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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
State stops paying for traffic ticket postage
Next time you get a parking or traffic ticket, add 37 cents.Starting today, you'll have to pay for the postage to mail in your response, whether it is a written statement or a check to pay the fine.
Envelopes accompanying tickets issued by police, private security officers at the airport and state deputy sheriffs will no longer have prepaid postage.
The state Judiciary, which had been paying for the postage, persuaded the Legislature last year to remove a requirement in state law that the postage be paid. The Judiciary hopes the change will encourage the public to use an online payment option at www.courts.state.hi.us/index.jsp.
In 2002 the Judiciary paid $57,769 for the postage on the pre-addressed envelopes.
Security restrictions tighten at 7 harbors
State harbor users are being advised that additional security measures will be in effect beginning today at all commercial harbors and ports.Harbor users will be asked at entrance gates to show identification, the state Department of Transportation said. They were also advised to arrive 15 to 30 minutes earlier than usual to conduct their business, and they will be subject to vehicle and/or individual searches.
Meanwhile, people allowed to enter secured portions of harbor facilities must have completed maritime security awareness training.
The new measures affect seven state harbors: Honolulu and Kalaeloa harbors and Kewalo Basin on Oahu; Hilo and Kawaihae harbors on the Big Island; Kahului Harbor on Maui; and Nawiliwili Harbor on Kauai.
Meeting will address Waialua Bay pollution
A public informational meeting will be held to get community input on problems associated with pollution in Kaiaka-Waialua Bay, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Wahiawa Middle School.Kaiaka-Waialua Bay is a part of a federal restoration effort through Clean Water Act funds. The University of Hawaii's Environmental Center wants to work with the community to get more information and suggestions on water quality problems and environmental objectives for the Kaiaka-Waialua Bay Watershed.
For more information, contact Peter Rappa or Dave Sims at 956-7361.
Mayors conference honors Honolulu plan
Mayor Jeremy Harris' "Sustainable Honolulu" plan was recognized by the U.S. Conference of Mayors during its June 25-29 annual meeting, this year in Boston.The plan to address island urbanization won the 2004 City Livability Award for Outstanding Achievement.
"Sustainable Honolulu" focuses on five areas critical to the future of the city: economic development, land use, transportation, natural resources and energy.
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[Taking Notice]
>> The Ironman Foundation has given the American Cancer Society $1,500 to support expansion of the Generation Fit Youth Leadership Project in West Hawaii on the Big Island. The project engages students from 11 to 18 in community service projects promoting physical activity and healthy eating habits. Now at Konawaena Middle School, the program will be expanded to two more schools in the area.>> The University of Hawaii Foundation has received a $10,000 bequest gift from Inez Kong Pai, a UH-Manoa alumna, in support of its Fund for Excellence. Pai, who earned her master's degree in Asian history at UH, was a fiery Korean nationalist in her youth and fought for the country's independence. She died in 1998, the year she received an Award of Merit from South Korean President Kim Dae-jung for her efforts.
>> Dr. Harry Van Tree and his wife, Diane Van Tree, have partnered with Borders Books & Music in Ward Center to give Jefferson Elementary School sixth-graders a graduation gift of two books per person, up to $18 a student. The gift idea came from Diane Van Tree, a volunteer reading tutor and informal art instructor at Jefferson.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffBIG ISLAND
Man dies after car overturns in South Hilo
An unidentified man died yesterday from injuries suffered when he lost control of his car, which overturned off Saddle Road in South Hilo.Police said the man's Subaru station wagon veered off the road and overturned in underbrush almost a mile west of the 10-mile marker.
Police arrived on scene at 11:51 a.m. and removed the driver from the wreck using Jaws of Life. An ambulance took the driver to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Police said speed appeared to be a factor.
This is 23rd traffic fatality on the Big Island this year, compared with 15 so far last year.
HONOLULU
Fire in apartment blamed on smoking
People smoking in a second-floor apartment caused a mattress fire that spread to the rest of the unit in Chinatown yesterday afternoon.Firefighters were called to the Lum Yip Kee Building at 133 N. Hotel St. at 1:22 p.m. and found black smoke coming from the room's window.
The tenant of Room 20 was not home at the time of the fire, and most of the other residents were evacuated by the time fire crews arrived, said fire Capt. Kenison Tejada.
Shirley Ing, owner of Sun Chong Co. downstairs, heard residents running and yelling for help and then called 911.
There was $2,000 damage to the structure and $500 to the room's contents, Tejada said.
Man, 22, is arrested for alleged gun threat
Police arrested a 22-year-old man Tuesday morning for allegedly threatening to shoot another man at a Keeaumoku Street restaurant.Police said the suspect and the victim, 20, were arguing at the restaurant when the suspect went to the parking lot and got a handgun from his vehicle.
Police said the suspect pointed the handgun at the victim's head and threatened to shoot him. The suspect was arrested for first-degree terroristic threatening.
WAIKIKI
Blaze damages empty apartment
Fire investigators were trying to determine the cause of a fire that damaged a vacant Waikiki apartment late Tuesday night.Firefighters were called to the Big Surf Condo-Apartments, 1690 Ala Moana, at 10:56 p.m. and found flames coming from a 17th-floor balcony.
Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada said Apartment 1705 had been vacated yesterday afternoon. Several residents evacuated the building because of the fire.
A couple who lives down the hall evacuated after looking out their balcony and seeing smoke and flames. They thought their elderly neighbor did, too, after seeing his front door left open.
When they failed to see him downstairs, they returned to find him still gathering his possessions, and helped him get out, Tejada said.
No one was injured in the fire, and damage estimates were not available.
LEEWARD OAHU
Woman claims friend sexually assaulted her
A 25-year-old woman reported she was sexually assaulted by a male friend in the Ewa Beach area late Tuesday night.Police said the two were driving to buy drugs when the suspect sexually assaulted her at 10 p.m.
The woman reported the incident but no arrest was made.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
