Newswatch Star-Bulletin staff and wire service

---

Governor opens home to public

The public is invited to attend a special open house at Washington Place, the historic home of Queen Liliuokalani and Hawaii's governors, Sunday to celebrate the holidays.

Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona and his wife, Vivian, will greet the public from 5 to 6 p.m., but the entertainment and open house will continue until 8 p.m. Visitors may take a free guided tour through the 159-year-old home.

Musical performances will be provided by the Hawaii Opera Theatre in the newly refurbished glassed lanai, and by harpist Ruth Freedman in the upstairs chambers.

Photographs of Christmas celebrations throughout the years with former first families will also be exhibited.

All guests will be required to present a picture ID at the entrance, and may be subject to a bag inspection.

Top Bush officials to attend Favela's funeral

The White House said Interior Department Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and Commerce Department Secretary Carlos Gutierrez will attend the funeral service for Honolulu motorcycle police officer Steve Favela on behalf of the president.

A Secret Service honor guard will be part of the Friday memorial service at Borthwick Mortuary. Secret Service Agent in Charge Albert Joaquin said Mark Sullivan, the service's director from Washington, D.C., will make some remarks.

Favela died Nov. 26 after he was critically injured while escorting President Bush's motorcade.

After the Favela's death, Bush said: "In this time of great sadness, we give thanks for his life of service."

Road work shuts part of H-1

Two left lanes of the H-1 freeway in the westbound direction will be closed from 9 tonight to 3:15 a.m. tomorrow as work continues on the Aiea pedestrian overpass. Two right lanes in the westbound direction will be closed from 9 tomorrow night to 3:15 a.m. Friday. The overpass was damaged Sept. 6 by an oversized load on an Army flatbed truck.

FEMA projects offer quake aid to Big Island

WAIMEA, Hawaii » The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced two new programs for Big Island residents affected by the Oct. 15 earthquakes -- one providing unemployment money and the other providing psychological counseling.

For the federal unemployment benefits, people must be out of work because of the disaster or expect to be out of work or self-employed and affected by the disaster and not covered by other unemployment benefits.

People can file claims at state unemployment offices in Hilo, 974-4086, or Kona, 322-4822. The deadline for filing is Dec. 29.

Big Island residents suffering emotional problems from the quakes can receive counseling by calling 333-1455, thanks to a $283,090 federal grant to the state.

Applications can still be made for damage assistance, including new damage caused by aftershocks, by calling (800) 621-FEMA. The deadline for these benefits is Dec. 22.

Young wedge-tails fly away from their nests

About two dozen wedge-tail shearwaters have flown away from their ground nests in the Black Point area after care and feeding by volunteers, the Wild Bird Rehab Haven reports.

The chicks were abandoned by their parents after the lot was cleared for development.

Volunteers with the haven and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fed the birds twice a day for several weeks until they could learn to fly.

Only three of the rare birds remain at the lot, said rehab volunteer and board member Patty Scharff. Five died from disease, she said.

Mayor to join athletes in Electric Light Parade

Mayor Mufi Hannemann will be accompanied by at least 10 members of the University of Hawaii Warrior football team Saturday night in the West Oahu Electric Light Parade and a tree-lighting ceremony in Kapolei.

This is the second year the city is sponsoring Kapolei City Lights, a holiday festival and exhibit at Kapolei Hale, located at 1000 Uluohia St.

The players scheduled to attend include running back Nate Ilaoa, receivers Davone Bess, Ross Dickerson, Ryan Grice-Mullen and Jason Rivers; defensive linemen Ikaika Alama-Francis and Melila Purcell; linebacker Solomon Elimimian; safety Leonard Peters, and quarterback Inoki Funaki.

Saturday's events begin with the parade, which leaves the Kapolei Fairgrounds on Kealanani Street at 6 p.m., then proceeds west on Farrington Highway and Kamokila Boulevard to Uluohia Street.

At 7:30 p.m. the mayor and the players will turn on the lights of the 40-foot Christmas tree at Kapolei Hale.

The holiday lights and trees will be on public display through Jan. 1.

---

Monetary gifts may be sent to:

Honolulu Star-Bulletin's
Good Neighbor Fund
c/o Helping Hands Hawaii
P.O. Box 17780
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817-0780

Clothing, household items and gifts can be donated at the Community Clearinghouse, 2100 Nimitz Highway.

You may also participate in the Adopt-A-Family program, in which businesses, employee groups, social clubs, families or individuals can help a specific family.

Call 440-3804 for information about the program or to arrange for pickup of large items.

---

---

'Make a Difference' poster winners picked

The state Department of Education and Castle & Cooke Hawaii announced the winners of the "Make a Difference " poster contest as part of national "Make a Difference Day" in October. They are:

Grades K-2: 1st place ($125 prize), Brycen Kawamoto of Puohala Elementary School; 2nd place ($75), Javan Au, Laie Elementary School; 3rd place ($50), Chynna Nicole Chun, Kipapa Elementary School.

Grades 3-5: 1st place, Carly Kakuda, Wilson Elementary School; 2nd place, Toby Frigillana, Mililani Uka Elementary; 3rd place, Jolene Siu, Maemae School.

Grades 6-8: 1st place, Ramil Lorenzo Gonzalez, Mililani Middle School; 2nd place, Eura Ha, Moanalua Middle School; 3rd place, Hipo Luab, Dole Middle School.

Grades 9-12: 1st place, Raymond Mariano, Mililani High School; 2nd place, Tina Grandinetti, Mililani High; 3rd place, Laken Antonio, Waianae High School.

Schools with the highest number of student entries were awarded $500. They include Mililani Mauka Elementary, grades K-2; Mililani Mauka, grades 3-5; Dole Middle School, grades 6-8; and Mililani High School, grades 9-12.

---

The Alexander & Baldwin Foundation donated $25,000 to Sacred Hearts Academy to support the Women Building a Better Tomorrow campus renovation program.

---

Police, Fire, Courts Star-Bulletin staff

---

WINDWARD OAHU

2 suspects sought in restaurant robbery

Police are looking for two men who bound and gagged a Kaneohe restaurant manager and robbed her Monday night.

Police said the manager was the last employee in the building about 10:50 p.m. yesterday and was closing up when she was surprised by two men who had apparently hidden inside Flamingo Restaurant at the Windward City Shopping Center, 45-480 Kaneohe Bay Drive, after it closed.

One man, described as in his 30s, pushed the manager, a 63-year-old woman, off her chair, police said. The other man, described as in his 50s, then placed duct tape over the woman's mouth and taped her wrists together, police said.

The men then took money and fled, police said. The manager freed herself and called police. She was not hurt. The younger man was described as 5-foot-7, 150 to 200 pounds and wearing a black leather jacket. The older man was described as 5-foot-11, about 250 pounds. He was wearing a beige fishing hat and a jacket.

Arrest of 2 uncovers apparent 'ice' lab

Police arrested a 43-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man yesterday morning at their Kaneohe apartment and uncovered what appeared to be a crystal methamphetamine lab.

Officers found several plastic bags of "ice," pills, glass beakers, strainers, alcohol, a butane torch, a scale, glass ice pipes, a thermometer, funnels and measuring spoons at 46-270 Kahuhipa St., apartment 417, police said.

Police had been investigating alleged drug activity at Whitney's Lounge in Kaneohe. Crime Reduction Unit officers allegedly purchased crystal meth from the woman on numerous locations and obtained a search warrant, police said.

The CRU officers, with the help of Specialized Services Division officers, found the man and woman at the apartment and discovered "precursors of a meth lab," police said.

The Narcotics Vice lab unit was called and investigated the scene.

Police arrested the woman for third-degree possession of dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia, and the man was arrested for third-degree possession of dangerous drugs.

Police made a methamphetamine trafficking report, pending the outcome of a lab analysis, police said.

Argument leads to man's alleged assault

Police arrested two men who allegedly assaulted another man in July.

Police said that on July 2 about 8 a.m., the suspects, ages 67 and 35, got into an argument with a 60-year-old man on Hauula Homestead Road.

Police said the victim was sitting in his car when one of the suspects punched him through an open window. Police said both suspects then tried to pull the victim out of the car through the same window.

Police arrested both suspects Monday for investigation of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, then released them pending investigation.

HONOLULU

Witness spots man breaking into shed

A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of second-degree burglary after he allegedly broke into a Chinatown shed early yesterday morning.

Police said a woman reported seeing the man breaking into a shed on the side of a Maunakea Street restaurant. The woman called police with a description of the suspect.

The shed owner identified the property taken from the shed in the suspect's possession, and police arrested the man.

Suspect steals car in escape from police

Police arrested a 19-year-old man who allegedly stole a woman's car while trying to evade police.

Police said the man entered a home on Naio Street in Kamehameha Heights on Nov. 27 about 10:15 a.m. as police were trying to catch him.

He stole the car keys belonging to a woman, 61, then took off with her car, police said.

The man was later identified through a photographic lineup. He was arrested about 8:10 p.m. Monday on Stillman Lane by Kalihi patrol officers for investigation of first-degree burglary and auto theft.

The man is also a suspect in several other pending cases, particularly auto theft, police said.

LEEWARD OAHU

Stepson is indicted in murder and arson

An Oahu grand jury indicted a 19-year-old man on charges of murder and arson for allegedly stabbing his 55-year-old stepfather to death and setting fire to the house in Ewa Beach.

Timothy Adarna was indicted on charges of second-degree murder and first-degree arson yesterday in the murder of Robert Ramos, his stepfather, and intentionally setting their house on fire Nov. 16, causing more than $20,000 in damage.

Ramos' burned body was found covered with white paint, which matched the paint specks found on Adarna when police questioned him the day after the fire.

Police found a bloody knife, paint and bloodstained clothes, and a backpack containing a receipt with Adarna's name all in a trash can a few blocks from their house.

Canine unit catches escapee from Waiawa

A Sheriff Division canine unit caught a 36-year-old inmate last night who had escaped from the Waiawa Correctional Facility yesterday morning.

Prior to his escape, Robert Menor was last seen about 8:40 a.m. yesterday after seeing a social worker, said Louise Kim McCoy, Sheriff Division spokes- woman.

Menor was scheduled to attend an 8:45 a.m. drug treatment program, but someone noticed he was missing from the class at about 9:45 a.m., Kim McCoy said. The facility was immediately locked down.

A sheriff's canine unit apprehended Menor at a bus stop near Leeward Community College in Pearl City after receiving a tip that Menor was in the area. He was arrested and returned to the facility. Menor was serving time for forgery and probation revocation.

Woman caught with stolen rental vehicle

Police arrested a 37-year-old woman who was allegedly driving a stolen rental car.

Police said an all-points bulletin on the car was broadcast after it had been reported stolen from Waikiki on Monday. About 9 p.m. a patrol officer in Waianae, who had heard the APB, spotted the car, police said.

The officer stopped the vehicle and arrested the driver for investigation of auto theft.

Man is held in alleged abuse of girlfriend

Police arrested a 22-year-old Pearl City man who allegedly abused and choked his 23-year-old girlfriend.

The couple got into a verbal argument that turned violent at 6 a.m. Saturday, police said. The alleged abuse and strangulation occurred at 98-1507 Piki Place. The woman told police she was choked during the fight, police said.

The man was arrested on suspicion of abuse of a household member and strangulation.

CENTRAL OAHU

Man, 19, charged in juvenile's sex assault

Police charged a 19-year-old man yesterday with kidnapping and sexually assaulting a juvenile last year in Wahiawa.

Michael Murdock, who has no local address, was arrested and charged yesterday with three counts of third-degree sexual assault and kidnapping.

The victim reported being sexually assaulted by Murdock between June 6, 2005, and July 22, 2005, in a Wahiawa residential area.

Bail was set at $175,000.