Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin Staff
HPD books suspect for political donations
Honolulu police arrested a 72-year-old Waialae man yesterday as part of its investigation into Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris' political campaign.Robert Ko was booked on suspicion of money laundering and making a false-name political donation.
Ko was not charged and was released pending investigation.
Ko is linked to several employees of the R.M. Towill Corp., according to state business records. During the past month, police have arrested several R.M. Towill executives on similar charges as part of their probe into political donations by city contractors.
Army to hold control burn at Makua Valley
The Army plans to hold a control burn of 800 to 900 acres of Makua Valley next week as part of its program to manage the training areas in the range complex.The burning may begin as early as Tuesday and last until Friday. The hours of operation will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Once the area has been cleared, the Army will search for unexploded ordnance and conduct archeological surveys.
Marines' Toys-for-Tots gets a little 'Soul Jam'
The Marine Corps Base Hawaii Toys-for-Tots program will conduct a toy drive at the "70's Soul Jam" concert tomorrow at 7 p.m.Donors can bring new, unopened toys or cash donations to the Blaisdell before the concert, starting at 5:30 p.m. Each donor will be entered in a drawing to attend the pre-concert party attended by all the performers.
For more information on Toys-for-Tots events and donations, call Sgt. Rich Stampp at 257-1077.
HPD to help prevent preying on seniors
Tips on how to prevent elders from sweepstakes and telemarketing scams will be presented from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 30 at Ward Warehouse, Kewalo Room (second floor, across from Buffet 100).Caregivers, family members and the general public are invited to the event, sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association-Aloha Chapter.
The Honolulu Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division will discuss how to prevent loved ones from being victimized and what to do if that is occurring.
For reservations and more information, call the Aloha Chapter at 591-2771. The presentation is free but donations are welcome.
[ TAKING NOTICE ]
>> MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Hawaii has awarded Maj. Bart Huber, of the Juvenile Service Division of the Honolulu Police Department, its Law Enforcement Award for the Prevention of Underage Drinking. Officer Cullen Kau, of the HPD Traffic Division, also received an award for prevention of drunken driving.The MADD chapter also elected David Taylor as its president; Sharon Inamine, vice president; Suzanne Anderson, secretary; and Elsa Honma, treasurer.
>> The Chung Fong and Grace Ning Fund of the University of Hawaii at Manoa has awarded scholarships to the following students and teachers in China-focused academic projects:
Eric Harwit, associate professor in Asian studies; Jinzhao Li, graduate student in American studies and sociology; Goubin Yang, sociology assistant; Ming-Bao Yue, associate professor in East Asian languages and literature; Edward Davis, associate professor in history; Qitao Guo, assistant professor in history; and Shuhui Su, doctoral student in East Asian languages and literature.
>> The Pacific and Asian Affairs Council has awarded cash to Dominique Dacanay and Rowena Reyes, Waipahu Intermediate, and Adam Turin, Kahuku High.
>> Discover Card has awarded its $2,500 Tribute Award Scholarships to these high school juniors: Natalie K. Kamauoha, Kahuku High School; Kristin N. Kitaoka and Jacquelyn F. Koga, Konawaena; Joelle Y. Penisten, Waiakea; Clairesse M. Brogoitti, Seabury Hall; Jonathan-James T. Eno, Baldwin; and Lutero E. Afualo, Kapolei.
>> Charlene Shovic, a senior at Iolani School, was named a Distinguished Finalist in the 2003 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, which honors outstanding youth volunteers. She was honored for serving as president of her school's community service club and helping to organize projects to benefit the community, including a car wash that raised $1,200 to fight Lou Gehrig's disease.
>> Merriman's Culinary Scholarship recipients are Sean Simon and Edwin Valenzuela, of Kohala High School, and Brian Matsu, Jr., of the University of Hawaii, Center of West Hawaii's food service program. They received $1,050 apiece. Merriman's restaurant is located in Waimea on the Big Island.
>> Ha-Huynh Thai, of Farrington High School, received $1,000 from the 2003 Burger King Scholars Program.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffNEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Big Island police are looking for the second of five suspects believed to have forced their way into a Puna home armed with firearms and a bow and arrow earlier this week.
Police hunt for home invasion suspect
Police said the suspect, Brandon Jason Enos, 21, is considered armed and dangerous and was last seen yesterday morning brandishing a semiautomatic handgun.
The robbery took place at a Ka'ohe Homestead Road residence near Pahoa at 1:20 a.m. Thursday.
Enos is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing about 190 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Police said he now wears his hair short on top and the sides and has reddish-brown-colored tips.
Meanwhile, Hilo detectives charged a 19-year-old suspect who was arrested at the scene. Waimoku Lum Ho, of Hilo, was charged yesterday with first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, first-degree terroristic threatening and drug and firearms offenses. He is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Anyone with information about the incident, the whereabouts of Enos or the identity of the remaining suspects is asked to call Detective Richard Sherlock, of the Hilo CIS, at 961-2379 or the police nonemergency number at 935-3311.
Canadian pair robbed after stopping to help
Big Island police are looking for a male suspect who robbed a Canadian couple yesterday in North Kohala.Police said the couple were driving along the Kapaa County Beach Park Road about 10:50 a.m. when they saw the suspect standing beside a car parked in the opposite direction they were traveling. The suspect waved them down and, thinking he may have been having car trouble, the couple pulled over.
However police said, the suspect then pulled a handgun from the car, demanded money, grabbed a handbag with an undisclosed amount of cash and jewelry, took the keys to the couple's rental car and drove off. After the robbery, the couple caught a ride to the Kapaau police station, where they reported the incident to police.
The suspect was described as a male in his mid-30s, 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing between 160 and 170 pounds, with a medium build, tan to dark complexion, brown eyes and a mustache. He was last seen wearing a light-colored T-shirt, possibly beige pants and a faded red bandanna on his head.
Anyone with information about the robbery or the identity of the robber is asked to call the Detective Zachary Houchin, of the Kona Criminal Investigation Section, at 326-4232 or the police nonemergency number at 935-3311.
Body found in car is ID'd as Hilo man's
Big Island police have identified the body of a man found in a car on Tuesday as that of Narding Vidad, 50, of Hilo.An autopsy at Hilo Medical Center confirmed Vidad's identification yesterday.
Vidad's body was discovered by South Hilo patrol officers inside a sedan that was parked at an orchard in the upper Wainaku area on Tuesday.
Vidad was reported missing by his daughter on Monday and was last seen on July 11 in Hilo.
Police said they have no reason to suspect foul play, but they also do not know yet how Vidad died. An answer may depend on the results of toxicological tests, which are expected in three or four weeks, according to police.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
