State OKs Jeep drop over waterfall for film
A Universal Studio feature film production, formerly called "Helldorado," has received a state film permit to send a stripped-down and cleaned Jeep shell over a Kapena Falls cliff in Nuuanu this month.The Department of Land & Natural Resources said the production, which stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, cannot deny the public access to the Kapena Falls area during the two-week setup and breakdown.
Crews will also have to construct a jeep access ramp in a way to minimize impact to the immediate area; leave the area in pristine or better condition; employ a Conservation and Resources Enforcement officer to monitor site preparation and cleanup; and clean the walls of Nuuanu Pali Lookout and paint out some graffiti.
The production has removed the Jeep's engine, transmission and glass. A helicopter will lift the Jeep from the pond and take it to a nearby parking lot.
Fired worker claims discrimination in suit
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a racial discrimination lawsuit yesterday against a federal contractor that maintains air-conditioning systems for military facilities across the United States, including the Aliamanu Military Reservation.The suit was filed in U.S. District Court on behalf of George Brooks, an air conditioner technician for Cegali Inc.
Brooks, an African American, alleged he was retaliated against after reporting incidents of racial discrimination and harassment by co-workers. Shortly after he complained, he was placed on administrative leave and fired for alleged misconduct.
Brooks was awarded unemployment insurance by the state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations after a hearing judge ruled he was terminated "for reasons other than misconduct connected to work," particularly since Brooks had no record of warnings or incidents three months prior to his termination.
The suit seeks monetary damages for Brooks and injunctive relief.
South shore beaches get jellyfish warnings
Jellyfish warning signs went up yesterday morning at Hanauma Bay, Waikiki and Ala Moana Beach.City lifeguards said a few people were stung at Hanauma Bay, and they found more than 350 jellyfish at Waikiki. Only two were found at Ala Moana Beach.
Yesterday was expected to be the heaviest day of the monthly jellyfish invasion.
However, lifeguards plan to put up the warning signs again today.
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[ TAKING NOTICE ]
Grants
>> Akaku has received a $2,500 grant from the Alexander & Baldwin Foundation to support its Youth Education Outreach Program to develop a youth media program on Maui.>> The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation has donated $240,000 to the American Heart Association for 60 defibrillators to be given to the Waikiki Health Center, and 13 defibrillators to the Hawaii State Public Library System. The portable devices can save the life of a cardiac-arrest victim. They will be distributed to libraries in rural and low-income areas.
>> The Hawaii and Kauai County Police Departments have received grants to hire school resource officers to work in the counties' schools. The Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) awarded the grants, which gave Hawaii $750,000 to hire six full-time officers and $375,000 to Kauai to hire three.
>> The U.S. Department of Labor has given $6.9 million for rural development and job training programs on Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai and the Big Island. The Rural Development Project office on the Maui Community College campus will handle the leadership training, small-business support, computer literacy training and farm management training.
>> The Aloha United Way has received a $61,000 gift in interest income from an endowment created by the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation to help elderly, homeless and at-risk youth programs.
>> The Honolulu Fire Department has received a $749,315 federal grant, to be matched with a 30 percent contribution by the HFD, for a total of $1,070,450. The grant was awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Fire Administration. The funds will be used to upgrade facilities or purchase equipment.
>> The Freeman Foundation has awarded Punahou School a $450,000 grant to establish a K-12 Asia-Pacific Educational Exchange Center. It will be at the school's Wo International Center to build cross-cultural awareness and understanding for teachers and students throughout the Pacific Basin.
>> Daimler/Chrysler has given $10,000 to Honolulu Community College's automotive program, formerly known as the Chrysler Apprenticeship Program.
>> HomeStreet Bank's Hawaii-area banking and mortgage branches contributed $2,500 to the first annual D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) to Care Day, a fund-raising benefit for the Hawaii D.A.R.E. Officers Association Program. The program provides intensive classroom education to fifth-grade students through a 17-week program on drug misuse, resisting peer pressure and building self-esteem.
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>> The telephone number for people seeking jobs with the Transportation Security Administration is 877-631-5627. A story on Page A6 yesterday listed the wrong number. Corrections and clarifications
>> The primary election was Sept. 21. A story about Bob McDermott on Page A1 yesterday said incorrectly that it was Aug. 21. Also, if Patsy Mink would have died before the primary election, her name would have remained on the ballot, and if she had won, the Democratic Party would have picked the replacement candidate. The story incorrectly said Mink's primary election opponent Steve Tataii would have been declared the winner if she had died before the primary.
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
LEEWARD OAHU
Fire causes $120,000 damage to Ewa home
Fire caused about $120,000 damage yesterday to a home in Varona Village in Ewa, according to fire officials.Fire Capt. Richard Soo said eight fire units were sent to 91-1735 Leialoalo St. about 12:15 p.m. It took nearly an hour for firefighters to bring the fire under control because of the distance to the nearest hydrant, he said.
The residents, a 72-year-old woman and her 48-year-old woman relative, were not home. Soo said firefighters managed to save eight family dogs.
CENTRAL OAHU
2 people sought for passing fake $20 bills
Police and the U.S. Secret Service want help identifying two men caught on surveillance camera video passing counterfeit $20 bills at Mililani Fun Factory on Aug. 1.Authorities said the first man approached the counter and asked an employee for change for several counterfeit $20 bills. Minutes later, the second man gave one of the bills to the employee in exchange for four $5 bills, police said.
The first man was described as in his late teens, about 6 feet tall, 140 pounds, with a slim build, tan complexion and short, straight dark hair.
The second man was described as also in his late teens, 5-feet-8, 140 pounds, with a slim build, tan complexion, mustache and short, straight dark hair.
Anyone with information may call Special Agent F.J. Carney at 541-1912 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
HONOLULU
Firefighters monitor Kalihi brush fire area
Firefighters continued to monitor the brush area above Kalihi Elementary School this morning after battling a wild fire there for three days straight.About 25 firefighters and the department's helicopter responded to the fire near 2471 Kula Kolea Drive yesterday. It was extinguished by 9 p.m.
Fire officials said the fire burned across 58 acres of brush in three days and a discarded cigarette from a hiker may have been the cause.
Police look for 2 men in purse-snatching
Police want help identifying two male suspects involved a robbery last Tuesday on the 3200 block of Catherine Street in Kapahulu.
At 7:45 p.m., police said, a man jumped out from a hedge and demanded property from a 29-year-old woman while repeatedly hitting and kicking her.
She suffered extensive injuries to her eyes, nose and cheek.
The man went through the victim's purse and fled in a stolen 2001 black Nissan pickup truck with the license plate, "JRG 969."
Police said the stolen truck was driven by another man.
Police said the same truck was used in a purse-snatching of a tourist at Atkinson Drive and Kona Street on Sept. 15.
The pickup was stolen from a Kailua residence on July 7.
The first man was described as in his 20s, between 5-feet-10 and 6-feet-2, 200 pounds and husky, with dark complexion.
The second man was described as in his 20s.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Eric Yiu at 529-3436 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
Man held in possible tie to March shooting
Police arrested a 34-year-old man yesterday in connection with the fatal shooting of Earl Hirakawa, 40, on March 6 along Vineyard Boulevard.Police said Hirakawa was driving near Aala Street about 11:50 p.m. when he was shot in the head.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Big Isle police seek man who hit woman
Kau police are investigating a report from a 59-year-old woman that a 21-year-old Kau man tied her up and struck her in the head with a rifle Sunday.Police said the suspect fled before officers arrived. He was described as 5-foot-6, 140 pounds, with brown eyes, long black hair, a mustache and a beard.
Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. William Souther of the Kau Patrol at 939-2520, Hilo police at 935-3311 or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
