Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Hilo boaters warned to look out for whales

HILO >> An unusual number of humpback whales with their calves in Hilo Bay have prompted state Department of Land & Natural Resources officials to ask boaters to take special care.

"This year, we've observed as many as four cow-calf pairs per day in Hilo Bay," said University of Hawaii-Hilo marine mammal researcher Keiko Sekiguchi. "Two years ago, we saw at most only one or two pairs per day."

DLNR conservation officer Alan Akau said, "We are asking boaters to be extra vigilant, especially for at least one mother-calf pair that seems to enjoy spending time near the green buoy at the entrance to the harbor."

The site is a popular place for paddlers and boaters yet poses dangers because the mother may linger as much as 10 minutes below the surface while her calf remains on the surface, Akau said.

Federal law requires ocean users to stay at least 100 yards away from humpback whales in Hawaii. Harassment of whales and other marine mammals can be reported at 800-853-1964. Injured marine mammals can be reported at 888-256-9840.

Rosen and Lau take on deputy director posts

Gov. Linda Lingle has appointed two deputy directors to the state Department of Health.

Dr. Linda Marie Rosen, medical director of the department's Division of Family Health Services and state Pediatric Emergency Medical Services medical director, was named deputy director of health resources, effective last Monday.

Laurence Lau, a state deputy attorney general since 1975, will become deputy director of the department's Environmental Health Administration starting April 1. He has worked in various divisions of the attorney general's office, representing the Department of Health on environmental, health and water issues.

Work starts on new Kauai Judiciary center

LIHUE >> Ground was broken yesterday for the $36 million Kauai Judiciary Complex, next to the Kauai Veterans Center.

The 112,000-square-foot complex will be a vast improvement over present facilities, Circuit Judge George Masuoka said.

The three-story complex will include six courtrooms, judicial chambers, offices and more than 240 parking stalls.

Chief Justice Ronald Moon said the complex will be only the second Judiciary facility to be built since 1987.

He noted that the first facility -- the Abner Paki Hale courthouse in Kaneohe on Oahu -- will be dedicated Tuesday.

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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 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

UH security guard nabs robbery suspect

A University of Hawaii security guard apprehended a robbery suspect wielding a baseball bat yesterday morning, according to Honolulu police.

Police said the guard first spotted the suspect along with another male suspect in the back parking lot of a UH-Manoa dormitory about 2:45 a.m. The guard decided to approach both men after watching them go through the car and the luggage inside the trunk.

Police said when the security guard was spotted by the suspects, one of them grabbed a baseball bat and approached the guard. The guard managed to take the suspect down, police said. However, the second suspect escaped.

Police later determined that the car and suspects were involved in a robbery of two tourists in Waikiki at 2:20 a.m. Police said the victims, two males aged 24 and 25, were sitting in their rental vehicle in the Honolulu Zoo parking lot when they were approached by two male suspects, both wielding baseball bats.

Police said the suspects struck the sides of the car and broke the windows. The suspects then told both victims to get out of the car and demanded money.

After taking their money, the suspects got into the victims' car and drove away.

Police arrested the 20-year-old suspect for first-degree robbery. The second suspect is believed to be between 18 and 20 years old.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Police seek witnesses in Big Island assault

Big Island police want help in a case in which a woman was kidnapped and beaten earlier this week.

Hilo detectives said that on Tuesday the victim was catching a ride home from Pahoa with an acquaintance when the driver pulled off the side of the road and demanded sex. When the victim refused, the suspect beat her and tore off her clothes, police said.

Police said the victim got out of the suspect's van, and after the suspect drove off, the naked victim flagged down a motorist who gave his name as "Rich" and who took her home.

Using a description by the victim, Puna patrol officers arrested the suspect later that night in Pahoa. Police charged Dean Dahman with kidnapping and attempted sexual assault Thursday. Dahman, 42, is being held in the Hilo police cellblock in lieu of $20,000 bail.

Police are seeking information from anyone who may have seen a white Chevrolet van along or near the Pahoa-Kapoho Highway (Route 130/132) between 7 and 9:45 p.m. Tuesday or who knows the whereabouts of "Rich," who was driving a small car and who had two dogs with him the night of the assault. "Rich" is being sought as a possible witness, police said.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Detective Grace Castillo at 961-2279 or the police at 935-3311, or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.

Hilo police break up burglary, nab suspects

Hilo police caught three men allegedly burglarizing a downtown Hilo shop earlier this week.

Responding to a 3:30 a.m. burglary-in-progress call Wednesday, South Hilo patrol officers arrived at Waianuenue Avenue and Keawe Street to see a male suspect fleeing the scene. Inside the shop, they found a second suspect, whom they arrested, they said.

Officers later learned the identity of two additional suspects and arrested them during a search of the downtown area.

Two of the suspects, all of Hilo addresses, were identified as Frank Bates Jr., 32, and Timothy Aguiar, 35. Bates and Aguiar were each charged Thursday with second-degree burglary and second-degree theft. They are being held in lieu of $4,000 bail each. The third suspect was released pending further investigation.

Police recovered all the items taken from the business.