Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Isles to get $496.7M in new defense bill
The $417 billion defense spending bill that passed Congress last night includes nearly $496.7 million in defense-related spending for the islands.Sen. Daniel Inouye, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, said combined with other legislation approving military construction projects, which is still pending before the Senate, Hawaii could receive more than $865 million next year.
The appropriations bill still needs White House approval.
The bill includes nearly $27 million for upgrades and equipment at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai.
New negotiator named after Hong leaves post
Gov. Linda Lingle disclosed yesterday that the state's chief labor negotiator, Ted Hong, has resigned to spend more time with his family in Hilo.Hong wanted to end his weekly commute between the Big Island and his office on Oahu, Lingle said.
The governor reported Hong's departure from her administration as she announced he would be succeeded by Kenneth Taira, Maui County's first assistant managing director.
Taira, who served in her administration for the eight years she was Maui's mayor, has more than 20 years' experience in government personnel management, Lingle said.
Taira takes over on Aug. 13 as chief negotiator, overseeing the Office of Collective Bargaining and assisting the governor in negotiating contracts between public workers unions.
Meanwhile, Hong, an attorney and former Big Island corporation counsel, is one of three candidates Lingle has submitted to President Bush for appointment to the federal court bench.
The governor nominated Hong to the Circuit Court bench in Hilo earlier this year, but confirmation was rejected by the state Senate.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHONOLULU
Man critically injured when shot during fight
A 47-year-old man was in critical but stable condition yesterday after being shot Wednesday night during a struggle over a perceived love triangle, police said.The shooting happened just before midnight at a home near Stadium Mall. Police said a 40-year-old man who lives in the home with his wife, 39, had accused her of being involved with another man.
The husband and his two brothers began fighting with the other man, police said. During the fight, one of the brothers was shot in the abdomen, police said.
The other brother, 35, hit the gunman with a pipe and was arrested for second-degree assault.
The husband allegedly hit his wife on the head with a baseball bat and also was arrested for second-degree assault. The shooting victim was taken to the Queen's Medical Center.
Police arrested the alleged gunman, a 34-year-old Kalihi man, on suspicion of attempted murder after he turned himself in at the Pearl City police station. Police said the woman told her husband that she and the alleged gunman were just friends.
LEEWARD OAHU
2 men are sought in alleged sex assault
Police are looking for two men in their 20s who allegedly sexually assaulted a 24-year-old woman early Monday morning in Pearl City.The woman told police she had gone drinking with friends and that she was drunk when she fell asleep in one of the suspects' vehicle.
When she awoke, she found both of the men sexually assaulting her, police said.
Police said the woman pushed the suspects away and got out of the vehicle, and the suspects fled.
Motorcyclist critically hurt in off-road crash
A man was airlifted to the Queen's Medical Center in extremely critical condition yesterday after an off-road motorcycle accident in Maili.The accident occurred at about 6:43 p.m. near Kaukama Road, an Emergency Medical Services supervisor said.
Waianae police were investigating the incident yesterday. Further information on the victim was not available last night.
WINDWARD OAHU
Worker is hospitalized after electric accident
A maintenance worker was taken by ambulance to Straub Clinic & Hospital in serious condition after he was injured while working in a mechanical room at Windward Mall.The worker, described as in his 40s, was in the room on the roof of the mall near Sears when an electrical component or circuit breaker tripped about 10:15 a.m. Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada said a flash occurred and the worker suffered burns to his hands.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Maui store clerk is robbed at knifepoint
WAILUKU >> Maui police are investigating a robbery at Rodeo General Store in Makawao.Police Lt. Glenn Cuomo said a man wielding a knife slapped a female store clerk twice and took the cash register tray containing an undisclosed amount of cash at about 9 p.m. Tuesday. Cuomo said the man, who wore a baseball cap, fled in either a Ford Bronco or a Chevy Blazer. The clerk received no significant injury.
Police described the man as in his early 30s, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 200 pounds, with a light complexion. The driver of the vehicle was also light in complexion, heavy-set, wearing wire-rimmed glasses and a baseball cap, and smoking a cigar, police said.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
