Maui meeting seeks input on parks access
WAILUKU >> Maui County is holding an informational meeting Monday to hear suggestions on how to improve disabled people's access to parks and recreational programs.The meeting takes place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at classroom 1 of the Maui Economic Opportunities Family Center at 99 Mahalani St. in Wailuku.
The meeting follows a class-action lawsuit filed in federal court in Honolulu last year, alleging violations with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Richard Skaff, a California resident who uses a wheelchair and visits Maui frequently, and two Maui residents alleged that the county Parks Department and its programs have not been accessible to disabled people.
Attorney Lunsford Phillips, representing the plaintiffs, said most county parks do not have accessible routes for disabled people to enjoy various features, including ocean views.
Phillips said some county restrooms also are not retrofitted to assist the disabled.
Big Isle mayor names new department heads
HILO >> Big Island Mayor Harry Kim has named two people to head departments in his administration.Barbara Bell will become director of Environmental Management on Aug. 1, and Clayton K. Yugawa will become director of Data Systems on Sept. 1. Both departments were created by voter-approved changes to the County Charter in 2000.
Bell is currently executive director of the educational organization Recycle Hawaii, worked as the County Clerk in 1995 to 1996 and has experience in property management. Her duties will involve solid waste, waste water and recycling.
Yugawa has worked for Verizon Hawaii, formerly GTE Hawaiian Tel, since 1987. He has experience with telecommunications, networks and computers.
Free gun locks offered in safety program
The state will begin distributing free gun locks to gun owners next week as part of "Project HomeSafe," a nationwide firearm safety education and gun lock program.The first gun locks will be distributed at the Kaimuki Pizza Hut/Taco Bell restaurant at 3113 Waialae Ave. from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday. Other locations will be announced next week.
Project HomeSafe is providing 30,000 safety gun locks to be distributed during the two-week campaign. The program's purpose is to promote safe firearm handling and secure storage practices.
>> Hawaii Pacific University honored Jill Castilla (class of 1996) with its Young Alumni Award; Garrett Grace (1996), Alumni Service Award; and Wade Nakashima (1980), Alumni Volunteer of the Year Award. [TAKING NOTICE]
Recipients of HPU's full tuition scholarships are:
Natasha Chanin of Kailua High School; Kawailani Chee, Kahuku; Jennifer Concepcion, Waipahu; Mitchell Condit, Academy of the Pacific; James Cotellesse, Kaiser; Kristine Dela Cruz, Radford; Sean Donohoe, Mililani; Tanja Elvenia, Kahuku, Lorraine Feliciano, Waipahu; Kathleen Hicks, Kailua; Kama Kaulana, Kamehameha; Briana Kaya, Radford; Dee Keyser, Maui; Michelle Lyman, Kamehameha;
Nathan Martin, Kailua; Erin Mattos, St. Andrew's Priory; Ruth Medcalf, Christian Academy; Jere Nako, Castle; Pricilla Navares, Farrington; Rebecca Pacheco, Kailua; Kerianne Pascua, Maryknoll; Jonathan Rhoades, Mililani; Jane Rodriguez, Farrington; Alyssa Smith, Maui; Stacy Trinh, Kalaheo; and Alisha Trupiano, Kamehameha.
Those who received 50 percent tuition scholarships included: Yvonne Arrington, Kahuku; Margo Hartford, Waialua; Christopher Hayler, Redemption Academy; Linda Kohaura, Kailua; Marie Lou Ramos, Waipahu; and Fetia Solomon, Kamehameha.
>>Top students in grades 5 through 8 who were invited to participate in a national talent search, sponsored by The John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth, include the following:
Fifth graders - Kevin Tanaka, Craig Yugawa and Lianne Ho of Iolani; Jeeseok Kim, Noelani Elementary; and David Martorana, Assets School.
Sixth graders - Robert Shimizu, Justin Yamamoto and Aaron Fong, Iolani; and Leslie Kim, Aina Haina.
Seventh graders - Xiaolong Hou and Yoichi Sagawa, Iolani; and Eugene So, Punahou.
Eighth graders - Jonathan Chang, Kaimuki Middle; Li Li, Washington Intermediate; and Nolan Chung and Mai Tsukikawa, Iolani.
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>> The opening of Castle Medical Center's Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Medical Plaza and Wellness Center will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. July 21. A story on Page A8 Thursday gave an incorrect date and time. Corrections and clarifications
>> Wilfred Leong, 72, who died in Las Vegas, was from Honolulu. An obituary on Page C9 yesterday misidentified his hometown.
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
WAIKIKI
Murder suspect gets another felony charge
Honolulu police added a charge of felony assault against the 48-year-old Waikiki man accused of murder in Tuesday morning's Ala Wai Canal attacks.Police said Cline Kahue punched a 57-year-old woman from Virginia Tuesday morning near Ala Wai Boulevard and Launiu Street. Though Kahue had initially been arrested for third-degree assault, a misdemeanor offense, police said they upgraded the charge because the victim suffered a fractured right wrist when she fell after she was hit.
Kahue has also been charged with killing Jack Wyatt, a former freelance sports writer for the Star-Bulletin. Kahue allegedly pushed Wyatt into the canal where he struck his head and drowned. Kahue also allegedly pushed a woman into the Ala Wai Canal, but no charges have been filed in that assault.
Kahue is being held in lieu of $125,000 bail.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
South Kohala police seek 2 fraud suspects
South Kohala police are looking for a man and woman for suspected theft, forgeries and fraudulent use of a credit card.
The suspects, both 25, were identified as Aaron Becker and Elona Keanini.
Becker is wanted for unauthorized entry into motor vehicles, and Keanini is wanted for forgery and fraudulent use of a credit card. Keanini allegedly forged documents stolen from motor vehicles.
Anyone with information about either suspect is asked to call officers Kenneth Quiocho or Mark Haggerty of the South Kohala Patrol at 887-3080 or the police nonemergency number at 935-3311. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
WINDWARD OAHU
House fire blamed on child with lighter
A house fire started by a 5-year-old girl yesterday has prompted Honolulu fire officials to remind parents to keep matches and lighters away from their children.The fire started at 10:40 a.m. at 45-513 Kapalai Road and caused an estimated $165,000 in damage to the home and its contents. Though firefighters got the flames under control in 11 minutes, the blaze gutted the house.
Fire investigators said the fire was caused by the 5-year-old who was playing with a lighter in one of the bedrooms.
The Red Cross is assisting the residents of the home.
"Now that school is over, adults may not be used to having children around the house during daytime hours," said HFD spokesman Capt. Richard Soo. "Please keep all matches and lighters in a secure area."
HONOLULU
Kalihi police arrest sex-assault suspect
A 47-year-old man surrendered to police yesterday after he allegedly raped his ex-girlfriend.Police said the suspect moved out of the couple's Red Hill residence last week and returned yesterday to pick up some items. He then sexually assaulted the 45-year-old victim, police said.
The suspect turned himself in to Kalihi police at 9 a.m. and he was arrested for first-degree sexual assault.
