Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
[Taking Notice]
DLNR recognizes staffers for their work
The state Department of Land & Natural Resources recently recognized the following employees for their work in the past year:>> Dierdre Mamiya, Land Division administrator, was named manager of the year and recognized for her vision and tireless efforts in improving the efficiency and productivity of the Land Division.
>> Charlene Unoki, a supervising land agent in the Land Division, was named employee of the year and recognized for processing all 2004 lease reappraisals and improving operations in each of the Land Division's island offices.
>> Brian Kanenaka, aquatic biologist, and Reginald Kokubun, research statistician, Division of Aquatic Resources staffers, were both recognized for sustained superior performance. Kanenaka took on major responsibilities for fiscal and budget analysis and accounting for the division. Kokubun coordinated a five-year project to update the way fishery management statistics are collected and maintained.
>> Eric Hirano, Engineering Division administrator, was recognized for his managerial skills and leadership in coordinating a multiagency project to remove the Salvinia molesta aquatic weed from Lake Wilson.
>> The Land Board also presented a special department team of the year award to its Lake Wilson Salvinia team, led by Hirano. The team consisted of field and support staff from the divisions of Aquatic Resources, Boating & Ocean Recreation, Conservation & Resources Enforcement, Engineering, Forestry & Wildlife, State Parks, Historic Preservation, Commission on Water Resource Management, Administrative Services Office and Office of the Chairperson.
The crews worked 10-hour days, six days a week for more than two months to help restore to community use Oahu's only year-round freshwater fishing area.
"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.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHONOLULU
Police catch 'robber' who left without cash
Honolulu police arrested a homeless man after an aborted attempt to rob an Ala Moana bank yesterday.Police said the 52-year-old man walked into the Bank of Hawaii at 1441 Kapiolani Blvd. at 1:45 p.m. and passed a teller a note demanding money. Police said the man also made a verbal demand for money but then left the scene without receiving any cash.
Police later located the suspect near Makaloa and Keeaumoku streets. Police brought the suspect back to the scene, where bank employees identified him as the would-be robber.
Smashed car window leads to man's arrest
Police arrested a 24-year-old man after he allegedly shattered a window in his neighbor's car.Police said the man began yelling at the victim, 26, after the victim slammed a gate near the suspect's Liliha apartment about 9:18 p.m. Sunday.
Police said the victim went to his car, and the suspect ran up and kicked the driver's side window as the victim sat behind the wheel.
The victim suffered minor cuts from the shattered glass, police said.
Police arrested the suspect on suspicion of first-degree criminal property damage.
WINDWARD OAHU
Driver, 19, is second fatality in 1-car crash
The driver of a white car that crashed into a utility pole near Malaekahana State Park died yesterday from critical injuries at the Queen's Medical Center.
CORRECTION
Saturday, Aug. 23, 2003>> Nineteen-year-old Micah M.N.H. McGee died Sunday at the Queen's Medical Center from injuries suffered Saturday in an accident at Malaekahana. A Page A4 story in Tuesday's early edition incorrectly reported that he died Monday.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com.
A medical examiner identified him as Micah M.N.H. McGee, 19, of Hauula. McGee was traveling Kaneohe-bound on Kamehameha Highway about 9:40 p.m. Saturday when the vehicle veered off the roadway and struck a utility pole before it overturned.
Nineteen-year-old Jason K. Idica was pronounced dead at the scene. McGee and another passenger were flown to Queen's in critical condition. Speed and alcohol were factors, police said.
CENTRAL OAHU
2 men are held in attack at bus stop
Police arrested two men who allegedly attacked a teenager at a Wahiawa bus stop Sunday.Police said the victim, a 19-year-old man, was at the bus stop on Kamehameha Highway near Ohai Street about 10:15 p.m. when he was approached by two men ages 18 and 20. Police said one of the suspects grabbed the victim while the other one hit him.
Police said the suspects stole the victim's three bags and fled, but witnesses stopped and held the suspects until police arrived. Police arrested both men on suspicion of second-degree robbery.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Police warn of scam offering lottery prize
KAILUA-KONA >> Big Island police are warning residents about a new telephone scam that targets people by telling them they have won the lottery, authorities said yesterday.The scam tells people they have won a lottery but first must send money to an address in Canada, Big Island police said in a news release.
Legitimate lotteries do not require a winner to send money, police said.
Authorities said anyone unsure of whether a telephone solicitation is legitimate can call the state Office of Consumer Protection, the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
