Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Wildlife expert doubts large cat is in Wailea
WAILUKU >> State wildlife biologist Fern Duvall says he does not think there is much evidence of a large cat in Wailea, South Maui, after talking with area residents, including one who said she saw it on Dec. 23.Duvall said on Wednesday that Wailea resident Karen Dougherty's description of the animal makes him think she did not see the large cat reported last year by Olinda residents.
"Especially in that well-populated area, hers was the only sighting," he said.
He said the vocalizations of the cat described by Dougherty also differed from the descriptions of cat vocalizations reported by other Wailea residents a day or two earlier.
An Arizona cat expert confirmed last year that a deer in Olinda was killed by a large cat, and he believes the cat is either a jaguar or a leopard.
Olinda is located more than 15 miles from Wailea.
But at least one sighting has been made but not reported to him.
Olinda resident Susan Wachter said while traveling in a vehicle down her driveway, a friend saw the large black cat in late December.
"He backed up and came back here," Wachter said. "He was shaken up."
Wachter said the friend did not report the incident.
Duvall may be reached by calling his office on weekdays at 873-3502 or by calling the police, 244-6400.
Brie cheese made by Lactalis USA recalled
A federal recall of a brie cheese that could be contaminated with listeria bacteria has been expanded to Hawaii, the state Department of Health announced yesterday.The product, President Brie Soft-Ripened Cheese, is being voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer, Lactalis USA, of Turlock, Calif., because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems, a release about the recall said.
The Health Department recommends that anyone with a package of the cheese throw it away or return it to the store where they purchased it.
The cheese is packaged in green foil (herb) or gold foil (plain) in 7-ounce and 6-ounce wedges. Items affected have a "sell by" date of 01/10/04 to 03/02/04. Wholesalers or distributors had previously been notified by Lactalis USA to recall the product.
Consumers with questions may see the company Web site at www.lactalis-usa.com or contact the state Food and Drug Branch at 586-4725.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHONOLULU
Pedestrian hurt in hit-and-run on South King Street
Honolulu police are asking for information about a hit-and-run accident near 2707 S. King St. just before midnight Saturday.Police said the victim, a male in his 50s, was crossing South King in front of the Mother Rice Preschool when he was struck by a light-colored Toyota car. Police said that according to witnesses, the car was traveling Koko Head and attempted to avoid the victim but was unsuccessful.
After hitting the victim, police said, the vehicle slowed down but failed to stop and was last seen heading toward the freeway onramp. The victim was transported to the Queen's Medical Center, where he remains in the intensive care unit.
The suspect vehicle is described as a 2000 or newer Toyota Avalon, Camry or Solara, diamond white pearl in color. The right front mirror from the car was left at the scene of the accident, and police said there may also be damage to the car's right front fender and right door.
Police said several bystanders attempted to follow the suspect car in their own vehicles after the collision. Those people in particular are asked to contact police. Calls are being taken directly by Sgt. Patricia Healy at the Vehicular Homicide Section at 529-3499.
Anonymous calls may be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or by dialing *CRIME on a cellular phone.
2 teen males sought in robbery of cabdriver
Two teenagers allegedly robbed a 58-year-old taxi driver in Kaimuki on Wednesday night using a strap and a dumbbell.Police said the driver was stopped in the 2700 block of Kaimuki Avenue when two teenage boys got into the cab about 10:24 p.m. One suspect put a strap around the driver's throat and pulled it taut, police said.
The second suspect allegedly hit the driver over the head with a dumbbell and demanded money.
The driver freed himself and the suspects fled on foot.
The suspects are both described as males between 15 and 17 years old, 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 120 pounds. They face charges of first-degree robbery.
Speed, alcohol likely factors in car crash
Police suspect speed and alcohol may have caused a single-car crash Wednesday night that left the driver in critical condition.Police said a Kailua man hit a concrete pillar at 10:50 p.m. at Mahukona Street and Atkinson Drive.
He was taken in critical condition to the Queen's Medical Center.
LEEWARD OAHU
Van driver is wanted in pedestrian's death
Police are searching for the driver of a Plymouth Voyager van that struck and killed a pedestrian in Makaha on Wednesday night.Police said an 18-year-old Waianae man was walking along Farrington Highway near Lawaia Street at 9:25 p.m. when he was struck by a van.
The Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Joshua Diaz.
The driver of the van fled the scene, and Diaz was hit again by a second vehicle, whose driver did stop.
Diaz was taken in critical condition to Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, where he died.
Police recovered the van shortly after the accident at nearby Keaau Beach Park.
WINDWARD OAHU
Man accused of hitting victim with tree branch
Police arrested an 18-year-old man in Kaneohe on Wednesday for hitting a 46-year-old man over the head with a tree branch.The incident took place on Mahakea Street in Kaneohe at about 6:34 p.m.
When officers got to the scene, they found the younger man had struck the victim on the head with a thick tree branch.
The suspect was arrested for second-degree assault. He was released pending investigation.
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[The Courts]
Man, 43, pleads guilty to receiving child porn
A man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to a charge of receiving child pornography through the mail.A plea agreement stated a 10-year sentence would be appropriate for Edward John Dugan, 43, of Kihei, Maui, said U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo Jr. Sentencing was set for Oct. 25.
Dugan has been held at the federal detention center in Honolulu since his arrest in July when he accepted delivery of three pornographic videotapes.
Dugan ordered the videotapes from a brochure sent to him by postal inspectors, who had determined he had purchased similar tapes from a Florida man in 1998, according to court documents.
Dugan was convicted of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in 1998 and was sentenced to one year in prison and 20 years of supervised probation.
Felon gets 1-year term for state welfare fraud
A convicted felon who lied to get state welfare benefits has been sentenced to one year in prison.Officials for the state attorney general's office said Scott E. Lamb filled out an application with the Department of Human Services denying that he was wanted for a felony warrant. After applying, Lamb received welfare benefits from August 2001 to November 2002. However, state officials later determined that he was a felon, wanted in Colorado, California and Washington for various crimes.
Lamb was sentenced Jan. 7 for one count of theft and one count of "unsworn falsification," according to the attorney general's office.
Ban is sought on use of alleged drug house
State attorneys want a Circuit Court judge to order that several people not be allowed back into a Kaliponi Street home because of alleged drug activity.The state filed a nuisance abatement action yesterday seeking a court order to prohibit two residents and two other people from residing at or entering the unit at 82 Kaliponi St.
According to the state attorney general's office, an investigation began when Wahiawa neighborhood residents informed authorities that the home was a known "drug house." On Sept. 10, police searched the home and confirmed that illegal narcotics were inside the home, according to the attorney general's office.
State officials are urging other neighborhood residents to report drug house activity. The state Drug Nuisance Abatement Unit can be contacted by dialing 586-1328 on Oahu and 800-9NO-METH or 800-966-6384 on the neighbor islands.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
