---

Air Force layoffs likely lower than expected

Only 18 civilian workers at Hickam Air Force Base -- fewer than originally projected -- might lose their jobs next year as the Air Force reorganizes its maintenance operations for C-17 cargo jets that will arrive here next year.

The Air Force said yesterday the 15th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron will be reorganized and was replaced by the 15th Maintenance Group in June.

The reorganization affected 33 civilian workers who were notified last month that they will lose their jobs when the action becomes final Sept. 30.

However, the Air Force is predicting that only 18 workers will actually be let go, since the remainder of the force is eligible for voluntary early retirement, voluntary separation pay bonuses and job search for eligible displaced workers.

State accuses city of violating Sunshine Law

The state Office of Information Practices and City Council attorneys continue to disagree about whether councilmembers could hold a series of one-on-one discussions on a recent leadership reorganization.

The Office of Information Practices repeated yesterday its opinion that councilmembers violated the state open-meetings law.

Councilmembers maintain they have done nothing wrong.

OIP Director Les Kondo stated in a formal opinion that the approval of decisions made on the reorganization during a July 13 meeting are voidable because it violated what is commonly known as the Sunshine Law.

Kondo stated the public is "inherently harmed" when one-on-one discussions are held without public scrutiny and participation.

In a phone interview, Kondo said the focus is much broader than the reorganization issue.

If these one-on-one discussions are allowed, discussions on issues such as real property taxes or landfills could be held outside of a public meeting, he said.

The Council has initiated a rule change that would allow its members to make leadership changes through orders, not resolutions, which have to be voted on in public.

JACL to honor policy analyst William Kaneko

The Japanese American Citizens League will hold its annual membership meeting and banquet Aug. 26.

At the gathering, the organization will hand out its Distinguished Service Award to community leader William Kaneko, founder and president of the Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs, the state's first nonprofit aimed at providing analysis on public policy issues.

Kaneko is also an attorney with law firm Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing, where he specializes in government relations and administrative law, and former president of JACL.

The event starts at 6 p.m. at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Hotel. Tickets are $50 for JACL members and $60 for nonmembers. Corporate table sponsorship is $1,500.

For more information, contact Garrett Toguchi with the JACL at 737-0448.

Bank donates $350,000 to Filipino celebration

First Hawaiian Bank and its First Hawaiian Foundation donated $350,000 to go toward celebrating the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Filipino plantation workers to Hawaii.

"Our partnership with First Hawaiian Bank will enable us to tell the Filipino experience in Hawaii to more people," said Elias Benigna, chair of Filipino Centennial Commission. "It's a way for our community to look back on where we came from, to take pride in where we are and to plan for the future. We couldn't have done it on such a wide scale without this support from First Hawaiian."

The bank is contributing $150,000 in cash and an additional $200,000 in advertising, marketing and other in-kind support for the event.

Festivities to celebrate the first arrival of Filipinos to Hawaii will start in December and continue through December 2006.

Task force will tackle identity theft in Hawaii

A task force made up of lawmakers, police and consumer advocates will examine ways of reducing Internet-based identity theft and determine whether legislation is needed to protect Hawaii residents from becoming victims.

"We know people in Hawaii suffer from Internet identity theft and credit card fraud every day. We should be better protected from this sort of crime here in Hawaii," Rep. Brian Schatz (D, Tantalus-Makiki) said. "This task force is the next step in protecting us ... from the next wave of Internet fraud."

The task force will report to the Legislature in early 2006, and one of its main topics of study, Schatz said, will be deciding whether a Hawaii law is needed to stop the practice of "phishing," which refers to scam e-mails that trick people into revealing personal credit information.

"Part of the task force's job will be to see what's working in other states to prevent these crimes and see if Hawaii could benefit from similar laws," Schatz said. "We have to make Internet fraud more difficult and less profitable in Hawaii."

---

Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

2 more are charged in Rainbow Falls heist

Big Island police have charged two more suspects with a variety of felony offenses stemming from a robbery that occurred July 25 at the popular tourist attraction Rainbow Falls in Hilo.

Several tourists were robbed and assaulted during the incident that occurred shortly before 6 p.m.

The action brings to four the number of suspects charged in the robbery, and police are looking for a fifth suspect.

Dustin Charles Howell, 21, of Paradise Park in Puna, was charged with second-degree robbery and misdemeanor theft. He is being held in lieu of $55,000 bail.

A 17-year-old male was charged last Friday with two counts of felony robbery and two counts of felony theft. He is being held on Oahu.

Previously, Spenser Jordan Feary, 18, of Hilo was charged with four counts of second-degree robbery, two counts of felony theft and three traffic offenses. He is being held in lieu of $54,750 bail. Another male, 17, was charged with four counts of second-degree robbery and is being held at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility on Oahu.

Police are seeking Stephen J. Whitney, 18, of Keaukaha in South Hilo, on an outstanding warrant for contempt of court and for questioning.

Anyone with information about Whitney's whereabouts is asked to call Detective Lucille Melemai at 961-2377 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311.

Suspect sought in Hilo break-in

Big Island police are search- ing for a 31-year-old man who allegedly violated a temporary restraining order, broke into a Hilo home and fired a shot.

The suspect, Anthony Carvalho, who has no permanent address, is believed to be in the Wainaku area.

On Wednesday, Carvalho allegedly entered a Pohai Street home, fired a rifle into the ceiling, then pointed it at one of the three occupants of the home, police said.

Carvalho is described as being of Hispanic descent, 5 feet 5 inches tall, about 115 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call police at 935-3311.

Anonymous calls can be made to CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.

LEEWARD OAHU

Suspect is arrested in graffiti investigation

Police arrested an 18-year-old Waipahu man Wednesday as part of a graffiti investigation.

The suspect was arrested at the Pearl City police station for investigation of second-degree criminal property damage involving a case last month. The suspect was later released pending an investigation.

24-year-old man drowns in Waianae

A 24-year-old Waianae man apparently drowned in the ocean while swimming in Waianae.

Police said a witness saw the man swimming in the beach area near Moua Street. Later, the witness saw the man floating face down at about 5 p.m. Emergency personnel retrieved his body and rendered medical assistance. He was pronounced dead at the scene.