Newswatch

Police, Fire, Courts

Star-Bulletin staff and wire

---

City will offer refunds for useless bus passes

The city has announced it will make prorated refunds to those who held bus passes during the bus strike.

The refunds will be made in cash or with a discount for a future pass.

Specific refund procedures are expected to be released soon, but refunds will not be made until the strike ends. For more information, go to the City and County of Honolulu's strike update Web site at www.co.honolulu.hi.us/ots/strike.

Former UPW worker wins legal settlement

A former high-level employee of the United Public Workers has settled a lawsuit that alleged the union wrongfully fired him in 1998 after he was suspected of leaking information to the Star-Bulletin for a series of stories on former UPW state Director Gary Rodrigues.

John Witeck, the former assistant director of the union's Oahu Division, said the terms of the lawsuit are confidential.

UPW announced the resolution in a recent edition of its newsletter, calling Witeck's termination "unjust" and adding, "UPW acknowledges and thanks Mr. Witeck for his over 25 years of service to UPW."

Witeck, who filed the lawsuit three years ago, said it was a great relief to settle with the union.

"My firing was hard because it was like being separated from family," he said.

Witeck, who now works for the city and county, said with the settlement, "I was made whole, and the losses I suffered were restored."

Speaker will detail devastation of 'ice'

The president of drug education provider Laulima Hawaii will speak about the devastating effects of crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," on users and their families tomorrow at the Filipino Community Center.

Gary Shimabukuro will also provide potential solutions to the state's ice problem.

The free event will start at 5:30 p.m. with music provided by the Weeders & Seeders, a group of Weed & Seed officers from the Honolulu Police Department. Shimabukuro's presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Following the talk, community members are invited to share their experiences.

For more information, call the Waipahu Community Association at 677-6939.

Hilton wins grand prize for Aloha parade float

Aloha Festivals Floral Parade awards were given for the best floats, pa'u units, private mountain units, pa'u princesses and pooper scoopers during Saturday's Kalakaua Avenue parade.

Hilton Hawaiian Village won the Grand Sweepstakes Award for its float, while Starwood Hotels & Resorts and USS Honolulu 25th Reunion -- Pearl Harbor Survivors won the Governor's Award and the Mayor's Award, respectively.

The Big Island won the Governor's Award for best pa'u unit, while Oahu won the President's Award. Maui and Molokai won the Mo'i and the Ambassador's award, respectively.

Hoaloha Anuenue Hololio won first place for the private mountain units. The HORSE Unit won second place.

The pa'u princess from Lanai was named most outstanding. The pooper scoopers from Lanai were named most comical and most aloha spirited.

A pooper scooper from Oahu was named most original.

The John and Lita Cook Perpetual Awards were given to Hoaloha Anuenue Hololio for most outstanding private mounted unit.

---

Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Big Isle police arrest 3 in home burglaries

Big Island police have arrested three Kailua-Kona men suspected of a series of home burglaries in Kona.

Two of the suspects, ages 30 and 28, were arrested Saturday in Napoopoo. Acting on a tip, police arrested the third suspect, 30, yesterday.

The three suspects are known to be close associates, said Detective Juergen Kanda, of the Hawaii County Criminal Investigation Section in Kona.

"These burglaries occurred primarily in the daytime hours while people were away at work or school," said Kanda.

Police said the burglars stole jewelry and items that could be easily carried, such as camcorders, cameras and laptops.

On Saturday a Napoopoo resident confronted a burglar in his home, his hands full of the homeowner's possessions, police said.

Police found the 30-year-old suspect walking up the road, and the stolen items were found nearby, police said. Police discovered the 28-year-old suspect sleeping in a white Honda in the area.

A search of a home where one of the three suspects was known to stay yielded stolen items including jewelry and musical instruments, Kanda said.

The men are suspects in at least five cases, but other residents have come forward and identified stolen items.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Criminal Investigation Section in Kona at 326-4230.

North Kohala man held in girlfriend's shooting

Big Island police arrested a 20-year-old North Kohala man Saturday for allegedly shooting his girlfriend.

Police received a call at 3:18 p.m. Saturday that a 20-year-old woman had been admitted to the North Kohala Community Hospital with gunshot wounds.

The woman was shot in her right shoulder and right foot, police said. The victim was treated and later released.

Police said two .22-caliber guns were found at the victim's home on Union Mill Road. Officers arrested the Kapaau man for attempted murder. He is being held in the Kona police cellblock pending further investigation.

NORTH SHORE
Driver dies after crash into concrete bunker

A 21-year-old man died yesterday after his car slammed into a concrete bunker in Mokuleia.

Police said the man was speeding in a red 2001 Volkswagen Jetta about 12:10 a.m. and failed to negotiate a turn when he crashed into a bunker near Hoomana Place. Police said the car rolled over twice, trapping the man in the car.

He was pronounced dead at 12:34 a.m. Speed and alcohol appeared to be factors, police said.

WINDWARD OAHU
Ingesting drug bags proves fatal to suspect

A 23-year-old man died Saturday after he swallowed miniature plastic bags filled with drugs, police said.

Police arrested the man sometime around 10 p.m. for allegedly robbing the music store Hungry Ear Records & Tapes at 418 Kuulei Road. The man attempted to walk out of the store when the security alarm was activated.

Police said a number of compact discs fell from his shirt after the manager grabbed him. The store owner tried to detain the suspect, but the 23-year-old man broke free and ran to his vehicle. A witness tried to get him out of his car but backed off after the suspect brandished an electric stun gun.

Patrol officers later spotted the suspect's car in Lanikai. Police arrested the suspect on suspicion of first-degree robbery and possession of an electric gun, but the suspect appeared to be ill and was taken to Castle Medical Center.

Police said the man apparently ingested numerous bags filled with an unknown narcotic before he was arrested. The bags were recovered after the suspect threw up at the hospital. Police said the man later died at the hospital.

HONOLULU
Scuba diver recovers after losing air supply

A local man, who appeared to be in his late 20s, lost consciousness yesterday afternoon while diving off Waikiki, according to emergency workers.

The man was scuba diving in about 30 feet of water when he ran out of air, according to the caller who reported the incident, Emergency Medical Services personnel said.

A fire official said the man had been diving off a boat.

The man fell unconscious and was brought up by his diving partner, an EMS official said. The victim was taken by boat to the Ala Wai Boat Harbor at about 4:20 p.m.

The man regained consciousness and was taken by ambulance to Straub Hospital. Fire Capt. Robert Malandra said the man appeared to be in good condition.

LEEWARD OAHU
25 acres of brush burn from suspected arson

Fire officials suspect arson in a brush fire that scorched 25 acres in Waianae yesterday.

Firefighters from five companies, along with two tankers and a helicopter, fought the fire near the water tank at the end of Waianae Valley Road.

Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada said a perimeter was put out, and the fire was contained by 4 p.m.

---

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers