Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
OFF THE ROAD IN HAUULA
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Mariana Islands struggling to recover from typhoon
SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands -- More than 500 people remained in emergency shelters Tuesday, two days after this U.S. commonwealth was hit by Typhoon Chaba.Electrical power was unavailable and there was no water or telephone service as Gov. Juan N. Babauta asked President Bush to declare the islands a major disaster area so federal assistance could be made available.
Unofficial initial assessments found damage to crops and property on the three major islands -- Saipan, Rota and Tinian -- could reach over $18 million, officials said.
Electrical transformers were blown away, power poles were destroyed and power lines were tangled by the high winds, said Pamela Mathis, a spokeswoman for the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.
Fearing the power outage could last for some time, residents bought out electrical generators costing up to $2,000 apiece.
Jenny Castro, public information officer for the governor's office, said 533 people remained in shelters, but more were expected because a lake in Susupe Village on Saipan overflowed.
Rota, where winds were clocked as high as 132 mph, took the brunt of the storm.
Chaba was also felt on the neighboring U.S. territory of Guam, where Gov. Felix Camacho declared a state of emergency.
A typhoon is a hurricane located west of the international date line.
Affordable housing units open on Kauai
A 40-unit affordable-housing project officially opened yesterday on Kauai, where rising rents and property values are making it hard for many families to find homes.The one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments at the Kalepa Village Phase Two project are intended for individuals and families who make less than half of the average median income on the Garden Island.
Monthly rents range from $495 for a one-bedroom to $595 for two bedrooms to $695 for three bedrooms.
The $6.8 million project was built with public and private financing.
Nearly 200 families participated in a lottery for the 40 units, and the project still has a waiting list, said John Frazier, executive director of the Kauai Housing Development Corp.
Judge set for final rule on Big Isle subdivision
KEALAKEKUA, Hawaii >> Circuit Judge Ronald Ibarra said yesterday that he was set to finalize his 2003 order that halted construction of a luxury subdivision in South Kona on the Big Island.Robert D.S. Kim, an attorney for plaintiffs who had sued to stop Hokulia, said he doubted Ibarra would make any substantial changes to his Sept. 12 ruling when he issues the final judgment today.
John DeFries, Hokulia's chief executive officer, said he could not comment until he had a chance to review the final judgment and any possible changes the judge might make.
Oceanside 1250, the developer of the 1,500-acre project above Kealakekua Bay, wanted Ibarra to reconsider his decision that found the more than 700 luxury homes planned for the site would violate state law on agricultural land use.
Earlier this month, court-ordered mediation between the developer and plaintiffs ceased after six months without a settlement.
Aloha Festivals ribbons on sale now
The 2004 Aloha Festivals Ribbons are now available for $5 statewide at more than 100 locations.The ribbons and program guides are available all Bank of Hawaii branches and at 7-Eleven, Crazy Shirt, Hilo Hattie and Safeway stores.
The purchase of a ribbon provides discounted admission to some of the festivities during the 58th annual event, held for six weeks during September and October. The festivals include parades, street parties, concerts and family activities.
For more information and to get a schedule of events, call 589-1771 or visit www.alohafestivals.com.
[Taking Notice]
>> Vica Sheverda of Waikoloa, Hawaii, has been named a U.S. Achievement Academy National Award Winner in mathematics. She attends Kealakehe High School.>> Sarah Celeste Williams of Honolulu has been given the Distinguished Scholar Award, worth $2,000 per year and renewable for four years, at Western Carolina University. She is a graduate of Roosevelt High School.
>> The Good Beginnings Alliance has awarded its spring 2004 scholarships through its T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) Early Childhood program for professional development in quality care of young children.
Oahu recipients include Anne Holt of the First Chinese Church of Christ, Elizabeth Muafono of Parents and Children Together's Head Start, Carol Konno of Makiki Christian Church, Alvina Villegas of Hawaii Kids at Work, Shirena Leong of Kamaaina Kids in Enchanted Lake, Michelle Kinoshita of Rainbow Schools in Mililani, Cheryl-Ann Gamiao-Herrod of First Baptist Church of Haleiwa, Desiree Espinda of St. Tim's Children Center, Shanda Agaran of Kamaaina Kids in Waipahu, Nancy Schultz of Kamaaina Kids at St. Mark's, Lydia Guerrero of Family Child Care Provider and Sayoko Yamaguchi of King's Kids.
Kauai teachers are Kathleen Smith of Family Child Care Provider and Karen Saronitman of Kauai Head Start. From the Big Island, awardees are Tamara Kirk and Susanne Ventimiglia of Hawaii Montessori. From Maui, Diane Nelson of Head Start is the recipient.
>> Dara Mittelstaedt of Honolulu received the University of Idaho College of Education award given to seniors for outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership and service in the Division of Teacher Education category.
>> Patricia Gatchett, a 1986 graduate of Iolani School, was named the 2003-2004 Teacher of the Year in the Los Nietos School District in Whittier, Calif. She was given the highest recognition from her colleagues and administrators after 14 years of teaching elementary school. Gatchett is now teaching kindergarten at Nelson Elementary in West Whittier. She also is a 1990 graduate of the University of Southern California.
>> Big Brothers Big Sisters of Honolulu has selected Leonard Ridela of Campbell High School and Amanda Clayton of Aiea High as the outstanding "High School Bigs of the Year" in Honolulu. In the oldest youth mentoring organization in the country, Leonard and Clayton have provided role models to two elementary students, providing them with individual time and attention once a week at school or community site.
By Star-Bulletin staff
HONOLULU
Police say robber stole cash register in Kalihi
Police were looking last night for a robbery suspect who took a cash register at gunpoint from a Kalihi business Sunday night.Police said the suspect, armed with a handgun, entered the business at 2101 N. School St. about 10:25 p.m. He removed the clip from the gun and showed it to the salesclerk, police said.
The suspect then removed the cash register from the counter and fled on foot, police said. Police described the suspect only as a man in his 20s.
WAIKIKI
Cardiac arrest blamed in death of swimmer
A 72-year-old Waikiki man died yesterday after suffering cardiac arrest while swimming at a Waikiki beach.When paramedics arrived, the man had already been brought ashore, and paramedics administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation, said Dean Okano, Emergency Medical Services supervisor.
Police said the man went into the water about 9:30 a.m. and was pulled lifeless from the water at 10:27 a.m. near the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Okano said the man was in cardiac arrest when he was taken by ambulance to Straub Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
CENTRAL OAHU
Waipio man arrested in attempted bike theft
Police arrested a 22-year-old Waipio man Sunday night after he allegedly tried to rob a boy of his bicycle.Police said the boy was riding his bicycle on Waihonu Street and Waihonu Place in Waipio when the suspect threatened him to get the bike. A witness intervened and the suspect left.
Police located and arrested the man for second-degree robbery.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers