Newswatch
Lingle to seek funds for teachers' salaries
Gov. Linda Lingle will ask for $7.4 million in emergency funds to cover a shortfall in salaries for public school teachers and staff this year, reversing the decision of her budget director.The money is owed to teachers and blue-collar staff as part of their contracts but was not included in the budget approved by the Legislature.
"I thought it was a reasonable thing to do," Lingle said yesterday.
Georgina Kawamura, director of the state Budget & Finance Department, had directed the school system late last month to find the $7.4 million elsewhere in its budget for this fiscal year, which is almost half over.
But in a memo dated Nov. 26, she told schools Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto that Lingle "has overridden our previous recommendation."
Hamamoto welcomed the news.
"Collective-bargaining agreements are legal commitments by the state," she said yesterday. "We appreciate the governor's support and anticipate early approval of the request by the 2004 Legislature."
Waiahole-area roads are still waterlogged
Heavy rains are still slowing traffic on Kamehameha Highway in the Waiahole area, where the road was under six inches of water yesterday afternoon.State Department of Transportation spokesman Scott Ishikawa said the area is two feet above sea level and floods after any strong rainstorm.
He said the road will be closed if the water becomes 1 to 2 feet deep. Over the weekend, the highway was closed a number of times in the area because of high water.
Electronic signs are posted in the area to warn motorists of the road hazard and to advise caution while crossing the highway's flooded portion.
Seized property goes on the block tomorrow
Cars, jewelry and other goods forfeited or seized by the state will be auctioned tomorrow at the Blaisdell Center.Items to be auctioned include jewelry, a 2001 Lexus IS300, a 1996 Ford Ranger pickup and a 1995 GMC pickup.
Property can be inspected beginning at 11 a.m. The auction will begin at noon. Proceeds from the auction will go to state and county law enforcement agencies.
For more information, go to the state Attorney General Department's Web site at www.state.hi.us/ag.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffCENTRAL OAHU
2 suspects sought for October stabbing in Wahiawa
Honolulu police are looking for two men who allegedly stabbed two other men in Wahiawa on Oct. 7.
Police said that at 3 a.m. all four men got into an argument near 929 Center St. that led to one victim being stabbed in the chest and the other victim stabbed in the head and suffering cuts to his hand. Both suspects fled.
Police said the victim with the chest wound was hospitalized for several weeks and only recently has been able to provide descriptions for composite sketches of the suspects.
The first suspect was called "Vic" and described as a male about 38 to 40 years old, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, about 200 pounds, with reddish-tinged hair and a light complexion. The second suspect was called "Boy" and described as a male in his 40s, 5 feet 9 inches tall, about 200 pounds, with curly black hair and yellowish teeth.
Anyone with information may call Detective Terry Leach at 529-3079. Anonymous calls may also be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or by dialing *CRIME on a cellular phone.
CRIMESTOPPERS
Three star tortoises were stolen Saturday from the Honolulu Zoo. Police are promising amnesty to the thieves if the animals are returned. The star tortoise gets its name from the radiating star patterns on its shell.
HONOLULU
Stolen zoo tortoises prompt amnesty offer
Honolulu police are promising amnesty to whoever stole three juvenile star tortoises from the Honolulu Zoo on Saturday morning.The Police Department said someone cut the screen to the tortoise enclosure in the children's zoo to steal the three tortoises. Police said they can return the tortoises to the drop-off area of the Hawaiian Humane Society and that no questions will be asked.
The three tortoises, which can live to be 100 years old, hatched at the zoo in May. The tortoises are about 3 inches long but will grow as big as 8 inches. The species has not been bred at the zoo since the 1960s.
Police said they did not know the motive for the theft. The tortoises are prized in Southeast Asia for their meat and shells, which can be used for jewelry. Police believe each tortoise could fetch $300.
Police said it is a federal offense to take the reptiles out of the state, and it is a felony to steal them.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
