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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Union workers accept contract from hospital
Unionized employees at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children have agreed to accept a contract that includes a 10 percent wage increase over three years, it was announced yesterday.Some 210 employees at the center are represented by Teamsters Local 996. About half of those union members participated in a vote on whether to accept the new contract. Of the 115 Kapiolani employees who voted Thursday, 105 approved of the new contract.
The contract goes into effect Thursday.
According to the agreement, union members will see a 3 percent wage increase in the first and third years of the contract and a 4 percent increase in the second year.
Negotiations between the medical center and union began last month, officials said.
"They put in some long hours on the negotiating table, but it was worth it," said Teamsters President Mel Kahele. "Ninety-one percent of the votes cast were 'yes' votes, and that says the committee did a good job. ... I'm proud of them."
Also under the contract, union members will see enhanced medical and pension benefits, Kahele said.
Attorney Bettencourt is disciplined by court
The Hawaii Supreme Court's Disciplinary Board has reprimanded Honolulu attorney David G. Bettencourt, who was convicted for willfully failing to file state tax returns from 1995 to 1999.The reprimand does not prevent Bettencourt from practicing law, but could put him at greater risk of being sanctioned in the future.
The board said the reprimand "reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects."
The 58-year-old was admitted to the Hawaii bar in 1970, after graduating from the University of California-Berkeley's Boalt Hall School of Law.
[ TAKING NOTICE ]
» Kamehameha Schools won the Grand Championship Sweepstakes trophy at the Hawaii Speech League State Forensic Championships.
Students winning top honors, and who will compete at the nationals in Salt Lake City, are:
Diana Wan, of McKinley High School, and Tyler Gomes, of Kamehameha, in the humorous interpretation category;
No'u Revilla, of Kamehameha, and Chantilly Mers, of Baldwin High School; dramatic interpretation.
Kedan Frank and Joshua Masagatani, of Kamehameha, and Cassandra Spencer and David Villanti, of Baldwin, duo interpretation. Kapualani Kauhane and Troy Andrade, of Kamehameha, original oratory.
Paul Anderson, of Education Laboratory school, formerly University Lab School, and Forest Richmond, of Saint Louis School, U.S. extemporaneous.
Jonathan Goto, of Punahou School, and Pace Kaneshige, of Iolani School, international extemporaneous.
Lacey Golonka and Ken Yoshifuku, of Kahuku High School, and Ryan Alexander and Stephen Graner, of Saint Louis, public forum debate.
Lara Malins, of Iolani, and Lindsey Doi, of Kamehameha, Lincoln-Douglas debate.
Ian Tapu and Ericka Staples, and Timbre Keliiliki and Kirstin Marler, of Kahuku, varsity policy debate.
First-place winners in the non-national events were Ryan Kanakaole, of Kamehameha, storytelling. Diana Wan, of McKinley, program reading; Cody Hensarling, of Kamehameha, impromptu speaking. Joshua Wong, of Iolani, novice Lincoln-Douglas debate; and Chau Huynh and Jodi Park, of Iolani, junior varsity policy debate.
Team sweepstakes trophies went to Kamehameha for interpretative events and original events; Kahuku, debate; McKinley, National Forensic League Tournament Trophy; Iolani, National Forensic League Plaque; Baldwin, Governor's Spirit Trophy; Maryknoll Middle School, Lt. Governor's Spirit Trophy.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffEAST OAHU
Police are looking for a suspect who allegedly fondled an 11-year-old California girl Wednesday while she was swimming at Hanauma Bay.
Man sought for allegedly fondling girl at Hanauma
According to the girl, a man named John approached her about 2:30 p.m. while she was in the water and asked her if she needed a "swimming buddy."
Police said the suspect then fondled the victim.
She pushed the suspect away and reported the incident to her family, who tried unsuccessfully to locate him.
The victim said the man told her that he was here on vacation and staying with his sister, and that he would be returning to the mainland on Sunday.
He is described as between 20 and 30 years old, with light brown hair, a tan complexion, a mustache and a goatee. He was last seen wearing dark-colored swim shorts and a diving mask.
Witnesses to the case are asked to call Detective Greg McCormick at 529-3055 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
HONOLULU
Police arrested a 22-year-old homeless woman Tuesday after she allegedly tried to use a stolen credit card to buy jewelry at the same store where she bought jewelry with the same stolen card last month.
Jewelry buyer caught with stolen credit cardPolice said the suspect first used the card on May 22 to purchase jewelry at Emperor Jewelry at 1585 Kapiolani Blvd.
On Tuesday the suspect went back to the store and tried to buy a large amount of jewelry, police said. The shopkeeper recognized the woman and called police. The suspect was arrested for fraudulent use of a credit card.
2 men are wanted in knifepoint robbery
Police are looking for two suspects who allegedly robbed two teens at knifepoint Wednesday night on Ala Moana.Police said the two Kalihi teens, ages 16 and 17, were walking along Ala Moana at 6:45 p.m. when the suspects approached them and demanded money.
The older suspect wielded a 3-inch knife and cut the 17-year-old while the younger suspect punched the 16-year-old victim, police said.
Police said the older victim was treated and released at an area hospital.
The older suspect is described as about 18 to 20 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 140 pounds, with a slim build, straight black hair, brown eyes and brown complexion. He was also described as having acne and a black mustache. He wore a multicolored tank top, dress pants and dress shoes.
The other suspect is described as between 15 and 17 years old, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 140 pounds, with a heavy build, curly black neck-length hair and brown complexion; he spoke with an accent. He wore a long-sleeved shirt, black-and-white dress pants and dress shoes.
Times Super Market shoplifter escapes
A man used force to flee from the Liliha Times Super Market as he shoplifted butterfish earlier this week, according to police.
Police said at 1 p.m. Tuesday the suspect knocked down a security guard as he fled, causing minor injuries. Store security cameras caught the subject on tape as he ran out.
The suspect is described as in his late 30s, 6 feet tall, 180 pounds, with brown hair, hazel eyes, a fair complexion and a mustache. He was last seen wearing a light-colored, short-sleeved dress shirt, knee-length shorts and carrying a black over-the-shoulder case.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Detective Gordon Makashima at 529-3383. Anonymous calls may also be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or by dialing *CRIME on a cellular phone.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
