Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

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House passes bill on microorganism imports

The Department of Health and Tripler Army Medical Center would have greater leeway to import microorganisms into Hawaii under a bill passed by the Legislature on Wednesday.

The Lingle administration said the bill is intended to allow the agencies to study microorganisms to better prepare for acts of bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. It allows the Health Department and Tripler to import certain classes of microorganisms without review and permit approval by the state Department of Agriculture.

Both still would be subject to Agriculture Department requirements regarding notification, labeling and inspection. But they would be able to transfer microorganisms between them without Department of Agriculture approval so long as they provide advance notification.

Agriculture Department approval would be needed if the Health Department or Tripler wanted to transfer microorganisms to other governmental or research bodies.

House lawmakers unanimously approved the Senate bill on Wednesday.

The bill also allows some private biotechnology firms to import microorganisms for the same purpose under certain conditions.

The bill goes to Gov. Linda Lingle for consideration.

HPD spends $100,000 in additional overtime

The Honolulu Police Department has spent an additional $100,000 in overtime each week since the start of the U.S.-led war against Iraq, said Susan Ballard, HPD Finance Division commander.

The extra overtime pays for added security at city facilities and increased public police presence ordered by Chief Lee Donohue after Gov. Linda Lingle raised the state's terrorism alert level to yellow from blue on March 19, the day the war started.

Before the war, the HPD spent an average $1.3 million in overtime a month, Ballard said.

HPD has budgeted $16.4 million for overtime for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.

Even if the war continues through June, the department has enough money to pay for the increased overtime, Ballard said.

Drug asset forfeitures net state over $420,000

Law enforcement agencies in Hawaii have received $421,124.83 from the sale or forfeiture of assets in drug cases.

U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo Jr. and Briane M. Grey, assistant special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, announced the distribution of asset forfeiture funds yesterday.

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Corrections and clarifications >> Today's Village Park Easter Egg Hunt & Costume Contest at the Royal Kunia Park & Ride is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon. An item on Page 31 in yesterday's Weekend section erroneously added the schedule of Easter activities at the state Capitol for Wednesday. Call 841-2245 for information about the state Capitol event. >> The number to call if you have information about wedding pictures and other items stolen from a car parked at the Pali Lookout on Monday is (978) 683-9093. A Page A10 story in Wednesday's Night Final Edition had an incorrect number. 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

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Fire damages home under construction

WAILUKU >> Fire officials are investigating a fire that left an estimated $100,000 damage to a two-story Haiku home Thursday night, said Assistant Fire Chief David Kamalani.

Flames engulfed the house at 2520 Lemi Place when firefighters arrived at 9:16 p.m., Kamalani said. The fire began upstairs where a builder had been working on the floors, he said.

HONOLULU

Missing woman found in Keeaumoku area

Elizabeth "Kapi" Iseke, 38, who was last seen March 9 at a relative's home in Makiki, was found unharmed in the Keeaumoku Street area about 11:30 p.m. Thursday.