Newswatch
Rain delays repairs to Verizon phone lines
Rain is complicating repairs to damaged phone lines across the state, said a spokesperson for Verizon Hawaii.Water damage to fiber-optic cables knocked out service for about 3,300 Verizon customers on Monday. By yesterday an estimated 3,002 lines had been repaired, but rain prevented crews from working on the rest.
Verizon officials said full service for all customers should be available by the end of this weekend.
Helicopter will be used over Manoa and Palolo
Palolo and Manoa residents might hear a helicopter doing aerial inspections of the 46-kilovolt transmission system from behind Palolo Valley, along Waahila Ridge to the University of Hawaii until about 4 p.m. today.The helicopter also will transport Hawaiian Electric Co. personnel and equipment to repair utility poles that are in areas difficult to reach.
More security money is flowing into Hawaii
The state government and five Hawaii companies will receive more than $4.1 million in federal funds for port and waterway security, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye said yesterday.The funds come from the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill passed by Congress recently. Grants include:
>> Chevron Products Co., $2.428 million.Money will also go toward surveillance camera systems at Hilo, Kahului and Nawiliwili harbors, and surveillance boats in Honolulu.>> Horizon Lines, $525,000.
>> Matson Navigation Co., $35,000.
>> The Gas Co., $45,070.
>> ConocoPhillips, $230,896.
>> Statewide maritime workers ID program, $750,000.
Hearings will discuss proposed lay-net ban
The first in a series of public meetings to discuss a proposed ban of lay nets will be held Monday 6-9 p.m. at McCoy Pavilion.The proposed statewide ban would include commercial, recreational and subsistence lay-net use and could have exemptions for certain areas.
Once the meetings are complete, state Department of Land & Natural Resources staff will compile information from the discussions and develop rules on lay-net use.
If the state Land Board approves these rules, they will go out for additional public comment.
The next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 5 at Waianae Library from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
[ TAKING NOTICE ]
Prudential Financial Inc. has given three of its Community Champions Rising Star Awards, which honor volunteer work, to:
>> Sharon Martinez, of Honolulu, a financial planner in the Insurance Division, for her work with the Missing Child Center Trust. The Hawaii Justice Foundation will receive $250 on her behalf.
>> Cory Mitsui, of Kaneohe, a financial planner in the Insurance Division, for his work with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, which will receive $250.
>> Brian Nakashima, of Honolulu, a vice president of investments, for his work with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu Inc., which will receive $250.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffLEEWARD OAHU
Honolulu police are asking for the public's help in finding a 24-year-old woman last seen at the Honolulu Airport interisland terminal on Tuesday.
Missing woman, 24, last seen at airport
Police said Lovelee-May Kaleikini has not been seen since by family or friends. She is a former longtime Waianae resident who had lived on Maui for several months but had recently moved back to Oahu to start a new job.
Kaleikini is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 130 pounds, with long black wavy hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a beige knit blouse, beige pants and black high-rise slippers. She was also carrying two black duffle bags and a small black-and-white striped handbag.
Witnesses may call Missing Persons Investigator Mary Aragones at 529-3064. Anonymous calls may also be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or by dialing *CRIME on a cellular phone.
School group treasurer allegedly takes funds
Honolulu police have arrested the treasurer of the Palisades Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization for allegedly embezzling $2,800 over a 2 1/2-month period.Police said the 47-year-old female suspect allegedly wrote checks to herself and then cashed them between Dec. 30, 2002, and March 6.
The suspect was arrested for suspicion of second-degree theft and released pending an investigation.
Father, son arrested in Waianae beating
Police arrested a father and son who allegedly beat a man in Waianae because they believed that the victim was having an affair with their wifemother.The assault took place at 2 p.m. Thursday as the victim was sitting in his parked vehicle. Police said the 46-year-old suspect used a bat and his 20-year-old son used a two-by-four to beat the victim in his car.
The older suspect beat the victim again as he tried to flee his vehicle, according to police. Both suspects were arrested for suspicion of second-degree assault and unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.
WAIKIKI
Honolulu police arrested two teenage girls for allegedly stabbing a man on a beach in Waikiki earlier this week.
Argument on beach ends in man's stabbingPolice said that at 11:50 p.m. Wednesday the 20-year-old victim was drinking with the two suspects, ages 16 and 17, when an argument started. The two suspects allegedly then assaulted the victim, and one of them stabbed him in the chest.
Police said the victim then ran to a nearby pay phone and called 911.
When police arrived, both teens were arrested for suspicion of attempted murder. One of the suspects was arrested for alleged assault, while the other was arrested for having a butterfly knife, a prohibited weapon.
The victim was reported in critical condition, but police said he was expected to survive.
HONOLULU
Police are looking for a male suspect who robbed a Kapahulu restaurant owner at gunpoint Wednesday night.
Police seek suspect in restaurant robberyPolice said that at about 10:20 p.m. the suspect entered the Irifune Restaurant at 563 Kapahulu Ave. through a back door and demanded money from the owner. The suspect then fled on foot. He is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds. He was wearing a black-and-white jacket and dark pants.
WINDWARD OAHU
Honolulu police arrested a man for allegedly stealing 347 avocados from a Kaneohe farm last month.
Man nabbed in heist of farm's avocadosPolice said that at 11:10 a.m. Nov. 24, the 35-year-old suspect took 385 pounds of avocados from the farm near the H-3 freeway and Likelike Highway.
The suspect was arrested Thursday for suspicion of second-degree theft and has since been released pending an investigation.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
