Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin Staff
Water allocation talk is scheduled at UH
A seminar on the "Economic Modeling of Water Allocation" will be presented tomorrow by University of Hawaii economics professor James Roumasset as part of the ongoing Water Resources Research Seminar.The talk will be 3-4:15 p.m. at the Marine Science Building, Room 114, on the UH-Manoa campus.
Contact Peter Rappa at 956-3974 to arrange for free parking.
Hawaii kids joining anti-smoking fight
Hawaii kids were to join thousands of young people across the country today fighting tobacco on Kick Butts Day.They are sending a message to the tobacco industry to stop targeting them with advertising, said the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, sponsor of the annual event.
They are also asking elected leaders to enact policies to reduce tobacco use. Many states are increasing cigarette taxes to meet budget crises, which help to reduce smoking among kids while raising revenue, the organization said.
Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said, "On Kick Butts Day, kids are standing up against the tobacco companies, and it's important that elected officials across this country stand with them by supporting proven tobacco prevention measures."
"Even in these difficult budget times, tobacco prevention is a good investment for Hawaii's kids and taxpayers," Myers added.
According to the campaign, 24.5 percent of Hawaii's high school students smoke, and 2,700 kids become daily smokers every year. Smoking-related health care costs Hawaii taxpayers $263 million a year, it said.
Liu OK'd as DBEDT head
The state Senate voted unanimously yesterday to confirm Gov. Linda Lingle's appointment of Ted Liu as director of the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.In recommending approval, Sen. Carol Fukunaga, chairwoman of the Committee on Economic Development & Tourism, noted Liu's extensive background in international business and the strong support he received during a conformation hearing in February.
Fukunaga's committee and the Senate received testimony from more than 100 people in support of the nomination.
Liu's appointment was confirmed unanimously with one member absent.
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>> Brandy Dela Cruz Williams is the wife of Sgt. Eugene Williams, one of four soldiers killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq on Saturday. Her first name was spelled incorrectly in a Page A1 report on Monday. 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.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
LEEWARD OAHU
Waipahu man, 24, charged with murder
Emanuelu Tunoa, 24, who had been convicted of assault in a 1995 killing, was charged last night with second-degree murder in the death of a Waipahu man Saturday.Tunoa, of Waikele Loop, Waipahu, was being held this morning in lieu of $700,000 bail.
Witnesses reported that Tunoa and Tuputali Esau, 21, of Waipahu, were drinking at the canal near 94-121 Leokane St. in Waipahu about 2:20 a.m. when Tunoa pulled out a double-barrel shotgun and shot Esau, police said. Esau was taken to St. Francis Medical Center-West where he died later. A weapon was not recovered, police said.
Tunoa fled, but was arrested Sunday night on the H-1 Freeway after officers spotted his car.
Tunoa had been sentenced to four years in prison for a second-degree assault conviction in connection with the June 27, 1995 beating death of 17-year-old Misiona Faumuina. Tunoa, then 17, testified that he and two other teenagers beat Faumuina because he wanted to leave their gang.
Teenage boy arrested in alleged sex assault
Honolulu police arrested a 15-year-old boy yesterday for allegedly assaulting a 15-year-old girl in Pearl City Saturday afternoon.Police arrested the suspect for investigation of first-degree sex assault after he allegedly used physical force on the victim. Police were alerted to the alleged assault by school officials earlier this week.
WINDWARD OAHU
Police seek witnesses to car-bicycle collision
Police want help finding witnesses to a hit-and-run collision last week at the intersection of Kamehameha Highway and Pipilani Street in Hauula.Police said that on March 25 at 8:17 p.m., a 26-year-old man was riding his bicycle Kaneohe bound on Kamehameha Highway when he was struck from behind by a gold-colored compact vehicle. Witnesses reported seeing a male driver and a surfboard in the vehicle. Police said the vehicle may have damage on its front end and windshield.
The victim was airlifted from the scene with broken ribs and head injuries. Anyone with information may call Officer Keith Kessler at 529-3776 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
HONOLULU
Suspicious envelope empties Sears store
Sears Ala Moana was evacuated for about an hour yesterday after one of the vendors received an envelope in the mail containing tissue paper.Police said the recipient of the letter called 911 about 10 a.m. to report receiving a suspicious package. Police officers and a Honolulu Fire Department Hazardous Material Unit responded to the call. After determining the envelope and the tissue contained no hazardous substance, firefighters turned the letter over to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
"It's not a credible threat, just a nuisance," said Kathryn Derwey, U.S. Postal Service spokeswoman. She said people have mailed seemingly senseless items including shredded newspapers and magazines.
Mailing tissue paper to strangers is not a crime. However, using someone else's return address is. Postal inspectors are questioning a suspect who may be responsible for sending two, maybe four, other similar letters on Oahu in the past month, Derwey said.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Blaze engulfs house at East Molokai camp
WAILUKU >> Maui County fire officials are investigating a fire that caused an estimated $90,000 damage to a house and its contents at Kamalo Camp in East Molokai. The house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at 1:01 p.m. Monday, about 16 minutes after the emergency call, Assistant Fire Chief David Kamalani said.
