Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Red Cross gets disaster help from AT&T

The American Red Cross is expanding its efforts to help communities during times of disaster with the help of AT&T Wireless, a long-time supporter.

AT&T is distributing 75 cell phones on Oahu, 25 on the Big Island and 16 on Maui to help the Red Cross respond to emergencies quickly.

Their other joint initiatives include:

>> School Safety: AT&T will sponsor a Red Cross educational pilot program in 10 chapters this fall to help kindergarten through high school students prepare for, prevent and respond to violent incidents and emergencies.

>> Telecommunications Disaster Service: AT&T provides wireless phones, service and technical consultation at no charge. It expanded its support to eight more chapters, providing 200 phones and service during a disaster.

>> CPR/First Aid Training Program: AT&T will certify 25 percent of its workforce with CPR and first-aid training the next two years.

>> Volunteerism: AT&T has committed 130,000 hours of employee volunteer service to the Red Cross.

Veterans group hosts patriotism contests

The Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary are sponsoring two student competitions on patriotism.

"Freedom's Obligation" is the theme for this year's Voice of Democracy scholarship competition.

The deadline is Nov. 1 for high school students to submit audio tapes or essays of their opinions on their responsibility to the United States.

The Hawaii winner will receive a trip to Washington, D.C., in March, at least a $1,000 scholarship and a chance to compete nationally for the $25,000 scholarship.

Seventh- and eighth-graders can compete in the National Patriot's Pen Program.

This year's theme is "My Pledge to America."

The deadline for essay submissions is Dec. 1.

The Hawaii winner will receive a cash prize and a chance to compete nationally for a $10,000 savings bond and a trip to Washington, D.C., in March.

For more information, call Nicholas Young at 541-1709 or 732-6519.

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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.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

LEEWARD OAHU

Bottle digger identified in Waipahu cave-in

The Honolulu Medical Examiner has identified Billy Bayudan, 55, as the man who was buried alive Saturday while digging for bottles in Waipahu. Police said he had no local address and is survived by a wife and a daughter.

An autopsy was performed, but the cause of death has not been released.

Shakedown crew nabs wrong Ewa Beach man

Honolulu police said three men armed with a shotgun kidnapped a man but then realized they kidnapped the wrong man.

Police said the three approached the victim in a car as he walked down a street in Ewa Beach on Sunday. Two of the men then threatened the victim with a shotgun and took him to Ewa Beach Park, where he was told that he owed some money, police said.

But later, realizing they had the wrong person, the three let the victim go, police said.

WAIKIKI

Ala Wai Yacht Harbor drowning victim ID'd

The Honolulu Medical Examiner has identified the man who drowned in the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor Monday as Alvin Neal, 83, of Waikiki. Police said there was no foul play.

20-year-old charged in early Sunday mugging

Police have charged Jason Garner, 20, with robbery in connection with the holdup of a 26-year-old man on Kalakaua Avenue about 12:50 a.m. Sunday.

Police said Garner and two 16-year-old boys surrounded the victim, pushed him to the ground, punched him several times and took his wallet.

Afterward officers arrested Garner and two boys nearby. The boys were taken to the juvenile detention home on Alder Street.

HONOLULU

Men sought in robbery of Kapahulu woman

Police are looking for two men who robbed a woman in her yard in Kapahulu about 7:45 p.m. yesterday.

The woman had just returned home when a man assaulted her and took her purse. He fled in a pickup truck driven by another man. Both men appeared to be in their mid-to-late 20s and fled in a stolen truck.