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Ewa area skies getting crowded this week

Ewa residents can expect to see more planes flying overhead beginning Wednesday.

Runway 4R at the Honolulu International Airport will be closed for maintenance work between 4 and 10 p.m., the state Department of Transportation said.

During the closure, arriving and departing aircraft will be diverted to other runways, which will mean more planes flying over the Ewa area.

$4.4 million to help outer islands' transit

The neighbor islands will get $4.4 million to fund expanded bus service and other public transit improvements.

"These funds are especially important for upgrading rural bus service on the Big Island, Kauai and Maui," said Sen. Daniel Inouye in a news release. "In the rural areas of our state, public buses have become an essential service for a growing number of people who need to move throughout their island communities."

The largest share of the grant will go to putting four 45-passenger buses on two new routes that circle the Big Island. Other funding will go to renovating a bus terminal in Hilo, and purchasing several new buses for Maui and Kauai.

HFD reaccredited by fire commission

The Honolulu Fire Department has once again earned reaccreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.

Accreditation is a year-long process during which the fire department self-evaluates everything from its equipment and training to its budget and administration. HFD is then compared to national standards set by the commission.

"It serves as a model of self-improvement," said HFD Spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada. "We take an honest look at where we are and what needs to be improved."

According to commission officials, HFD is a "very dynamic and progressive agency. Their emergency services has expanded considerably ...."

This is the second time HFD has earned national accreditation. The department first earned a five-year accreditation in 2000.

Attorney suspended for ethics violations

A Honolulu attorney was suspended for five years after Hawaii Supreme Court justices ruled he violated "numerous attorney ethics rules in several cases."

According to officials from the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, attorney James M. Pallett's suspension goes into effect Oct. 2.

Officials said Pallett, 55, committed a number of ethics violations, including failing to appear in court on the client's behalf in a criminal case and failing to maintain financial records of his representation of a client's case.

Pallett will also have to complete the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination before he seeks reinstatement to practice law in Hawaii. Pallett is a graduate of Vermont Law School and was admitted to the Hawaii Bar in 1984.

Oktoberfest event aids cancer research

Merchant Street Oktoberfest is this year's theme of the Friends of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii's fifth annual fund-raiser to support cancer research.

"In keeping with the tradition of changing the annual event's venue, we decided on an Oktoberfest block party at Murphy's Bar & Grill (2 Merchant St.) that we hope everyone will enjoy," said Rick Humphreys, Friends of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii president.

The event, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 8, will feature a buffet of German foods, live Bavarian and German-style music and silent and live auctions with artwork by noted local artists, jewelry, restaurant gift certificates and vacation getaways.

Individual tickets start at $200. Tables also are available for corporate sponsors.

All funds raised will stay in Hawaii for use by the Cancer Research Center to improve prevention and treatment of cancer through research. For more information or tickets, call 808-626-6755 or e-mail: maukamakai@brightlightmarketing.com.

Waikiki forum focuses on women's health

A panel of women's health experts will discuss "Women's Way to Health" at a free public meeting from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel, Pacific Ballroom.

Dr. Annette Smick, staff psychiatrist of Luther Midelfort (Mayo Health System) in Eau Claire, Wis., will be keynote speaker. Dr. Diane Thompson, Dr. Stephen Bradley, Bart Pillen and Maria DeCastro will be among panel participants.

They will discuss ways that women can take an active role in improving their emotional health and reducing health risks through different life stages. They also will present the latest findings and strategies of nutrition, weight concerns, anxiety, exercise, migraines and overall health.

The event, held in conjunction with Women's Health Month, will be hosted by Kapiolani Women's Center and organized by Straub Foundation, Hawaii Pacific Health affiliates.

Registration will begin at 8 a.m. Reservations are recommended because of limited seating. For more information or to register, call the Straub Foundation, 524-6755.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

WINDWARD OAHU

Woman drowns swimming to island off Kahuku

A 45-year-old woman drowned while trying to swim to Goat Island in Kahuku yesterday, according to paramedics.

The victim had been trying to swim to the island with her daughter at about 10:30 a.m. when the two became separated.

Honolulu Fire Department search and rescue crews were called and were on their way to the scene to look for the victim when her body was found by surfers, who brought her to shore.

WAIKIKI

Arson at apartment forces evacuation

Fire investigators said a Waikiki studio apartment unit was intentionally set early yesterday morning, forcing the evacuation of building residents.

The blaze was reported at 2:46 a.m. at 2450 Koa Ave. on the fifth floor in unit 52. A next door neighbor of the man living in the burned unit said she woke up when she smelled smoke then looked outside her balcony and saw orange flames erupting from her neighbor's balcony.

Firefighters arrived at the scene and got the flames under control at 3:02 a.m. while evacuated residents watched from the street below.

The fire caused an estimated $100,000 in damage to the unit.

The building's resident manager said the man who lived in the unit was heard inside his unit before the fire was reported but has not been seen since.

Fire officials said no one was injured during yesterday's blaze.

HONOLULU

Kalihi man charged in sex assault on girl

Police charged a Kalihi man with sexually assaulting a 5-year-old family member.

John Tauaefa, 30, was charged with first degree sex assault for an incident, which allegedly took place on April 5. According to police, the victim later told her guardian what had happened and identified the suspect in a photographic lineup.

Tauaefa was arrested at his residence at Kuhio Park Terrace earlier this week and is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Man critically injured trying to cross freeway

A 21-year-old Honolulu man was critically injured early yesterday while trying to cross Moanalua Freeway near the Fort Shafter overpass.

Police said the man may have been intoxicated. The incident happened about 5:37 a.m., when a 1988 black Chevrolet pickup truck, driven by a 55-year-old Honolulu man, struck the 21-year-old while in the center lane.

The victim was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition. Police said he was wearing dark clothing when he was hit.