Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

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Chamber visits Chinatown to dispel rumors of SARS

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce visited six Chinatown restaurants yesterday to show the public the area is safe to visit and not infected with SARS, the mysterious respiratory illness that was first spotted on mainland China last month.

Wen Ching Lin, the chamber's executive vice president, acknowledged that rumors about severe acute respiratory illness spreading in Chinatown are untrue and are hurting businesses.

On Friday, Gov. Linda Lingle and her staff lunched in Chinatown in a public display aimed at silencing the rumors.

Lin said, "We want to stop the rumors, and we want people to come back to Chinatown."

The tour began yesterday morning at Legend Seafood Restaurant and proceeded to Won Kee Seafood Restaurant, New Empress, Nam Fong Restaurant, Glowing Dragon Restaurant and Golden Palace Seafood.

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Corrections and clarifications >> The group Not in Our Name Hawaii will hold a candlelight march and vigil for peace Saturday in Waikiki. A story in "Newswatch" on Page A4 of yesterday's Star-Bulletin had incorrect information. 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

LEEWARD OAHU

Drunk driver possible cause of fatal crash

A 52-year-old man died and a woman and boy were injured in a three-car accident that may have been caused by a drunk driver yesterday morning in Nanakuli.

Police closed Farrington Highway from 9:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. and diverted traffic to Mailiili, Paakea and Hakimo roads while they investigated the crash.

A 26-year-old man was driving a 1989 Buick westbound on Farrington Highway west of Hakimo Road when he appeared to have crossed into the eastbound lane, hitting a 2003 Ford pickup driven by a 66-year-old man, Honolulu police officer Kevin Kobayashi said.

The Ford pickup was pushed into the westbound lane of Farrington Highway and collided with a 1991 Chevrolet pickup driven by a 52-year-old man.

The man was taken to Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, where he died. His passengers, a 46-year-old woman and a 9-year-old boy, were taken to Queen's Hospital for treatment of injuries.

The 66-year-old driver of the Ford was not injured.

The Buick continued westbound on Farrington, eventually stopping. Its 26-year-old driver was arrested. He faces potential charges of negligent homicide and failing to render aid.

Alcohol appeared to be a factor in the crash, Kobayashi said.

This was Oahu's 28th traffic fatality this year, compared with 22 at the same time last year.

HONOLULU

Kayaker rescued from island off reef runway

A Honolulu Fire Department helicopter plucked a lone kayaker from a small island east of the Honolulu Airport Reef Runway yesterday, several hours after he was reported missing.

The Coast Guard began searching for the missing kayaker in Kalihi Channel about 6 p.m., said Petty Officer Justin Acosta.

Fire Department rescue personnel in boats and a helicopter joined the search a little after 7 p.m., said spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada.

The man told officials his kayak was overturned by a wave and that he lost his paddle but was able to right the kayak and paddle by hand to a small island, Acosta said. The man lit a small fire to attract the rescue helicopter and was airlifted to safety at 7:46 p.m.