Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
THIRD TIME'S STILL A CHARM FOR TOP COP
DEAN SENSUI / DSENSUI@STARBULLETIN.COM
Officer Patrick Sterling, right, received the Honolulu Police Department's Top Cop award for the third consecutive time at a ceremony yesterday. Chief Lee Donohue presented the trophy.
Hawaii leads nation in naturalized citizens
About 60 percent of Hawaii residents born in other countries have become naturalized U.S. citizens, the highest percentage in the nation, the Census Bureau reported yesterday.The state also leads the nation in the percentage of foreign-born residents who came from Asia, according to 2000 census data.
Hawaii is one of seven states where the number of foreign-born residents who have become citizens is higher than the number of those who have not yet become citizens. The other states are Alaska, Maine, Montana, Pennsylvania, Vermont and West Virginia.
About 83 percent of the estimated 212,229 Hawaii residents born in other countries come from Asia; the second-highest percentage, 6.3 percent, come from Pacific island nations; and 4.9 percent were born in Europe.
Foreign-born residents make up about 18 percent of the population here. Hawaii is one of 10 states and the District of Columbia where the number of residents born in other countries exceeds the national average of 11 percent.
The number of foreign-born Hawaii residents has increased 30.4 percent from the 1990 census when there were an estimated 162,704 residents born in other countries. At that time, 55.3 percent were naturalized citizens.
BBB warns of scam by purported attorney
The Better Business Bureau of Hawaii is warning island residents about a scam by someone claiming to be an attorney.A Maui resident reported being called by the purported attorney, who said a "recently out-of-business telemarketing company" was charging their previous customers' credit card accounts, the consumer agency said yesterday.
The consumer was told that about $800 had been charged to his account and that for $200 the attorney could recover the funds, the bureau said. The caller asked for the resident's Social Security number, bank account number and other personal information.
Suspicious offers can be reported to the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii at 536-6956 or toll-free at 877-222-6551.
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[ Taking Notice ]
>> Read Aloud America has received $5,000 from the Tiger Woods Foundation Inc. to support its reading program at Palolo Elementary School next spring. The program brings families together twice a month to read.>> Parent volunteers Jane Tyndzik and Gail Oride spearheaded a fund-raising effort to help Wilcox Elementary students raise $17,500 to buy and install playground equipment. The funds were raised over eight months through Hawaii Pizza Hut literacy cards and "Pizza Night" sales.
>> Hawaii Catholic School students received $329,000 in tuition scholarships from the Augustine Educational Foundation Tuition Scholarship program, with assistance from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Inc. in matching funds. St. Joseph School in Hilo received $59,750 for 68 students; Kauai, $33,750 for 45 students; Maui, $40,500 for 49 students; and Oahu, $195,000 for 237 students.
>> The Chaminade University Board of Regents has elected new members Eddie Flores, founding partner of the L&L Franchise, and Cori Ching Weston, senior vice president, counsel and corporate secretary of Bank of Hawaii.
>> Fred Dela Cruz, a building maintenance worker at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, has been awarded the 2003 President's Award for Building and Grounds Maintenance.
"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
Big Isle drug arrests double this year to 344
The number of drug arrests on the Big Island has more than doubled so far this year compared with the same period in 2002, police said.There have been 344 drug arrests on the Big Island this year, according to police statistics released Tuesday. Last year, police arrested 135 residents in connection with drugs.
Big Island also police said they have also confiscated 16.4 pounds of crystal methamphetamine so far this year, up from 14 pounds a year earlier.
Capt. Samuel Thomas, head of the East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Division, credits anonymous drug and vice tip hot lines. The hot lines for East Hawaii (934-8423) and West Hawaii (326-0423) are always open.
2 men are sought on outstanding warrants
Kona police are looking for two Kealakekua men wanted on outstanding bench warrants for various offenses.Carlos Lopez, 40, is wanted on a $10,000 warrant issued for violating bail conditions and a $300 warrant for a traffic offense. Michael Lynn Seargeant Jr., 34, is wanted on a $4,000 warrant for contempt.
To report information on the whereabouts of either man, call Officer Sean Smith of the Kona Warrants Detail at 326-4270. To report anonymously, call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
