Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
WHALE OF A MOVE
PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. MARINE CORPS
Volunteers who have been tending two adult male melon-headed whales at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe since Tuesday said yesterday they are pleased with the animals' progress. The whales were moved into a fenced-off area of a natural lagoon yesterday, and each ate about six pounds of squid. Dr. Paul Nachtigall, director of the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology's Marine Mammal Research Program at the University of Hawaii, guided the first whale out of the holding tank using a Marine crane. Both whales seem to have some fluid in their lungs, and further testing is being done. The whales still are at high risk due to whatever illness prompted them to beach themselves Tuesday in Hauula, marine mammal experts said.
Charity drive removes Japanese center's debt
A group formed to save the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii formally announced yesterday that the center is free from its $9 million debt.Committee to Save the Center Chairman Colbert Matsumoto ceremonially inked in the eye of the daruma, a red papier-mache good-luck doll, signifying the accomplishment of its goal at a news conference yesterday morning.
On Sept. 30 the center's directors announced intentions to sell the center.
"With that threat of foreclosure looming over the center," the committee was formed in October and, "against the odds," met the $9 million goal in a little more than 10 months, Matsumoto said.
Businessman arrested in Harris fund probe
Honolulu police arrested a Pacific Heights resident on suspicion of money laundering and making a political donations to Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris under a false name.Daniel Rosario, president of Island Quality Hardware Supply Inc., was not charged and was released pending investigation.
Rosario, 41, had no comment yesterday.
State campaign finance records show that Rosario and his spouse contributed $6,000 to the Harris campaign beginning in 1996.
Investigators at the state Campaign Spending Commission also are looking into political donations by Rosario, according to people familiar with the inquiries.
Road repairs will close part of airport viaduct
The westbound lanes of the airport viaduct of the H-1 freeway will be closed from the Keehi interchange to the airport offramp from 10:30 p.m. today to 6:30 a.m. tomorrow for maintenance repairs.Also from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today, a Kailua-bound lane of Kalanianaole Highway will be closed for repaving from Castle Junction to Kapaa Quarry Road.
Dozens of beachgoers suffer jellyfish stings
About 112 people were stung by box jellyfish at Waikiki Beach yesterday, including one victim who was taken to Straub Hospital.Ocean safety officials said the victim had an allergic reaction to the jellyfish sting but was in good condition.
There were 12 reports of stings at Ala Moana Beach, officials said.
A box jellyfish warning was issued after more than 400 jellyfish were sighted along the Kuhio Beach section of Waikiki and more than 100 jellyfish sighted at Ala Moana Beach yesterday morning.
Lifeguards have posted signs along the beach areas warning swimmers of the jellyfish. Officials said they expect the influx to be gone by tomorrow.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffWINDWARD OAHU
Hiker's body found in Kahana Valley
Rescue crews in Kahana Valley have found the body of hiker Phillip Milos, who has been missing since Tuesday along the Crouching Lion Trail.Fire Capt. Emmit Kane said rescue crews found Milos, who apparently had fallen about 80-100 feet from the trail, about 2:40 p.m. yesterday. The body was found pinned between a tree and the cliff wall, about 1,500 feet above the valley floor.
Rescue crews were unable to airlift the body out because of strong winds along the ridgeline, Kane said, adding that they will retrieve the body this morning from the location about 1 1/2 miles into the trail.
At this time, officials do not know how Milos died.
On Tuesday, two hikers found Milos' backpack about three miles into the trail, which prompted the search for him.
Police and Honolulu Fire Department rescue crews, as well as the Fire Department helicopters, searched along the trail for two days.
Milos was last seen at his Kapiolani Boulevard residence last Friday by neighbors, police said.
LEEWARD OAHU
Two-car crash kills 1 and injures 3 in Makua
A 35-year-old man was killed and three people injured in a two-car crash in Makua early yesterday morning.Police said a Honda Civic was traveling north in the southbound lane of Farrington Highway when it struck a white 1989 Jeep that was traveling south in the same lane about 1:48 a.m. one-half mile south of Lawaia Street.
Police said the sedan was trying to get back into the northbound lane but could not move in time to avoid the Jeep.
According to police, the driver of the Honda was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said a 16-year-old female, who was a passenger in the Honda, and a 20-year-old female, who was driving the Jeep, were taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition. A passenger in the Jeep, a 20-year-old male, was taken to St. Francis-West Medical Center in good condition.
Police said speed and alcohol are probable factors in the crash.
Man's moped stolen after threat with knife
Police are looking for two men who allegedly stole a man's moped after they threatened him with a knife in Waipahu about 5:45 a.m. yesterday.Police said a 21-year-old man was driving home on his moped when a car with two men pulled up next to him.
One of the suspects, who was holding a knife, got out of the car and demanded the victim's moped, warning the victim that he had a gun, police said.
The victim then ran to his apartment and called police.
The suspects were not located, but the moped was found three blocks away from where the incident occurred, police said.
The suspect who had a knife is described as a 5-foot-4, 135-pound Filipino male in his 20s with short, curly black hair.
HONOLULU
Man held for allegedly beating Kalihi woman
Police arrested a 27-year-old man who allegedly punched and kicked a woman at their Kalihi apartment about 12:30 a.m. yesterday.Police said the suspect and the 27-year-old victim were drinking in their apartment when they got into an argument.
The suspect allegedly rushed toward the victim as she ran toward the front door.
The woman, who was unable to unlock the front door, fell to her knees and covered her head and her face, police said.
Police said the suspect then repeatedly punched and kicked her, fracturing her jaw.
The woman was taken to a nearby hospital, police said.
Police arrested the man at the residence for second-degree assault.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
