Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Man who sought girl via 'Net declines fight
The first person to be charged under the state's electronic child-enticement law pleaded no contest in Circuit Court yesterday.Grant N. Detwiler, 27, used the Internet to try and lure a 13-year-old girl for sex but instead was communicating with an investigator, according to officials from the state Attorney General's Office.
Detwiler pleaded no contest to first-degree electronic enticement of a child, an offense created by the 2002 state Legislature, according to attorney general officials.
The offense carries a maximum sentence of 10 years and a $25,000 fine. Investigators in the case said Detwiler used a home computer to conduct an electronic chat with a person that was presented to be a 13-year-old girl but was actually an undercover state agent.
Police and attorney general's investigators arrested Detwiler in February after he arrived at a meeting place that he had arranged with the "girl" while online.
Detwiler's sentencing is set for Jan. 6, before Circuit Judge Karl K. Sakamoto
Cop won't be charged in pedestrian's death
HILO >> The Hawaii County Prosecutor's Office will not file charges against a Big Island policeman who struck and killed a Kona pedestrian in 2001, Prosecutor Jay Kimura announced.Pedestrian Gabina Makil, 66, of Captain Cook, was hit by a car driven by officer Calvin Sasaki while she was crossing Mamalahoa Highway in a crosswalk about 6:21 p.m. Dec. 2, 2001, police said. She died later.
Published reports said the woman walked or ran into the path of the officer's car.
"Based on the careful review of all the police reports generated by the Hawaii County Police Department, the consultation with an expert witness in the field of collision reconstruction, interviews with available pertinent witnesses, and crime scene visits, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney has declined to charge Calvin Sasaki with any criminal charges at this time," Kimura's statement said.
Symphony musicians weigh cost reductions
The Honolulu Symphony Orchestra's musicians are expected to choose today from among a number of cost-saving proposals from management, including a 20 percent pay cut and the elimination of six positions.The Musicians' Association of Hawaii Local 677's president, Michael Largarticha, said a committee was to have recommended to its membership last night one of several options proposed by management. Largarticha would not disclose the options or which would be recommended.
He said management had proposed many ways of dealing with the symphony's $1 million deficit, including salary cuts for the conductors.
Council votes to ban alcohol in city parks
Police should have an easier time citing people at beach parks and other public places under a measure approved 8-1 by the City Council yesterday.The bill prohibits possession of or drinking from open containers of liquor at city parks, playgrounds, streets, sidewalks or parking lots, and park buildings.
"Currently, as the law is written, law enforcement cannot cite individuals for drinking unless the officers witnesses consumption and that's what we're trying to address here with this bill," said Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz, who introduced the measure.
The bill, however, does allow a recorked and resealed bottle of wine bought with a meal to be taken out of a restaurant -- which would align the legislation with state law.
Pond water recovers from sewage spill
Hawaii-American Water, which operates a sewage plant serving Hawaii Kai, said yesterday that testing of Kuapa Pond shows water quality has returned to typical levels.A computer malfunction caused about 22,000 gallons of raw sewage to discharge into the pond Friday, prompting the company to warn residents not to swim or water ski in the area until further notice. Normal activities can now resume, the company said.
Senior bus pass sales set for outlying sites
New bus passes for senior citizens and the disabled will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday and Oct. 29 at the Waianae Neighborhood Community Center, 85-670 Farrington Highway, according to city Councilman Mike Gabbard.Today, the city will issue senior and disabled bus passes from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Kaneohe Community Center, 45-613 Puohala St. Passes are also available at the Pearlridge Center next to the Gap store and at the Windward Mall today and tomorrow.
The bus passes will again be available at the Blaisdell Center Monday through Oct. 24, and Oct. 27 through Oct. 31 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Shriners observing bone, joint awareness
The Shriners Hospitals are observing National Bone and Joint Awareness Week through Monday by promoting advancements developed in treating a brittle bone disease called osteogenesis imperfecta.The genetic disorder is characterized by easily broken bones, often from little or no apparent cause. A child can break a leg while rolling over in sleep or break a rib while coughing, Shriners said. Some children are born with multiple bone breaks.
Between 20,000 and 50,000 people are affected by the disease in the United States.
The Honolulu Shriners Hospital is studying the effects of pamidronate, a drug given intravenously to decrease fractures in children with the disease, said Dr. Ellen M. Raney.
"We also surgically insert metal rods inside their bones to support them against bending and breaking," Raney said.
Shriners Hospitals, the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America and the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation are trying to increase public awareness about conditions of the bones, joints and muscles during National Bone and Joint Awareness Week.
Multiple sclerosis specialist to speak
A national specialist on multiple sclerosis will present a "Research Update 2003" on the disease at the second annual meeting of the National MS Society, Hawaii Division, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Ala Moana Hotel.Dr. Norman J. Kachuck, associate professor of neurology, University of Southern California School of Medicine and director, MS Comprehensive Care Center, will discuss the latest developments in MS.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has just committed $16.1 million to support 52 research projects investigating different aspects of MS. Including present commitments, the organization will spend about $30 million this year to support more than 300 investigations to cure, treat and understand MS, a chronic disease of the central nervous system.
Two new MS research projects are looking at gender differences in MS and genes that make people susceptible. Other new grants seek ways to repair nervous tissue damage.
Reservations are required for the annual meeting, which will follow a continental breakfast. The cost is $5; waivers are available. For information and reservations, call (800) 344-4867 or fax 532-0814.
Brain injury group focuses on children
"How to Prevent Children from Brain Injury" will be the focus of a Brain Injury Association of Hawaii meeting entitled, "I Am Brainy, Are You?" 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the All Star Sports and Therapy Center on Kaaahi Street.Mary Isley, registered nurse educator for the association and past president, will discuss "Brain Injury: Overview and Risks in Pre-school Children."
Karen Tessier, Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition; Beth Freitas, Think First; Aileen Deese, Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii; Jimmy Barros, Think First; Bess Tanabe and Sharon Souza, both Department of Education special educators, will participate in a panel discussion covering child passenger safety, helmet use, dangers of shaking a keiki, beach and ocean safety and latent effects of brain injury.
Call 524-9399 for registration and information.
Kuhio Park Terrace pushes healthy living
Kuhio Park Terrace in Kalihi will hold its 12th annual Kuhio Community Healthy Living Celebration from 2 to 5 p.m. tomorrow.The free event will feature entertainment, family activities and information booths by health and community groups.
Sponsors are the Kuhio Park Terrace Resident Association, Kuhio Homes Resident Association, Urban Real Estate Co., Parents and Children Together Family Center and the state Department of Health.
For more information, call PACT at 847-3285.
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[Taking Notice]
>> Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services has appointed Dr. David Derauf and Brenda Mathias as its co-executive directors. Derauf was the agency's clinical director for the past 14 years, and Mathias, the assistant executive director for 13 years.>> Allen Kanno, formerly with Child & Family Service, recently joined KKV as financial director. Janet Primiano, the Professional Education and Training Coordinator, now serves concurrently as youth services coordinator.
>> Rotary International of Evanston, Ill., has selected The Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunrise to receive its Public Relations Award in District 5000 (Hawaii) for increasing public awareness of the Rotary from 2002-2003. Media coverage was obtained for the club's "Wine and Turkey" fund-raising event last November for Polio Plus, a polio eradication program.
>> The seventh annual March of Dimes Governor's Ball on Oct. 25 will honor Kitty Lagareta, chairwoman and CEO of Communications Pacific, for her support of community programs and charitable organizations. Lagareta was given the Franklin Delano Roosevelt National Award for Distinguished Community Service, the first woman in Hawaii to receive the award. The March of Dimes was founded in 1938 to fight the scourge of polio, a disease that struck President Roosevelt, and has broadened its mission to prevent birth defects and infant mortality.
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 staffWINDWARD OAHU
Man allegedly sprays paint on officers' cars
Police arrested a 28-year-old Kailua man Tuesday after he allegedly sprayed paint on two police officers' vehicles as they ate at a restaurant.The officers were eating at Zippy's Restaurant on Oneawa Street in Kailua about 2 a.m. when one of them saw the suspect, whom he had arrested several weeks earlier.
The officers said that as they were leaving the restaurant, the suspect told them, "I'll see you in court."
The officers then noticed that their cars had been vandalized. They found the suspect, who had fresh paint on his hands that matched the paint on the officers' vehicles, police said.
The suspect was arrested for criminal property damage but was released pending investigation.
HONOLULU
2 men rob managers of store bank deposits
Honolulu police are looking for two men who allegedly robbed two store managers as they were going to make a bank deposit earlier this month.
Police said that at 7:45 a.m. Sunday, a male suspect approached the two female store managers as they were walking on the makai sidewalk of South King Street and University Avenue. The women became suspicious of the man and were returning to the store when suspect No. 1 grabbed a handbag containing money to be deposited.
Police said a struggle took place and then a second suspect approached and sprayed the two women with an unknown aerosol chemical spray.
Police have made available a composite of the first suspect, who is described as in his 20s, about 5-foot-4- to 5-foot-6-inches tall, weighing about 140 pounds, with a thin build, short blond crew cut hair, blond goatee and a fair complexion. He also has dark tattoos covering both forearms and was last seen wearing black sunglasses, a light blue long-sleeve shirt and light-colored shorts.
Suspect No. 2 was also described as in his 20s, about 5-foot-6-inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds, with a medium build and a fair complexion. He was last seen wearing a white long-sleeved T-shirt and light-colored shorts, and was armed with a bottle of chemical spray.
Anyone with information may call Detective Taro Nakamura at 529-3382. Anonymous calls may be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300, *CRIME on a cellular phone.
Kalihi man allegedly brandishes machete
Police arrested a 20-year-old Kalihi man for terroristic threatening Tuesday after he allegedly brandished a machete at a group of teenagers waiting at a bus stop near his home.Police said the suspect threw eggs at the teenagers who were at a bus stop near North School and Houghtailing streets about 3:45 p.m. Following a confrontation between the suspect and a 15-year-old boy, the suspect went into his home and returned with a machete, police said.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Several Kula families flee advancing fire
WAILUKU >> Maui fire officials were investigating a blaze that burned about 130 acres of brush, scorched a garage wall, and forced the evacuation of several families in Kula.No one was injured, but firefighters took 10 hours to contain the fire Tuesday near the Kula Kai subdivision along Lower Kula Road.
Hilo police ask for help finding rape suspects
Big Island police are seeking the public's help in solving a rape that occurred last month on the University of Hawaii-Hilo campus.Police said that at about 7 p.m. Sept. 6, an adult female was approached by two males while walking toward Ash Housing between the baseball field and tennis courts on campus.
The victim said one attacker held her down and covered her mouth while the other raped her.
The suspect who allegedly raped the victim was described as a 5-feet-6-inches tall with a muscular build. The other suspect was described as about 5-feet-8-inches tall with a thinner build. Both were described as wearing dark clothing and dark knit caps.
Anyone with information may call the police non-emergency number at 935-3311. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
