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Local actor pleads not guilty to kid porn

An actor active in community theater has pleaded not guilty to a federal charge of possessing child pornography.

Dawe Glover, 46, made his first appearance in U.S. District Court on Monday.

In April, authorities discovered pornographic images on his computer that he had downloaded from the Internet. After his computer crashed, Glover took it to a repairman who was recovering data when he came across various files allegedly containing child pornography.

The FBI was alerted and agents obtained a warrant to search and seize Glover's computer on April 13.

Glover was released after posting a $25,000 unsecured bond. Trial was set for Aug. 30.

Company gets OK to import microalgae

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii » The state Board of Agriculture gave its approval yesterday to test and grow a genetically modified microalgae at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority just north of Kona.

Mera Pharmaceuticals will begin the process immediately.

Henry Curtis, executive director of Life of the Land, told the board that the nonprofit organization will file for a contested case hearing.

Meanwhile, officials from Mera and California-based partner Rincon Pharmaceuticals Inc. told the board that the microalgae is harmless to humans.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

LEEWARD OAHU

Leeward fires leave property undamaged

Two brush fires on Leeward Oahu kept firefighters busy yesterday.

Eight engines and three tankers responded to a blaze that consumed about 12 acres in Nanakuli about 5:30 p.m. yesterday near 87-179 Hakimo Road.

Firefighters also responded to a brush fire spotted by a helicopter on the makai side of Makua Valley just before 5 p.m. yesterday.

Capt. Kenison Tejada, spokesman for the Honolulu Fire Department, said winds pushed the Nanakuli blaze toward the mountain and the flames came within about 50 feet of some homes. Although the houses were threatened for a little while, there was no property damage or evacuations necessary, Tejada said.

However, police were forced to close Hakimo Road between Akowai Road and Waiolu Street for several hours last night.

Firefighters were able to control the fire by 7 p.m., but remained on the scene for several hours after to clean up the remaining hot spots.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The Makua Valley blaze torched less than an acre of land and was extinguished shortly after fire crews arrived on the scene.

According to police, there was no threat to life or property.

Police said there were no signs of arson and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

HONOLULU

Third suspect caught in wheelchair case

Police arrested the final suspect yesterday among a trio of female shoplifters who used a wheelchair to help them steal items from a Honolulu retail store last week Wednesday.

The female suspect, 41, turned herself in at Honolulu District Court yesterday.

Security officers caught her female partners, ages 23 and 41, outside the store, but she was able to escape.

Police said that about 5 p.m., store security officers spotted the three suspects hiding items in the rear compartment of a wheelchair. One of the suspects was riding in the wheelchair, police said. Store security officers followed the suspects as they left the store without paying for the items.

The police report did not say whether any of the suspects was handicapped.

All three suspects were arrested on charges of second-degree theft.

Man held in alleged kidnapping of his wife

Police arrested a 33-year-old Wahiawa man yesterday morning without incident in Honolulu on seven charges including kidnapping, abuse and terroristic threatening.

According to a police affidavit, the suspect and the 34-year-old female victim were married, but separated with a protective order against the husband.

Police said the husband arrived Monday afternoon at the victim's place of employment to talk. However, when she refused, she said the suspect opened the vehicle's door and choked her.

The victim said she eventually fell out of the car and tried to run away, but was restrained by her husband, who tried to force her back into the car.

After his failed attempt, he allegedly entered the victim's vehicle, took her wallet and fled the scene.

The husband was also arrested on charges of contempt, violating a protective order and two charges of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.

Police seek 4 teens in liquor store robbery

Police were looking for four teenage boys who allegedly robbed a Kalihi liquor store Monday night.

The robbery took place at 1319 Middle St. about 10:15 p.m. Police said the suspects, five males ages 15 to 17, walked into a neighborhood store and took a 40-ounce bottle of beer.

All five suspects left the store but were confronted by the store owner and cashier outside, police said. The suspects then allegedly punched the victims, knocking them to the ground and kicking them before running away. Police found one of the suspects nearby and arrested him for investigation of second-degree robbery.

49-year-old man held in sex assault on girl

Police arrested a 49-year-old man who allegedly raped and fondled a juvenile girl multiple times over a three-year period.

The victim, now 12, told police that the suspect sexually assaulted her in the Honolulu area from 1999 to 2002. Police arrested the suspect Monday for investigation of 11 counts of first-degree sexual assault and 13 counts of third-degree sexual assault. The suspect was later released pending an investigation.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Suicide jumper ID'd as Kona man, 29

A man who died after jumping off a 40-foot sea cliff at Kualanui Point in Kona on the Big Island Sunday was identified as Kevin Ray Hunt, 29, of Honalo, Kona.

An autopsy was scheduled to determine the cause of death.

Wailuku fire blamed on defective outlet

WAILUKU » A defective electrical outlet started a fire that caused an estimated $105,000 in damage to the structure and contents at the Haiku Town Center Monday, Maui fire officials said.

Fire Battalion Chief David Kamalani said most of the damage was due to smoke that affected the Upcountry Fitness Center, The Hemp Stock, and Aloha Piano.

Kamalani said firefighters took about 36 minutes to control the blaze after receiving the alarm at 5:30. No one was hurt in the fire.