Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin Staff
City appeals state's landfill fine
As expected, the city has appealed a $542,459 state Department of Health fine for violating solid- and hazardous-waste rules at its now-closed Waipahu incinerator and ash landfill.The DOH's Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch received the appeal letter Thursday from city Environmental Services Director Frank Doyle.
"Our attorneys will talk to their attorneys," Steve Chang, Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch chief, said.
When the fine was announced May 30, Doyle said the city might ask the state if it could run a no-illegal-dumping educational campaign or even count city work on the invasive waterweed at Lake Wilson toward the fine.
If the city proposes to do a supplemental environmental project instead of paying a cash fine, "we'd want to see if it's related to the violations," Chang said.
If the parties cannot agree to a settlement, a hearing will be set before the Health Department's administrative hearing officer.
The city estimates it will spend $500,000 cleaning up three illegal dumpsites.
Task force to fight mail fraud in Hawaii
U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo has announced a multi-agency task force has targeted mail thieves in Hawaii through an effort called "Operation Mail Safe."The operation, which involves U.S. postal inspectors and other federal and state agencies, led to indictments being handed down earlier this month by a federal grand jury in Honolulu, Kubo said.
Regina Kampfer, 33, of Wahiawa, was charged with 16 counts of mail fraud, identity theft and credit card fraud, while Kim Burrows, 33, of Waianae, was charged with nine counts of credit card fraud.
Also indicted on June 10 was Karson Kuewa, 33, of Oahu, for theft of mail and obstruction of correspondence. Kuewa is a former civilian mail clerk at Pearl Harbor.
On June 12, John Wilkerson was indicted on two counts of breaking into separate U.S. post offices on Maui with the intent of committing larceny. He, John Suter and Theresa Naavao were also charged with destroying mail in a post office before delivery.
Grand jury indicts 2 men on tax charges
An Oahu grand jury indicted a Honolulu businessman with multiple tax violations.Edward Ellenson, former vice-president of Total Systems Support Inc., was charged Wednesday with failing to file annual general excise tax returns for fiscal periods ending January 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2001, failing to file annual withholding tax returns for 1997 to 2000 and two counts of second-degree theft for not paying withholding taxes for 1998 and 1999.
If convicted, Ellenson could face fines of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $25,000 for each return not filed.
James M. Dysarz also was indicted for second-degree theft over a 2002 state tax return he filed electronically. He allegedly provided false information that resulted in a refund of $19,000.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHONOLULU
Fireman fund-raiser is phony, officials say
A bogus organization called the "Association of Retired Fire Fighters" is allegedly soliciting contributions on behalf of firefighters but is not affiliated with either the Honolulu Fire Department or the Honolulu Police Department.The Better Business Bureau and HPD warned the public yesterday to be wary of requests for donations for retired firefighters and police.
A group from Milwaukee, Wis., operating under the name the "Association of Retired Firefighters" is soliciting locally and using a Post Office Box address, a Honolulu address of 47 Kailua St. and the phone number 545-5656.
HPD and HFD said the organization is not a legitimate fund-raiser for them.
Potential donors are warned to check the written information from any organization with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB said it believes the funds, though solicited locally, will not be used locally and may well not benefit any firefighters or police.
Donors encountering high-pressure solicitations should contact the BBB, HPD or the state Attorney General's office. For more information on this organization and others, please log on to the BBB Web site: http://www.give.org/tips/index.asp.
Box jellyfish to arrive at Oahu beaches
An influx of box jellyfish, which can sting swimmers, is expected to hit several Oahu beaches beginning tomorrow, according to city lifeguards.The influx is expected to pass by Wednesday. Swimmers who are allergic or don't want to be stung are advised to stay out of the water.
The most commonly affected areas are Waikiki Beach, Hanauma Bay, Pokai Bay, Makaha Surfing Beach and Waimea Bay. The ocean safety division warns that there are occasional influxes at other north and west shore beaches.
Anyone stung by a box jellyfish is advised to pour large amounts of white vinegar over the sting. If the person experiences difficulty breathing, muscle cramps or spasms and persistent pain, he or she should seek immediate medical attention. Lifeguard stations are equipped to treat these stings.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
