Haleakala Park visitors center shuts for repair
MAKAWAO, Hawaii >> The visitor's center at Haleakala National Park will be closed next week for repairs and improvements, officials said today.The center at the 9,740-foot elevation will be closed, but the Summit building at the 10,023-foot elevation will remain open. The Park Headquarters Visitors Center at the 7,000-foot elevation also will remain open.
The closure, Monday through Friday, will allow for installation of a new visitor services desk and fixtures in the visitor sales area. Improvements also will include cleaning, painting and minor repairs, a parks service news release said.
Man charged in double slaying pleads guilty
HILO >> One of two men charged in a double slaying on the Big Island has pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder.Kyle Hill admitted Wednesday in Circuit Court that he and co-defendant John McGovern fatally shot Wesley Matheson and Cassidy Toole in Puna on May 6.
Hill, 19, and McGovern, 20, had pleaded innocent to a charge of first-degree murder, which carries a mandatory term of life in prison with no possibility of parole. Second-degree murder is punishable by life imprisonment with the possibility of parole.
Under a plea agreement with prosecutors, Hill agreed to testify against McGovern, who was set to stand trial May 19.
Matheson, 19, and Toole, 20, were shot at their home south of Hilo, before their bodies were loaded into Toole's van and dumped in a vacant lot a few blocks away, police have said.
Following the shooting, Hill and McGovern took 20 small marijuana plants and some pills found in a refrigerator and drove off in Toole's car, Detective Richard Miyamoto said at a preliminary hearing.
Police opened their investigation two days later when the car was found abandoned in a ditch.
'Liar,' 'Bride' headline Sunset on the Beach
This weekend's Sunset on the Beach at Queen's Surf beach in Waikiki will feature the movies "Big Fat Liar" tomorrow and "Runaway Bride" Sunday at 6:30 p.m. on both nights."Big Fat Liar," a teen comedy about a high school student whose class paper is made into a Hollywood blockbuster, stars Frankie Muniz and Lee Majors.
Julia Roberts and Richard Gere headline "Runaway Bride," a romantic comedy about a woman reputed to have left several men at the altar and the reporter who tracks her down.
Gentry Homes, sponsor of this weekend's event, will hand out prizes at 6 p.m. on both nights, including a grand prize of a two-night stay at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel.
The musical groups Epic Session and Soul Free will perform from 4 to 6 p.m. tomorrow, and Simplisity will perform from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Featured restaurants include East West BBQ, Fort Ruger Market, Bale French Sandwich & Restaurant, Mr. Pizza, Royal Hawaiian Hot Dog, Slush Puppies and Beach House Beverage Cart.
For more information, contact 523-CITY or the Waikiki Improvement Association at 923-1094.
Free classes for vets focus on health issues
Free health-related classes for veterans and their families will be conducted through December by the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical and Regional Office Center.Veterans must be registered with the Veterans Administration to participate.
Classes will be at the Care Center on the Tripler Army Medical Center grounds, mountain side.
Diabetes will be discussed from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, including secrets of diabetic management, how the disease can affect the body and diet suggestions.
Tai chi will be the topic from 10:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 2. Participants can learn about the exercise, which focuses on building strength, balance and flexibility through gentle movements.
High blood pressure, its effects and what can be done to control it will be discussed from 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 5.
To register or for more information, call 433-7676.
Isle Sierra Club holds its annual fund-raiser
The Sierra Club, Oahu Group, is holding its annual fund-raiser at 5:30 p.m. next Friday in the courtyard of the downtown YWCA on Richards Street.Food will be catered by Cafe Laniakea, and a live auction will be held for a two-night stay at a Kauai bed-and-breakfast, including air fare and car. A silent auction will be held throughout the evening, featuring organic products, native plants, books and other local items, along with gift certificates for spa and restaurant packages,
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Parking is available on the street, at Iolani Palace or in adjacent lots.
For more information, call the club office at 538-6616.
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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
HONOLULU
Stolen barbecue smoker found in park
A $7,000 barbecue smoker stolen from a Kaimuki restaurant last month has been recovered.Police found it abandoned at a mini park in Kaimuki Monday. Police said they received tips from motorists who spotted the smoker being towed on Likelike Highway Friday.
The smoker, chained to a pole, was stolen from behind the Top of the Hill restaurant at 3579 Waialae Ave. on Oct. 13 or Oct. 14.
Identity theft suspect is sought by the police
Police want help locating an identity theft suspect.
Police said Ronald Shigeo Yogi, 42, is wanted on two felony contempt warrants that stem from forgery, theft, identity theft and credit card fraud cases.
Police said Yogi frequents the Kalihi, Kaneohe, Moiliili, Kaimuki, Manoa and Waikiki areas. Yogi is 5-feet-6, 140 pounds, with slim build, black hair, brown eyes and a mustache.
Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
27 sets of keys turn up in mailboxes in Kona
Kona police are looking for the owners of 27 sets of keys.Police said U.S. Postal officials found the keys in mailboxes in Kona and recently turned them in to the police.
Sgt. Bradley K. Main of the Kona Patrol said some are individual keys, and some are sets of keys on a key ring or key chain.
He said all of the key chains have at least one U.S. Post Office box key on them, he said.
Anyone who has lost keys should call Main at 326-4646 to schedule an appointment at the Kona police station to identify the keys.
LEEWARD OAHU
Man, 81, suspected in sex assault of 2 kids
An 81-year-old Makakilo man has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting two children.Police arrested Francis Burke, of Nohona Street, yesterday after a 9-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl reported that he assaulted them. They said they were assaulted on a number of occasions before Oct. 22.
Burke was charged with three counts of first-degree sexual assault, one count of third-degree sexual assault and four counts of attempted third-degree sexual assault. Bail was set at $10,000.
