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Hepatitis information meeting is Tuesday

An educational event in recognition of May as Hepatitis Awareness Month will be presented from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Life Foundation, 677 Ala Moana, Suite 229.

Ken Akinaka, hepatitis clinical research coordinator, will discuss information for patients starting or thinking about starting hepatitis C therapy. The presentation will be followed by a hepatitis C & B support group from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. for patients and family.

For more information, call 221-6204 or e-mail: KenAkinaka@aol.com.

'Chuckle Channel' helps Queen's patients heal

The Queen's Medical Center launched a "Chuckle Channel" last week for patients to see humorous shows.

They include Andy Bumatai's "High School Daze," "Rap's Hawaii" with Rap Reiplinger and Ivy Push's one-woman show featuring Queen's registered nurse Hob Osterlund, who heads the Pain Management Department.

The Chuckle Channel is the result of studies documenting the healing power of laughter, the hospital said. The shows appear in five-hour rotations on Queen's in-house Channel 4 station.

Breakfast benefits center for independent living

Finance Factors employees are selling tickets for the 2005 Finance Factors Family Breakfast Benefit. The annual fundraiser benefits the Hawaii Centers for Independent Living, an organization that helps people with disabilities live independently.

Breakfasts including eggs, sausage, rice and drinks will be served from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. July 8 in front of the Finance Factors Center in downtown Honolulu. Employee volunteers will deliver orders of 10 or more in the downtown area.

Tickets are $5 per breakfast. Tickets for VIP breakfasts served in a reserved seating area and prepared by guest Executive Sous Chef Michael Arita of the Pacific Beach Hotel are $25 each and sold in groups of four. For tickets, contact Margie Date at 548-4930.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

HONOLULU

Crash critically injures biker

A 46-year-old Honolulu man was critically injured in an accident Friday night in Kakaako, police reported.

The man, who was riding a 2002 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, failed to stop at the intersection of Pensacola and Hopaka streets. His motorcycle sideswiped a 2003 Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was stopped on Hopaka Street, facing west, police said.

The impact threw the Honolulu man from his motorcycle and he was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition with head injuries. A 42-year-old Kailua man riding the second motorcycle was not injured, police said.

Neither man was wearing a helmet and police said alcohol was a factor in the accident.

5-vehicle accident shuts 4 H-1 lanes

Four out of five Diamond Head-bound lanes of the H-1 Freeway near Waimalu were closed about an hour yesterday morning while tow trucks cleared a minor five-vehicle accident, police reported.

The accident occurred on the Honolulu side of the H1-H2 merge, a police dispatcher said, and four lanes were closed from 10:20 to 11:20 a.m. Three vehicles were towed and there were no serious injuries, but traffic backed up in both directions.

Man is knocked out and robbed of wallet

A 56-year-old man was knocked out from behind and robbed while walking home from work Thursday.

The attack took place at 5:30 a.m. as the victim was walking eastbound on Young Street near Keeaumoku Street. The victim was struck from behind, passed out and woke up unable to find his wallet. Police are investigating the case as a first-degree robbery and have no suspects.

WINDWARD OAHU

Wilson Tunnel closes after car overturns

Three minor accidents in or near the Kaneohe-bound Wilson Tunnel led to closure of the tunnel and a portion of Likelike Highway from 10:15 a.m. to 12:21 p.m. yesterday, police reported.

According to an officer at the Kalihi station, someone driving Honolulu-bound on the Likelike "failed to pay attention," drove off the road and partway up an embankment, turning the vehicle over. That accident closed the Honolulu-bound tunnel between 11:25 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. No injuries were reported, police said.

Teen arrested in sex assault of boy

A 15-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting his 14-year-old male roommate at the Hale Holopono group home in Maunawili multiple times last month, police said.

The assaults allegedly took place between April 4 and 28. The suspect was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of first-degree sex assault and third-degree sex assault. He has since been placed in a detention home and police said charges are pending.

The group home is operated by Child and Family Service, a private nonprofit agency that has a contract with the state Department of Health Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division.