Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
STRUGGLING TO SAVE THE SALITA
RON VALENCIANA / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-BULLETIN
The 30-foot sailboat Salita out of Haleiwa broke anchor and ran aground at Waimea Bay early yesterday morning, prompting an effort to try to save the boat. The boat was pushed safely back to sea several hours later, at 11:05 a.m.
H-1 lanes to be closed for maintenance work
State transportation officials announced that some lanes on the H-1 freeway in the westbound direction will be closed today and tomorrow.From 10 p.m. to 10 a.m., the two left lanes of H-1 will be closed between the airport viaduct to Waikele for ZipLane maintenance. Because Friday is a state holiday, the ZipLane will be closed to motorists.
Motorists are advised to use caution while driving through the work area and to allow for extra travel time.
HPD wins accreditation from law agency panel
The Honolulu Police Department became only the 14th major city police department and the fourth largest in the country to win accreditation from the Commission Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.The accreditation came earlier this summer after the department prepared three years for the evaluation.
Maui Police Department is the only other police department in Hawaii to win accreditation.
Honolulu police Chief Lee Donohue said the changes the department underwent to meet CALEA standards will make HPD more efficient, reduce the number of citizen complaints, help the department defend itself and its employees against civil lawsuits, and instill public confidence in HPD.
Soldier's body to be brought to Pacific isle
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa >> The body of a soldier from American Samoa who died in Iraq was scheduled to arrive in the U.S. territory today.Army Specialist Farao Kevin Letufuga's body was to be transported from Dover, Del., to Honolulu before the last leg of the journey aboard a Hawaiian Airlines flight, Eni Faleomavaega, American Samoa's congressional delegate, said yesterday from Washington.
Faleomavaega said he, Army Sgt. Maj. Iuniasolua Savusa, of American Samoa, and an Army escort will accompany the body.
Letufuga, 20, of Pago Pago, was killed Aug. 5 when he fell from a roof while on guard duty in Mosul, Iraq, according to the Department of Defense.
Letufuga's mother, Siniva Letufuga, said she spoke with her son by telephone on July 24.
"I told him to always remember God and always pray during his tour of duty," she said.
Letufuga left Pago Pago the night of Sept. 10, 2001, the eve of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, to join the Army, his mother said.
Letufuga was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., where he arrived in March 2002.
UH-Manoa to hold summer commencement exercises
About 500 graduate and undergraduate students of the University of Hawaii are expected to take part in the summer commencement exercises 9 a.m. Sunday at the Stan Sheriff Center.United Nations University Rector Hans van Ginkel will address the graduates.
Van Ginkel was appointed rector of United Nations University in Tokyo in 1997, and oversees the Tokyo university center, several research and training centers and programs worldwide, and a network of associated institutions and scholars.
Of the 699 candidates eligible for advanced and undergraduate degrees, there are 47 doctorates, one architecture doctorate, 277 master's degrees, nine post-baccalaureate certificates in secondary education and 365 bachelor's degrees.
The Stan Sheriff Center will open at 8 a.m. for the 9 a.m. combined undergraduate and advanced degree ceremony, which is free and open to the public.
Parking is available in the lower campus parking structure.
Private schools woo kids' parents
The Hawaii Association of Independent Schools is hosting a public Kindergarten Fair to help parents of pre-kindergarten children learn about options in the private schools.The free event will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Ala Wai Golf Clubhouse, 404 Kapahulu Ave. Admission directors from 25 private schools will be available to answer questions.
A short program at 7 p.m. will inform parents on kindergarten admission, developmental stages of 4- and 5-year-olds, and characteristics of good kindergarten programs.
For more information, call Meg Miguel at 973-1543.
Oncologist is named health care professional of the year
Dr. Melvin Palalay, hematologist and oncologist, received Hospice Hawaii's 2003 Health Care Professional of the Year award at its annual meeting.The Hawaii Medical Service Association was selected as the 2003 Community Supporter of the Year.
Palalay, who practices at the Queen's Medical Center and Wahiawa General Hospital, was honored as "a true asset to our agency," said Ken Zeri, Hospice Hawaii president and chief professional officer.
"He is a great example of how people in health care should be treating patients facing the end of life," Zeri said. "Our staff has relayed numerous examples of how Dr. Palalay has gone out of his way to help out patients."
HMSA was recognized for its work to improve end-of-life care for its members and for the community. HMSA Senior Vice President Cliff Cisco accepted the award at a recent meeting at the Hale Koa Hotel.
Hospice Hawaii is a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive care for terminally ill people and support for caregivers. For more information about hospice services or support, call 924-9255.
Doctor to speak about prevention of sniffles
Dr. Arjun Roy will discuss ways to prevent and treat "Sniffles, Sneezing and Wheezing" in a free public lecture from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday in the third-floor conference room of Honolulu Medical Group.For more information, call 537-2211, ext. 581, or e-mail SamanthaS@honmed.
St. Francis Hospice has fourth annual mall walk
The St. Francis Hospice Walk in the Mall is observing its fourth anniversary with a walk this month.The walk is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Center Stage, Kahala Mall.
For more information, call Felicia Marquez-Wong, bereavement coordinator, St. Francis Hospice, 595-7566.
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[ Taking Notice ]
ACADEMIC AWARDS
>> Seventeen elementary and intermediate school teachers statewide have been recognized as "Everyday Heroes" with $1,000 awards from sponsors Papa John's Hawaii, Foodland, Coca Cola Hawaii, the state Department of Education, the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools and Hawaii Catholic Schools.They include Fran Imai, of Waimalu Elementary School; Aimee Kumura, of Waialua; Twila Smith, of St. John Vianney Parish; Douglas Garris, of Kamiloiki; Laurie Dela Cruz, of Hokulani; Linda Kato, of Nuuanu; Cheri Keefer, of Iolani; Gwenn Tomiyoshi, of Hilo Union; Janine Kawazoe, of Naalehu; Michael Foley, of Kohala; Lydia Odo, of Kapaa; Shannon Tamashiro, of Holomua; Katherine Balatico, of Highlands; Elizabeth DeLyon, of Makawao; Karyn Murphy, of Princess Nahienaena; Jan Olson, of Sunset Beach; and Peggie Taylor Gomes, of Maunawili.
"Taking Notice" runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Please send items to City Desk, Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813.
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Police, Fire, CourtsStar-Bulletin staff
LEEWARD OAHU
Police seek suspects in Ewa Beach fire Police have opened a criminal property damage investigation after it was determined that a fire that damaged an Ewa Beach home Monday was intentionally set.
The fire at 91-1183 Kauiki St. caused more than $160,000 damage and left four people homeless.
The residents, two men and two women, were home at the time but were able to escape without injury. However, a neighbor who tried to douse the fire with a garden hose suffered smoke inhalation and was treated at the scene, police said.
Fire investigators believe the fire started in one of the bedrooms.
Police had not arrested or identified any suspects.
CENTRAL OAHU
Driver found in car in ditch is identified The Honolulu Medical Examiner has identified the woman whose body was found in her car on the side of Kamehameha Highway Saturday as Carmen Morales, 41, of Waikiki.
The Medical Examiner also determined Morales died from injuries she suffered in the crash. The victim's car was found in a ditch on the side of Kamehameha Highway near Helemano Plantation.
Police said Morales appeared to have been traveling toward Haleiwa late Friday or early Saturday when her car crossed the center line, struck a metal guard rail on the opposite side of the roadway, then vaulted into a pineapple field and the ditch. She was not wearing a seat belt and police said Morales was probably speeding.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Big Isle police ask aid identifying purse thief Big Island police want help identifying a man they say has been stealing wallets and purses at a number of businesses in Hilo.
Police said the thief usually operates by entering a business on some pretext, stealing any purses or wallets left unattended and using the credit and identification cards of the victim.
He has been photographed on bank cameras using stolen bankcards to withdraw cash from automated teller machines, police said.
The suspect is described as 6 feet, about 160 pounds and having a slim build.
Any one with information is asked to call Officer Robert Pauole at 961-2311, the police non-emergency number at 935-3311 or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300.
HONOLULU
Monsarrat section open after cleanup Police closed Monsarrat Avenue at Trousseau Street near Diamond Head late last night to allow a Honolulu Fire Department hazardous materials team to clean up fluid from an electrical transformer.
The road was closed at 10:57 p.m. and reopened at about 4:40 this morning.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
