Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

OHA will vote again on hiring a lawyer

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs board will once again take up the issue of hiring a new board counsel at a scheduled meeting tomorrow in Kaunakakai, Molokai.

The board last Thursday failed to hire a new attorney after a majority of trustees did not support nominee Robert Klein, a retired Hawaii Supreme Court justice. The new counsel would replace Sherry Broder, who did not reapply for the job she's held for 16 years.

Broder's contract expired June 30, but was extended only until a new attorney is chosen and a contract is negotiated. Klein and attorney John Ono were the only two who qualified in the hiring process.

OHA chairwoman Haunani Apoliona initially thought the agency had to redo the entire procurement process for a new attorney. But she was told by OHA administrator Clyde Namuo that that was not necessary since both Klein and Ono remain on their active candidate list.

All that is needed is for trustees to again vote on a candidate from that list, she said.

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Corrections and clarifications >> Nalani Blaisdell's father is Richard Kekuni Blaisdell. A story on Page A2 Saturday incorrectly said that her father was Richard Blaisdell and her uncle was Kekuni Blaisdell. Also, she graduated from medical school in 1999, not 1997, an article she authored was published in this month's Pacific Health Dialog, not in December, and she remains based at Queen's Medical Center, but is no longer working at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. >> Todd Apo is an attorney for Ko Olina Development. A story on Page A6 yesterday incorrectly identified him as Todd Ato. >> A first reference to Death with Dignity Hawaii spokesman Scott Foster was missing from a Page A1 story Monday about religion and politics. 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

HONOLULU

Police seek 2 men in 2 separate bank holdups

Honolulu police are looking for two men who robbed two financial institutions yesterday.

One man gave a teller a demand note at the Kapalama branch of American Savings Bank about 12:50 p.m. He was described as in his late 30s to early 40s, 5 feet 8, 160 to 180 pounds, with medium build. He was wearing a dark baseball cap, black long-sleeve T-shirt, dark pants and dark boots.

Anyone with information may call Detective Gordon Makishima at 529-3383 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

Another man held up the downtown Honolulu office of HomeStreet Bank about 2:40 p.m. He also used a demand note. He was described as in his late 30s, 5 feet 7, 180 pounds, with brown wavy hair worn in a bun, medium build, tan complexion and pock marks on his face.

Anyone with information may call Detective Taro Nakamura at 529-3392 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

Ministry head arrested in assault of employee

A 30-year-old man has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a woman he hired to work in his religious ministry.

Police said Richard Vera of Richard Vera Ministries asked the 36-year-old woman for a ride Saturday. The woman complained to police on Monday that he directed her to a parking lot in Kalihi where he sexually assaulted her.

Vera was arrested at his ministry office on Ala Moana Boulevard. He is charged with three counts of third-degree sexual assault. His bail is $50,000.

Kalakaua classroom fire intentionally set

Fire officials determined that a fire that damaged a portable classroom at Kalakaua Middle School this morning was intentionally set.

The fire began in seven places at the classroom, Capt. Richard Soo said. When firefighters arrived there was a strong odor of gasoline or a similar liquid.

The 2:10 a.m. fire caused about $5,000 damage to the classroom.

WINDWARD OAHU

Girls' facility escapee captured in Kahaluu

Police have captured Shaena Nakaooka, 17, who escaped from the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility on Aug. 31 in a group of 10 girls.

Officers recognized Nakaooka yesterday morning as she was driving a vehicle in Kahaluu, police said. Two of the escapees remained at large last night.

LEEWARD OAHU

Second Ewa brush fire apparently was set

City and federal fire crews battled another brush fire in Ewa yesterday that apparently was intentionally set, officials said.

The fire was in the same isolated area as a similar fire last week along Iroquois Point Road, said Capt. Richard Soo. The fire was reported at 2:36 p.m. and brought under control at 4:16 p.m., he said.