Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Prosecutor opposes bail in slashing case
WAILUKU >> A homeless man accused of slashing one man and attempting to cut a Maui police officer with a sword is scheduled to have a bail hearing in Maui Circuit Court today.Deputy Prosecutor William Sloper has asked that Casey Strom Nies be held without bail because he is a danger to the community and has a prior felony conviction on Kauai involving the possession of a .22-caliber rifle.
Nies, 30, is scheduled to stand trial on the Maui charges on Nov. 17. He pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Maui Circuit Court to second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted murder and first-degree robbery after being released from Maui Memorial Medical Center.
Nies was shot in the hip by police in a parking lot in Kihei on Aug. 26 after he allegedly refused to drop his sword and tried to cut police officer Ernest Grace. Kihei resident Asitamani Tupola said he challenged the man to a fight to get him outside the store. Tupola said the man cut him on the temple with the sword.
U.S. House approves bill to help Hawaiians
The U.S. House passed a bill yesterday to restart a program that makes low-interest home loans available to Hawaiian Home Lands residents. The bill now goes to the Senate.The program makes direct loans to native Americans, including native Hawaiians, for the purchase and construction or improvement of homes on tribal and trust lands.
The legislation would remove a $5 million cap on the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs' Native American Home Loan Program that has prevented some residents from receiving loans.
"The direct home loan program puts the dream of homeownership within reach on an equal-opportunity basis," said U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Urban Honolulu).
During the last decade, 300 loans under the program were closed throughout the Pacific area, most in Hawaii.
Are you eating enough fruits and vegetables?
September is 5 a Day Month, during which parents are encouraged to help their children learn the importance of eating five servings of fruit and vegetables each day.Daiei, Foodland, Star and Times supermarkets are joining the Hawaii Medical Service Association to educate families about the health benefits of eating fruit and vegetables.
The markets will feature a fruit or vegetable each week.
Parents can sample fresh produce from Aloun Farms, collect free healthy recipes and have their child's photo taken with a 5 a Day friend.
Children can get a 5 a Day Keiki Shopping List online at www.hmsa.com to help their parents identify fruits and vegetables that match rainbow colors.
Family events are scheduled 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at Star in Lihue; Sunday at Foodland in Kailua; Sept. 20 at Foodland in Waimea, Big Island; Sept. 27 at Star in Mililani; and Sept. 28 at Foodland in Ewa Beach. Times in Koolau will have events from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 21.
For more details about 5 a Day Month, see www.hmsa.com or look for displays at Daiei, Foodland, Star or Times supermarkets.
Fund-raiser targets leukemia, lymphoma
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is sponsoring a walk and celebration Sept. 27 at Ala Moana Beach Park's McCoy Pavilion to raise money for research.Registration and activities will begin at 4 p.m. and the walk at 7 p.m. Walkers can sign up as a team or as individuals with donations from friends, family and co-workers to sponsor their participation.
Funds will be used to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improve the lives of patients and their families.
For more details, call 534-1222 or see www.lightthenight.org.
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[Taking Notice]
>> The University of Hawaii at Manoa's Centers for Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Southeast Asian and Pacific Islands Studies have received more than $3.7 million from the U.S. Department of Education. The centers will receive the funds over three years as a result of achieving National Resource Centers status.>> The Hawaii Council for the Humanities has awarded six grants totaling $27,856 in support of humanities projects for the public to Kumu Kahua Theatre, Mission Houses Museum, University of Hawaii's Department of Anthropology, Biographical Research Center, Kathy J. Philips and Miriam Fuchs.
The council, which also conducts Hawaii History Day, sent 23 projects to represent the state at National History Day at the University of Maryland June 15 to 19. Seven made the runoffs, including:
Senior division (grades 9-12):
Adam Turin, of Kahuku High School, placed third (bronze medal) and won a special award for outstanding work.
Cecily Kaya, of Moanalua High, placed third.
Lilika Fonua, Jacie Lautaha and Noelle Spring, of Kahuku High, placed fourth and received the senior division Outstanding State Award from Hawaii.
Junior division (grades 6-8):
Rayfe Gaspar-Asaoka, of Mililani Middle School, placed second (silver medal).
Kendra Ho Ching, Lucie Wilson and Alix Roberts, of Kahuku Intermediate, placed ninth and received the junior division Outstanding State Award from Hawaii.
Arbie Campuspos, of Waipahu Intermediate School, placed 10th.
Kelsey Anderson, of Kailua Intermediate School, placed 13th.
"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 staffNEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Man struck by van in North Kona dies
A man was killed Tuesday after being struck by a van on Queen Kaahumanu Highway about a mile north of the Hualalai Resort in North Kona.Big Island police said a rented van, driven by man visiting from California, struck the victim while in the southbound lane. Police got the call at 6:51 p.m.
2 armed suspects rob Honaunau man
Two men armed with handguns and a shotgun broke into a Honaunau home in South Kona and robbed a 49-year-old man about 8:15 a.m. yesterday.Police said the suspects broke into the home, forced the victim to the ground and tied him up with duct tape. The suspects then searched the house and stole money and other items.
Call Detective William Souther at 326-4231 or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
HONOLULU
Car crash in Kalihi leaves driver dead
A man was killed last night after his car hit a pole northbound on Likelike Highway in Kalihi.Police said witnesses saw the victim drive into a utility pole on the highway near Kalihi Street about 6:30 p.m. Paramedics said they tried to resuscitate the victim, who was slumped over the steering wheel. He was pronounced dead at the Queen's Medical Center.
Smoke from faulty fan leads to evacuation
Firefighters evacuated all 16 floors of the building at 1164 Bishop St. for more than three hours yesterday because of smoke coming from a faulty ventilation fan. People were evacuated about 5 p.m., fire officials said.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
