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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Hamnett to lead UH's Research Corporation
Michael Hamnett, director of the University of Hawaii-Manoa Social Science Research Institute, has been appointed executive director and chief operating officer of the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii, effective June 1. For the past 25 years, Hamnett has been a researcher and research manager at UH, the Pacific Basin Development Council and the East-West Center.Brian Tamamoto, research corporation board chairman, said, "He brings the right combination of research and leadership skills, plus his familiarity with the inner workings of the University of Hawaii and state and federal governments will give him a running start as we continue to build upon RCUH's mission of supporting the research and training activities of the state."
Harold Masumoto, former research corporation executive director and chief operating officer, retired last year.
The corporation was established by the Legislature in 1965 to support research and training programs of the university and the state. It is exempt from certain state laws and manages its own financial and human resources systems, independent of the state system.
Its business during the past year totaled $212 million.
Maui Girl Scouts robbed in Kapolei
WAILUKU » A group of Maui Girl Scouts was the target of thieves on a trip to Oahu they saved three years to pay for.Members of the Central Maui Junior Troop 1032 were on the last day of a three-day trip when one of their vans was broken into, Scouting officials said. Thieves made off with belongings from half of the troop's 14 girls -- everything from a ukulele and a camera to asthma medication and a Scout sash filled with pins, badges and patches.
"It was a real big disappointment for the girls," said Candy Lahm, a chaperone on the trip. "To rob Christian Girl Scouts ... I don't know what could be worse."
The girls were on Oahu for an annual Scout meeting. They made a stop at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park in Kapolei on April 25 where the theft occurred. Lahm told Honolulu police the stolen goods totaled $1,500 to $2,000, but she now believes they could be worth more.
The Maui troop saved cookie sale proceeds for three years to pay for the excursion. Many of the girls will be honored May 16 with the Bronze Award, the highest award a Junior Girl Scout can earn.
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Isle rapist has warrant for arrest in Canada
CANMORE, Alberta » A man convicted in Hawaii of rape and wanted for a parole violation is now wanted in a sex attack in Canada.An arrest warrant has been issued for John Julius Harlen Marr, 33, who is charged with aggravated sexual assault, robbery, breaking and entering, and overcoming resistance by choking, police said Wednesday.
Marr was convicted of two counts of first-degree sexual assault involving his estranged wife in Hawaii in 1995. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison but was paroled to Oklahoma after serving 1 1/2 years.
In August 2002, Marr was charged with assaulting his girlfriend in Oklahoma.
He is wanted in Oklahoma for domestic abuse and failing to register as a sex offender. He is also wanted in Hawaii for parole violation.
Marr is a suspect in a March 27 rape involving a woman who returned to her Canmore home from work and was confronted by an intruder who bound her hands, neck and feet with packing tape and raped her.
The woman, who knew her attacker, was choked and her collarbone was broken.
The man fled in her vehicle, which was found two days later in nearby Banff.
Sand Island Parkway could close for repairs
The state might close the mauka side of the Sand Island Parkway bridge for up to a year starting May 24 to replace the metal deck, which has been repaired three times in the past six months to patch holes.The work is on the lane leading to Nimitz Highway.
State transportation officials said they will enforce reduced speed limits in the work zone. When a contra-flow lane is set up, the speed in the work zone will be 15 mph heading toward Nimitz and 25 mph heading into Sand Island Parkway.
The speed limit for the area of the bridge is normally 35 mph.
Lingle policy staffer to help consumers
John Cole, a member of Gov. Linda Lingle's policy staff, has been appointed administrator of the state Division of Consumer Advocacy, which represents consumers of utility and transportation services regulated by the Public Utilities Commission.Cole will start May 17.
He is a graduate cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and received his law degree from Washington University in St. Louis.
St. Francis pool offers lessons in water safety
Children and parents can learn about water safety during a free demonstration by Leahi Swim School, 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday at the St. Francis School pool in Manoa.The swim school, celebrating its 30th anniversary, will have four teachers to work with children in the pool, said founder Lori Komer.
Komer stressed the need for parents and "water watchers" to be trained to provide a safer environment for children in the water.
"It's amazing that here in Hawaii, with water all around us, that 65 to 70 percent of our keiki and adults can't swim," she said.
For more information, call the school at 735-1666.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffNEIGHBOR ISLANDS
LIHUE » A 16-year-old Lihue boy died early yesterday morning after apparently losing control of his vehicle on Maalo Road.
1 is killed and 1 hurt in car crash on KauaiPolice said that about 2:15 a.m., the victim was driving south on Maalo Road in a 2004 Chevrolet multipurpose vehicle, lost control and ran into a pasture on the east side of the road. The victim, who was not identified yesterday, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.
A 17-year-old male passenger from Hanamaulu, who was also not identified, was taken to Wilcox Memorial Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released.
Police do not know whether speed or alcohol were factors. It is the sixth traffic fatality on Kauai this year.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
