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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
A MEMORIAL IN THE SEA
FOR LOST SURFERFlorida friends honor Courtney Marcher,
who vanished on Oahu's North Shore
A memorial was held yesterday at Pelican Beach Park in Satellite Beach, Fla., for Courtney Marcher, who apparently died in Hawaii. Friends paddled out into the ocean for the conclusion of the service with the laying of a wreath. Marcher, 22, originally from Florida, was last seen April 4 surfing with friends at Velzyland, a five-minute walk from her home on Huelo Street. Her surfboard was later found but she was not.
Maui's finance chief now managing director
Maui County's finance director stepped up to the managing director's position yesterday, officials said.Keith A. Regan, 32, was appointed finance director in 2003, after serving as president of a Maui trucking company.
Former Managing Director Jack Kulp resigned earlier this month, after being arrested in December for driving under the influence of alcohol.
"(Regan) has done an outstanding job as finance director," said Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa, "and I am confident that his leadership and expertise in the crucial areas of management and business will make him an equally outstanding managing director."
Deputy Finance Director Wayne Fujita will serve as acting finance director until the position is filled.
City hosts free movies at Richardson Field
The city's latest "Rediscover Oahu's Neighborhoods" event will be at Richardson Field, Pearl Harbor, today and tomorrow from noon to 10 p.m.It will feature movies and area restaurants, businesses, community groups, entertainers and artists. There also will be an open market showcasing community products, services, arts and crafts.
After sunset today, the film "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" will be shown on a 30-foot outdoor screen.
Tomorrow, "Master and Commander," starring Russell Crowe, will be shown.
Free parking is available across the street at Aloha Stadium, with entrance from Salt Lake Boulevard. TheBus' City Express Route A and Routes 42, 20, 52 and 62 provide bus service to Richardson Field.
Cancer society seeks help for annual relay
The American Cancer Society will hold its Koolauloa Relay for Life at Hauula Community Park from 4:45 p.m. July 30 to 7 a.m. July 31.Relay for Life is an overnight fund-raising event for the cancer society which encourages participants to take turns walking around an illuminated track in honor or memory of cancer patients.
Activities are planned throughout the relays.
The American Cancer Society is seeking volunteer artists, performers, activity leaders and others with special talents for the event. To participate, call Nalani Ubando at 293-8577.
BLESSING GETS 'HAWAII'
UNDER WAY
Kahuna O'o Brother Franklin Pao blessed the Kailua set of the new NBC police series "Hawaii" on Thursday morning, the first day of production. Actor Michael Biehn held one end of a maile lei cut during the ceremony.
[ TAKING NOTICE ]
Foundation awards $84,000 in scholarships
The Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation has awarded 55 scholarships totaling $84,000.Derek T. Fujio, of Mid-Pacific Institute, and Brandon R. Eum, of Leilehua High, received the Mamoru Takitani Distinguished Student Award and the Aiko Takitani Distinguished Student Award, respectively, each worth $10,000.
Anson K.S. Chu, of Kaiser High, received the Karen Uno Outstanding Student Award of $5,000.
$2,000 scholarships: Roniza C. Gonzales, Maui High; Mallory G. James, Seabury Hall on Maui; Sonya Y. Kuki, Hilo High; Aaron I. Rillamas, Kahuku High; Kari M. Tanimoto, Pearl City High; Mazie Tsang, Sacred Hearts Academy; Erwin A. Wright III, Waimea High on Kauai.
$1,000 scholarships:
Honolulu: Natasia A. De Silva, Kalani High; Mary Rose M. Go, Roosevelt High; May Arvie D. Godoy, Farrington High; Yili Ma, Kaimuki High; Diana Y. Wan, McKinley High.
Central Oahu: Crystal N. Lam, Aiea High; Larson Paul B. Layugan, Radford High; Sharmaine S. Saguibo, Waialua High; Christina M.S. Shin, Moanalua High; Ariel C. Zane, Mililani High.
Leeward Oahu: Arlene A.M. Aquiat, Waipahu High; Matthew J. Ishitani, Waianae High; Elaine L. Kamanawa, Nanakuli High; Thuan P. Nguyen, Campbell High.
Windward Oahu: Christy Ann L. Gilman, Kailua High; Michael K. Mayeda, Castle High; Samuel C. Wilhoite, Kalaheo High.
Hawaii: Cecily C. Ballio, Honokaa High; Kellianne L. Chong, Kealakehe High; May T. Gebin, Pahoa High; Kelsey R. Harrity, Konawaena High; Jennifer N. Hamada, Waiakea High; Sharon V. Padamada, Keaau High; Jared N. Pasalo, Kohala High; Bonnie E. Salmo, Kau High.
Maui County: Christine L. Caraang, Lanai High; Chanelle L. Chin, Baldwin High; Carmen U.B. Delos Reyes, Molokai High; Tyler K. Fujiwara, Lahainaluna High; Jonathon Y. Hirata, King Kekaulike High; Mikaele J. Pavao, Hana High & Elementary.
Kauai: Lisa L. Kobayashi, Kauai High; Ashley E. Valvieja, Kapaa High.
Hawaii Association of Independent Schools: Rose C. Clark, St. Joseph Jr. Sr. High School in Hilo; Kyla H. Kitamura, La Pietra-Hawaii School for Girls; Darin A.K. Itamura, Hawaii Baptist Academy; Jeffrey T. Lawi, Iolani School; Elizabeth S. Nakasone, St. Andrew's Priory; Jaclyn M. Palola, Hanalani Schools; Christie B. Tomlinson, Lutheran High of Hawaii; Alicia H.Y. Yee, Punahou School.
Hawaii Catholic Schools: Tiffany K.L. Loo, Maryknoll; Brenda M. Luce, St. Anthony Jr. Sr. High School on Maui; Tanya T. Ngo, Saint Francis; and Tevita T. Williams, Damien High.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffLEEWARD OAHU
A 23-year-old woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by her mother's boyfriend early yesterday morning while she was sleeping at her mother's Waipahu home.
Police arrest man, 38, in sexual assault casePolice said the woman was baby-sitting while her mother was away on a trip. She woke up about 4 a.m. yesterday to find her mother's 38-year-old boyfriend allegedly sexually assaulting her.
The woman called police, and the man was arrested for suspicion of second-degree sexual assault.
Motorcycle accident kills teenager in Aiea
A 19-year-old Salt Lake man died yesterday morning when his motorcycle collided with a power pole on Moanalua Road in Aiea.Police said the man was traveling east on Moanalua Road in the right lane when he lost control of his 2002 Yamaha motorcycle and hit the curb and then the pole at 12:57 a.m. The man was thrown from the motorcycle and was pronounced dead on scene at 1:07 a.m.
Police said the man was wearing a helmet and that speed was a factor. Police are investigating if alcohol was also a factor.
This is the 36th traffic fatality this year, compared with 43 at the same time last year.
Kunia brush-fire battle enters its fourth day
Firefighters were expected to return to Kunia again today for the fourth consecutive day to put out hot spots of a brush fire that started Wednesday morning.Firefighters from four companies and two tankers began at 8:30 yesterday morning and left at 7 p.m. Firefighters said trying to extinguish the flames from the ground was proving difficult.
One Honolulu Fire Department and two military helicopters dropped water on the hot spots. The fire started Wednesday near the base of the Waianae mountain range near Kunia Road.
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Big Island police are warning residents about a scam that comes in an e-mail from the Ivory Coast which offers $1.1 million to pose as a "foreign business partner."
Police tell residents to beware e-mail scamPolice said the letter is written by "Santos Joe," who is said to be the son of a businessman who died after being poisoned by one of his partners.
The businessman allegedly told his son he had deposited $4.4 million in an Ivory Coast bank account and to find a foreign partner in a country where he will transfer the money.
In the letter, the writer asks for the recipient to go to Abidjan, Ivory Coast, to pose as the business partner to withdraw the money and "serve as the guardian of this fund."
The writer concludes that he is willing to offer the recipient 25 percent of the total and also leaves a telephone number to call.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
