Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Substitute teacher bargaining veto upheld
Circuit Judge Richard Pollack has upheld Gov. Linda Lingle's veto of a bill that would have paved the way for substitute teachers to bargain collectively with the state.The Laborers' International Union and a substitute teacher filed suit last month to challenge the veto on the grounds that it came one day past the legal deadline of 10 legislative days after the governor had received it. But Pollack ruled that the veto was valid because the day that the bill was presented to her does not count in the 10-day total.
Senate Bill 1426 would have created a bargaining unit for substitute teachers employed by the Department of Education.
Sentencing is delayed in labor abuse case
Sentencing of a man convicted of enslaving, starving and beating workers at his American Samoan garment factory was put off yesterday after he repeatedly insisted he did not understand the Honolulu federal court proceedings.U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway ordered Kil Soo Lee to undergo a mental evaluation after Lee's attorney, Earle Partington, told the judge that he could not communicate with his client. She rescheduled sentencing for May 6.
Lee was convicted Feb. 21 of conspiracy, extortion, money laundering and 11 counts of involuntary servitude at Daewoosa Samoa Ltd., which made clothes for J.C. Penney Co. and other retailers before its closure.
The South Korean national faces a maximum of 20 years for each count of involuntary servitude and a maximum 10 years for each of the remaining charges: conspiracy, money laundering and extortion.
Benefit luau celebrates birthday of Lunalilo
A benefit luau will be held tomorrow on the grounds of Lunalilo Home in celebration of the 169th anniversary of King William Charles Lunalilo's birth.The luau will have two seatings, 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., at Lunalilo Home, 501 Kekauluohi St. Cost is $30 a person.
Lunalilo became Hawaii's first elected king on Jan. 9, 1873. He reigned for 13 months before he died of tuberculosis on Feb. 4, 1874. In his will he directed his estate to establish a care home for native Hawaiians with preference to the elderly.
Parking will be available at Kaiser High School. A shuttle will be provided from Kaiser to Lunalilo. For more information or to purchase a ticket, call Keahi Allen at 536-6540 or the Lunalilo Home at 395-1000.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffLEEWARD OAHU
Waianae man accused of pulling knife on friend A 23-year-old Waianae man was arrested after he threatened a friend with a knife at Makaha Beach Park on Wednesday night, police said.
The man and a group of friends were drinking at the park at 84-039 Farrington Highway when the suspect allegedly "took a swing" at one of his friends. He then allegedly pulled out a knife and swung at him again.
The victim, a 24-year-old Waianae man, went home and reported the incident.
Police arrested the suspect at his home for first-degree terroristic threatening.
Fire at auto business suspected to be arson
Fire investigators consider suspicious Wednesday's blaze at an auto recycling yard at the Pearl City Industrial Park.Investigators suspect arson because the shed has no ignition sources inside and no electrical wiring leading to or in the building, police said.
Police said a security guard at the nearby National Guard armory saw fire and smoke coming from a metal shed on the property of Abe's Auto Recyclers Inc. at about 4 a.m.
The fire gutted a two-story building used for storage and other areas where tires and other items were stored.
Police have classified the fire as a criminal property damage case. No damage estimate was available.
WINDWARD OAHU
Man allegedly assaults manager of apartment A man staying in a vacant apartment assaulted an apartment manager in Kahaluu who went to investigate a complaint, police said.
Police arrested a 27-year-old man Wednesday for the alleged assault at 12:30 p.m. Monday.
Police said the 55-year-old manager of a building on Pulama Road went to inspect a vacant apartment and found one of the bedroom doors locked.
The manager identified himself and said he did not want any trouble, and backed out of the apartment after the suspect came out of the room and began yelling at him, police said. The suspect then allegedly kicked, punched and slapped the victim before fleeing.
The victim was taken to the Queen's Medical Center where he is awaiting surgery for broken teeth and a fractured jaw, police said.
Officers arrested the suspect for second-degree assault.
HONOLULU
UH football player faces contempt charge A University of Hawaii football player was arrested yesterday on a warrant charging him with criminal contempt of court.
Brown Faavae, 20, was released yesterday afternoon after posting $500 bail.
Faavae is a sophomore at UH and a defensive back for the school's football team. He is scheduled to appear in District Court on Tuesday.
Police on lookout for 'Net fraud suspect
CrimeStoppers is asking for the public's help in finding an Internet fraud suspect who police say sold more than $8,000 of equipment through eBay but never sent the items to their owners.Police said the suspect, who is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs about 175 pounds, uses the names Peter Ransom, Law Rence and Jeremy Johnson. He is believed to be in his mid-20s, with light brown or blond hair and a medium build.
Police said the suspect has a fake Florida state driver's license and has been selling items on eBay since October.
Anyone with information on the suspect can contact Detective Randall Akau at 547-7217. Anonymous calls can be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
