Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Bush speech to be live on TV
President Bush's State of the Union address will be aired live at 4 p.m. today on the major broadcast and cable TV networks.
Sewage that spilled had been processed
Some 6,388 gallons of treated sewage was discharged into Lake Wilson yesterday after a power failure at the Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Plant.A power flicker at 9 a.m. put the ultraviolet disinfection equipment off for six minutes, according to the city.
Signs were posted at the lake, and water samples were taken.
The state Department of Health considers the discharge a "disinfection bypass" rather than a sewage spill because the waste water that flushed into the lake had undergone tertiary treatment, a high level of processing, according to the city.
State will do another survey of flood victims
People whose businesses and homes were damaged by heavy rains and floods Dec. 7-8 will have another chance to qualify for federal help.The state Civil Defense Division plans to do a second survey of flood victims starting this week in hopes of qualifying them for assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
An initial survey a few days after the floods identified 33 damaged businesses in Mapunapuna, as well as houses in Salt Lake, Foster Village, Moanalua Gardens and Moanalua Valley. But the SBA turned down the state's request for low-interest loans because not enough victims had sustained enough damage to qualify for federal financial assistance.
"There are business and home owners facing financial hardships, even ruin," said Ed Teixeira, vice director of Civil Defense. "Since the initial survey we have heard about other businesses and other homeowners who sustained losses in the flood. So we are going back out to take another look. This time, we will distribute fliers and try to reach the people we may have missed during the first survey."
Flood victims may also qualify for state aid. Low-interest loans of up to $50,000 for businesses and $25,000 for individuals may be available to those who do not qualify for bank loans.
Book sale under way at Kahuku library
The Friends of the Library Kahuku will hold their annual book sale through Thursday at the Kahuku Public & School Library, on the campus of Kahuku High and Intermediate School.Sale hours are noon to 8 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow and Thursday. Most books will be priced from 50 cents to $1. Some cassette tapes, videos and magazines will also be available.
The library will also accept book donations. Proceeds from the sale will go to public programs, books and equipment.
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>> The Waikiki Aquarium has received two awards for its efforts in conservation exhibits and programs. At the American Zoo and Aquarium Association's annual conference in Columbus, Ohio, the Waikiki Aquarium received the Munson Aquatic Conservation Exhibit Award for its "South Pacific Marine Communities" exhibit, and the Edward H. Bean Award for its "Long Term Tropical Pacific Coral Propagation Program."
>> The Alzheimer's Association, Aloha Chapter, has awarded its 14th Annual Kako'o Awards to five para-professional caregivers: Rosita Galiza, of Island Nursing Home; Caroline Cabanero, of Hale Nani Nursing Home; Maria Felicitas, of the Salvation Army Adult Day Center; Jennifer Gushikuma, of the Windward Senior Day Center; and Lucinda Young, of the Pekelo Hale Adult Day Center.
>> The University of Hawaii Foundation has chosen Kathryn Nelson as its associate vice president for major gifts. She will oversee a team of 17 people who raise funds for programs at the university's 10 campuses. The foundation also named Terry Wells as the new director of development for the College of Business Administration and the School of Travel Industry Management. She will be responsible for raising major gifts from private donors.
>> Judge Victoria S. Marks, of First Circuit Court in Honolulu, has received the Hawaii State Judiciary's first annual Jurist of the Year award for exceptional judicial competence and public service. Marks joined the Judiciary in 1988 as a per-diem judge in Family Court, and was later elevated to the Circuit Court in 1994.
"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 staffHONOLULU
HPD apprehends suspect in Kahala home robbery
Honolulu police arrested one suspect and were looking for another last night for a burglary-turned-robbery in Kahala yesterday.According to neighbors, burglars surprised a Papu Circle resident returning home yesterday about 11:15 a.m. The suspects allegedly pulled a gun on the victim, then ran across the street into a silver Dodge Intrepid and fled the scene.
Less than an hour later, police arrested one of the suspects at the 900 block of 12th Avenue. The 28-year-old Waipahu man was arrested for first-degree robbery. Detectives investigating the case were not available for comment last night about the status of the second suspect.
Female pair arrested in theft from Kmart
Police arrested two women yesterday after they allegedly stuffed items in the box of a high chair they bought from Kmart in Iwilei.Police said the 24- and 25-year-old suspects purchased the high chair worth less than $30 from Kmart yesterday morning but then remained in the store, emptied the box's contents and stuffed the box with an estimated $1,400 worth of electronics, clothes and other items. While they were doing this, however, one of the store's security officers observed the thefts with security cameras.
The two suspects then attempted to leave the store, at which time store officials called the police. Both women were arrested for second-degree theft.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Maui police identify fatal stabbing victim
WAILUKU >> Maui detectives have confirmed the identity of a 35-year-old man whose body was found with multiple stab wounds in Kalama Park in Kihei on Saturday.Acting police Lt. Glenn Cuomo said the identity of the man, a Maui resident, confirmed through fingerprints, is being withheld pending notification of his next of kin, who appear to live on the U.S. mainland.
Cuomo said police detectives have no suspects in the killing, but are continuing to investigate the death.
The man, 6 feet tall and weighing 170 pounds, was found dead by park security at 2:20 a.m. Saturday in the middle of a Little League baseball field.
Anyone with information about the killing is asked to call Maui CrimeStoppers at 242-6966 or the Maui Police Department at 244-6400.
LEEWARD OAHU
Pearl City arson under police investigation
Police are investigating an abandoned building in Pearl City that was set on fire purposely, according to Honolulu Fire Department investigators.Police said the fire took place Saturday and caused an estimated $70,000 in damage to the building.
Fire investigators said there were signs of an incendiary used to start the blaze. The case is still pending an investigation.
Kmart shopper faces charges of robbery
Police charged a 52-year-old man with second-degree robbery Sunday for a July incident in which he threatened Kmart security in Kapolei for trying to arrest his girlfriend for shoplifting.Larry Begley was identified in a photo lineup by four witnesses to the July 24 incident. Begley is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.
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State Supreme Court reinstates attorney
The state Supreme Court has reinstated Honolulu attorney Valerie Vargo to the practice of law, effective last Tuesday.Vargo, 49, had been suspended from practicing law since Sept. 13 due to misconduct in representing a client in a civil case.
The Supreme Court suspended Honolulu attorney Dale L. Bennett last Tuesday for failing to cooperate with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel's investigation into his professional conduct in 10 cases.
Bennett is not eligible to practice law in Hawaii until reinstated. He cannot accept any new retainers, clients or cases. He also must return to existing clients their papers, property and unearned advance fee payments.
Free training sessions to cover housing laws
Training on Fair Housing laws and housing discrimination is being offered at no charge to housing and social service providers.The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii Fair Housing Education and Outreach Project will conduct the training Feb. 12 and 13 at the Neal Blaisdell Center.
The project received a one-year grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Housing Initiatives Program.
Training for housing providers will be Feb. 12. The Feb. 13 training is geared toward social service providers. Participants will learn how to recognize Fair Housing violations, minimize liability for violations and ensure equal housing opportunity.
To register for the training, contact the Fair Housing Outreach Coordinator at 527-8052 or jedelac@lashaw.org.
The Education and Outreach Project also offers workshops free to community groups, government agencies and other groups interested in learning more about their rights.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
