---

HPU commended with 10-year accreditation

Hawaii Pacific University was awarded a full 10-year accreditation by the Western Association for Schools and Colleges, the school announced last week.

In a letter to the HPU community, President Chatt Wright commended faculty and staff for the achievement.

The WASC commission praised HPU for progress over the last several years, noting development in its planning, governance and decision-making processes. The commission recommended that HPU continue its improvement in these areas, as well as faculty and staff workload. HPU will be required to submit one interim report during the 10-year accreditation period.

HPU is among the first educational institutions to be evaluated under a new set of accreditation criteria, according to Nancy Hedlund, HPU's associate vice president of planning and assessment.

UH botanist granted $1.78M for Peru study

University of Hawaii botanist Rainer Bussmann will participate in a $1.78 million research and conservation grant to study tropical forest ecosystems in Peru.

"Tropical forests ... are believed to hold over 50 percent of the world's variety of life," said Bussmann, who also serves as both vice president and scientific director for Nature and Culture International.

"The Andean area alone contains nearly 10 percent of the world's plant species."

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation awarded the three-year grant to Nature and Culture International to establish a research center, strengthen park management and enforce park boundaries in three strategic Andean sites: Rio Abiseo National Park, Cordillera Colan Reserve Zone and Alto Mayo Protected Forest.

Bussmann, who joined the UH-Manoa faculty in 2003, is an associate professor and the Lyon Arboretum's scientific director.

Water-saving plants to be offered at sale

The 17th Annual Unthirsty Plant Sale will be held Saturday at the Halawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1268 Iwaena St.

The event, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., is sponsored by the Honolulu Board of Water Supply and Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden.

Native and other water-conserving plants will be offered for sale from more than 10 Oahu nurseries.

Free activities will include:

» Xeriscape classes at 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
» Native Hawaiian plant seed giveaway -- limited supply; first come, first served.
» Guided garden tours.

No parking is available inside the garden; park along the entire length of Iwaena Street and take a free shuttle to the garden. For information, call 748-5041.

---

Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

WINDWARD OAHU
Woman is arrested for allegedly assaulting Kailua officer

Police arrested a 24-year-old woman for assaulting a police officer in Kailua early yesterday morning.

While a police officer was questioning the Haleiwa woman for damaging another person's vehicle around 1:45 a.m. on Kalaheo Avenue, the intoxicated suspect allegedly used her handbag to hit the officer on the right side of the face. After she was apprehended, the woman proceeded to kick the officer in the right leg.

The officer sustained bodily injuries but did not require medical attention.

The woman, identified as Chloe Berger, was arrested on charges of first-degree assault and third-degree criminal property damage.

HONOLULU
14-year-old arrested at Ala Moana Center

Police arrested a 14-year-old boy at Ala Moana Center yesterday morning for allegedly trafficking counterfeit money.

Police said the suspect attempted to purchase a pair of boots at a retail store using two counterfeit $20 bills.

The suspect was arrested without incident on charges of first-degree forgery and later released pending an investigation.

Waipahu man crashes on Kunia Road

A 21-year-old Waipahu man was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition yesterday after he was involved in a single-car crash. Police said the driver was traveling northbound at a high rate of speed on Kunia Road in a black 1998 Honda sedan about 3:15 a.m. with three passengers. Police said he failed to negotiate a right bend while traveling onto the H-1 freeway access ramp.

The driver traveled over a raised median center curbing and struck a support wall. Police said the vehicle slid against the wall before coming to rest.

Police said the driver and his three passengers were taken to Queen's. A 20-year-old male passenger who was seated in the front and two female passengers, ages 16 and 18, who were seated in the rear, were listed in fair and good condition.

47-year-old arrested in alleged stabbing

A 47-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly stabbed another man downtown. Police said the suspect and the victim, 40, were involved in an argument at 2:50 a.m. yesterday on Maunakea Street.

During the argument, the suspect stabbed the victim in the lower left side of his body with a pocketknife. Police said the victim fled and called police. He was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition. Police said he was later upgraded to guarded condition. Witnesses were able to identify the suspect, who was later arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault.

Second suspect arrested in stabbing

Police arrested a second suspect in connection with the stabbing death of a 24-year-old man at a downtown nightclub.

The Honolulu Medical Examiner's Office identified the man as Samio Saingo of Aiea. A 24-year-old man was arrested Saturday on suspicion of second-degree murder. He was released pending further investigation. Police said Saingo was arguing with three men outside of Club Pauahi at 68 S. Pauahi St. about 1:30 a.m. on July 17.

Police said two of the men punched and kicked the victim while the third dragged him on the pavement. Police said the fourth suspect stabbed Saingo in the chest and in the back. Last week, police arrested a 23-year-old Pearl City man for allegedly stabbing Saingo.