Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Mink still sick but her campaign continues

U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink remains in serious condition in the intensive care unit at Straub Clinic and Hospital while being treated for pneumonia brought on by chickenpox.

"There's no new news. She's still receiving treatment and it's going to take time," said Joan Manke, Mink's spokeswoman.

Mink was admitted to Straub on Aug. 30 suffering from chickenpox. She was moved to the intensive care unit after the virus led to pneumonia.

Mink, a Democrat, is running for re-election to Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District, rural Oahu through the neighbor islands.

Manke said that the congresswoman's campaign has not ceased during the time.

"We're moving forward with the campaign, and nothing has changed on that," Manke said.

Mink's opponent in the Sept. 21 primary election is Democrat Steve Tataii.

Army tightens security at bases starting today

Army bases on Oahu will increase security measures beginning today, according to Capt. Stacy Bathrick, spokeswoman for the 25th Infantry Division.

Motorists accessing Army bases should expect increased security and possible delays as random vehicle inspections and 100 percent identification card checks will be conducted, Bathrick said.

The heightened security will be in effect at Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Air Field, Fort Shafter and other Army installations.

"These measures are a prudent, precautionary step in our continuing effort to provide safe and secure environments for our soldiers, family members and civilian employees," Army officials said. The stepped-up security measures will remain in effect until further notice.

Wahiawa police said traffic heading into Schofield Barracks this morning was backed up at all gates because of the heightened security checks. Kaneohe police also reported traffic heading into the Marine base was backed up this morning because of heightened security.

Project Weed & Seed may expand its reach

Project Weed & Seed, a community crime prevention program, is hosting a meeting Thursday on expansion into the downtown, Kakaako and Kalakaua neighborhoods.

The meeting is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Makiki Christian Church Social Hall, 829 Pensacola St.

Representatives from the Honolulu Police Department and Project Weed & Seed will present information on how a neighborhood becomes a Weed & Seed site, and discuss problems identified with the downtown, Kakaako and Kalakaua communities.

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[ TAKING NOTICE ]

Manana custodian
named DOE’s
employee of the year

Raymond Belaski Jr., head custodian of Manana Elementary School in Pearl City, is the state Department of Education's 2002 Employee of the Year.

School Principal Candace Yamauchi said Belaski, affectionately called "Mr. Ray" by students, staff and parents, goes out of his way to make sure the campus is well taken care of and donates extra time to complete projects.

"He is never idle. In fact, he is so devoted that he has to be reminded to take his vacation days," Yamauchi said.

The school designated Aug. 28 as "Raymond Belaski's Day" and held an assembly and potluck to honor him. Guests included district Hawaii political leaders, state Superintendent Pat Hamamoto, and Belaski's wife and mother.

According to Yamauchi, who nominated Belaski, one parent said: "Mr. Ray treats the school campus like he is the parent. He is always checking to make sure it is safe and that it looks inviting for the students."

Another parent said: "He sets a wonderful example for our children because he works hard and shows that he enjoys what he does. I hope my child will take that much pride when he gets a job."

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Iolani gets $376,000
Freeman grant

Iolani School has received a $376,000 grant from the Freeman Foundation to help students and teachers travel to Asia as part of the school's Asian Studies program.

Iolani plans to use the grant to send a group to China next summer.

The grant also enables the school to award two full scholarships to recent emigrants from Asia entering the ninth grade.

The Freeman Foundation was established by Houghton "Buck" Freeman to promote understanding between the United States and Asia. Freeman's family owns American International Group.

Corrections and clarifications >> Three seats on the state Board of Education have opened up because the terms of board members Winston Sakurai, Meyer Ueoka and Michael Nakamura are ending. An article in Sunday's political tabloid incorrectly said they had resigned. >> American Airlines has a code-share arrangement only with Hawaiian Airlines. A Sept. 4 story on Page C1 mistakenly stated it had code-share arrangements with both Hawaiian and Aloha Airlines. >> A sentence in a story on Page F1 Sunday concerning the U.S. Army Museum was dropped. It should have read: As "Light My Fire" and other hits of the era play, footage rolls on the screen in rapid-fire fashion: demonstrators burning draft cards; angry antiwar marches; a sober Richard Nixon, Lyndon Johnson and Walter Cronkite delivering news to the nation; actual combat scenes; soldiers tending to injured comrades; the bodies of Vietnamese civilians lying amid rubble; frightened mothers fleeing smoldering villages with their kids and little else; dazed, bleeding patients in infirmaries. 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

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Rescue crews continued to search yesterday for a man missing in waters off Ala Moana Beach Park. Honolulu Fire Department diver Chuck Spencer, right, left the water yesterday as Mark Castagnetti, left, and Jeff LePage headed in. See story below.

HONOLULU

Woman killed by bus in Waikiki is named

The Honolulu Medical Examiner has identified Sue Gosne, 80, of Wahiawa, as the pedestrian who was struck fatally by a tour bus in Waikiki last week.

Police said Gosne was crossing Kapahulu Avenue at the Kalakaua Avenue intersection when a bus making a left turn onto Kapahulu Avenue struck her. She was in a crosswalk and walking toward the zoo, police said.

Body at Ala Moana may be missing man

Lau

The body believed to be that of Ernest Lau, 38, of downtown Honolulu, missing since Sunday, was recovered this morning in about 2 feet of water at Ala Moana Beach.

Two women walking along the beach spotted the body about 6 a.m. It was on the Ewa end of the park fronting the food concession.

Lau failed to return home after going to Ala Moana Beach Park Sunday. His cousin notified police after finding his car at the park.

NORTH SHORE

Fire burns 30-50 acres near Thomson Corner

Fire burned between 30 and 50 acres of brush in Waialua yesterday.

Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada said the fire was near the intersection of Kaukonahua Road and Farrington Highway, near Thomson Corner.

Firefighters responded to the fire at 2:38 p.m. and had it under control at 4:09 p.m. No homes were threatened, Tejada said.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Search of man's car yields drugs and gun

Hilo police arrested a 29-year-old Puna man on drug and firearm charges after searching a car in the Hilo court building parking lot Friday.

Vice officers arrested the suspect on state and federal arrest warrants after he appeared in Hilo Circuit Court on a subpoena for a separate case.

After a narcotics dog alerted officers of the possibility of drugs in the suspect's car, police found a .25-caliber semiautomatic pistol, 26.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine or "ice," 34 grams of marijuana, various drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine residue in a pipe.

Police also seized the suspect's car and $720 in cash.

Police said the suspect was turned over to federal authorities for prosecution.