Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin Staff
ISLE FAMILY MOURNS FOR SOLDIER
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Waipio resident Brandy Williams had tears dabbed from her eyes by daughter Mya Williams yesterday as Brandy's mother, Lynne Dela Cruz, looked on during a memorial service for the 3rd Infantry Division at Ft. Stewart, Ga. The three were grieving for Williams' husband, Sgt. Eugene Williams, who was killed in Iraq.
Former care worker's jail time set at 4 years
The Hawaii Paroling Authority set a minimum prison term of four years yesterday for a former care-home operator convicted of manslaughter.Raquel Bermisa was sentenced to a maximum of 20 years with a mandatory minimum of six years and eight months after being convicted in 2001 for failing to get proper care for 79-year-old Chiyeko Tanouye.
Former Gov. Ben Cayetano commuted Bermisa's sentence from 20 years to four years. It was his first and only commutation in his eight years as governor.
"Given that four years was the maximum possible sentence after former Gov. Ben Cayetano's commutation, the four-year minimum term set by the Hawaii Paroling Authority appropriately reflects the seriousness of the crime Ms. Bermisa committed," said Attorney General Mark Bennett.
Her prison term is set to expire on Jan. 8, 2005.
Waikiki school staffer gets Employee of Year
Valerie D'Amato, a staff member at Waikiki Elementary School, was named Employee of the Year for the state Department of Education yesterday.As the parent-community networking center coordinator, D'Amato reaches out to the neighborhood and helps get parents and others involved in the school.
"Valerie makes the PCNC room the hub of the school," schools Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto said in presenting the award, along with a $200 check, at the state Capitol. "Selfless and unassuming, she is a dedicated and compassionate facilitator."
Other DOE employees given Sustained Superior Performance Awards were:
>> June Char, administrative services assistant at Kalaheo High.
>> Esther Gandeza, custodian, Kauai complex area office.
>> Don Okuno, power motor operator, Kauai.
>> Gertrude Oshiro, clerk-typist, Moanalua High.
>> Jennifer Watanabe, administrative assistant, Pearl City High.
>> Kathryn Yanagisawa, secretary, Hawaii complex area office.
Adoptive relationships are conference's topic
Child and Family Service and the Hawaii Adoption and Permanency Planning Alliance will hold a conference on building positive relationships in the adoption process.The conference, "Who Am I," will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 20 at the Ala Moana Hotel.
Birth parents, adoptees and adoptive parents will share their experiences in group discussions.
Families and adoption professionals are encouraged to attend.
Registration is $45 per person.
For more information, call Marie Elliot-Tausch at 543-8419.
Classes offered in hunter education
Hunter education classes are being offered by the state Department of Land & Natural Resources.Instructors discuss firearms and archery safety, survival, first aid, wildlife identification, conservation, rules and regulations, game care and outdoor responsibility.
Classes are open to those age 10 and older. Students must bring a photo ID card.
Classes will be held at the Waianae Public Library at 85-625 Farrington Highway on June 13 from 5:45 to 10:15 p.m. and June 14 from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Classes will also be held at the Nimitz Business Center at 1130 N. Nimitz Highway, Room 212-A, on June 20 from 5:45 to 10:15 p.m., June 21 from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 18 from 5:45 to 10:15 p.m., and July 19 from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, call 587-0200.
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>> Victoria Sung Hye Chai Cintrón lives in a care home. A story on Page G7 in Mauka-Makai Sunday said incorrectly that she died. Corrections and clarifications
>> In her comments on a proposal calling for a $2 fee for certain transactions at satellite city halls, Lynne Matusow, of the Downtown Neighborhood Board, said, "I believe this bill is dumb." An article on Page A3 yesterday incorrectly stated she said "this bill is dung."
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 [ COURT BRIEFS ]
Man pleads not guilty in daughter's death
A 31-year-old Mililani man pleaded not guilty yesterday to second-degree murder in the death of his 1-year-old daughter, Isabelle, last year.David Mora was arraigned before Circuit Judge Karen Ahn. He was arrested last Friday. Bail was set at $100,000.
Isabelle Mora died at Wahiawa General Hospital in February 2002. Information on her injuries was not available.
Based on court records, Yasmine Barbour, Isabelle's mother, obtained a restraining order against Mora in April 2001 alleging he physically abused her and threatened to kill her. Mora denied the allegations.
His trial is tentatively set for the week of July 21.
Guardsman indicted again in drug case
A man who was found guilty last November of first-degree negligent homicide in the death of an 11-year-old passenger was re-indicted Wednesday for promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia in the case.Danny Gorman, an aircraft mechanic with the Hawaii Air National Guard, was the first person on Oahu to be charged with manslaughter while allegedly driving under the influence of drugs in the crash that killed the 11-year-old three years ago. He was found guilty of the lesser offense of first-degree negligent homicide.
Gorman was traveling town-bound on the H-2 freeway after he spent the weekend at the Turtle Bay Hilton with his girlfriend, Lavern Carpenter, and her daughter, Jasey Delos Reyes. Gorman lost control of the car before the Waianae offramp; it veered across the freeway and landed on its roof on the shoulder of the Wahiawa-bound lanes.
Jasey was ejected from the car and died at the scene. Carpenter survived but suffered serious injuries.
Gorman has yet to be arrested. His aggregate bail is set at $15,000.
HONOLULU
Mainland police catch isle robbery suspect
Mainland law enforcement officials have arrested a man suspected of robbing the Kaimuki branch of Territorial Savings in November.Honolulu police said a man walked into Territorial Savings at 1108 12th Ave. on Nov. 21 and demanded money from a teller. He fled after receiving money.
Police tracked down the suspect in Arizona and arrested him for investigation of second-degree robbery.
WAIKIKI
Police arrest man in store robbery try
Honolulu police arrested a 23-year-old man who allegedly used a pair of scissors in a robbery attempt at a Waikiki business Wednesday morning.Police said a man walked into the store before 9 a.m. and confronted a clerk with scissors. Police said the man fled when the clerk picked up the phone to call police. Police did not identify the business.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Woman found dead on Big Island highway
WAIMEA, Hawaii >> Big Island authorities are investigating the death of a woman who was found about 4 a.m. today lying face down on the Hawaii Belt Highway in Waimea.The woman appeared to be the victim of a hit-and-run, said paramedics at the fire department. Her identity was not released. The death is the third pedestrian fatality on the island this week.
A woman was struck and killed Tuesday on the Hawaii Belt Highway in Honokaa. A 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion that he was driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with the death.
Also on Tuesday, a man was struck and killed on Pratt Road. Kuulei Lewis, 32, of North Kohala, was arrested and charged with manslaughter in the death.
Police said Lewis was arguing with the victim and then drove at him. The victim jumped onto the hood of the car but fell when Lewis stopped abruptly. The victim has not been identified.
Honalo man charged in purse snatching
Big Island police have charged a 24-year-old Honalo man on suspicion that he shoved a 42-year-old Japanese tourist to the ground and took her purse on Tuesday while she was walking with her family in on Alii Drive in Kailua town.Chris Emeliano was charged yesterday with second-degree robbery, second-degree theft and third-degree assault. He is being held in the Kona police cellblock in lieu of $3,250 bail.
Big Isle police search for missing teen girl
Big Island police are looking for Autumn Guardipee, 15, of Hilo, who has been missing since December.
Guardipee is described as 5 feet 3, about 125 pounds with a slim build, fair complexion, blond hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information is asked to call officer Peter Kualii of the Hilo Juvenile Aid Section at 961-2373 or the police nonemergency phone number at 935-3311.
People wishing to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
Kauai police identify charred remains
LIHUE >> Kauai police yesterday identified the body found burned beyond recognition Wednesday as Florence Au, 91, of Lawai.Her body was found in a car at the scene of a brush fire near her home.
No cause of death was released. Police did not explain the presence of the car found at the fire scene. The death remains under investigation.
