Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Big Isle experiences a brief power failure
HILO -- About 4,600 customers on the Big Island were without power for a short time early yesterday after a steam turbine generator suddenly tripped off line, Hawaii Electric Light Co. officials said.The Hamakua Energy Partners' turbine went off line at 8:34 a.m.
About 2,900 customers had power restored within minutes after other generating units were activated. The remaining customers had power back by 9:35 a.m.
Hamakua Energy Partners is investigating what caused the generator to go off line, HELCO said in a news release.
Tax relief program deadline is Oct. 30
The deadline for Oahu residents to file a claim with the Real Property Tax Relief Program is Oct. 30.Application forms for the program, which is aimed at homeowners 55 years and older, are available at Honolulu Hale and all satellite city halls.
Property owners may be eligible if they have:For more information, call the program's collections staff at 523-4856.-- A multiple home exemption on their property.
-- A total household income of $20,000 or less.
-- And a property tax that exceeds 5 percent of their total household income.
Hawaii Nature Center and DLNR host event
The state Department of Land & Natural Resources and the Hawaii Nature Center will host a day of environmental appreciation later this month with planting and a stream cleanup.The event, timed to celebrate the Year of the Hawaiian Rainforest, is open to the public but limited to 125 people.
Preschoolers at the Seagull School's Early Education Center will plant the seedlings they have grown in their classrooms during the function. Participants will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Hawaii Nature Center.
Attendees should wear comfortable walking shoes, hats, sunscreen and mosquito repellent and bring drinking water and lunch.
For more information or to register for the event, call the education center at 533-0004.
Lights will be installed for Diamond Head hike
The hike to the top of Diamond Head will be a little brighter next month after workers install lights in the spiral staircase and tunnel leading to the summit.
CORRECTION
Tuesday, Sept. 09, 2003>> Dan Quinn is the state parks administrator. A "Newswatch" item on Page A4 in the early edition yesterday incorrectly spelled his last name as Quinine.
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.
But the installation will mean the closure of the park and summit trail for four days a week, beginning Sept. 22.
The park and trail will remain open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the project. Normal park hours will resume Oct. 17.
State Parks Administrator Dan Quinine said both areas where lights are being installed are very dark. Many visitors bring flashlights, "but those without light have difficulty along these parts of the trail," he said.
"Partial closure of this heavily visited park during the month of active construction ... is necessary for public safety," Quinine said. "The contractors will be using equipment in this narrow portion of the trail where no bypass is available."
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffCOLLISION IN PAPAKOLEA
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Two people were critically injured yesterday afternoon in a head-on collision on Auwaiolimu Street near Hookui Street in Papakolea. Police said speed was a factor in the accident. A 65-year-old woman in a 1992 green Honda Accord and a 14-year-old girl in a Toyota Highlander were taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition. Police said the Highlander, driven by a 17-year-old male, crossed the center line. The male was taken to Queen's in good condition.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
A 56-year-old man from Georgia died Saturday after being rescued from the ocean fronting the Kona Village Resort at Kaupulehu, North Kona, on the Big Island.
Georgia tourist dies after Kona sea rescueResort employees saw Bobby Waldrop struggling about 40 feet from shore about 10:45 a.m.
Police said hotel employees rescued Waldrop and brought him ashore. He was breathing on his own but was not responsive.
Waldrop was taken to North Kohala Community Hospital, where he died about 12:25 p.m.
Collision in Hamakua leaves woman dead
A 66-year-old Paauilo woman died Saturday night in a two-car collision in Kalopa on the Big Island's Hamakua Coast.Police said a Honda Civic and a Nissan pickup truck collided on Highway 19 about 7:20 p.m. The victim was identified as Mabel Ishii. A 69-year old man was injured and taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital. No other details of the accident were available.
HONOLULU
Police arrested a 25-year-old Kalihi man Saturday after he allegedly chased another man in a car and shattered the victim's car window with a baseball bat.
Man with baseball bat allegedly strikes carPolice said the victim, 62, was parked at the Sand Island boat harbor area when he was approached by the suspect, who challenged him to a fight.
The suspect allegedly reached into the driver-side window of the victim's car, grabbed the victim by the shirt and attempted to yank him through the window.
Police said the victim broke free and drove off, but the suspect got into his car and chased him, ramming the victim's car four times.
The suspect then blocked the victim's car at the intersection of Nimitz Highway and Waiakamilo Road, where he jumped on the hood of the victim's car holding a baseball bat and threatened to kill him, police said.
The victim drove off, but the suspect got back into his car and rammed the victim's car again at the intersection of Kalani Street and Waiakamilo Road, police said.
The suspect then got out of his car and struck the victim's car with the baseball bat, shattering the driver's window, police said.
Police were called to several locations and finally located the suspect at the intersection of Kalani Street and Waiakamilo Road, where they arrested him for unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and six counts of first-degree criminal property damage.
CENTRAL OAHU
Police arrested a 21-year-old man who allegedly stole another man's car after slamming the victim's thumb in the door.
Auto theft case caps friends' night outingPolice said the suspect and victim, who are friends, were drinking and went to a drive-in to get food about 2:45 a.m. At some point they started arguing, and the suspect jumped into the driver's seat of the victim's car, police said.
The victim tried to stop him, but the suspect allegedly slammed the car door and severely cut the victim's thumb. The suspect then drove off with the victim's car, police said. Police found the car at Schofield Barracks, and the suspect was subsequently arrested for second-degree robbery.
LEEWARD OAHU
Police are looking for four male suspects who allegedly tied up two people in their Aiea home and robbed them at gunpoint over the weekend.
4 male suspects sought in Aiea home robberyThe victims -- a 20-year-old woman and an 11-year-old boy -- were sleeping when the suspects entered their home and tied them up, police said. One of the suspects threatened the victims with a handgun. The suspects took money and jewelry, police said.
The robbery took place sometime between 10 p.m. Saturday and 12:30 a.m. yesterday.
The suspects are described as between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-10, 170 to 200 pounds. Police said the suspects were wearing dark clothing and that their faces were covered at the time of the robbery.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
