Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Lingle signs bill funding Legislature

At a cost of $20.6 million, the state Legislature and its support agencies are good to go.

Yesterday, the Senate agreed with an earlier vote by the House to approve the first bill of the legislative session.

Gov. Linda Lingle signed the bill -- her first since taking office in December -- last night.

The bill funds all the legislative operations, including the 72 permanent Senate staff members and the 186 temporary Senate workers.

Also included in the bill is money for the 100 full-time House staff members and the 250 temporary workers.

Roadwork to cause several lane closures

The state Department of Transportation says that roadwork will close traffic lanes on various streets this week:

>> From 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. through tomorrow, two lanes of Nimitz Highway in either the Ewa-bound or Diamond Head-bound directions will be closed for survey and drain inspection work.

>> From 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Friday, a Honolulu-bound or a Koko Head-bound lane of Kalanianaole Highway between the H-1 freeway and West Hind Drive will be closed for guardrail installation and roadway work.

>> From 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Friday, a single lane may be closed along Kamehameha Highway/Moanalua Freeway in the Honolulu-bound direction between McGrew Loop and Aloha Stadium for a lighting improvement project.

>> From 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Friday, a Honolulu-bound lane of Likelike Highway will be closed for construction of retaining walls.

One lane in both directions on the highway will be closed between the Burmeister Overpass and Valley View Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Friday.

>> From 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Friday, one lane in either direction on Kamehameha Highway between Waiahole Valley Road and Kaaawa Place will be closed for resurfacing work.

The Transportation Department advises motorists to use caution while driving near the work areas, to allow for extra travel time or to take alternate routes.

Big Island considers smoking ban in bars

HILO >> Hawaii County would have the most comprehensive ban in the state on smoking in public places under a bill before the Hawaii County Council.

Clifford Chang of the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawaii yesterday urged the Council's Human Services Committee to approve the bill.

The county already has a ban on smoking in supermarkets, banks, stores, public restrooms, and county buildings.

The proposed ordinance would ban smoking in nearly all public buildings, including bars and nightclubs.

Ordinances on Oahu, Maui, and Kauai have various exceptions to their bans, including bars, Chang said.

Trying to forestall an exception for bars in the Big Island bill, Chang said bans that include bars in other states have caused no loss of business.

James McGough, assistant manager at Angelo Pietro restaurant in Honolulu, speaking to the committee by telephone, said his business has been smoke-free since 1997, and business continues to increase.

But smoker William Jennings, while recognizing the bill's healthy intent, told the committee that a ban on smoking in bars goes "beyond reasonableness."

Committee Chairman Fred Holschuh said the Council may vote on the measure in March.

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Corrections and clarifications >> Oil industry consulting firm Stillwater Associates is being paid $231,200 by the state to study Hawaii's gasoline market, not $321,200 as stated in an article last Wednesday on page C1. >> David Oka is president of O Communications, the company hired to perform design and layout duties for the Kamehameha Schools book "Images of Aloha." In a story about Luryier "Pop" Diamond in Sunday's Mauka-Makai, he was incorrectly referred to as a Kamehameha Schools staffer. Also, Lilinoe Andrews was responsible for copywriting, caption research and editing of the book. 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.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

HONOLULU

Hawaiian Air employee held on 'ice' charges

A 28-year-old Hawaiian Airlines employee was arrested Saturday at Honolulu Airport after security personnel allegedly found drugs in his possession.

According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court, Daniel Aukai showed up at the airport Saturday for a flight to Kona.

When he did not provide the airline with an identification card, he was singled out for a secondary screening, the complaint says.

During the screening Aukai removed a glass smoking pipe containing a white residue from his pants pocket, according to the complaint.

State deputy sheriffs said they searched Aukai and found 90 grams of crystal methamphetamine, the street value of which is worth about $20,000.

Aukai is charged with federal drug possession with intent to distribute.

Aukai is employed as part of the airline's ground crew in Kona.

Candle starts fire in Makiki apartment

An unattended candle started a fire in a Makiki apartment this morning, fire officials said. There were no injuries.

The fire at 1551 Kewalo St. started about 5 a.m. in a ground floor apartment.

Responding fire crews extinguished the blaze within half an hour.

Fire officials said the fire was confined to a small area of the apartment and caused $22,000 damage.

WINDWARD OAHU

HFD controls fire at vacated Kahaluu home

Thirty-five firefighters responded to a fire at a recently vacated home in Kahaluu yesterday.

Firefighters were alerted to the fire at 1:43 p.m. at 47-330 Ahuimanu Road, said fire Capt. Kenison Tejada. The blaze was under control at 2:08 p.m.

Investigators said replacement cost to the wooden house is estimated at $140,000. Tejada said the house was scheduled to be demolished.

Investigators are determining the cause of the fire.