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Experts to discuss latest on liver disease

An update on liver disease, treatment and research will be presented from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Francis Medical Center, Weinberg Pavilion, fifth-floor conference room.

Jennifer Lee and Andrea Scherschel of the St. Francis Liver Center and Heather Lusk, state Department of Health, will discuss "Liver Functions, Liver Disease and Liver Health" in a morning session.

Residents coping with liver disease will present personal stories during lunch.

Afternoon sessions will feature:

There is no charge to attend, but registration is required because of limited seating. Call the St. Francis Education Services Department at 547-6410 or fax a registration form to 547-6349.

Kuakini honored by accreditation service

Kuakini Medical Center has earned the "Gold Seal of Approval" from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

The accreditation process involved a four-day site survey in February that included interviews and a review of documents, policies and procedures.

Gregg Oishi, Kuakini chief operating officer and senior vice president, said the hospital sought the accreditation "because we want to demonstrate our commitment to patient safety and quality care.

"Becoming accredited is another step toward achieving excellence. The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval reinforces Kuakini's commitment to continuously provide safe high-quality care, treatment and services."

Kuakini Medical Center, a subsidiary of Kuakini Health System, is licensed and accredited for 212 acute-care beds.

Famous vegetarians featured at free talks

Rynn Berry, author and historical advisor to the North American Vegetarian Society, will give two free talks next month in Hawaii on "Famous Vegetarians: From Buddha to the Beatles."

He will speak at 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Cameron Center, 95 Mahalani St. in Wailuku, Maui, and at 7 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse, 404 Kapahulu Ave. on Oahu.

Berry will describe the lifestyles and dietary customs of some of the world's most famous vegetarians, including the Buddha, Pythagoras, Plato, Leonardo da Vinci, Gandhi, Tolstoy and Annie Besant, founder of the International Theosophical Society.

More recent vegetarians include Frances Moore Lapp, Paul McCartney, Woody Harrelson and Lisa on "The Simpsons," says the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii.

Berry specialized in ancient history and comparative religion at the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia, where he did graduate and undergraduate work. He teaches a college course on the history of vegetarianism in New York.

His books include "The New Vegetarians," "Famous Vegetarians and Their Favorite Recipes," "Food for the Gods: Vegetarianism and the World's Religions," "The Vegan Guide to New York City" and his latest, "Hitler: Neither Vegetarian nor Animal Lover."

For more information, call the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii, 722-2557, or see VSH.org.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

HONOLULU

7-month-old boy dies of 'suspicious' head injuries

Police are investigating the death of a 7-month-old boy who was brought to Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children with severe head injuries.

The child died yesterday after being brought to the hospital about 7:45 p.m. July 18. Police said an emergency room doctor called the head injuries "suspicious."

No arrests have been made in the case.

Man arrested for threats, car theft

Police arrested a 25-year-old man Friday in connection with stealing a car and threatening a woman and her daughter at a Kalihi residence.

The 51-year-old woman told police that when she and her family came home from the beach about 5 p.m. Friday, a man grabbed her daughter by the neck and demanded her car keys. When the woman gave the keys, the man drove off in her car.

Police later apprehended the man in Alewa Heights.

Elderly pedestrian hit by car Thursday dies

An 85-year-old pedestrian who was hit by a car Thursday morning in Kaimuki has died, police said.

The woman was identified as Ruby Furukawa of Honolulu.

Police said the accident happened about 10:30 a.m. at Waialae and 4th avenues.

Furukawa was crossing Waialae Avenue when she was hit by a car driven by a 90-year-old woman headed in the Koko Head direction.

The victim was taken in critical condition to the Queen's Medical Center, where she later died. The driver of the car was not hurt, police said.

Neither speed nor alcohol appeared to be factors in the case, police said.

LEEWARD OAHU

Home blaze causes $20,000 in damage

A deliberately set fire at a Waianae Valley Road home caused an estimated $20,000 in damage to a truck and house at 1 a.m. yesterday, police reported.

A resident of the house told police they believe someone set fire to a truck parked in the garage, which ignited part of the house.

Human remains found near Ewa road

A surveyor working on an undeveloped lot on Ft. Weaver Road on Friday reported finding skeletal human remains, police said.

The bones have been turned over to the medical examiner for possible identification or determination of cause of death.

DLNR official helps catch suspected thief

A state Department of Land and Natural Resources officer helped police catch a suspected auto thief in Waianae on Tuesday.

Police said the DLNR officer saw a reckless driver pull into a dead-end street about 4:30 p.m. The officer ran a check on the license plate and discovered the vehicle had been stolen. The DLNR officer then blocked the stolen vehicle with his own vehicle and called police.

Police arrested the suspect, a 15-year-old boy, for investigation of auto theft and then released him pending an investigation.

CENTRAL OAHU

2 critically injured in Mililani accident

An accident early Thursday morning in Mililani critically injured a 19-year-old man and his passenger, a 14-year-old girl.

The Mililani man was driving a pickup truck south on Meheula Parkway in an unidentified lane near Kuahelani Avenue shortly before 2 a.m. when he lost control of the vehicle. The truck veered into the west curb, struck a tree, hit the other curb and finally crashed into another large tree.

The driver and the passenger were taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition. The driver suffered numerous head, chest and leg injuries. The passenger suffered head injuries and her condition was upgraded to serious.

Police said there were no airbags in the truck, neither occupant was wearing a seat belt and speed appeared to be a factor.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Maui driver dies 5 days after crash

A 25-year-old man injured in a July 16 single-vehicle accident in Puunene, Maui, died Thursday, Maui police reported.

Michael Correia was driving a silver 2003 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck Kahului-bound on Mokulele Highway at 11:12 p.m. July 16 when the vehicle struck two traffic signal posts at the intersection with Mehameha Loop. The impact sheared one post from its base and split the pickup cab from its frame.

Correia, who was not wearing a seat belt, was taken to Maui Memorial Hospital. A 20-year-old female passenger was wearing a seat belt and was not injured in the crash.

The possible role of alcohol or drug use and speed are still under investigation.