Lingle TV ad prompts HFD to reassign Soo
Capt. Richard Soo, who's one of several Democrats featured in a new television commercial in support of Republican gubernatorial candidate Linda Lingle, was reassigned yesterday from his duties as spokesman for the Honolulu Fire Department.Soo also appeared with other Democrats at a news conference Saturday to support Lingle.
Honolulu Fire Chief Attilio Leonardi said after receiving phone calls from people who thought the Fire Department was endorsing Lingle, he talked to Soo, the department's public information officer, who agreed to take on other duties until after the election. "I didn't feel it was right. He's a well-known figure," Leonardi said.
Soo said his political activity was on his own time and said he has a right as a private citizen to voice his opinion.
Soo also stepped down from his public role late last year when he ran in a City Council special election.
A spokesman for Lingle's campaign did not return a call seeking comment. Democratic gubernatorial nominee Mazie Hirono said she felt the action was appropriate.
Hannemann decides to skip Nov. 30 election
Former City Councilman Mufi Hannemann will not run in the Nov. 30 special election to fill the remainder of the late U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink's current term.But Hannemann said yesterday he hasn't totally ruled out a run for Congress.
If Mink posthumously wins the Nov. 5 general election, a special election will be held Jan. 4 for the new two-year term. Hannemann said that if that happens, he will decide then whether to run for the permanent seat.
As of yesterday, 36 candidates have filed to run in the Nov. 30 election. The deadline to file nomination papers for that election is today.
Andy Winer, director of the Hawaii Democrats' coordinated campaign, said party members yesterday still were trying to convince Mink's husband, John, who also was her campaign manager, to run for the remainder of her term.
The couple's daughter, Gwendolyn, has said she doesn't believe her father is interested in serving out the term, which expires in January.
Kauai begins work on last sidewalk ramps
LIHUE >> Work has begun on the final sidewalk ramps required to satisfy a court settlement forcing Kauai County to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act, Mayor Maryanne Kusaka's office announced yesterday.The settlement of the class-action lawsuit against the county required the building of 119 sidewalk ramps for wheelchairs. Of that total, 68 were installed with the widening of Rice Street through downtown Lihue, completed earlier this year.
The remaining ramps will be in Wailua, Koloa, Poipu, Waimea and Kekaha. They will cost $452,000, or almost $9,000 per ramp.
BACK TO TOP |
[ TAKING NOTICE ]
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin is one of several community organizations to be honored with the Bishop Museum's 2002 Ulupono Awards. Museum honors Star-Bulletin gift
Star-Bulletin staff
For contributing $25,000 during the fiscal year 2002, the Star-Bulletin, Lawrence K.W. Tseu, and Hawaiian Airlines received the Pacesetter Partners of the Year Award at a recent reception.
Norwegian Cruise Line won the Chairman's Award. Alexander & Baldwin, Bank of Hawaii, CSX Lines, Inc., and Hawaiian Electric Co. were named Corporate Partners of the Year for contributing $10,000 a year the past five years.
Kamehameha Schools won the Heritage Partners of the Year award for contributing $10,000 as a first-time giver.
The American Heart Association of Hawaii plans to give 60 defibrillators to community organizations on Oahu, Maui and the Big island. Island groups to get gift
of 60 defibrillatorsStar-Bulletin staff
The defibrillators are part of AHA's Operation Heartbeat, which aims to reduce heart-attack deaths by 25 percent by 2010. A $240,000 grant from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation provided funds for the life-saving devices.
AHA has distributed the first 16 defibrillators. To apply for a defibrillator, call Cathy Strickland at 538-7021, ext. 26, or from the neighbor islands, toll-free at 1-800-242-8721.
GRANTS
>>Alexander & Baldwin Foundation has given $100,000 to food banks on Maui, Oahu, Kauai and the Big Island. The money aims to provide emergency food for island families through its Manawale`a program.>>Verizon Wireless awarded a $5,500 grant to the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, as part of Verizon's HopeLine program to help agencies aiding victims in rebuilding their lives. Verizon has collected more than 500,000 used wireless phones for victims and advocacy groups. It also donates voice mailboxes to shelters so women can receive messages from potential landlords, employers and family members.
>>Duke's Canoe Club Kauai has awarded its Outstanding Educator Recognition Award to Adrya Siebring, Island School's dean of students.
"Taking Notice" runs on 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. |
>> Check-authorization firm EpiCheck has received investments totaling $3.3 million. A story on page C1 Friday incorrectly said the amount was $3.3. Corrections and clarifications
>> The Island Colony Owners Association is paying for the $2 million in renovations taking place at the Island Colony hotel in Waikiki. A story on page C2 Thursday incorrectly said that manager Marc Resorts Hawaii was paying for them.
>> Dole Plantation's Pineapple Express has been moved to early November. A story on page F6 Sunday listed an incorrect date.
>> Ninety percent of Doris Duke's estate went to the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, a grant-making foundation that funds conservation of the environment, medical research, performing arts and prevention of child abuse. It also supports three historic properties, one of which is Shangri La. A story on page A-9 Friday gave incorrect information.
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
WINDWARD OAHU
Police think they have serial bank robber
A 36-year-old Waimanalo man has been arrested as a suspect in the holdup of three Oahu banks last week, all of which involved a "large male" who demanded money with deposit slips.The suspect is being investigated for three counts of second-degree robbery and one count of auto theft.
Police said he is suspected of robbing the Kaimuki branch of Hawaii National Bank on Wednesday, the Kapiolani branch of American Savings Bank on Thursday and the Kailua branch of Bank of Hawaii on Friday.
LEEWARD OAHU
Kapolei man charged for alleged sex assault
Police yesterday charged a 33-year-old Kapolei man with sexually assaulting his 6-year-old stepdaughter in August and September.The man was in custody at the Oahu Community Correctional Center on an unrelated case when police arrested and charged him with one count each of first-degree sexual assault and third-degree sexual assault.
His bail is $50,000.
Police said that the girl reported to her grandmother that he sexually assaulted her in the family's Kapolei residence.
HONOLULU
Police investigating death of newborn baby
Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a prematurely born baby.Police said that at 7:30 a.m. yesterday a 29-year-old woman gave birth to a boy in her mother's apartment at Kuhio Park Terrace in Kalihi. Police said fire and ambulance personnel responding to a 911 call to the apartment found the mother and her dead newborn in a bathroom.
The mother was taken by ambulance to Kaiser Moanalua Medical Center. The case is classified as an unattended death.
