Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Maui County responds to water meter queries
WAILUKU >> Maui County water officials are sending letters to scores of people who have applied in the past for Upcountry water meters but have been unable to receive them because of a water shortage.Maui Water Director George Tengan said the department is initiating the issuance of water meters, in anticipation of the Pookela well starting operation next summer.
Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa said the Water Department expects to draw up to 200,000 gallons a day.
Officials estimate the well could fulfill from 100 to 150 requests for water meters.
Water officials will be sending certified letters to people on the Upcountry priority list in the order in which their applications were received, the county said.
Each applicant will have 30 days to respond after receipt of the letter.
If applicants are not ready to receive service when offered, they may reserve a meter, which gives them an additional two years before meter installation, or lose the opportunity to obtain water service, the county said.
For further information, contact the department's Engineering Division, 270-7835.
Aloha United Way will allocate $11.3 million
Aloha United Way announced last week that it is expected to allocate $11.3 million to various health and human services in 2004.The total includes $9.4 million for the organization's 64 partner agencies, $645,000 in designated donations to other health and human service organizations and $1.2 million for community development projects including Aloha United Way 211, Volunteer Hawaii, Weed and Seed, and Aloha United Way's five community impact initiatives: reducing homelessness, increasing family self-sufficiency, reducing crime and drug use, helping children with learning readiness and increasing volunteerism.
The Aloha United Way's board of directors approved the allocation of funds to its partner agencies in June following an evaluation of the agencies' needs conducted by volunteers.
Volunteers also approved increases in funding for several agencies including ASSETS School, Catholic Charities Hawaii and the Salvation Army.
Bicyclists gearing up for AIDS/HIV benefit
A bicycling competition will be held Saturday to July 23 to raise funds for three agencies that provide AIDS/HIV treatment on Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Kauai.The Life Foundation, Malama Pono Kauai AIDS Project and the Maui AIDS Foundation are sponsoring the seventh annual event, called "The Paradise Ride 2004." These agencies provide treatment, education and prevention services for people with the disease.
Bicyclists will ride an average of 60 miles a day for six days, or approximately 360 miles.
Interim Kokua Council president is appointed
Larry Geller has been appointed interim president of the Kokua Council until Dec. 31, replacing Ruth Ellen Lindenberg, who died May 7.Geller is executive director of the Hawaii Coalition for Health and public information coordinator for the Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii.
He was appointed by the governor to the State Rehabilitation Council and serves on the board of the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii. Geller has been a strong advocate for children covered by the Felix Consent Decree and for people of all ages with disabilities.
The Kokua Council is a nonprofit advocacy organization on health and social issues. It holds luncheon meetings open to the public at 11:30 a.m. on the fourth Monday of the month at Harris United Methodist Church, 20 S. Vineyard Blvd.
The next meeting will be July 26. Call Laura Manis, 597-8838, or Tony Lenzer, 261-2095, for more information.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffBUS SKIDS INTO LIGHT POLE
ON MOANALUA FREEWAY
A bus carrying at least 25 military personnel lost control and skidded about 100 feet on Moanalua Freeway near Salt Lake yesterday afternoon before it struck a light pole, which then fell across the road. An Emergency Medical Services official said one person in the bus was taken to the Tripler Army Medical Center in stable condition. No other vehicles were involved. The accident happened at about 3:30 p.m. when the bus was traveling east. Police closed two Koko Head-bound lanes and a Waianae-bound lane until about 5:30 p.m. as they cleared the roadway and investigated the accident.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Big Isle fire damages nursery greenhouse Fire caused an estimated $150,000 damage yesterday to a greenhouse and office at Hanano Nursery in Waimea on the Big Island.
Firefighters responded to the alarm at 7 a.m. and extinguished the fire 30 minutes later. No one was injured, and the cause of the fire was under investigation.
Foul play is ruled out in death of Kauai man
An preliminary autopsy revealed that a man found dead Wednesday on Kauai did not die from foul play.Charles McConnell, 29, was found on the ground near a vehicle in the Kealia surf area known as "Crack-14." Police said McConnell had been homeless at the time of his death, though family members said he was originally from Kapaa.
Although initial findings suggest that McConnell died of natural causes, his cause of death will not be determined until toxicology tests are completed, according to Kauai County officials.
Keaau girl, 16, missing for more than a week
Big Island police are looking for a 16-year-old Keaau girl who has been missing since July 3.
Chivas Whitney Pader is about 5 feet tall and weighs about 105 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the police nonemergency number at 935-3311, Detective John Ancheta at 961-2276, or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.
HONOLULU
4 aboard safe as boat returns under tow A Coast Guard cutter towed a 20-foot boat into Hawaii Kai Boat Harbor last night after the craft started taking on water about a mile off Aina Haina.
The four people aboard the boat were not injured in the incident, a Coast Guard dispatcher said.
Someone on the boat radioed the Coast Guard for help at about 7 p.m.
By 7:45 p.m. emergency personnel had found the boat and taken its crew to safety. The boat was then towed into the harbor, the dispatcher said.
Traffic dispute leads to slingshot charges
Police arrested a 19-year-old man for allegedly shooting a slingshot at a 31-year-old man who was honking his horn at a car turning in front of him.The incident occurred at Puuhale Road and North King Street about 10:25 p.m. Wednesday.
When the victim pulled into a parking lot, the suspect, who was a passenger in the front car, got out and shot at the man's windshield with a slingshot, police said.
The victim got out of his car and tried to apologize, but the suspect shot him twice with the slingshot, police said.
Police said the victim, who received minor injuries, apologized, and the suspect walked away.
Police arrested the suspect for first-degree criminal property damage and second-degree assault.
2 bus drivers attacked in separate incidents
Two city bus drivers were assaulted by passengers in separate incidents in Waipahu and Kalihi.Police said in the first incident, a bus driver was assaulted by a 56-year-old male passenger in Waipahu at about 8:15 p.m. Friday.
The suspect fled on foot, but patrol officers were able to locate and arrest him. He was later released pending investigation.
In the second incident, on Saturday, a 37-year-old man got into a verbal confrontation with a bus driver at about 10:30 a.m. at a Kalihi bus stop. Police said the suspect assaulted the bus driver when he called for assistance.
Police charged the suspect yesterday with interference with a public transit vehicle. His bail is set at $20,000. Police said the 57-year-old driver was treated for injuries, but did not provide details.
LEEWARD OAHU
Ewa Beach man held in alleged sex assault Police were seeking charges against a 45-year-old Ewa Beach man who allegedly sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl last month.
The girl was allegedly assaulted June 15 at an Ewa Beach home.
Police arrested the suspect Thursday for 11 counts of first-degree sexual assault and 17 counts of third-degree sexual assault.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
