Honolulu Star-Bulletin Hawaii News

Say to return as House speaker

Democrats have re-elected Rep. Calvin Say as speaker of the state House.

Say (D, Palolo-Kapahulu) will start his seventh year as speaker when the 2005 Legislature convenes on Jan. 19.

Rep. Mark Takai (D, Newtown-Pearl City) was elected as vice speaker. Rep. Marcus Oshiro (D, Wahiawa-Poamoho) was named majority leader, and Rep. Blake Oshiro (D, Aiea-Halawa) was named majority floor leader.

Say added that the discussion over leadership of the House committees was not finished, but he expected to announce the committee assignments next week.

IRS seeks recipients of undelivered checks

The Internal Revenue Service is waiting to hear from Hawaii taxpayers who have yet to receive their income tax refund checks. Checks totaling more than $425,000 and sent to 575 Hawaii taxpayers were returned undelivered.

Taxpayers who have moved since filing their last tax return can send their updated address to the IRS by filing a Form 8822 Change of Address form that can be downloaded from IRS.gov or call 800-TAX-FORM (829-3676). Residents can also access the Web site to track their undelivered checks.

Those who believe they are missing a refund check and do not have Internet access should first check their records or contact their tax preparer before calling 800-829-1040.

Air Force and Navy plan joint exercises

LIHUE » The Air Force and Navy conduct joint training at the Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility on the western tip of Kauai today, Monday and Tuesday.

Operations could stretch into Wednesday if weather affects the schedule, officials said. A variety of fighters, bombers, surveillance aircraft and helicopters will be involved, "causing some noise over the area," the Air Force cautioned.

Church gives $15,000 to pediatric care unit

The Ladies Philoptochos Society of Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church presented a $15,000 donation on Wednesday to benefit Kapiolani Medical Center's pediatric cardiology services department.

This is a first-time donation which the chapter lobbied the Greek Orthodox Church in America to provide.

For the last 15 years, the chapter has donated airline coupons to assist oncology patients and their families from Hawaii and the Pacific Rim who need financial assistance with traveling to the hospital for cancer treatment.

Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin staff

WINDWARD OAHU

Suspects and vehicle sought in home burglary

Honolulu police are looking for people who were seen in a van outside a Kaneohe house that was hit by burglars earlier this week.

Police said an Ohaha Street resident returned home Monday to find that a number of things were stolen. Earlier, about 10:30 a.m., a neighbor noticed a black Ford Windstar van parked in front of the victim's house. The witness said that a woman appeared to be in the driver's seat, a small child in the passenger seat and a man in the back seat.

Police later recovered a purse belonging to a relative of the victim that same evening near the Hawai'i Convention Center. Police described the female suspect as in her 20s, with shoulder-length dark hair, a medium build and a tan complexion. There were no descriptions available for either the unidentified child in the passenger seat or the man in the van's back seat.

The suspect vehicle was described as an older-model Ford Windstar van with brown bottom paneling, a white front bumper and a "G" as the first letter of its license plate number.

Anyone with information may call the Kaneohe Police Station at 247-2166 and ask for Detective Robert Miranda. Calls may also be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300, or by dialing *CRIME on a cellular phone.

HONOLULU

Man allegedly stabs victim after argument

Police were looking for a 32-year-old man in connection with the stabbing of another man Wednesday night in Chinatown.

Police said the victim, 42, was stabbed as he left a store fronting 1159 Maunakea St. about 7:29 p.m. Police said both men were arguing earlier in the evening. The suspect fled the scene. The victim sustained a laceration to his upper back and was taken to the Queen's Medical Center. His condition was not available.

The suspect is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall and about 120 pounds. Police are investigating the case as an attempted murder.

LEEWARD OAHU

Waianae man arrested for drugs and robbery

Police arrested an 18-year-old Waianae man who allegedly robbed two men in Aiea on Wednesday.

Police said the victims were walking down Kauhale Street about 1:35 a.m. when the suspect, without warning, punched one of the men on the side of the face.

The suspect then pulled the other man's wallet out of his pocket, grabbed him in a headlock and punched him, police said.

Police said the suspect fled with a wallet and a bicycle.

One victim followed the suspect and saw him in a nearby parking lot rummaging through a car.

Police arrived and arrested the man for suspicion of second-degree robbery, breaking into a car and drug violations.

Officers found a methamphetamine pipe containing residue inside the suspect's pocket, police said.

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

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Newswatch Star-Bulletin staff and wire Say to return as House speaker Democrats have re-elected Rep. Calvin Say as speaker of the state House. Say (D, Palolo-Kapahulu) will start his seventh year as speaker when the 2005 Legislature convenes on Jan. 19. Rep. Mark Takai (D, Newtown-Pearl City) was elected as vice speaker. Rep. Marcus Oshiro (D, Wahiawa-Poamoho) was named majority leader, and Rep. Blake Oshiro (D, Aiea-Halawa) was named majority floor leader. Say added that the discussion over leadership of the House committees was not finished, but he expected to announce the committee assignments next week. IRS seeks recipients of undelivered checks The Internal Revenue Service is waiting to hear from Hawaii taxpayers who have yet to receive their income tax refund checks. Checks totaling more than $425,000 and sent to 575 Hawaii taxpayers were returned undelivered. Taxpayers who have moved since filing their last tax return can send their updated address to the IRS by filing a Form 8822 Change of Address form that can be downloaded from IRS.gov or call 800-TAX-FORM (829-3676). Residents can also access the Web site to track their undelivered checks. Those who believe they are missing a refund check and do not have Internet access should first check their records or contact their tax preparer before calling 800-829-1040. Air Force and Navy plan joint exercises LIHUE » The Air Force and Navy conduct joint training at the Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility on the western tip of Kauai today, Monday and Tuesday. Operations could stretch into Wednesday if weather affects the schedule, officials said. A variety of fighters, bombers, surveillance aircraft and helicopters will be involved, "causing some noise over the area," the Air Force cautioned. Church gives $15,000 to pediatric care unit The Ladies Philoptochos Society of Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church presented a $15,000 donation on Wednesday to benefit Kapiolani Medical Center's pediatric cardiology services department. This is a first-time donation which the chapter lobbied the Greek Orthodox Church in America to provide. For the last 15 years, the chapter has donated airline coupons to assist oncology patients and their families from Hawaii and the Pacific Rim who need financial assistance with traveling to the hospital for cancer treatment. Police, Fire, Courts By Star-Bulletin staff WINDWARD OAHU Suspects and vehicle sought in home burglary Honolulu police are looking for people who were seen in a van outside a Kaneohe house that was hit by burglars earlier this week. Police said an Ohaha Street resident returned home Monday to find that a number of things were stolen. Earlier, about 10:30 a.m., a neighbor noticed a black Ford Windstar van parked in front of the victim's house. The witness said that a woman appeared to be in the driver's seat, a small child in the passenger seat and a man in the back seat. Police later recovered a purse belonging to a relative of the victim that same evening near the Hawai'i Convention Center. Police described the female suspect as in her 20s, with shoulder-length dark hair, a medium build and a tan complexion. There were no descriptions available for either the unidentified child in the passenger seat or the man in the van's back seat. The suspect vehicle was described as an older-model Ford Windstar van with brown bottom paneling, a white front bumper and a "G" as the first letter of its license plate number. Anyone with information may call the Kaneohe Police Station at 247-2166 and ask for Detective Robert Miranda. Calls may also be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300, or by dialing CRIME on a cellular phone. HONOLULU Man allegedly stabs victim after argument Police were looking for a 32-year-old man in connection with the stabbing of another man Wednesday night in Chinatown. Police said the victim, 42, was stabbed as he left a store fronting 1159 Maunakea St. about 7:29 p.m. Police said both men were arguing earlier in the evening. The suspect fled the scene. The victim sustained a laceration to his upper back and was taken to the Queen's Medical Center. His condition was not available. The suspect is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall and about 120 pounds. Police are investigating the case as an attempted murder. LEEWARD OAHU Waianae man arrested for drugs and robbery Police arrested an 18-year-old Waianae man who allegedly robbed two men in Aiea on Wednesday. Police said the victims were walking down Kauhale Street about 1:35 a.m. when the suspect, without warning, punched one of the men on the side of the face. The suspect then pulled the other man's wallet out of his pocket, grabbed him in a headlock and punched him, police said. Police said the suspect fled with a wallet and a bicycle. One victim followed the suspect and saw him in a nearby parking lot rummaging through a car. Police arrived and arrested the man for suspicion of second-degree robbery, breaking into a car and drug violations. Officers found a methamphetamine pipe containing residue inside the suspect's pocket, police said. Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers*	— ADVERTISEMENTS — — ADVERTISEMENTS —