Former investigator gets jail for 2 assaults
A former investigator for the city Department of the Prosecuting Attorney was sentenced to 15 days in jail for three counts of fourth-degree sexual assault.Last Friday, Circuit Judge Derrick Chan sentenced Michael K. Blakeley to 15 days in jail for sexually assaulting two women.
Blakeley had pleaded no contest to three counts of fourth-degree sexual assault.
Sexual assault in the fourth degree is a misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one year in jail. Chan granted Blakeley's motion for a deferred acceptance of a no-contest plea, which allows Blakeley to clear his record if he abides by conditions similar to parole.
Analysis estimates cost of Maui plant habitats
WAILUKU >> A proposal for establishing critical habitats for 61 endangered species of plants on Maui and Kahoolawe would have modest economic impacts, according to a draft economic analysis released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.The draft estimates the cost of such habitats would be from $310,000 to $2.09 million in 10 years and have potential impact on some agricultural lands, new communication facilities and water improvements.
The proposed critical habitats encompass 126,531 acres on Maui and 18,953 acres on Kahoolawe -- 80 percent of which is within the state conservation district.
The public has until Nov. 1 to comment on the draft, published Wednesday in the Federal Register and available at select state libraries, including the Kahului Library on Maui.
The report and proposed rule to designate critical habitats are available at the Web site pacificislands.fws.gov or by calling 808-541-3441.
Comments may be sent to Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Office, 300 Ala Moana, Room 3-122, Box 50088, Honolulu 96850.
Probation revoked for welfare fraud convict
A 42-year-old woman was sentenced to a year in jail for welfare fraud after she failed to keep appointments with her probation officer and make monthly restitution payments.On Wednesday, Circuit Judge Wilfred K. Watanabe revoked the probation of former Honolulu resident Leeann K. Anies, also known as Leeann K. Purdy, for one count of first-degree theft.
Two years ago, Anies was placed on probation for five years for fraudulently obtaining more than $74,000 in public assistance benefits. Between 1994 and 1999, Anies concealed information from the government that her husband was in the home and employed. Watanabe revoked Anies' initial probation sentence and placed her on a new five-year probation period and a year in jail.
[ TAKING NOTICE ]
GRANTS
>> The National Center for Research Resources awarded $322,816 for the Hawaii Science Training and Education Project.>> The National Institute of Nursing Research awarded $146,336 for the Center for Health Disparities Research.
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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. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
LEEWARD OAHU
Pearl City woman, 77, escapes house fire
Fire gutted the home of a 77-year-old Pearl City woman this morning, but she escaped without injuries when a passerby saw flames and helped her out of the house, fire officials said.The woman was asleep when fire broke out at 1866 Palamoi Street at about 6 a.m., officials said. The fire left an estimated $270,000 damage. The cause was not determined immediately.
WAIKIKI
Several fires at hotel lead to arrest of guest
Police arrested a 51-year-old man yesterday on suspicion that he used rubbing alcohol to ignite rubbish fires in the basement of the Waikiki Grand Hotel at 134 Kapahulu Ave.Fire Capt. Richard Soo said the fires began about 7:23 a.m. in a 32-gallon rubbish can and a bucket. The fires were extinguished by the time firefighters arrived, said Fire Capt. Nick Akau, whose unit responded to the fire.
A hotel manager and bystanders chased the suspect, a guest at the hotel, and caught him before police arrived, Soo said. Hotel employees also discovered a small fire in a trash can on the lanai of the suspect's hotel room, Soo said.
'Aunty Becka' sought by federal marshals
Honolulu police and the U.S. Marshal Service need help finding Rebecca Nona Kamakawiwoole, 48, wanted on a federal drug warrant.
Kamakawiwoole also is wanted on a state warrant, charging her with failing to appear for sentencing after being convicted of felony theft, drug and firearms charges.
Kamakawiwoole is 5 feet 5, 150 to 200 pounds, with medium to heavy build, black hair and tan complexion. She also is known as "Aunty Becka" and frequented the Waikiki area.
Anyone with any information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
Police seek man after fracas at Waikiki hotel
Police are looking for a man who ran over a woman's foot with her car and struck two hotel security officers at the Ohana West hotel in Waikiki about 12:30 this morning.The woman, 22, told police she was helping the man move his belongings out of the hotel. The man got into a physical confrontation with security officers when they questioned him as he was loading the car.
Police said the man then pushed the woman out of the way, got into her car and reversed it, striking the officers and rolling over her foot. All three were taken to Queen's Medical Center where the woman and one officer, a 21-year-old man, were in serious condition this morning. The other security officer, a 26-year-old man, was treated and released.
WINDWARD OAHU
Man arrested in brawl near police station
A man trying to break up a bar fight near the Kaneohe Police Station was struck in the head with a tire iron, police said.A 21-year-old man was arrested at Club Komomai about 2:50 a.m. Tuesday after the victim went to the police station.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Police seize marijuana in raid on Puna home
Big Island police arrested a 59-year-old Puna woman earlier this week after seizing four dozen marijuana plants growing on her property in the Kalapana-Black Sands Beach subdivision, they said.On Tuesday, police filed several drug charges against Carolyn Anne Steele. She was released pending further investigation.
Acting on a search warrant, Hilo vice officers recovered 48 marijuana plants, 44 of them mature, ranging from 6 feet 8 to 7 feet tall, police said. Officers also found 3.62 pounds of dried and drying marijuana in the residence, one gram of dried marijuana in the suspect's purse and drug paraphernalia, police said.
Police seek man who violated court order
Big Island police are looking for David Nii, 35, of Hilo, for allegedly violating court orders.
Nii is 5 feet 10, about 165 pounds, with short brown hair and tattoos on his chest.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Randal Ishii at 961-2278, Officer Ann Mejia at 961-8810, the police nonemergency number at 935-3311 or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
