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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
185,000 gallons of sewage spill in Laie
About 185,000 gallons of untreated waste water spilled into the Laie storm drainage system between Tuesday and yesterday, according to officials with Laie Treatment Works Inc., which runs the sewer treatment facility for the Mormon Church in Laie.Officials said the spill was due to this week's heavy rains and pump station control failure. The sewage spilled from the Moana Street pump station into a nearby storm drain inlet, which drains into Laie Bay. Since then the area has been cleaned and disinfected, and warning signs posted.
Annual Hunger Walk seeks participants
Registration is now being accepted for the River of Life Mission's Second Annual Walk for Hunger on Saturday at Ala Moana Beach Park.Walkers may also sign up on the day of the race from 7 a.m. The 2-mile walk starts 8 a.m. at the Magic Island end of the park. Advance registration is being coordinated by Davi Teves at 524-7656, ext. 222, at the mission.
Proceeds from the pledges and entry donations will support the mission's food program, which serves 12,000 hot meals and distributes 20,000 food boxes monthly to low-income and elderly people on Oahu.
A charitable organization, River of Life is supported primarily by private donations and grants. All services are free, and all are welcome at the downtown Honolulu facility at Maunakea and Pauahi streets.
» Norwegian Cruise Line America, which launched the Pride of Aloha in July, recognized nine students throughout the state who best conveyed the theme "What Aloha Means to Me" in its keiki art contest:
Kindergarten through fourth grade: Morgan Rapozo of E.B. DeSilva Elementary School, first place; Carissa Kim, Mililani Mauka Elementary, second; Jennifer Ha, Noelani Elementary, third.
Fifth through eighth grade: Ulu Makuakane, Naalehu School, first place; Jasmine Pang, Mililani Middle School, second; Jessica Caraang, Maui Waena Intermediate School, third.
Ninth through 12th grade: Michael DeGuzman, Farrington High School, first; Kahea Lindsey, Honokaa High School, second; Heather Graf, Keaau High School, third.
» Duke's Waikiki has recognized Teresa Yeatts with its Coast Guard Sailor award and Penny Lindley with the Civilian of the Quarter award for their commitment to the U.S. Coast Guard. Each got $50 gift certificates.
» The Hawaii State Public Library System has named Paola Saibene, a data processing systems analyst, its 2004 Employee of the Year; and the Kailua-Kona Public Library Team, its Team of the Year. Team members include manager Irene Horvath, Denise Jacobsen, Michael Hayley, Sally Young, Judy Rothstein, Toni Hoffman, Pat Sullivan, Lynette Hanato and Gwen Acasio.
» The Hawaii People's Fund, which supports grass-roots efforts for progressive social change, has awarded $16,000 in grants to the American Friends Service Committee Gay Liberation Program, Chinese Community Action Coalition, Civil Unions Civil Rights Movement, Friends of Sabeel, Global Gathering, Genetically Modified Organic-Free Maui, He Ola Hou O Ke Kumu Niu, Kokua Council Education Fund, Lo'i Theater, Malu 'Aina, Noho Hewa and the Safe Zone Foundation.
By Star-Bulletin staff
HONOLULU
Bank robbery suspect still on the loose
Police are looking for the suspect who robbed the American Savings Bank at Kamehameha Shopping Center at 2 p.m. yesterday.
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The suspect is described as in his 20s, 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds, having a medium build, black "afro" hair and a dark complexion, and is clean-shaven. He was last seen wearing a black "do-rag," baseball cap, black "Sean John" pullover sweatshirt with hand-warmer pockets, oversize burnt-orange pants and dark boots.
Police said yesterday's robbery marks the 13th bank robbery of the year.
Anyone with information may call Detective James Nobriga at 692-4507. Anonymous calls may also be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or by dialing *CRIME on a cellular phone.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Big Island vacation home found in flames
Big Island fire crews were at the scene of a house fire in Laupahoehoe yesterday.Fire officials said that upon arrival they found the single-story vacation home fully engulfed by flames at 7:35 a.m. Some propane tanks near the home also caught on fire but were eventually extinguished. Damage to the home is estimated at about $100,000.
Woman dies after thrown from truck
WAILUKU » A 26-year-old woman died Tuesday night in a solo crash in South Maui.Danae Carter of Kihei was driving a pickup truck on Kanakanui Road in Kihei at about 11:10 p.m. when she lost control, crossed over the road, struck a dirt embankment and rolled over, said police traffic investigator Jeffrey Mahoney.
Mahoney said Carter, who was not wearing her seat belt, was ejected from the truck and died at the scene. Mahoney said Gregory Akers, a passenger who was wearing his seat belt, suffered minor injuries.
WINDWARD OAHU
Officials suspect arson at Keolu Hills home
Police have opened a criminal property damage case in connection with a fire that destroyed a vacant home Tuesday in Keolu Hills.Fire investigators determined the fire to be intentionally set, said fire Capt. Emmit Kane.
About 30 firefighters got to the home at 1081 Kupau St. just before 5:30 a.m. and had the blaze under control within 18 minutes. There were no reports of injuries, fire Capt. Emmit Kane said.
He said the home's occupants had moved out last week, and the house looked to be in the early stages of demolition.
A witness smelled a "gaslike odor" when the fire first started. Damage was estimated at $120,000.
WAIKIKI
Man robbed of car, wallet and cell phone
Police are looking for three men in their 20s who allegedly threatened a 21-year-old man with a knife and then stole his car, wallet and cell phone outside a Waikiki supermarket late Monday.The incident occurred at about 10 p.m. outside the Food Pantry in Waikiki when the victim was approached by three men after getting out of his car.
Police said one of the suspects had a knife and demanded the victim empty his pockets. The men took the victim's wallet, cell phone and car keys, police said.
After the suspects fled, the victim walked to the Waikiki police station to report the incident. When the victim returned to the parking lot, his car was gone, police said.
Police had no additional information on the suspects.
LEEWARD OAHU
2 arrested after assault of newspaper stocker
Police arrested two men who allegedly robbed a 23-year-old man in April while he was loading a newspaper stand in Makakilo.The incident happened on April 11 at about 4:15 a.m. when two men -- ages 22 and 23 -- allegedly struck the victim on the head and took his car.
The men were arrested yesterday without incident and then released pending an investigation.
Police collar trio of robbery suspects
Police caught three male suspects yesterday who allegedly robbed a 19-year-old woman at knifepoint in Village Park in August.On Aug. 16 the woman was walking on Leia Street when she was approached by a man who brandished a knife and demanded her purse, police said. The suspect took the purse and fled in a waiting vehicle driven by a second suspect, police said. A third suspect was identified after pawning the woman's property later that day, police said.
Police arrested a 35-year-old Waipahu man on suspicion of first-degree robbery. Two other men, ages 20 and 19, were also arrested.
The suspects were later released pending investigation.
Girl might face charges after brandishing knife
Charges are being sought against a 15-year-old girl arrested on three counts of first-degree terroristic threatening at Pearl City High School on Tuesday.Police said the student allegedly threatened three employees of the school with a knife and a pair of scissors at 2:15 p.m.
The employees were two men, ages 43 and 34, and a woman, 42.
Aiea car crash victim identified
The Medical Examiner's Office identified the driver who died after his car crashed into two trees in Aiea early Sunday as Derek Park, 24, of Aiea.Police said Park was driving a 1999 Mercedes-Benz on Kaahumanu Street at about 4:54 a.m. when he lost control of the car at a bend in the road near Komo Mai Drive, police said.
Park was pronounced dead at the scene and did not appear to be wearing a seat belt, police said.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers