Japanese center gets donation of $500,000
The First Hawaiian Foundation -- the charitable arm of First Hawaiian Bank -- has donated $500,000 to the Japanese Cultural Center to help pay its $9 million debt to four banks.
CORRECTION
Saturday, January 25, 2003» The Japanese Cultural Center will use the $500,000 donated by the First Hawaiian Foundation -- the charitable arm of First Hawaiian Bank -- to help pay off debts aside from the $9 million owed to four banks. An item on Page A3 yesterday said incorrectly that the donation would go toward the $9 million debt.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at corrections@starbulletin.com."This contribution, in addition to the bank's willingness to work with us on restructuring our debt, will make a huge impact on the prospects for a bright future for the Japanese Cultural Center," said Colbert Matsumoto, chairman of the Committee to Save the Center.
A total of $8 million in pledges and donations have been collected so far. The four banks -- Central Pacific Bank, Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian Bank and City Bank -- extended the committee's deadline to next Friday from Dec. 31 to pay the debt.
Donations by check can be mailed to the Committee to Save the Center at 3660 Waialae Ave., Suite 301, Honolulu 96816. Please note on the check, "Save the Center."
Geothermal system returning to production
HILO >> The Big Island should move a step closer to reliable electrical power when Puna Geothermal Venture returns to full power production by the end of this month, said Hawaii Electric Light Co. President Warren Lee.The geothermal company gave notice this week that it was nearing completion of a new well to supply steam to its generators and will start today on redrilling an old well.
The company had to drill a new steam production well after an old one became clogged and was shut down last April.
With the geothermal company's supply to HELCO reduced to 5 megawatts from 30 megawatts, and another independent company, Hamakua Energy Partners, having problems in November, HELCO had to interrupt power to customers in "rolling blackouts" back then.
"That's history," Lee said Wednesday.
Broken water mains in Punaluu are fixed
Board of Water Supply workers completed repairs to a 30-inch water main that ruptured Tuesday along Kamehameha Highway in Punaluu.Board of Water Supply spokeswoman Denise De Costa said water began flowing in the main at about 10 a.m. yesterday. The water has been moving into the 6 million-gallon Kahana Reservoir, which supplies Windward Oahu.
A 12-inch main alongside the larger pipe was also brought back into service.
Workers also repaired an 8-inch main that broke at about 11 p.m. Wednesday on North Kalaheo Avenue in Kailua. Repairs were completed at about 6:30 a.m. yesterday.
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>> Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. said it was not "disappointed" in the fourth-quarter results of its American Savings Bank subsidiary and was actually happy with the performance. A story on Page C2 Tuesday referred to a "disappointing fourth quarter" for the bank after its earnings from continuing operations fell 12.8 percent to $13.4 million from the year-earlier quarter. However, the bank said its 2001 fourth-quarter earnings included a one-time $4.3 million gain from the sale of securities and that the bank's year-over-year quarterly earnings would have risen without that gain. Corrections and clarifications
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
Wind knocks down utility poles and a tree
Police and emergency crews responded to calls of fallen utility poles and trees today as strong winds continued to whip through the islands.HECO spokesman Fred Kobashikawa said a broken pole in Laie before 6 a.m. did not cause a power outage and police said it did not disrupt traffic.
Another utility pole toppled about 7 a.m. on Kaukonahua Road between Wahiawa and Waialua.
The pole belongs to Verizon Hawaii and did not carry any power lines, but police had to divert traffic.
A tree fell on a parked car near Castle High School about 7:20 a.m., police said. The car on Kaneohe Bay Drive was empty and no one was injured.
LEEWARD OAHU
Bicyclist hit by truck identified as Ewa boy
The 17-year-old boy who was fatally struck by a pickup truck Sunday while riding a stolen bicycle in Ewa was identified as William Ellanna, of Ewa Beach, police said.Police said the teenager collided with the truck after veering into oncoming traffic on Fort Weaver Road. He was taken to Queen's Medical Center in critical condition and died yesterday.
WAIKIKI
Woman arrested in automobile theft
Police arrested a 27-year-old Moiliili woman for investigation of auto theft Wednesday after she allegedly asked a police officer to help her get into a stolen car.Police said the woman asked an officer to help her open her locked car in the parking lot of the Ohana Waikiki Hobron hotel.
The officer checked on the license plate and identification numbers after the woman's inconsistent statements made him suspicious. He found out the car was stolen and arrested her.
CENTRAL OAHU
Soldier, 21, is stabbed at Schofield barracks
A 21-year Army soldier was stabbed about 2:30 a.m. yesterday in one of the barracks complex at Schofield Barracks.Pvt. 1st Class Ferris Gray, a member of A Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry, was taken to Queen's Medical Center, where he was reported in stable condition.
The stabbing, under investigation by the Army, occurred on the second floor of the barracks at D Quad and involved another soldier, officials said.
HONOLULU
Bank of Hawaii branch is robbed by lone man
Police are looking for a man who held up Bank of Hawaii at 1010 University Ave. about 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.Police said the robber gave a demand note to a teller, saying he had a gun.
He is described as in his 30s, 5 feet 10, 170 pounds with fair complexion and wearing a plaid shirt.
Suspect may have committed 2 robberies
Police are investigating whether the man who robbed a Kalihi gas station's convenience store yesterday also robbed a Waipahu convenience store on Wednesday.Police said a man went into Benton's Middle Street Chevron at 1305 Middle St. about 5 a.m. yesterday. He bought a soft drink, showed the clerk the butt of a handgun and demanded money.
He took a pack of cigarettes when the cashier refused his demand, police said. When customers came in the store, he ran off on Middle Street.
In the Waipahu robbery, a man entered Nabarrette Store at 94-1141 Waipahu St. at about 4:30 p.m., police said. He showed a gun, demanded money and fled in a vehicle driven by another person after getting the cash.
