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Grants will address repairs at isle schools

Hawaii 3Rs has awarded grants totaling $200,000 to 12 public schools statewide for repair and maintenance projects that will take place during the winter break.

Volunteers, both skilled and unskilled, will work on campuses on Maui, the Big Island, Molokai and Oahu. The overall value of the projects is $490,000.

Projects include re-carpeting, repairing and widening walkways, installing speed bumps and painting school buildings.

Grants went to Aikahi Elementary, Aliamanu Elementary, Aliamanu Middle School, Heeia Elementary, Jarrett Middle School, Kalaheo High School, Kapunahala Elementary, Kaunakakai Elementary, Lihikai Elementary, Mililani Mauka Elementary, Waimanalo Elementary & Intermediate and Waimea Middle School.

Hawaii 3Rs, a public-private partnership, awards grants to public schools that step forward with private contributions and/or professional volunteerism. It was set up to reduce the backlog of school repairs.

Comments on viewing of wildlife are sought

Oahu residents can share ideas at a public workshop Thursday for making sure that wildlife viewing is responsible and appropriate.

The meeting will introduce the Hawaii Watchable Wildlife Project and seek input on the specific wildlife viewing locations on Oahu that should be included in the national wildlife viewing network.

The workshop will be 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Department of Land and Natural Resources Board Room, Kalanimoku Building, 1151 Punchbowl St. Other workshops were held on Kauai and Maui in November and are set for the Big Island on Monday and Tuesday.

For more information about the project, visit www.HawaiiWildlife.org, or contact Ray Tabata at 587-8579 or ray@HawaiiWildlife.org.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

LEEWARD OAHU

Shooting suspect in police custody

A 28-year-old woman wanted for questioning in the killing of a homeless man in Ewa Beach last month turned herself in to police Wednesday.

Police arrested Chantell Pinero for investigation of second-degree murder and hindering prosecution for the incident at Oneula Beach Park -- known as Hau Bush -- on Nov. 19. In that case the 45-year-old male victim was shot in the mouth with a shotgun at close range, according to investigators.

Police said the shooter was believed to have been riding in a maroon Mazda van driven by a female suspect with another male passenger. About a week after the shooting, police said they were looking for three people in connection with the case: Pinero and two men, Alexander Akuna Jr., 29, and Justin Luhia, 24. CrimeStoppers was also trying to locate another man in connection with this case, Henry Akuna, 29, and said he is also wanted for an outstanding parole warrant.

Stolen credit card fails inspection at Wal-Mart

Honolulu police arrested a 24-year-old man who allegedly tried to use a stolen credit card to buy about $1,800 worth of merchandise early Tuesday.

Police said the suspect went into the Kunia Wal-Mart at 94-595 Kupuohi St. about 2 a.m. and presented a credit card as payment for the goods. When questioned by the cashier why the card had a woman's name on it, the suspect said that the card was his mother's and that he had her permission to use it, police said.

However, when the owner of the card, 41, was contacted, she said it had been stolen earlier along with her purse. Police were called and arrested the suspect for fraudulent use of a credit card.

HONOLULU

Bicyclist hits car at Kalihi stoplight

A 59-year-old bicyclist was in critical condition at the Queen's Medical Center after police said he crashed into a car stopped at a traffic light in Kalihi on Wednesday.

Police said the male victim was makai-bound on Kalihi Street about 6 p.m. when he made a right turn on Nalanieha Street, crossed over the double yellow solid lines and hit a 1994 Volkswagen Jetta that was stopped at a red light.

Police said no one in the Jetta was injured. The bicyclist had been initially taken by ambulance to Queen's in serious condition but was later downgraded to critical condition, according to police.

Fisherman charged in stabbing death

Police have charged a 30-year-old fisherman with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of a fellow fisherman earlier this week.

Bosco Reo was being held in lieu of $500,000. Police said the stabbing followed an argument between the men about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday after their fishing boat docked at Pier 17.

Both men are from Kiribati.

Sam's Club carjacking suspect is charged

The suspect who allegedly carjacked a federal police officer in front of the Keeaumoku Street Sam's Club was charged yesterday with robbery, theft and terroristic threatening.

Spencer Y. Kurihara Jr. was charged with first-degree robbery, kidnapping, five counts of first-degree terroristic threatening and second-degree theft. Bail was set at $75,000.

Kurihara had allegedly shoplifted items from the electronics department of Sam's Club about 2 p.m. Tuesday. Store officials confronted him, and he gave back the items but panicked and pulled out a pocketknife and fled.

According to a police affidavit, Kurihara was swinging a knife and pointing it at people in the Sam's Club parking lot.

Kurihara allegedly confronted off-duty federal officer Christopher Allison and held a 3- to 4-inch knife to his throat, telling him to drive his truck. He threatened to stab Allison if he did not drive, according to the affidavit.

Allison drove the vehicle on Kapiolani Boulevard and tried to get Kurihara to put the knife down, which he did, police said.

Officers in blue and white cars stopped the truck after Allison turned onto Cooke Street. Kurihara allegedly told him to ram the police car.

Allison turned off the engine and got out while Kurihara's attention was focused on police.

Kurihara was then arrested.

Police want help finding the female occupants of a car who had been threatened by the carjacking suspect.

Police said prior to the carjacking, the suspect had first tried to steal a red four-door sedan that had two to three women inside.

Police said the women in that vehicle left the scene without making contact with officers. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Gordon Makishima at 529-3383.

63-year-old reports carjacking at Zippy's

A 63-year-old man told police someone threatened him with a knife and stole his car in the parking lot of the Vineyard Zippy's at 1:20 a.m. yesterday.

The victim told police he stopped to get saimin after a day of golfing and a night of bar hopping when a man approached him with a knife in the Zippy's parking lot at 59 N. Vineyard Blvd. and told him to get out of his way. The men then exchanged words, and the suspect allegedly drove off with the victim's car.

Patrol units later found the car parked less than a quarter-mile away on Nuuanu Avenue. The suspect is described as in his late 20s to early 30s. Police are investigating the case as a robbery/carjacking.

CENTRAL OAHU

Pair arrested in Mililani attack

A Mililani Chevron convenience store clerk suffered a fractured hand and arm after being beaten by two robbery suspects who tried to steal several cans of snuff Wednesday night, police said.

Police said that at 11:45 p.m. one of the suspects put several cans of snuff in his pocket and tried to walk out of the store. When confronted by the store clerk, the suspect put two cans of snuff back on the counter but still had two more in his pocket, police said.

When the clerk confronted the suspect again, the suspect hit him in the head with a wooden broom, police said. The second suspect then grabbed a metal object and smashed the clerk's hand, police said.

Police said the clerk then ran into the store to call 911 but was held down by one of the suspects while the other suspect hit him with a metal bat. The suspects fled but were located by police a short distance away. They were both arrested for second-degree assault and second-degree robbery.