Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Fort Street Mall offers twice-weekly market
An open market will be featured every Tuesday and Friday at Fort Street Mall from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fresh produce, potted plants and cut flowers will be sold near Wilcox Park on the corner of Fort Street Mall and South King Street, and live music is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. every Tuesday.
Ruptured water main affects part of Palolo
Ten homes in Palolo Valley lost water service yesterday after a 16-inch water main ruptured along 10th Avenue.The main ruptured about 6:30 a.m. fronting 1510 10th Ave. The Board of Water Supply provided a water wagon for the homes affected, said BWS spokeswoman Denise DeCosta. Tenth Avenue between Maluhia and Hinahina streets was closed last night as BWS crews did repair work on the main, expected to be completed this morning.
Applications open for Cherry Blossom queen
Applications are being accepted for contestants for queen of the 52nd Cherry Blossom Festival, which celebrates Japanese culture and heritage in Hawaii.Women ages 19 to 26 who are at least 50 percent Japanese are invited to apply. Applicants also must be U.S. citizens and Hawaii residents.
The festival provides opportunities to learn about Japanese heritage, public speaking and leadership. The queen receives trips to Japan and Los Angeles and use of a Nissan Altima for one year.
Applications must be postmarked by Aug. 30. To apply, call 949-2255.
Aloha Festivals seeks fund-raising partners
Nonprofit organizations that want to raise funds can sell Aloha Festivals ribbons and merchandise. Part of the proceeds will go toward Aloha Festivals to support its statewide events. However, organizations can keep a portion to help fund their own missions.Aloha Festivals ribbons sales are a major source of funding for the 57-year-old festival. Groups that choose to sell the ribbons will receive a commission based on the number of ribbons sold. They can also sell Aloha Festivals T-shirts, caps and posters.
Those wearing the ribbons are entitled to discounts at some local restaurants and retailers, Hoolaulea vendor booths and some Aloha Festivals events. For more information, contact Sheryl Yee at 589-1771, e-mail info@alohafestivals.com or visit the festivals office at Ward Warehouse.
Gabbard starts marriage petition
City Councilman Mike Gabbard, founder of the Alliance for Traditional Marriage and Values, has launched a statewide petition drive in support of the Federal Marriage Amendment that would prohibit same-sex marriage."This is not about discrimination. This is about doing what's right," said Gabbard at a news conference yesterday at the state Capitol.
Gabbard said he plans to visit churches, mosques, temples and businesses to collect signatures in support of his petition.
Police, Fire, CourtsStar-Bulletin staff
LEEWARD OAHU
A medical examiner identified a Mililani man who was killed while trying to help another motorist along the H-1 freeway Saturday as Keith T.P. Yamamoto, 28.
Good Samaritan who died while aiding motorist is identifiedPolice said Yamamoto had pulled onto the shoulder of the Waianae-bound lanes of the freeway above Lehua Avenue about 3:52 a.m. to help another motorist change a flat tire. Police said he was standing behind the other motorist's white Acura when he was hit by a car that had crossed into the shoulder lane. Yamamoto died at the scene.
Police arrested the 17-year-old driver for negligent homicide.
Sex assault suspect is family acquaintance
A 36-year-old man was charged Saturday for allegedly sexually assaulting a 5-year-old girl at her Pearl City home.Police said the victim was sexually assaulted on July 27 by Alton Roberson III, a family acquaintance. Police said Roberson entered the victim's home and sexually assaulted her as she slept. The assault was witnessed by another juvenile, police said.
Roberson was charged with first-degree sexual assault and first-degree burglary. He was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.
Ewa Beach home destroyed by fire
A three-bedroom home in Ewa Beach was destroyed by fire this morning. Fire crews were called to 91-1183 Kauiki St. about 8:05 a.m. The fire was extinguished at 8:54 a.m. There were no reports of injury. The damage estimate and cause are under investigation.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Kona man dies after his vehicle overturns A 35-year-old Kona man died yesterday in a single-car crash on Napoopoo Road.
Big Island police said David Frazier, of Captain Cook, was traveling west near the 8-mile marker when he lost control of his vehicle and crossed the center line. His vehicle veered off the left shoulder and overturned, police said.
Police said Frazier was taken to the Kona Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Alcohol is believed to be a factor, police said.
Big Isle lifeguards rescue 4 swimmers
HILO >> Hawaii County life guards rescued four men in their late teens swimming offshore from Onekahakaha Beach Park in Hilo yesterday, the county Fire Department said. One was taken to Hilo Hospital as a precaution, but wasn't seriously injured.The four entered the ocean when the water was calm, but started shouting for help to people on shore when winds picked up, said Fire Capt. Quince Mento.
CENTRAL OAHU
Motorist killed near Helemano is identified A motorist who was found dead in a car that had gone off Kamehameha Highway and into a ditch near Helemano Plantation has been identified as a 41-year-old Waikiki woman, officials said. Her name has not been released.
A passerby found the victim's 1993 Chevrolet Lumina on Saturday. Police said the woman was driving Haleiwa-bound on Kamehameha Highway when her car crossed the center line, struck a metal guardrail, vaulted into a pineapple field and into a ditch. Police said the driver was not wearing a seat belt. Excessive speed appeared to be a factor, police added.
Wahiawa pair arrested on weapon charges
Police arrested two Wahiawa men Saturday after they allegedly fired several gunshots.A security officer called police after he heard several gunshots and bullets flying overhead near Kamananui Road and Wilikina Drive about 11 p.m., police said. Responding officers also heard several gunshots and observed one of the suspects shooting, police said.
As police neared, the suspect placed a handgun in the cab of his Ford pickup truck. The other suspect was observed standing behind the same pickup truck near a shotgun and another handgun, police said. Both were arrested on suspicion of firearm violations and reckless endangerment.
HONOLULU
Alleged John Dominis robber caught by HPD Police arrested a 38-year-old man after he allegedly robbed a Kakaako restaurant at gunpoint yesterday.
The suspect, who was wearing a mask, entered John Dominis at 43 Ahui St. about 1:59 a.m., brandished a semiautomatic handgun and demanded money from the bartender, police said.
Police said the suspect, who has no local address, fled with a bag containing an undisclosed amount of money but was later found hiding in a storage shed on Coral Street. The handgun was also recovered from the shed, police said. Police arrested the man on suspicion of first-degree robbery.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
