Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

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Party to honor cyclist's fund-raiser for cancer

A welcoming party for a Kaimuki physical therapist who rode his bicycle across the country to raise money for cancer research will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday at the Honolulu Cub at 932 Ward Ave.

Jaco Van Delden finished his 30-day trip from Seattle to Portland, Maine, three days ahead of schedule and raised $11,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

He rode his racing bike in honor of 3-year-old Taja Koch, who has been battling cancer for more than a year. Delden hopes to raise $50,000.

Donations will be accepted during the party. El Conjunto Tropical, a salsa band, will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. Donors who give $25 or more will receive a free drink and a raffle ticket for a chance to win a two-night stay at any Hawaii Prince Hotel in the state.

For more information, call the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at 534-1222.

Annual library book sale begins next week

More than 150,000 hardbacks, paperbacks, magazines, CDs, videos, encyclopedias and special collector's items will be for sale at the 56th annual Friends of the Library Book Sale.

The sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 12-19 at the McKinley High School cafeteria. The last day of the sale will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Proceeds will go to the Hawaii State Public Library System for books, equipment, performance programs and education grants. Last year, the book sale raised almost $109,000 for the 50 public libraries.

Volunteers sought for MADD programs

Mothers Against Drunk Driving-Hawaii is calling for more volunteers to expand its prevention and education programs.

The rising number of traffic fatalities attributed to speeding and alcohol has prompted the call, according to Connie Abram, MADD-Hawaii executive director. This year, 29 people have died in 17 alcohol-related traffic crashes on Oahu, an increase of eight people from the same time last year, she said.

Volunteers are needed to help plan the November MADD Dash fun run/walk, maintain the newly dedicated victim memorial, and represent MADD in schools and community events. Volunteers also may serve on victim-impact panels and as advocates at the Legislature, provide clerical assistance at the local office and support fund-raising events.

Call 532-6751 to volunteer.

Group's federal grant will aid homeless vets

A Hawaii organization has been awarded $248,000 in federal funds to aid homeless veterans, government officials announced this week.

The grant awarded to Honolulu-based Network Enterprises Inc. is part of $17.5 million awarded under the U.S. Department of Labor's Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program.

Network Enterprises plans to use the funds for job counseling, resume preparation help, job development and placement services, the Labor Department said in a news release.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

NORTH SHORE
Teen suffers fireworks 'blast injury'

A 15-year-old boy suffered chest and abdominal wounds in a fireworks mishap about 8:15 last night in Waialua, fire officials reported.

Ambulance officials said the boy suffered a "blast injury" to his back. He was taken from a Kuhi Street address and flown to The Queen's Medical Center in serious but stable condition.

Details of the mishap were not available, but it was a serious incident in a day marked by numerous brush fires believed to be caused by fireworks.

Fire officials said 30 brush fires flared out on Oahu yesterday. While the causes were not determined, officials said they believe half were caused by fireworks.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Woman says car acted by itself in accident

A 77-year-old woman, whose car struck a pedestrian before crashing through the door of a restaurant and injuring a female employee, reported that that car suddenly lurched forward, police said.

The woman reported she was in a sedan parked in front of Sum Leung Chinese Kitchen restaurant in Hilo at 9:30 a.m. when it suddenly moved. It struck a 71-year-old man and crashed into the front door and window of the restaurant at 50 E. Puainako St.

A woman employee at the restaurant suffered first- and second-degree burns on her legs because hot water and food were knocked off a buffet table, police said. The pedestrian suffered injury on his left shoulder and a laceration on his forehead.

Both victims were taken to the Hilo Medical Center, where they were reported in stable condition. The driver was not injured.

EAST OAHU
Crash victim upgraded to guarded condition

A 41-year-old man critically hurt in a head-on collision on Kalanianaole Highway near the Lanai Lookout on Thursday has been upgraded to guarded condition at The Queen's Medical Center, police said.

Police said he was injured when his white 2002 Nissan sport utility vehicle collided with a black 1998 Nissan SUV that crossed the center line about 4:40 p.m. The white Nissan rolled over into a ditch on the mauka side of the highway.

A 29-year-old woman, a passenger in the white Nissan, also was injured. She was upgraded to fair condition from serious condition, police said.

The driver of the black Nissan, a 25-year-old Kailua man, also was upgraded to fair from serious condition, police said.

Police closed Kalanianaole Highway in both directions for several hours after the collision. Early police reports mistakenly said there was a fatality in the accident.

LEEWARD OAHU
Meeting allegedly leads to sex assault

Police said a 22-year-old woman was kidnapped and sexually assaulted Thursday evening at Waianae Beach Park.

Police said the woman met a man in his 40s at the beach park about 8:30 p.m. and agreed to drive with him to buy beer. Instead, he drove to a secluded area and sexually assaulted her. She escaped from the vehicle and reported the incident to police. No arrests have been made.

Couple arrested after violent domestic spat

A Waianae domestic dispute turned violent Wednesday, police said.

Police said the couple had an argument at the Waianae Beach Park at 10 p.m. The woman returned home and her boyfriend followed. She went into the bathroom, and when he entered, she threw a kitchen knife at him, cutting his hand. He then kicked and punched her before neighbors intervened.

He fled but was arrested later for investigation of abuse of a household member. Police also arrested the woman for second-degree assault investigation.

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Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers