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Banned litigant sues Big Isle police officers

HILO » A Big Island man who is banned from filing any more lawsuits in state court without a judge's permission has filed one in federal court against the Hawaii County Police Department.

The lawsuit by Thomas Schmidt of Kailua-Kona names eight police officers and several other people he claims assaulted him or stole from him.

Schmidt claims that rather than investigating the cases, police turned them over to prosecutors, who then declined to pursue them.

Court documents show that Circuit Judge Ronald Ibarra signed an order in April 2003 declaring that Schmidt is a "vexatious litigant" who has initiated at least five civil actions in which judges have ruled against him.

Ibarra's order prohibited Schmidt from filing any more litigation in state court without a judge's permission. The judge also ordered Schmidt to post $55,000 as a security deposit in a lawsuit that was pending.

Saint Louis thespians headed for Scotland

Saint Louis School's Drama Program was selected to perform in Edinburgh, Scotland, in August 2005.

The school is part of the American High School Theatre Festival contingent.

Saint Louis was one of 50 schools selected by the American High School Theatre Festival Board of Advisors out of 1,100 applicants to represent the United States at the Fringe Festival, a large arts festival. The board reviews applications based on awards, community involvement and recommendations.

Every August, thousands of different performances involving music, theater, dance and comedy are featured at the Fringe Festival.

At least 24 students will travel to Edinburgh to perform "Chicago." The cast will include students from Saint Louis and female students from Kaimuki High School, Kaiser High School, Kamehameha Schools, La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls, Maryknoll School, Mid-Pacific Institute, Punahou School, Roosevelt High School and Sacred Hearts Academy.

Saint Louis will be holding fund-raisers for the two-week trip to Edinburgh. Donations are welcome. For more information, call 739-4800.

$2 million teaching grant for UH-Manoa

The U.S. Department of Education awarded the University of Hawaii-Manoa College of Education a $2 million grant for its Transition to Teaching program to increase the number of qualified and licensed secondary math and science teachers in Hawaii.

The program is designed for mid-career professionals and recent college graduates who would like to make a transition in their careers to become qualified teachers in high-need schools.

This year, the state Education Department will need about 100 high school math and science teachers statewide, said Jocelyn Surla Banaria, College of Education program manager.

The university offers a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Secondary Education, a fast-track three-semester program for people with a bachelor's degree outside of education. Through the Transition to Teaching program, students can receive a $1,500 stipend per semester for up to three semesters (a total of $4,500).

Students who successfully pass the tests required for licensure can also be reimbursed for the amount of their test fees. In return, students must commit to teach for three years upon the program completion in a Hawaii public school.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

HONOLULU
Man allegedly tries to rob store using propane torch

Police arrested a 22-year-old Kalihi man after he allegedly attempted to rob a convenience store with a propane torch.

The suspect entered the store at Quick Wash Chevron, 909 Waiakamilo Road, at 10 p.m. Saturday. Two cashiers told police that the suspect lit the torch and demanded money but was scared off when a car pulled in for gasoline.

Police said the suspect then fled in his vehicle. Police located the suspect's vehicle near the convenience store.

The 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of first-degree robbery.

CENTRAL OAHU
Woman allegedly slashes her husband

A 41-year old woman allegedly slashed her husband with a knife at their Mililani home over the weekend.

Police responded to a domestic abuse call at the Lokalia Street home at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The suspect's husband, 35, told police that his wife had slashed him multiple times with a knife.

Police did not have information about where on his body the victim was slashed.

The suspect, who was still at home, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault.

Threat using machete results in charges

A 34-year-old man was charged yesterday after allegedly threatening his girlfriend's father with a machete at a Mililani residence.

Police identified the suspect as Edwin Tacadena of a Kapahulu Avenue address.

The 42-year-old victim told police that he was talking with someone at 8:20 p.m. Friday in Mililani when Tacadena threatened him with a machete and chased him down the street.

Tacadena is being held in lieu of $11,000 bail.

LEEWARD OAHU
Argument culminates in threatened shooting

Police arrested a 39-year-old Salt Lake man after he allegedly threatened his ex-girlfriend with a gun at her Pearl City home.

The victim, 33, told police that the suspect stopped by about 11:30 a.m. Saturday at her home on Puu Kipa Street when they got into an argument.

Police said the suspect brandished a handgun and threatened to shoot her. After several hours of keeping her at the house, the suspect allowed the victim to leave unharmed.

The 39-year-old man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of first-degree terroristic threatening and kidnapping.

WINDWARD OAHU
Drinking outing ends in punch and arrest

A 28-year-old Kalihi man was charged with second-degree assault yesterday after he allegedly punched his co-worker for no apparent reason.

Police identified the suspect as Jonah Ramos of Kalihi.

Ramos and his co-worker, 31, were drinking beer together Friday on Maluniu Avenue in Kailua when Ramos punched his co-worker in the face. The victim drove himself to a nearby hospital to get treatment for a facial fracture.

Ramos is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail.

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Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers