Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Symposium will discuss 'A-bomb Myth'
"The Atomic Bomb Myth" is the topic of a symposium to be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Hawaii Tokai International College.Professor Brien Hallett, of the Matsunaga Institute for Peace, will discuss the United States' use of the atomic bomb to destroy Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II.
Responses will be presented by Makoto Hinei, senior consul of the Japanese consulate in Honolulu, and John Craven, who developed the Polaris submarine-based missile program as a U.S. Navy submarine scientist in the 1960s and 1970s.
The presentation is free and open the public. For more information, call Scot Saft, 983-4135.
Hurricane Jemina moving toward Big Isle
Hurricane Jemina was about 1,100 miles east-southeast of the Big Island at 4 p.m. yesterday and moving to the west-northwest at 16 mph, according to forecasters and state Civil Defense officials.The storm, with maximum sustained winds of 86 mph and gusts up to 104 mph, is expected to pass close to the southern part of the Big Island Monday morning, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. Surf along the eastern shore of the Big Island was forecast to reach a possible height of 15 feet by late tomorrow, the National Weather Service said.
The storm gained minimal hurricane-force status early yesterday morning when its sustained winds reached 75 mph.
Forecasters and Civil Defense officials encourage people to stay updated with the storm's conditions by monitoring their local news.
Grand jury indicts sword attack suspect
WAILUKU >> A man who allegedly used a sword to cut a Kihei resident and attack a Maui police officer Tuesday has been indicted on first- and second-degree attempted-murder charges.A Maui grand jury also charged Casey S. Nies with first-degree robbery for allegedly demanding cigarettes from a cashier at Longs Drug Store in Kihei on Tuesday morning.
Nies, 30, was shot in the pelvis by a police officer during the incident. He underwent surgery and was listed yesterday as in stable but guarded condition at Maui Memorial Medical Center.
Police allege that the homeless man pulled out a samurai-type sword from his backpack in Longs and later left the store. He allegedly cut a 28-year-old Kihei resident's face outside the store, then walked across South Kihei Road and into the parking lot at Ace Hardware where he was confronted by police. Police say an officer shot Nies after he refused to drop the sword and tried to attack him.
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[Taking Notice]
Donations
>> The downtown Macy's Hawaii store gave $2,000 to the Hawaii Foodbank "Bag Hunger" drive and collected more than 35 pounds of food per employee, totaling 4,601 pounds. The Kahala branch gave $250 and collected 2,095 pounds of food for the Foodbank.>> The Arthritis Foundation has received $25,000 from Longs Drug Stores for the support and education of the community, training health care leaders to teach people how to manage their arthritis, and raising funds to support research to find treatments and a cure for the disease.
Honors
>> The Bishop Museum has received a certificate of commendation from the American Association for State and Local History for its traveling exhibit, "Hui Panala'au, Hawaiian Colonists, American Citizens.">> Gae Bergquist Trommald has been appointed a commissioner of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Trommald is a senior financial advisor with the Saracco, Hochuli, Bergquist Trommald & Associates Group of Merrill Lynch.
>> Gary Dung has been named the first "Renaissance Man of the Year" by the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii for his outstanding volunteer contributions since 2001. Dung, president of Floral Artistry, co-chaired the foundation's dinner gala this year.
Officers
>> The Japanese Cultural Society of Maui has elected Yuki Lei Sugimura, president; Kay Fukumoto, first vice president; Tiffany Iida, second vice president; Annette Matsuda, recording secretary; Faye Otsuka, English corresponding secretary; Sayoko Kobata, Japanese corresponding secretary; and Joyce Tamori, treasurer.>> The East-West Center Board has elected Roland Lagareta as its interim chair and Lyn F. Anzai as its interim vice chair.
>> The Kamehameha Lions Club has elected officers for the 2003-2004 year: Lottie Chun, president; Daryl Matsuo, vice president; Ben Tanaka, treasurer; and Vaughn Victorino, secretary.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffNEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Teen from Japan dies after lagoon accident
A 15-year-old boy from Japan died Thursday after a snorkeling accident in Waikoloa.Police said Yasumari Kuramoto was found unconscious in six to eight feet of water about 1 p.m. in the Hilton Waikoloa Village lagoon.
During efforts to revive him, Kuramoto started breathing again and was taken to North Kohala Community Hospital.
He was later flown to Kapiolani Children's Hospital in Honolulu where he died without regaining consciousness, police said.
Police have initiated a coroner's inquest and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
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[The Courts]
Isle man must pay fine over 1997 tax return
A Honolulu businessman was ordered to pay $77,893 in restitution and a $3,000 fine for failing to file his corporation's annual general excise tax return and annual withholding tax return for 1997.Edward Ellenson, former vice president of Total Systems Support Inc., pleaded no contest Wednesday to the charges, including second-degree theft for 1998 state withholding taxes.
Circuit Judge Michael Wilson granted Ellenson's request to defer his no-contest plea for five years.
Under a plea agreement, Ellenson must also perform 200 hours of community service and repay all withholding taxes of $25,708.
Stephen Hironaka, state criminal tax investigator, said the penalty was significant given that Total Systems Support, which provided computer services and software, is defunct.
Legally, since the company is no longer in business, it does not have any assets. But in exchange for reducing the fines, Ellenson agreed to pay the excise tax, even though the company is bankrupt, Hironaka said.
Unlicensed contractor could see jail for taxes
An Oahu Grand Jury indicted a unlicensed contractor on Tuesday for failing to pay his general excise taxes for the years 2000 to 2002.Tevita Ungounga, of Kaimuki, allegedly performed contracting work in the City and County of Honolulu and received in excess of $939,000 in compensation but failed to file his annual general excise tax returns.
If convicted, Ungounga faces a $100,000 fine for each year and prison of no more than five years or probation. He could not be reached for comment.
Tax evasion charges for Salt Lake couples
Two Salt Lake couples were indicted for filing their state income tax returns and claiming their wages were not taxable, resulting in tax refunds they were not entitled to.Alvin and Betty Tung were charged Tuesday with two counts of tax evasion, two counts of failure to file false individual income tax returns and second-degree theft.
Their son, Gilbert Tung, and his wife, Hiroko, were also charged with tax evasion, filing a false individual income tax return and second-degree theft.
Tax evasion is punishable by up to $100,000 for each year and no more than five years in prison or both. Second-degree theft carries a penalty of no more than five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The Tungs could not be reached for comment.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
