Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin Staff
DOWNPOUR HITS CENTRAL OAHU
Parts of Wahiawa were
flooded yesterday afternoon
BARRY MARKOWITZ / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-BULLETIN
A heavy downpour hit Central Oahu yesterday afternoon, causing flooding in parts of Wahiawa. Crews worked to clear water up to about 3 feet deep at the Wilikina Drive extension onto Kamehameha Highway. The H-2 Wahiawa offramp was also closed due to flooding created by blocked drainage. Cars pulled off roadways during the downpour due to poor visibility. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Central Oahu at 1:57 p.m. but canceled it at 4 p.m. The heaviest rainfall occurred at Wheeler Air Force Base with 3.27 inches from 1 to 4 p.m. Heavy showers formed over the interior of Oahu and drifted west over the Leeward Coast, fading by day's end. The weather service predicts a repeat performance, though not as heavy, for today and tomorrow. Sunday should see a decrease in rainfall with a chance of locally heavy showers. State highway employees, Eddie Ladao, left, and Masaaki Hashimoto, right, cleared clogged Kamehameha Highway offramp drains yesterday at the entrance to the H-2 freeway in Wahiawa.
Jurors hear that wife of killer was unfaithful
The Singaporean woman killed by her husband last summer during a domestic dispute was depicted in a court hearing yesterday as an unfaithful wife.Navy Petty Officer David DeArmond, 33, has already pleaded guilty to the murder of his mother-in-law, Saniah Abdul Ghani, and the involuntary-manslaughter death of his wife, Zaleha, during a June 10, 2002, early morning argument.
Six Navy enlisted sailors and three officers are now hearing testimony in a Pearl Harbor courtroom to determine how long DeArmond, a Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard hull technician, will be imprisoned. His murder conviction carries a maximum sentence of life, but DeArmond may have to serve only 30 years because of a plea agreement, unless the jurors impose a shorter sentence.
Yesterday, DeArmond's attorneys went on the offensive by calling witnesses who described the defendant as a model sailor but whose wife not only was unfaithful, lied to qualify for food stamps, funneled all of the couple's money into a bank account that only she could access, and was a poor mother, but also was a Muslim who drank and smoked.
Maryknoll graduate appointed to tax post
Gov. Linda Lingle has selected attorney Marie Laderta as deputy director of the state Department of Taxation.Laderta former was supervising deputy attorney general in the state Tort Litigation Division.
"Our administration is pleased to attract deputy directors of Marie's caliber," Lingle said.
Laderta graduated from Maryknoll School, Marquette University and John Marshall Law School. She also attended the East China Institute of Law and Politics in Shanghai.
Japanese groups hold free annual health fair
A free seniors' health fair will be held 8:30 a.m. to noon Thursday at the Manoa Grand Ballroom of the Japanese Cultural Center, 2454 S. Beretania St. in Moiliili.The annual event is sponsored by the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce's Charitable Corporation in partnership with the Manoa Grand Ballroom and Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii.
Free bus transportation will be provided for senior citizen clubs and community sites throughout Oahu. For more information, call 949-5531.
Food drive begins Monday in Chinatown
The Third Annual NeighborWorksWeek and Food Drive will clean up Chinatown tomorrow and collect food Monday to next Friday. Kekaulike Courtyards, across from the Oahu Open Market, and the Hawaii Foodbank are heading the project. Sponsors include Hawaii National Bank, the City and County of Honolulu, CTMS Inc. (China Town Management Service), Pacific Gateway College, ICI Dulux Paints and the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corp.Canned food should be dropped off at Kekaulike Courtyards, at 1039 Kekaulike St.; Bank of Hawaii's Chinatown branch; City Bank on Bethel Street; and Hawaii National Bank's Chinatown branch.
Items most needed are canned meats, tuna, soups, vegetables, fruits, beans, toilet paper, rice, pasta noodles, diapers and powdered milk.
Bike adventure raises money to fight arthritis
Former Hawaii Junior Miss Jocelyn Chong will begin bicycling across the mainland June 14 to raise funds for the Arthritis Foundation.Chong, 22, will bicycle for nine weeks across 12 states for a total of over 4,100 miles with Cycle America, a bicycle touring company. She hopes to raise over $10,000 for the Arthritis Foundation, equivalent to less than $2.50 per mile.
Chong hopes to promote the importance of joint health, the role the foundation plays in funding the latest research and support local families who have members suffering from arthritis.
Chong is a teacher of mathematics, history and Chinese language at La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls. She is also a running coach and was among three Hawaii women to finish the 2003 Boston Marathon.
To support her ride and the foundation, send tax-deductible donations to the Arthritis Foundation, ATTN: Coast to Coast, 615 Piikoi St., Suite 1812, Honolulu 96814.
Arthritis is the top disabling disease in America, afflicting one of every four people, including children.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffLEEWARD OAHU
Waipahu man charged with kidnapping girl
Police charged a 28-year-old Waipahu man yesterday for allegedly sexually assaulting and kidnapping a 14-year-old girl Sunday from an Aiea bus stop.Sean McKinney was charged with first- and third-degree sexual assault, kidnapping and drug possession.
The victim told police she accepted a ride from a stranger while waiting for a bus in Aiea. The girl got inside the car and was held against her will and sexually assaulted, police said.
The victim identified McKinney, who was arrested yesterday.
HONOLULU
Police arrest suspect in knifepoint robbery
Police arrested a 27-year-old man who allegedly used a knife to threaten a man putting out his trash in Kalihi Wednesday night.The 56-year-old victim was bringing his trash to the curb at 11:45 p.m. at 1638 Democrat St. when a man with a knife allegedly demanded money and threatened to stab him, police said.
When the victim told the suspect he had no money, the suspect punched and kicked him, police said.
Police found the suspect in the area and arrested him for first-degree robbery.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
