Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin Staff
Seat-belt roadblocks nabbed 3,598 violators
Police statewide issued 3,598 citations to motorists who violated seatbelt laws during this year's "Click It or Ticket" campaign. Another 60 citations were issued for child-safety-seat violations.This year's campaign ran from May 19 to June 1.
On Oahu, 2,140 seat belt citations were issued; in Maui County, 716; on the Big Island, 538; and on Kauai, 204.
During last year's campaign, which was four days longer, police statewide issued 4,734 seat belt citations and 169 child-safety-seat citations.
State law requires the driver and front seat passenger and back seat passengers under 18 to buckle up.
Matson container ship being towed to port
The Matson container ship SS Matsonia is being towed to Honolulu after experiencing mechanical problems about 700 miles from Oahu, according to company spokesman Jeff Hull.The ship was supposed to arrive here Monday night from Oakland, Calif., but will not get here until Tuesday. Customers concerned about cargo can call 1-800-4MATSON.
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staff[ POLICE ]
LEEWARD OAHU
Police charged a 31-year-old man yesterday with attempted murder for allegedly stabbing a 24-year-old man Sunday in Waimalu.
Suspect charged after Waimalu theft, assaultPolice also charged Ben Faitele with second-degree assault and theft. He was being held in lieu of $75,000 bail.
According to a police affidavit, Faitele took a $10 bill from the pants pocket of a woman walking on Kanuku Street, then confronted two men, punched one, knocking him to the ground, and left. The woman told police that when Faitele returned, he stabbed the other man multiple times, kicked the first man who was lying on the ground, then fled to his apartment nearby.
The second man was stabbed twice in his abdomen, once in his chest and once in the back of his head, according to the affidavit. He was taken to Queen's Medical Center in critical condition. Police said the first man suffered a broken lose and a cut to his lip.
When police arrived, a man who identified himself as Faitele's brother approached them and turned Faitele over to them, according to the affidavit.
WAIKIKI
Honolulu police are looking for a fugitive they say led them on a chase though Waikiki earlier this week.
Domestic violence suspect eludes policePolice said Specialized Services Division officers attempted to serve Josey Kekoa Smith, 23, with a temporary restraining order Monday night. However, police said, Smith got away despite an extensive search.
Police said Smith has outstanding warrants for domestic violence and contempt and has convictions for reckless endangering, driving a stolen vehicle and assault. Police said Smith has training as a boxer and is considered armed and dangerous.
Josey Kekoa Smith Smith is described as 5 foot 9, about 160 pounds, with a muscular build, short brown hair and brown eyes. Smith also has a tattoo of a red and black figure on his chest, a dragon figure tattoo and a scar on his left shoulder, and another tattoo on his left leg.
Smith was last seen wearing a red baseball hat and gray shorts. Police said Smith has been known to frequent Kaneohe, Waikiki and Kakaako areas.
Anyone with any information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
[ COURTS ]
Prison escapee may get consecutive terms
One of two women who fled from the Oahu Community Correctional Center in April but was captured four days later pleaded guilty yesterday to second-degree escape.Kimberly Takata, 33, faces a five-year prison term for the escape when sentenced June 25. But she is facing additional jail time for multiple convictions in five other cases including credit card fraud, forgery and drug possession, said her public defender, Adrienne Sanders.
Takata faces 10-year prison terms on the most serious offenses, but the state is expected to ask the court to grant extended and consecutive terms because she is a repeat offender, said Deputy Prosecutor Claire Chinn.
Takata was awaiting sentencing on burglary and drug convictions when she escaped. Prosecutors say Takata and Michelle Padilla, 27, walked out the unlocked front door of the women's module after fellow inmates created a diversion. They escaped through a hole in the fence allegedly made by accomplices.
Family files suit over speeding crash death
The family of a 58-year-old schoolteacher killed after a speeding car rear-ended the van she was riding in August 2001 has filed suit against the driver of the other car.Elizabeth Kekoa, who taught at Holy Trinity School and Church, was on her way to church with her family when the fatal crash occurred on the H-1 freeway Koko Head-bound between the South King and 6th Avenue offramps.
Nicholas Tudisco, who was driving a souped-up Honda Prelude, and his parents, Michael and Cynthia Tudisco, are named as defendants in the lawsuit filed yesterday in Circuit Court by Willie E. Davis, special administrator of his sister's estate, her children Kristin and Kristopher Kekoa, and mother Rose Davis.
The suit alleged that Nicholas Tudisco was racing with one or more other cars in the Prelude, which had been illegally modified. The suit said the parents knew or should have known their son, who allegedly had two previous speeding violations, was a dangerous and unsafe driver and negligently entrusted him with the car on Aug. 26, 2001.
Police arrested Tudisco at the time for suspicion of negligent homicide, but released him. No criminal charges have been filed in the case.
This is the second wrongful death suit filed against Tudisco. In March 2002, Kekoa's husband, Wallace Kekoa, filed suit against Tudisco and his parents alleging negligence.
Woman's trial set in odometer rollback case
A Honolulu woman is facing trial Aug. 11 in an odometer rollback scam involving the sale of a 1992 Toyota van.Mariann Woods, 26, was indicted May 21 with attempted second-degree theft, punishable by up to five years in prison and misrepresenting the mileage on a car, punishable by up to one year in jail.
She has pleaded not guilty.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
