Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin Staff
Grants extend literacy program in Hilo
HILO>>Recent grants of $20,000 will help the Computer-Assisted Learning Center at the Hilo Public Library continue for a few more months, said Kit Holz, who is in charge of the program.The private, non-profit adult literacy program was in debt and in danger of closing two months ago, Holz said. The money includes $10,000 from a Verizon literacy program and $10,000 from an anonymous donor and represents about 20 percent of center's yearly operating budget, Holz said.
About 50 adult students, tutored by 25 volunteers, participate in the program.
10 years for Maui man in negligent homicide
WAILUKU >> A 22-year-old Kahului man is scheduled to be sentenced on June 12 in the traffic death of a teenager.In a plea agreement, Robert Kahoohanohano will receive a 10-year prison sentence in exchange for having a charge of manslaughter reduced to first-degree negligent homicide.
A person convicted of manslaughter could face up to 20 years in prison, while a conviction for first-degree negligent homicide carries a maximum prison term of 10 years.
Kahoohanohano pleaded no contest to first-degree negligent homicide last Monday in Maui Circuit Court.
Police charged that Kahoohanohano was traveling at least 81 mph in a 20 mph zone when the car he was driving hit a utility pole along Iao Valley Road at 1:59 a.m. on New Year's Day 2002.
Police also alleged he was under the influence of marijuana and methamphetamine.
The crash killed 17-year-old Kulia Naomi Souza, of Wailuku, and injured a 19-year-old woman in the back seat.
Kahoohanohano also pleaded no contest to operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant and second-degree negligent injury.
Supreme Court OKs attorney's resignation
Honolulu attorney Mark Thomason will resign from the practice of law May 27 in lieu of discipline.The Hawaii Supreme Court announced its decision Friday to grant his request.
Resignation is comparable to being disbarred under the Supreme Court Rules.
An attorney may resign in lieu of discipline by submitting an affidavit acknowledging that if formal disciplinary proceedings were started, he or she could not successfully defend against them.
Thomason's affidavit setting forth factual allegations against him remains confidential, but the court's order granting his request is public record.
The 49-year-old Thomason, a graduate of Harvard University School of Law, was admitted to the Hawaii bar Oct. 2, 1979.
Fun-Filled Family Day at Heeia park Sunday
The Friends of He'eia will host a "Fun-Filled Family Day" at Heeia State Park, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, with music, games, activities, food, educational displays and guided tours.For more information, contact Wendy Okazaki at wokazaki@hotmail.com.
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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. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
LEEWARD OAHU
Man arrested in hit-and-run accident with 2 cyclists
Police arrested a 44-year-old Salt Lake man yesterday for allegedly fleeing after colliding with two motorists who were injured seriously.Police said the suspect, driving a red Nissan pickup truck headed mauka on Kaonohi Street, made a left turn into the Kam Drive-In Flea Market parking lot and collided with the motorcyclists at 1:18 p.m.
The motorcyclists, ages 24 and 32, apparently were riding side by side heading makai on Kaonohi Street when the truck turned into their path, police said. The truck driver fled, but witnesses pointed him out to arriving officers, police said.
The motorcyclists were taken to the Queen's Medical Center in serious condition, police said.
They said both men were wearing helmets, and speed and alcohol did not appear to be factors in the crash.
Fire near school found to be intentionally set
Fire investigators determined the Saturday night blaze that damaged a thatched shack near Makaha Elementary School was intentionally set.Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada said the shack was a teaching center and had about $20,000 damage.
HONOLULU
Woman, 38, arrested in stabbing of man
A 38-year-old woman was arrested this morning on suspicion of second-degree assault in the stabbing of a man in downtown Honolulu.The victim, an unidentified man, walked into the Police Department's downtown substation at 5:12 a.m. with a stab wound in his back. He was taken to Queen's Medical Center in satisfactory condition.
Police said they did not know the circumstances surrounding the stabbing.
Woman allegedly clips police officer on road
Police arrested an 18-year-old Waipahu woman early yesterday after the car she was driving allegedly clipped a police officer who was assisting in a separate traffic accident on the H-1 freeway.Police were investigating the initial accident in the Waianae-bound lanes of the freeway near the Middle Street offramp about 4:29 a.m. Officers closed the left lane with flares and cones when the woman, in a silver Dodge sedan, drove in the closed lane and clipped the officer, police said.
Police said the officer suffered minor injuries to his left elbow, thigh and foot and was treated at the scene. Police closed all Waianae-bound lanes of the freeway for about 45 minutes after the officer was struck.
Police said the woman tested above the .08 legal limit for blood alcohol and was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Pellet gun is used in robberies at 2 parks
Police arrested five boys Friday after they allegedly used a pellet gun to rob a woman of her cigarettes and a man of his wristwatch at two separate parks.A 34-year-old woman was sitting at Honolulu Stadium State Recreation Area on Isenberg Street about 11:05 p.m. when a group of boys, ages 14 to 16, approached her, police said. One of the boys took out the pellet gun and demanded cigarettes, police said.
The woman, believing the weapon was a handgun, gave the suspects her cigarettes and called 911 after they left.
Within 20 minutes the boys confronted four people at nearby Moiliili Park, 1115 Isenberg St., when the same suspect pointed the pellet gun at a 23-year-old man and demanded money, police said. The other boys assaulted the man and took his watch, police said.
Police arrested the five boys on suspicion of two counts of first-degree robbery and found the pellet gun at Moiliili Park.
Damage in house fire estimated at $250,000
Fire caused an estimated $250,000 in damage to a home at the base of Pacific Heights Saturday night, said fire Capt. Kenison Tejada.Fire investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the blaze, which they believe began in the front bedroom, Tejada said.
Fire dispatch received hundreds of calls about the fire at 1901-B Pacific Heights Road about 10:15 p.m. since it was visible from several high-rises in the area.
A couple in their 40s and one of their daughters were home at the time of the fire, but all escaped safely, Tejada said.
