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Taking Notice

» Jonathon (Jon) Berliner, who had been the executive director of the Maui AIDS Foundation since August 1994, resigned to become executive director of Gregory House Programs in Honolulu.

Gregory House is a nonprofit organization providing emergency, transitional and permanent housing assistance and support services for HIV/AIDS clients throughout the state.

Mark Hyde, a Maui resident and attorney, will serve as interim executive director of the Maui AIDS Foundation.

Berliner "pushed the agency to new heights in both programming and funding," said B.J. Ott, board president.

The foundation recently received more than $2 million in federal grants for tenant-based permanent supportive housing throughout the neighbor islands, as well as short-term emergency assistance, information and supportive services for people living with HIV/AIDS.

» Hawaii 3R's (Repair, Remodel and Restore Hawaii's Public Schools), has awarded more than $500,000 in grants to be used to complete more than $1.2 million in repairs to 18 schools statewide. Volunteers will participate in projects to tackle a portion of an estimated $560 million backlog in school repairs. Hawaii 3R's was an initiative begun in 2001 by U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. It partners with the state and federal governments and private companies to fund the repairs.

» The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has awarded a $50,000 grant to Earthjustice's Laulima Initiative to protect and restore Maui's ground- and surface-water resources.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

LEEWARD OAHU

Bicyclist hurts back near Kaena Point

A bicyclist was injured yesterday afternoon while riding on a dirt road past Yokohama Beach Park not far from Kaena Point, an Ocean Safety Division official said.

The man was riding his bicycle along a dirt road 1.5 miles past the end of Farrington Highway and hurt his back, the official said.

The incident occurred just before 12:20 p.m.

Ocean Safety, fire and ambulance personnel responded to the call.

The man was transported in serious condition by ambulance and helicopter to the Queen's Medical Center.

Man held in alleged sex assault on girls

Police arrested a 49-year-old man Saturday after he allegedly sexually assaulted two girls who were swimming at Maili Beach Park.

Police said the assault occurred about 4:30 p.m.

The victims, ages 9 and 14, reported the incident to their parents and to the police.

Police arrested the 49-year-old man on suspicion of third-degree sex assault.

HONOLULU

Charges filed in case of beating with pipe

A 36-year-old homeless man was charged yesterday with second-degree assault and first-degree terroristic threatening for allegedly repeatedly hitting another man in the head with a metal pipe Saturday night in downtown Honolulu.

Police arrested Regarde Mina on Saturday after he allegedly struck a 42-year-old man in the head with a metal pipe several times at 333 N. King St.

The victim was taken to an area hospital in serious condition with severe head injuries.

Bail was set at $50,000.

NORTH SHORE

Biker dies, teen girl hurt in Mokuleia crash

A 21-year-old man died Sunday after his motorcycle collided with a car on Farrington Highway in Mokuleia, police reported.

The man, who lived at Schofield Barracks, was driving a 1997 Suzuki motorcycle westbound on Farrington Highway when he popped a "wheelie" and collided with an eastbound 1991 Mazda Miata, police said.

The accident happened 196 feet west of the intersection with Laau Paina Place and was reported at 4:16 p.m. Sunday.

The motorcycle driver was taken to Wahiawa General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His passenger, a 16-year-old girl from Oklahoma, was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition.

The Medical Examiner's Office is withholding his identity until his family is notified.

The 24-year-old Waialua woman driving the car was wearing a seat belt and was not injured.