Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
State says 72 hurt by New Year's fireworks
Seventy-two people suffered fireworks-related injuries during New Year celebrations, most of them on Oahu, the state Department of Health reported.According to the department's Injury Prevention and Control Program, the 72 people were treated for injuries at emergency rooms statewide, and four more for smoke inhalation.
This is the fourth year the department, with the cooperation of hospitals and health centers, has conducted the survey. Oahu reported 69 percent of the injuries; Maui, 17 percent; Hawaii, 10 percent; and Kauai, 4 percent.
The type of fireworks that caused the most injury were "flowers" and sparklers. The majority of the injuries -- 89 percent -- were burns, caused when people were igniting or holding the fireworks. Most of the victims -- 71 percent -- were male.
Despite age restrictions on the purchase and use of fireworks, 74 percent of the victims were 17 years of age or younger. Five were between 1 and 4 years old.
Poipu subdivision gets commission's approval
LIHUE >> Alexander & Baldwin's plan to build a major high-end residential subdivision adjoining the Poipu resort area on Kauai's south shore won approval from the Kauai Planning Commission Thursday.The plan still must go to the Kauai County Council for approval but numerous changes in the plan have quieted many critics who were concerned with added traffic in the area and the possible over-use of recreation facilities such as public beach parks. The number of housing units on the 1,002 acres was cut to 1,500 from the 3,400 originally proposed, and the number of hotel rooms was reduced to 64 from 200.
Assuming it receives all its permits, the sale of homes -- with prices topping out at around $3 million -- still is two to three years away.
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HONORS
>> Kay Yoshida took the top honor in the Honolulu City Lights 18th Annual Christmas Wreath Contest, winning $200 for her entry, "Angels of Gold." Other winners included:Adult Division -- Kathy Tosh, first place, $150; Larley Nishino, second, $100; Debbie AhSing, third, $75; Yasuko Kumon, Kathleen Proctor, Judge's Choice, $25.
Theme Wreath Division -- Lily Maile Caban, first; Alfred Queyquep, second; Arleen Bourcier, third; Fran Sambueno, Jean Tokita, Judge's Choice.
Children/Youth Division -- Moanalua Elementary School, Grade 1 (Class A-1), first; Stevenson Middle School, second; Moanalua Elementary, Grade 1 (Class A5); Keiki O Ka Aina-Site: Queen Liliuokalani Elementary; Matteo Burno, Judge's Choice.
>> Deborah Zysman is the new director of the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawaii. She was most recently a community health specialist in Boston who guided strategies for substance-abuse prevention.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffNEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Police suspect speed a factor in Kauai crash
Three people received serious injuries from a one-car accident in Poipu early yesterday morning.A 17-year-old girl was driving a 1995 Honda eastbound on Poipu Road at 12:40 a.m. when the car crossed the centerline and hit a tree near the Poipu Beach Broiler.
Taken to Wilcox Memorial Hospital were the driver, of Kekaha, and two men in the car, a 21-year-old from Poipu and a 22-year-old from Koloa. All were in critical condition, according to police. One of the men was taken by air ambulance to Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu.
Police reported that the victims weren't wearing seat belts and that speeding was a likely factor in the crash.
HONOLULU
Police name suspect in robbery investigation
CrimeStoppers and Honolulu police are asking for the public's help in finding Allen Tagatac, who is wanted for questioning in a recent domestic violence and robbery investigation.
Tagatac, who police say could be armed and should be considered dangerous, also has an outstanding parole revocation warrant.
The 30-year-old is known to frequent Kalihi, Pearl City and Waikiki and was seen in a black two-door Subaru last week.
Tagatac, aka Allen Kalamadi, "Sketso," and Allen Nakamoto, has a medium build, black hair, brown eyes and a mustache. He is 6-foot-1 and weighs 195 pounds.
Tagatac sightings can be reported to the police by calling 911 and describing his location and the clothes he's wearing. Anonymous calls can be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
WINDWARD OAHU
15-year-old charged in alleged sex assault
A 15-year-old boy was charged with three counts of first-degree sexual assault Friday.Police said the boy assaulted a 13-year-old acquaintance on Jan. 19, when the girl let him into her Kailua home. The girl recently told a counselor about the incident.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
