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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
[ TAKING NOTICE ]
>> Ko Miyataki has returned to a position she held for 13 years as president of the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific Foundation, chairman Michael W. Perry announced.She has been serving as director of development for the Kamehameha Schools Ke Ali'i Pauahi Foundation.
Vice Chairwoman Jan Loo, who helped negotiate Miyataki's return, said she has "remained a member of the REHAB family all these years, so it feels as if she's never left. With her leadership, we look forward to expanding our existing programs, creating new ones and taking REHAB into the future of rehabilitative medicine."
Miyataki said her fund-raising goal is to match the donor's interest to the institution's needs. "We do that with passion and an infectious sense of spirit because what we do at REHAB affects people's lives.
"We also raise funds with a genuine sense of gratitude -- to the donors, staff and to the institution for its mission."
Miyataki holds bachelor's and doctorate degrees in education from the University of Hawaii and a master's degree in counseling from Western Michigan University. She worked at the UH Foundation for four years.
She is a native of Kau on the Big Island and a Maunawili resident. Her husband, Glenn, former associate dean of the University of Hawaii Business School, is president of the Japan American Institute of Management Science in Hawaii Kai.
>> John Balberde, of St. Joseph Junior/Senior High School in Hilo, won Best of Show for his multimedia illustration of a nene in the 2004 Hawaii Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest. His artwork will represent Hawaii in the federal contest in Washington, D.C. The national winner's entry will become the official Fish and Wildlife Service's Federal Duck Stamp.
Janet Liu, of Kalakaua Middle School, was first runner-up, and Natasha Young, of Kula High and Intermediate School in Kilauea, was second runner-up.
>> Winners of the 2004 Hawaii Youth Concert Competition, formerly the Youth Talent Pool, include James Perlman, a bassoon player who is home-schooled on Maui; Yohsuke Roy Miyamoto, a pianist from Punahou School; Clint Wong Oyama, also a pianist from Punahou; Zoe Martin-Doike, violinist, who is home-schooled; Michael Yoshimi, a clarinetist from Iolani School; Laura Keller, a violinist from Punahou; Stephanie Le, a pianist from Iolani; and Chandra Susilo, a violinist from Punahou.
"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.
Retired general joins Abercrombie's staff
Retired Maj. Gen. Eugene Imai has joined the staff of U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii.Abercrombie's Washington office announced yesterday that Imai will serve as military liaison in the congressman's Honolulu office.
After graduating from the University of Hawaii in 1968, Imai served in the Vietnam War and subsequently in the Army Reserve and National Guard. He rose to command the Hawaii Army National Guard and served as deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Pacific before retiring in 1999.
Imai also held state positions and is a former senior vice president for administration at the University of Hawaii.
Transformer work will close Punchbowl lanes
Two lanes on the Diamond Head side of Punchbowl Street between South King and Beretania streets will be closed Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Motorists will not be allowed to turn left onto Punchbowl Street from South King Street during this period.
A large crane and other vehicles will occupy the closed lanes during installation of a transformer in the electrical vault at Honolulu Hale.
Workshop and fair promote 'green' living
A "Building Green Workshop" for area building industry professionals is set for Friday at the University of Hawaii-Manoa, followed by a "Living Green Children's Fair" Sunday.Featured topics at the workshop will include "How to Position Your Business for Green Building Success" and "A Toolbox to Help Sell Your Expanding Green Business." Speakers include government, education and building industry professionals, and area organizations.
The workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in St. John Plant Science Lab, Room 11, 3190 Maile Way.
For more information, see www.livegreenfoundation.org or call 970-669-6511.
The family event from 1 to 4 p.m. at Magic Island will show children and adults how to save water, use wind and solar power, and make their own home greener. The free event will also have entertainment, refreshments and prizes.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHONOLULU
Central Pacific robber might have hit before Police are looking for a man suspected of robbing three banks this year, including one in Moiliili yesterday.
The suspect walked into the Central Pacific Bank at 2615 King St. at 11:30 a.m., handed the teller a demand note, then escaped with an undetermined amount of cash. He was last seen leaving in a car, driven by another man, which was headed toward the freeway on South King Street and Kahuna Lane.
Police said this could be the same man who robbed the American Savings Kalihi branch on May 26 and the Kaneohe branch of City Bank on June 1. The suspect is in his late 20s to early 30s, 5 feet 8 inches tall, about 220 to 240 pounds, with black, frizzy, shoulder-length hair and a tan complexion.
He was last seen wearing a blue or gray T-shirt and jeans. The car was described as a 1980s-type Nissan or Toyota four-door sedan with a faded rear bumper.
Anyone with information about this case may call Detective Derrick Kiyotoki at 529-3436. Anonymous calls may also be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or by dialing *CRIME on a cellular phone.
WINDWARD OAHU
Truck runs into van, killing Kaneohe man A 42-year-old Kaneohe man died yesterday morning when his van collided with a flatbed truck that crossed the center line of Kamehameha Highway near the Crouching Lion, police said.
The victim, who was driving the van, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Police Lt. Bennett Martin, of the Traffic Vehicular Homicide Section, said the truck was heading toward Kaneohe and the van was Kahuku-bound when the collision occurred shortly before 6:10 a.m.
A 35-year-old Hauula man, who was driving the truck, was taken by ambulance to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition but was upgraded to serious condition. A fire official said the man got out of the truck on his own.
Police said mechanical failure in the flatbed truck appeared to be a factor in the collision.
CENTRAL OAHU
Police say traffic gripe led to gun-pointing Police arrested a 26-year-old man for allegedly pointing a gun at another man who had confronted him about his driving in Mililani Sunday night, police said.
Police said the suspect was speeding on Lanikuhana Avenue at about 11:40 p.m. when the victim, 21, confronted him near Kauluiakua Place. The suspect then pointed a gun and threatened him, police said.
Police later found the suspect and arrested him for suspicion of first-degree terroristic threatening.
LEEWARD OAHU
Traffic fatality ID'd as Waipahu woman, 79 A woman who died of injuries from a two-car collision in Waipahu Wednesday has been identified as 79-year-old Thelma Higa, of Waipahu, according to the Honolulu Medical Examiner's office.
Higa's car was hit by another car as she turned onto Farrington Highway from Awamoku Street at about 6:55 a.m. She was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in guarded condition but was downgraded to critical after arriving at the hospital. She died Sunday after suffering cardiac arrest.
Police said speed was a factor in the accident.
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