Honolulu Star-Bulletin Hawaii News

OHA candidate taken off ballot

LIHUE » State elections officials removed the name of Leona Kalima from the ballot yesterday as the only challenger to Don Cataluna, Kauai's incumbent representative on the board of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Cataluna had filed a challenge to Kalima's candidacy. Kalima did not contest Cataluna's allegation that Kalima was not a Kauai resident at the time she filed her nominating petition.

The Kauai representative is subject to a statewide election but Cataluna already has been declared the winner because he is the only candidate.

Man admits bike-riding robberies

A 37-year-old Puna man pleaded guilty in Hilo Circuit Court to four separate robbery cases earlier this week.

The defendant, William Paul Robinson, was indicted by a Big Island grand jury for the June 1, 2003, robbery of a 45-year-old man in Hilo. Robinson used pepper spray to rob the victim in the parking lot of a video store.

As part of a plea agreement with county prosecutors, Robinson also pleaded guilty to three robberies in South Hilo and Puna in June 2003 during which he fled the scene each time on a bicycle.

They include the June 17 robbery of the Home Street Bank in Hilo, the June 24 robbery of the Waiakea branch of Bank of Hawaii, and the June 29 robbery of Pahoa Natural Groceries. Robinson is scheduled for sentencing in the case on Nov. 1.

UH nursing dean leaves for Kent State

The dean of the University of Hawaii-Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene has resigned to accept a similar appointment at Kent State University.

Julie Johnson will remain at UH-Manoa until January. She has been at the campus since August 2003.

"We will miss her professionalism and dedication," said UH-Manoa Chancellor Peter Englert.

As part of her new duties as dean of the College of Nursing at Kent State, Johnson will help develop a college of health sciences.

"I have appreciated the support of faculty, staff and students during my time here," Johnson said. "The school is in good hands as we prepare for new leadership."

Highway safety group will meet in Waikiki

About 300 highway safety experts, transportation and public health officials, insurance representatives and others are converging on Hawaii next week for the annual meeting of the Governors Highway Safety Association.

Officials scheduled to address the gathering include Gov. Linda Lingle and Ellen Engleman Conners, chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board, the association said in a news release.

The theme of the annual meeting is "Highway Safety: Priority 1.0," which refers to the national goal of reducing the rate of traffic fatalities to 1.0 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. The current rate is 1.49, the association said.

The Governors Highway Safety Association is a nonprofit organization that represents the highway safety programs of states and territories. The meeting is scheduled from Sept. 27 to 29 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin staff

WAIKIKI

3 teenage girls arrested after hotel room burglary

Police said they arrested three 14-year-old Leeward Oahu girls Monday after they allegedly burglarized a hotel room using a key that was stolen from a tourist's purse.

A witness reported seeing the girls in the bathroom behind the Waikiki Police Substation taking items from a purse, according to police. Officers also received reports of other thefts on the beach about the same time.

While investigating the alleged theft, officers learned of a hotel burglary, police said.

While investigating the burglary, officers noticed the girls on a surveillance camera recording. Police arrested the girls for suspicion of first-degree burglary.

Male sought in alleged robbery of taxi driver

Police are asking the public's help in finding a male suspect who allegedly robbed a taxi driver at knifepoint Aug. 15 in Waikiki.

A taxi driver picked up five teenage males about 10:30 p.m. from the Waikiki Jack in The Box restaurant at 2310 Kuhio Ave.

When they arrived at 1238 Richard Lane, the suspect, brandishing a knife, allegedly demanded money from the driver.

The suspect is described as between 15 and 20 years old, 5 feet 6, 140 pounds, with a thin build and dark brown complexion, with short, curly black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a dark short-sleeved athletic team shirt and dark-colored shorts.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Taro Nakamura at 529-3436 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cell phone.

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

— ADVERTISEMENT —

Newswatch Star-Bulletin staff and wire OHA candidate taken off ballot LIHUE » State elections officials removed the name of Leona Kalima from the ballot yesterday as the only challenger to Don Cataluna, Kauai's incumbent representative on the board of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Cataluna had filed a challenge to Kalima's candidacy. Kalima did not contest Cataluna's allegation that Kalima was not a Kauai resident at the time she filed her nominating petition. The Kauai representative is subject to a statewide election but Cataluna already has been declared the winner because he is the only candidate. Man admits bike-riding robberies A 37-year-old Puna man pleaded guilty in Hilo Circuit Court to four separate robbery cases earlier this week. The defendant, William Paul Robinson, was indicted by a Big Island grand jury for the June 1, 2003, robbery of a 45-year-old man in Hilo. Robinson used pepper spray to rob the victim in the parking lot of a video store. As part of a plea agreement with county prosecutors, Robinson also pleaded guilty to three robberies in South Hilo and Puna in June 2003 during which he fled the scene each time on a bicycle. They include the June 17 robbery of the Home Street Bank in Hilo, the June 24 robbery of the Waiakea branch of Bank of Hawaii, and the June 29 robbery of Pahoa Natural Groceries. Robinson is scheduled for sentencing in the case on Nov. 1. UH nursing dean leaves for Kent State The dean of the University of Hawaii-Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene has resigned to accept a similar appointment at Kent State University. Julie Johnson will remain at UH-Manoa until January. She has been at the campus since August 2003. "We will miss her professionalism and dedication," said UH-Manoa Chancellor Peter Englert. As part of her new duties as dean of the College of Nursing at Kent State, Johnson will help develop a college of health sciences. "I have appreciated the support of faculty, staff and students during my time here," Johnson said. "The school is in good hands as we prepare for new leadership." Highway safety group will meet in Waikiki About 300 highway safety experts, transportation and public health officials, insurance representatives and others are converging on Hawaii next week for the annual meeting of the Governors Highway Safety Association. Officials scheduled to address the gathering include Gov. Linda Lingle and Ellen Engleman Conners, chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board, the association said in a news release. The theme of the annual meeting is "Highway Safety: Priority 1.0," which refers to the national goal of reducing the rate of traffic fatalities to 1.0 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. The current rate is 1.49, the association said. The Governors Highway Safety Association is a nonprofit organization that represents the highway safety programs of states and territories. The meeting is scheduled from Sept. 27 to 29 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Police, Fire, Courts By Star-Bulletin staff WAIKIKI 3 teenage girls arrested after hotel room burglary Police said they arrested three 14-year-old Leeward Oahu girls Monday after they allegedly burglarized a hotel room using a key that was stolen from a tourist's purse. A witness reported seeing the girls in the bathroom behind the Waikiki Police Substation taking items from a purse, according to police. Officers also received reports of other thefts on the beach about the same time. While investigating the alleged theft, officers learned of a hotel burglary, police said. While investigating the burglary, officers noticed the girls on a surveillance camera recording. Police arrested the girls for suspicion of first-degree burglary. Male sought in alleged robbery of taxi driver Police are asking the public's help in finding a male suspect who allegedly robbed a taxi driver at knifepoint Aug. 15 in Waikiki. A taxi driver picked up five teenage males about 10:30 p.m. from the Waikiki Jack in The Box restaurant at 2310 Kuhio Ave. When they arrived at 1238 Richard Lane, the suspect, brandishing a knife, allegedly demanded money from the driver. The suspect is described as between 15 and 20 years old, 5 feet 6, 140 pounds, with a thin build and dark brown complexion, with short, curly black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a dark short-sleeved athletic team shirt and dark-colored shorts. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Taro Nakamura at 529-3436 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or CRIME on a cell phone. Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers*	— ADVERTISEMENTS — — ADVERTISEMENTS —