Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
‘Go For Broke’ WWII memorial is defaced
LOS ANGELES >> Police are investigating the vandalism of a monument honoring Japanese-American veterans of World War II, police said yesterday.About two weeks ago, someone scrawled more than 20 satanic symbols onto the granite pillars at the “Go For Broke” monument in the city’s Little Tokyo area, police said.
The monument was dedicated in 1999 near the Japanese American National Museum. It includes the names of more than 16,000 Japanese-American veterans and an inscription written by Hawaii veteran Ben Tamashiro, who died Friday.
Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime. No suspect or suspects have been named in the vandalism.
Mikulina gets OK for Planning Commission
Environmentalist Jeff Mikulina's nomination to the city Planning Commission won approval from a City Council committee yesterday.The majority of those who testified before the Council's Planning Committee praised the executive director of the Sierra Club's Hawaii chapter. The Council will vote on the appointment on April 14.
"He could look at things, issues that come before him creatively, flexibly," said Teresa McHugh, state director of The Trust for Public Land, a land conservation organization. "My sense would be that he would be a great asset to the county."
But the Land Use Research Foundation, which represents developers and landowners, raised concerns about times when Mikulina may have to recuse himself from commission cases on which the Sierra Club has taken a position.
"To the extent that that might constrain his participation in some of the Planning Commission cases, our concern would be how that would affect the operations of the body if a member has recused himself frequently," senior researcher Paul Schwind said.
Committee Chairwoman Barbara Marshall said she was told that commission quorum wouldn't be a problem should Mikulina need to bow out of a case.
Isle group to honor pair from Vermont
Houghton and Doreen Freeman will be honored Friday by the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council for their efforts to foster international understanding through The Freeman Foundation.With a $200,000 Freeman grant, the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council will sponsor public high school students on two-week study tours of Asia on full scholarship. The grant also helps support the council's "Upload the World" After-School Class Initiative in Hawaii high schools.
"Mr. and Mrs. Freeman, through the Freeman Foundation, have enabled PAAC to broaden its scope and provide an experience of incalculable value to young people in Hawaii," said Frank Boas, president of the council.
The Freemans and their foundation, which is based in Stowe, Vt., will receive the Bachman Award at a banquet marking the 50th anniversary of the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council, a nonprofit that promotes awareness of foreign affairs
Former Secretary of Defense William Perry, who served from 1994 to 1997, will be the keynote speaker. For more information, call 944-7780.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHONOLULU
CRIMESTOPPERS
A surveillance camera caught this image of a man who tried to use a stolen credit card at an automated teller machine.
Suspect sought in car break-in and theft
Police and Navy investigators are asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect who broke into a parked car at the Arizona Memorial, and then was caught by a surveillance camera trying to use a credit card that he stole from the vehicle.Police said the suspect was trying to use an automated teller machine at the Bank of Hawaii at 1617 Dillingham Blvd. at 4:30 p.m. Monday after the car break-in was reported.
The male suspect is described as in his 30s, of medium height and build, with brown hair and a light mustache. He was last seen wearing a light-colored baseball cap, T-shirt, wire rim glasses and an earring.
Anyone with information on the suspect's identity or whereabouts is asked to call Detective Michael Samala directly at 474-6205. Anonymous calls may also be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or by dialing *CRIME on a cellular phone.
Man wanted in alleged stabbing downtown
Police are looking for a 58-year-old man who allegedly stabbed another man in downtown Honolulu on Monday night.Police said a 45-year-old victim was found bleeding from a stab wound about 10:38 p.m. in the hallway of his apartment building at 1108 Nuuanu Ave.
The victim was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in serious condition.
Police said the suspect, who is also believed to be a resident of the apartment building, fled before they arrived.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
3 victims identified in fatal Big Isle crash
Big Island police yesterdayreleased the identities of the three people who were killed Saturday when a car and a van collided on Keaau-Pahoa Road near Pahoa.The tourists in the car were identified as Clifford Weiss, 53, and his wife Miya Nishimura, 52. The couple were visiting from Arlington, Va., police said.
The driver of the van was identified as 65-year-old Harry Makua of Kapoho.
The car was traveling toward Keaau when it crossed the center line and collided with the oncoming van, Assistant Police Chief Charles Chai said.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
