An incorrect address was given in a Page A3 article on Wednesday. The Board of Education committee meeting will be held at the library Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. >> The Rev. Gary Secor met Thursday night with Lahaina Catholic parishioners about the removal of their pastor. A Page A1 story yesterday gave an incorrect first name. Secor is chairman of the diocesan Standing Committee for Sexual Misconduct, which is made up of three priests, two lawyers, two psychologists and a family therapist. The committee makeup was incorrectly reported in the same story. 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

Big Isle police say e-mail from Nigeria is a scam

Big Island police are warning about another scam originating from Nigeria.

Police described this particular scam in the form of an e-mail asking the recipient for his full name and "international passport number for identification."

In return, the writer promises the recipient he will receive part of $30 million the writer says is deposited in a U.S. bank.

Over the past several months, a number of Big Island residents have reported receiving letters or e-mail from Nigeria asking for their bank account numbers or other information that can be used to clear out their bank accounts.

Police warned residents not to disclose their passport number to strangers because it can be used to collect personal information, including checking and savings account numbers.

Police advise anyone who thinks they might have lost money in such a scam to call the U.S. Secret Service at 808-541-1912.

HONOLULU

Man accused of trying to rape his 17-year-old niece

Honolulu police arrested a man for sexual assault yesterday after his 17-year-old niece said he tried to rape her earlier this week.

Police said the alleged incident took place Thursday in McCully and that the victim told a social worker at her high school yesterday.

Police said that according to the victim, the suspect inappropriately touched her private areas and tried to sexually penetrate her.

The suspect is still in custody, and the case is pending investigation.

Police arrest 11-year-old after teacher hit in chest

Police arrested an 11-year-old boy yesterday after he allegedly punched his teacher in the chest.

Police said the suspect was being escorted to a school office at Kalihi Elementary when he tried to run away.

Police said the victim, a 31-year-old female teacher at the school, tried to restrain the suspect when he allegedly turned around and punched her. The suspect was arrested for second-degree assault.

Argument leads to attack with large lamp, cops say

Police arrested a man for second-degree assault after he allegedly struck his girlfriend with a lamp Thursday morning.

Police said the couple were arguing at the girlfriend's Piikoi Street residence when the suspect picked up a large lamp and struck her in the head and upper body.