Campaign spending panel OKs firms' fines
The state Campaign Spending Commission has approved $4,000 in fines against two local businesses that gave excess political contributions to the campaigns of Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris and former City Councilman Mufi Hannemann.The commission voted 4-0 yesterday to levy a $1,500 fine against Waikiki restaurant operator Alan Ho and a $2,500 fine against the local landscape architecture firm of Walters Kimura Motoda Inc.
Bob Watada, the commission's executive director, said Ho gave $5,000 in excessive contributions to Hannemann's mayoral campaign, while Walters Kimura's President Mike Motoda made $1,125 in over-the-limit contributions to Harris' 2000 re-election campaign.
Under state law, a donor is limited to giving $4,000 to a mayoral candidate during a four-year election cycle.
Motoda, who could not be reached for comment, acknowledged in a conciliation agreement with the commission that he exceeded the legal limit.
Ho, a member of the Honolulu Police Commission, made the donations in the name of his three Waikiki companies: Antonio's Steak Ribs & Pasta, Lobster & Crab House and Royal Steak & Seafood House.
Maui prosecutor granted new powers
WAILUKU >> The Maui County Council has approved a bill giving investigators for the prosecuting attorney limited police powers. A floor amendment made clear that those powers would be in effect only while the investigators are on duty.Supporters of the bill say the measure would help protect investigators from liability in carrying out their duties.
Investigators already are licensed to carry firearms. Under the proposed law, they would be required to meet the same standards and training as Maui police officers.
Councilwoman Jo Anne Johnson voted against the measures, citing public concerns that it would do away with separation of powers in government and would lead to a "police state."
Fed screeners assume Hilo and Maui duties
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration began assuming responsibility for passenger screening today at Hilo Airport and Kahului Airport on Maui, the newly created federal agency announced.About 20 federal screeners are posted at the Hilo airport while about 90 screeners are deployed at the Maui airport, according to news releases.
Honolulu Airport was the first in the state to begin to transfer screening from private to federal workers.
Taxpayers' extensions run out on Oct. 15
The Internal Revenue Service is reminding taxpayers who received an additional extension in August that they must file their returns by Oct. 15 to avoid the late filing penalty.Taxpayers may file returns electronically until Oct. 15 and use tax software on their own computers or file on-line through an authorized provider. For more information, call (800) 829-1040.
The IRS received more than 1.5 million returns between Oct. 12 and 26 last night and is expecting about the number of returns this year.
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>> Four projects by Hawaii students have been selected for the National History Day runoffs at the University of Maryland, the Hawaii Council for the Humanities announced. [ TAKING NOTICE ]
The students are Kristy-Lei Juan, Waipahu Intermediate School, who also received the outstanding state award from Hawaii in the junior division; Austin Spring, Daniel Allen and Sienna Palmer of Kahuku High, who also received the outstanding state award in the senior division; Kalyn Matsuda and Markee Nobriga of Kahuku Intermediate; and Jhonavie Ganir and Roniza Gonzales of Maui High.
>> Lorey Ishihara of Kahuku High was chosen as a finalist for the Richard T. Farrell Teacher of Merit award.
>> Rodney Moriyama has joined the state Department of Education as assistant superintendent of the Office of Information Technology Services. Formerly, he was vice president and chief information officer for Queen's Health Systems. Edwin Koyama, an internal auditor for the DOE since 1994, has been named budget director. He had been director of administrative services for the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific.
>> Jen Toba and Dennis Oshiro, of the University of Hawaii-Manoa, received Awards of Excellence in the 2001-2002 American Institute of Architects Student Design Awards, presented by the institute's Honolulu chapter.
Merit award winners include Leon L. Bixsarra Jr., Randy K. Sonoda, Niika Hyakumachi, Tetsuaki Yoshida, Branka Knezexic and Oshiro. Exhibits of their work will be on view at the School of Architecture Gallery at UH until next Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
>> The University of Hawaii has recognized outstanding faculty for the following awards: Robin Takahashi, a health and physical education instructor, UH-Hilo chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence; Takako Desaki, personnel officer, UH Community Colleges Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Services; and Mary E. Goya, assistant professor in early childhood education at Hawaii Community College, Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Vocational Education.
>> The Hawaii Chinese Civic club has awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Jonathan Lui, a graduate of Maryknoll High School and currently a freshman at the University of Iowa. He is studying biomedical engineering.
>> The Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club has awarded $1,000 scholarships to Edward Akana, Ian Chun, Jared Chun, Darlaine Dudoit, Natalie Ho, Kimokalani Jarett and Nalani Wilson of the University of Hawaii-Manoa; Robyn Bachini of the University of California-Santa Barbara; Prudence Hokoana-Gormley of Maui Community College; Harriet Juarez of Chaminade; Kaoi Lundin and Puali'ili'i Rossi of UH-Hilo; Kathleen Mokuau of the University of Oregon; Megan Naumu of Brigham Young University-Hawaii; Leila Sanchez Albijino of Hawaii Pacific University; Micah Wong of Oregon State University; and Sheri Yamaguchi of Mount St. Mary's.
Winners of the club's $500 scholarships are Kaui Chung and Shanelle Sanborn of Kapiolani Community College.
"Taking Notice" runs Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Listings also appear online at www.starbulletin.com. Please send items to City Desk, Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. |
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
HONOLULU
Police seek public help in search for robber
Police want help finding the man who robbed the Kaimuki branch of First Hawaiian Bank, at 3599 Waialae Ave., at 4 p.m. Friday.
The suspect passed a note to a teller saying he was armed, though no weapon was seen. He fled in an older, white, two-door Honda, waiting in the parking lot behind the bank.
He was described as in his 30s, 5 feet-6 inches tall, about 200 pounds, with wavy black hair, dark eyes, a medium complexion and a mustache. He was wearing a black baseball cap, green long-sleeve T-shirt, dark shorts and athletic shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
6 arrested in beating of teen in parking lot
Police arrested six males -- five 17-year-olds and an 18-year-old -- for allegedly chasing another teenager into a building, beating him, and stealing his car stereo on Saturday.According to police, the 17-year-old victim was in his car when chased into a parking lot near Dillingham Boulevard and Alakawa Street on Saturday. The suspects blocked the parking lot exit, at which point the victim tried to run away. He was caught and beaten and his vehicle damaged, police said. One suspect also allegedly stole his car stereo. All six suspects were booked for third-degree assault and criminal property damage.
Student allegedly uses scissors in threat
Honolulu police arrested a Roosevelt High School student yesterday for allegedly threatening another student in the classroom with scissors.Police said the suspect held the scissors to the victim's neck earlier this month while asking about the use of the victim's moped. The student was released from custody pending investigation.
Safe stolen from Mapunapuna business
Police said a burglar or burglars disabled the alarm system at a Mapunapuna business and got away with a safe.Police said employees of Hawaiian Isles Distributors at 2839 Mokumoa St. arrived at work yesterday morning and discovered that the door to the warehouse had been pried open.
LEEWARD OAHU
Ewa man, 42, arrested in terroristic threat
Police arrested a 42-year-old Ewa man for terroristic threatening Sunday after he allegedly threatened his neighbor with a knife.At 1:25 p.m., he and a 38-year-old man got into an argument on Hoopili Street that escalated into pushing and shoving. Police said the suspect went home and returned with a knife.
