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ZONING IN ON SCHOOL SAFETY
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State Rep. Takai called to active duty
State Rep. K. Mark Takai, a captain in the Hawaii Army National Guard, has been activated for duty from May 16 to Sept. 26.Takai (D, Newtown-Pearl City), House vice speaker, said yesterday that he will work out of the National Guard's Diamond Head headquarters as a medical officer helping with the mobilization of soldiers.
"We are responsible to make sure the soldiers are medically ready, and also to clear those returning from Iraq," Takai said.
Federal regulations prohibit him from serving in the state Legislature while on active duty, but he does not have to resign his elected post, he said.
If the Legislature comes back in special session this summer to consider overrides of any vetoes by Gov. Linda Lingle, Takai will not be able to participate.
"Basically I will be able to keep my position, but any legislative duties will be handled by my staff or other representatives," Takai said.
In August, former state Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo, a National Guard soldier who volunteered for service in Iraq, was also forbidden from continuing her elected duties or running for re-election.
Lost items from airport to be auctioned
The state Department of Transportation will auction off surrendered and lost articles from Honolulu Airport at 10 a.m. Saturday.The auction will be in the seventh-floor conference room of the Interisland Terminal.
Items ranging from laptop computers and souvenirs to knives and luggage will be sold by the box, while some jewelry items will be sold by bid.
Inspection and registration starts at 9 a.m. Registered bidders will get four hours of validated parking. See www.airports.hawaii.gov/auction.
Health fair to focus on insurance for all
A health fair is planned downtown Tuesday as part of a national initiative to draw attention to Americans who lack health coverage.The free event, sponsored by the Hawaii Uninsured Project as part of "Cover the Uninsured Week," is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Tamarind Park. It will include health screenings and information.
The Hawaii Uninsured Project, funded by federal and private grants, advocates accessible health care for anyone in Hawaii who needs it. For more information, see www.healthcoveragehawaii.org.
Taking Notice
» Kahi Mohala has received the Presidents Award from Sutter Healthcare, recognizing its work in behavioral health in the community. The Ewa facility was selected for the award from among 26 hospitals and 80 physician practices affiliated with Sutter Healthcare.» Kraft Foods, in partnership with Foodland and Sack 'N Save, has donated more than 2,800 copies of "Magic Shark Learns to Cook," by local author Donivee Martin Laird, to the U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program.
The retail value of the books is more than $25,000.
» Castle & Cooke Hawaii donated $20,000 to Mililani Mauka Elementary School as part of a pledge to match any funds raised in two events last year. Castle also made a similar $20,000 contribution to Mililani Iki Elementary School.
By Star-Bulletin staff
WAIKIKI
8 women rescued after canoe capsizes
The Honolulu Fire Department rescued eight female paddlers yesterday whose canoe flipped over in waters off Waikiki Beach."The boat hulied (overturned), and they weren't able to right it," said fire Capt. Emmit Kane.
The canoe overturned about 7:30 p.m. near a surf spot off the beach by the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel. "A passing catamaran, the Mai Tai, heard calls for distress and called the Coast Guard," Kane said.
Fire personnel were called and recovered the eight women, who were placed on the rescue boat and brought to shore. No one was reported injured, Kane said.
Honolulu
Robbery story hid theft by 2 men, police say
Police arrested two men who allegedly fabricated a story about a robbery at the fast-food restaurant where they worked to cover up a theft earlier this year.Police said both men, ages 29 and 27, worked at the KFC at 1470 Kapiolani Blvd.
Police said that about 1:30 a.m. Feb. 11, the suspects told officers that two masked men armed with a rifle and a handgun robbed them at gunpoint at the restaurant, then ran off.
After investigating the case, robbery detectives said the suspects made up the story and stole several thousand dollars from the restaurant. Police arrested both men earlier this week for investigation of second-degree theft, and police said they were still looking for a third suspect.
The suspects no longer work at the restaurant.
Suspect arrested in Kalihi shooting
Police arrested a 28-year-old man who allegedly shot at two other men -- hitting one several times -- at a Kalihi Valley park earlier this month.A plainclothes police officer spotted the suspect at Kalihi Bar-B-Q Drive Inn near Gulick Avenue and North School Street about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday. He arrested the suspect for investigation of two counts of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted murder and two firearm offenses.
Police said that about 3 a.m. April 18, the suspect and victim were arguing near a park along Piliwai Street. Police said the suspect fired about nine to 10 shots at the 46-year-old victim and an acquaintance of the victim, who was in a car nearby.
Police said the victim was hit three times, twice in the back and once in the buttocks. He was listed in serious condition. Police said the man in the car was not hit.
Police said two other men, ages 46 and 27, who were with the suspect during the Kalihi shooting, are being treated as witnesses. Police said the suspect suffered facial injuries when he was "taken down" during his arrest. Police have not located the gun used in the shooting.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Phone scam involves fake Verizon workers
Big Island police are warning residents of a new telephone scam.In the scam, the caller identifies himself as a representative of the Verizon telephone company and informs the victim that the balance on his telephone bill is $900 or a similar large amount. The caller then offers a payment plan in which the bill can be deducted automatically from the victim's bank account and asks for the victim's bank account number and other financial information.
"Never, ever give out your bank account number or other financial information to a stranger, especially over the phone," Capt. Chad Fukui advised.
Fukui said the scam is aimed primarily at seniors because they tend to be more trusting of strangers.
LEEWARD OAHU
19-year-old arrested in shoplifting case
Police arrested a 19-year-old man at a Waikele retail store yesterday on suspicion of second-degree robbery.Security officers stopped the suspect outside the store after he allegedly shoplifted merchandise, police said.
The suspect "became combative" and assaulted the loss-prevention officer, police said. Police were called and arrested the suspect.
The case is pending investigation.
[ The Courts ]
Judge triples bail for dance instructor
A 20-year-old dance instructor accused of sexually assaulting four female students was indicted yesterday by an Oahu grand jury.Daniel E. Jones, a longtime instructor at the Rosalie Woodson Dance Academy, was indicted on 17 counts of sexual assault, including four counts of first-degree sexual assault involving four girls, ages 12 to 14.
Circuit Judge Derrick Chan increased Jones' bail to $150,000 from $50,000 at the prosecutor's request. Chan also granted the state's request that Jones stay away from the victims' homes and the Aiea dance studio.
One of Jones' attorneys, Myron Takemoto, called the increased bail "unfair" and said he will immediately file a motion to reduce it. Jones posted $50,000 bail and has been free since his arrest on April 8.
Complaints filed in Honolulu District Court accuse Jones of engaging in sexual acts with the alleged victims beginning last August and as recently as March.
Jones pleaded not guilty in District Court earlier this month and is backed by a large number of individuals.
Indicted inmate blames guard for 'ice' pipe
A female inmate at the Women's Community Correctional Center has been indicted for possessing an "ice" pipe that she claims was given to her by a prison guard.Darnell Lynn Feliciano was charged yesterday with second-degree promotion of prison contraband.
During a strip search in June, adult corrections officers found on Feliciano a methamphetamine pipe wrapped in brown paper, in addition to other items.
She told them she knew it was an ice pipe and that a guard had given it to her.
Bail was set at $50,000. Feliciano has six felony convictions, including second-degree theft and drug offenses.
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