Matson ship assists stranded racing yacht
The Matson container ship Lurline assisted a 30-foot yacht stranded 800 miles east of Hawaii with a broken rudder yesterday.The Alakazam was competing in the West Marine Pacific Cup from San Francisco to Kaneohe when its rudder broke last week.
Skipper Paul Bergman and his crew had been making little progress, and had lost radio power. They also ran out of food and water.
Kaneohe Yacht Club officials contacted Matson Lines, which agreed to search for the yacht, which had not had radio contact for nearly five days.
The Lurline brought a new rudder, food and water and a VHF radio donated by West Marine to the yacht.
Alakazam is expected in Kaneohe tomorrow.
Weed & Seed patrol set for Waipahu streets
The streets of Waipahu, known for crime and drugs, will be stalked by a different breed of night-walkers Aug. 6.Hundreds of Central and Leeward Oahu residents are scheduled to patrol areas of Waipahu 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to weed out crime and drugs and seed community awareness and involvement in crime prevention and intervention.
Sign-in for the Weed & Seed event starts at 5 p.m. at Waipahu Intermediate School, 94-455 Farrington Highway. Free food, games and entertainment will follow the evening patrol in celebration of this year's National Night Out, designed to deter criminals through community spirit and unity.
Weed & Seed involves a collaboration between law enforcement, private businesses, social and nonprofit organizations and residents seeking greater security and quality of life.
For more information, call Weed & Seed Executive Director Maile Kanemaru at 543-2216.
Big Island police chief to retire next month
HILO >> Police Chief James Correa said he'll retire next month and take a job with another government agency.Correa is a veteran of 27 years on the force and was appointed chief in January of 2001 after serving as acting chief from October 2000 and five years as deputy chief.
Correa advised the Hawaii County Police Commission of his plans on Friday, but declined to name the agency for whom he'll be working.
Assistant Chief Lawrence Mahuna will serve as acting chief until a new chief is appointed by the commission.
Manoa Public Library to close for renovation
The Manoa Public Library will be temporarily closed for renovation Aug. 19 through 24.The library is scheduled to reopen 10 a.m. Aug. 26, after new book shelves are installed in its children's section. The library's book drop will remain open during the renovation.
For more information, call the library prior to its closure at 988-0459.
>> Four American soldiers were killed Dec. 2, 1967, when their UH-1 Huey helicopter crashed. A Friday story on Page A11 incorrectly referred to it as a UH-1 Huey Black Hawk helicopter. 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
Makiki woman released in extortion case
Police arrested a 37-year-old Makiki woman Friday for allegedly trying to extort money from the resident manager of her apartment building.The woman demanded $100 a day indefinitely on July 10 from the 64-year-old man, threatening that she would ruin his business, police said.
When he refused, the woman filed a temporary restraining order against him, which was later dissolved by Family Court.
On Wednesday, the suspect again demanded money from the resident manager and he again refused, police said. The woman had another TRO served on him.
Police arrested her for first-degree extortion Friday, and later released her pending investigation.
Alleged '99 sex assault leads to man's arrest
Police charged a 47-year-old man Friday with four counts of third-degree sexual assault of a girl who is now 16. The assaults allegedly took place between March and June 1999, but were not reported until last week.Police arrested Mene Talili at 1:20 a.m. at 155 N. Beretania St. He was being held in lieu of $30,000 bail.
Missing Makiki man found at beach park
A 63-year-old Makiki man who had been missing six days was found in Ala Moana Beach Park yesterday morning, disoriented, but physically OK, police said.Police were able to find Benjamin Ah Yen at 9 a.m. after people in the park spotted him and recognized him from a missing person description that had been publicized, Honolulu Police Detective Phil Camero said.
Ah Yen was taken to Straub Hospital for examination, where he was met by his son Sean, Camero said.
CENTRAL OAHU
Man thrown from cycle suffers critical injuries
A 23-year-old Mililani man was in critical condition at Queen's Medical Center last night following an early morning motorcycle accident.Police said the victim was riding his red 2001 Yamaha motorcycle along Kuahelani Avenue near Kipapa Drive in Mililani about 2:30 a.m. when he lost control and hit a curb.
Police said he was thrown from the cycle, landed on the sidewalk and suffered head and chest injuries.
Woman reports assault at Schofield party
Honolulu police are investigating a report by a woman that she was sexually assaulted at a party at Schofield Barracks early yesterday.Police said the victim had been drinking and reported being assaulted by a man in his early 20s who is not in the military.
Military police tried to initiate a case, but the woman refused, insisting that the Honolulu Police Department investigate. The woman was taken to Kapiolani Medical Center for examination.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Maui hikers rescued amid swollen streams
WAILUKU >> Nearly two dozen hikers were rescued after being stranded when an afternoon downpour Friday swelled rivers and streams, Maui officials said.Fourteen people were caught at the end of Uliano road in Hana about 6 p.m. when a fast-running stream overflowed the roadway with water up to three feet deep, police said.
Rescue personnel used ropes to get 12 people across the stream and two others decided to stay with their car, police said.
Earlier in Waihee Valley, a helicopter rescued four stranded hikers and seven others were escorted to safety on foot after the stream water rose to a dangerous level, police said.
