Newswatch Star-Bulletin staff and wire service

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WARNING ON PEANUT BUTTER

The state Department of Health is advising residents to throw out or return Peter Pan or Great Value peanut butter with a product code that begins with the number 2111. The product code can be found on the lid of the jar. Officials have linked nearly 300 cases of salmonella in 39 states to Peter Pan peanut butter and certain batches of Wal-Mart's Great Value house brand. The Health Department said no cases have been confirmed here.

Kauai man sentenced for sexual assault

LIHUE » A Kauai man was sentenced to 40 years in prison yesterday for kidnapping and trying to sexually assault a Canadian visitor looking for a place to sleep in 2004.

The woman, now 24, was camping on the beach in February 2004 when she met a man, "James," who said he could get her a hotel room, she testified. But he drove her to a secluded area near the beach and tried to rape her at knifepoint, she added.

James Mundon, 52, who moved to Kauai from Honolulu, was convicted of kidnapping, third-degree assault, terroristic threatening and attempted sexual assault at trial in December.

Yesterday, Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe, citing Mundon's violent history and the nature of the offense, sentenced him to two consecutive 20-year terms.

Mundon will first have to serve a five-year term for assault. He was convicted in 2001, and his probation was revoked in 2005 when he was charged with the attempted sexual assault.

Mental health group to offer recognition

The Mental Health America of Hawaii, also known as the Mental Health Association, is seeking nominations for awards recognizing dedication to improving mental health in the community.

Recipients will be recognized at the organization's Second Annual Mental Health Mahalo Awards Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 3 at the Japanese Cultural Center, during Mental Health Month.

Today is the deadline for nominations for:

» A community agency executive director and community agency for service to the community.

» An agency or individual for increasing public awareness of mental health issues.

» A government program, agency or person demonstrating leadership in changing public policy on mental health.

» Outstanding businesses for providing education and support to employees to maintain mental health.

Nominations may be sent to Mental Health America of Hawaii, 1124 Fort Street Mall, Honolulu 96813. Call 521-1846.

Coming this weekend in your Star-Bulletin:

SATURDAY

Keeping Faith: A Honolulu pastor teaches businesses to develop leadership and teamwork in the work force using biblical values that stimulate churches. A free seminar opening Tuesday at International Baptist Church will feature the Rev. Stan Ponz and other motivational speakers.

SUNDAY

Today: Imagine Waikiki without Diamond Head -- it's almost impossible. This intersection between social reality and cultural expectation is one of the many fascinating themes woven into the new University of Hawaii Press book "Waikiki: A History of Forgetting and Remembering," by art historian Andrea Feeser and photography professor Gaye Chan.

Business: Nico's at Pier 38, owned by Nico and Juliana Chaize, has reeled in customers with its fresh fish and local plate lunches. Also in Sunday's Business section, local stock experts are hoarding cash in their $20,000 hypothetical portfolio as they await a Dow pullback of 10 percent or greater. In the meantime they offer their top investment ideas for 2007.

Police, Fire, Courts Star-Bulletin staff

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LEEWARD OAHU

Gravel spill shuts H-1 near Aiea overpass

State workers closed a part of the eastbound H-1 freeway yesterday to clean up a gravel spill that backed up traffic from the Kaamilo overpass in Aiea.

At one point, five of six lanes were shut down while firefighters hosed the gravel to the shoulder and street sweepers removed the rubble, said Scott Ishikawa, state Department of Transportation spokesman.

Crews cleaned up the gravel by 3:30 p.m.

Police said a truck spilled the gravel on the roadway, but it was unclear whether the driver knew of the spillage.

Witnesses gave police the vehicle's license plate number and a possible company name.

State officials will contact the company today, Ishikawa said.

Owner catches man trying to hot-wire car

A Makakilo man helped catch another man he saw trying to steal his car, police said.

At about 11 a.m. Wednesday, a 65-year-old man found another man trying to hot-wire his car, police said. The suspect, a 19-year-old man, fled but was detained nearby.

Police later arrested him for investigation of auto theft.

Juvenile runaway arrested in car theft

Police arrested a juvenile Wednesday who was allegedly driving a stolen car that crashed into a wall in Waianae.

The juvenile tried to run away after the 11:50 a.m. crash but was caught by a neighbor, police said. Police arrested the juvenile on suspicion of auto theft, fleeing the scene of an accident and driving without a license.

The juvenile was also listed as a runaway, police said. The juvenile's age and gender were not released.

Man takes car from Pearl City firm

Police arrested a 23-year-old man who allegedly took a company car without permission.

Police said the man took the car early Wednesday from the Pearl City company that owns it, and was later seen driving it.

He was arrested on suspicion of auto theft.

HONOLULU

Suspect is sought in identity theft case

CrimeStoppers and police are asking for help in catching a suspect wanted for investigation of identity theft last year.

Police said that on Sept. 19 the suspect tried to use an American Express credit card. However, the photo on the card did not match the name of the man on the card, police said.

An investigation revealed that more credit cards had been issued with the same name, without the man's knowledge. Police have few other details as to a description of the suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

Injured woman airlifted from ravine

Rescue workers airlifted an injured woman from a ravine off Likelike Highway at about 3:30 p.m. yesterday.

The 18-year-old woman was in a swimming hole with a friend about a mile from Wilson Tunnel when she injured her right leg, a firefighter spokesman said.

Firefighters and a paramedic rappelled to the woman, who was then airlifted to Kalihi Elementary School.

Paramedics took the woman in serious condition to the Queen's Medical Center, a Honolulu Emergency Medical Services spokesman said.

EAST OAHU

2 teens with stolen motorcycle arrested

Police arrested two teenagers Wednesday after they were caught with a stolen motorcycle.

Police said the motorcycle belonged to a 28-year-old man who reported it stolen in November. A witness noticed the motorcycle in Kahala around 3:22 p.m. Wednesday, police said.