Newswatch Star-Bulletin staff and wire service

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Health center earns accreditation

Waikiki Health Center's Care-A-Van Program, which operates a drop-in center, a mobile clinic and medically equipped vans, has earned a three-year accreditation and high praise.

The program's "services, personnel and documentation clearly indicate an established pattern of practice excellence," Brian Boon, president and chief executive officer of the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, said in announcing the accreditation.

The commission cited as the center's strengths its diverse and experienced leadership, its business practices, program and behavioral health core program standards.

"We always want to ensure that we are giving the highest level of service to our clients," said Darlene Hein, the center's director of community services. She said the accreditation "validates what we do and how we're doing it."

The Care-A-Van serves the homeless at more than 30 Oahu sites. It had 2,909 medical visits and 38,580 social-service visits last year.

Learn how to prepare for disaster

The American Red Cross Hawaii State Chapter is holding free disaster preparedness seminars for hurricane season at eight Central Pacific Bank branches statewide in August and September.

Admission is free, but reservations need to be made as seating is limited. For more information or to make a reservation, call 544-0500.

Sessions on the neighbor islands will be held at:

» 6 to 7:30 p.m. today, 525 Kilauea Ave., Hilo.

» 5 to 6:30 p.m. tomorrow, 75-1010 Henry St., Kona.

» 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10, 4364 Rice St., Lihue.

» 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11, 85 W. Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului.

The schedule for Oahu branches, held from 6 to 7:30 p.m., follows:

» Aug. 27, Mapunapuna, 960 Mapunapuna St.

» Sept. 3, McCully, 2002 S. King St.

» Sept. 4, Pearl Highlands, 1030 Makolu St.

» Sept. 16, Keeaumoku, 818 Keeaumoku St.

Participants will learn to put together a family plan and kit, what to do before and after a disaster, and planning for small businesses. Red Cross disaster and first-aid kits will be available for purchase.

To help the Red Cross assist victims locally, send a contribution to American Red Cross Hawaii State Chapter, 4155 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816.

Make a secure online donation at www.hawaiiredcross.org, or call 739-8133.

Grants offered for social projects

The Hawaii People's Fund, a nonprofit organization seeking social justice, is accepting fall grant applications until Sept. 2.

Proposals challenging institutions and attitudes that feed economic, social, racial or gender inequalities, particularly groups working on any multilayered issues of economic justice, are encouraged to apply, a release said.

Call 845-4800 or visit www.hawaiipeoplesfund.org for more information.

Police, Fire, Courts Star-Bulletin staff

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NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Warrants issued over deadly crash

Hawaii County police are looking for 23-year-old Nivan N. Agres, who is wanted on bench warrants for alleged negligent homicide and contempt of court.

Agres allegedly was the driver of a car that was involved in a one-car crash on Kalanianaole Avenue on Jan. 27. His passenger was killed in the crash.

Agres is described as Hawaiian, 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair. His address is unknown, but he is believed to be in the Hilo area.

Police ask that anyone with information call the Police Department's nonemergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All CrimeStoppers information is kept confidential.

Hikers rescued from Kauai trail

Kauai rescue personnel ferried 35 hikers out of Hanakapiai Valley along the Kalalau Trail on the island's north shore because a brush fire blocked the trail. The rescuers used Jet Skis and a Zodiac boat to take the hikers to the trail head at Kee Beach.

The fire started early Sunday and had burned 50 acres on the east side of Hanakapiai by last night. The trail is closed as firefighters battle the fire.

CENTRAL OAHU

Video game spat spurs assault, bust

Police arrested a 45-year-old Mililani man Sunday for allegedly assaulting his wife after the couple got into an argument over video games.

According to police, the couple of 15 years began arguing at about noon at home because the husband plays video games for long periods of time.

His 40-year-old wife threw the video game box to the floor, and her husband then allegedly pinned her to the ground. He allegedly placed his forearm across her neck, choking her for a short period of time.

LEEWARD OAHU

Riders nab suspect in crowbar assault

Police arrested a 46-year-old Waipahu man Sunday for allegedly assaulting another man with a crowbar in a road-rage incident on the H-1 freeway.

Police said that at about 5:20 p.m. the motorists were traveling west on H-1 and had stopped near the airport offramp. The suspect had gotten out of his vehicle and allegedly used a crowbar to assault a 23-year-old man in the other car during an argument.

Passengers in the victim's car subdued the suspect until police arrived. The other driver received minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene, police said.

The man was arrested on suspicion of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.

WINDWARD OAHU

Teenager arrested in armed robbery

Police arrested a 17-year-old boy who allegedly robbed two other teenage boys at knifepoint.

Police said that at about 11 last night, the victims, 17 and 18, were walking to a store on Kamehameha Highway in Kahaluu when the suspect approached them, held out a knife and demanded money. When the victims refused, the suspect allegedly began punching and slapping them. Friends of the suspect intervened, police said.

Police arrested the teen on suspicion of two counts of first-degree robbery and possession of a prohibited weapon.

HONOLULU

Police accuse suspect of assault

A 47-year-old man accused of abuse also allegedly assaulted a police officer yesterday.

At about 3:40 p.m., police responded to a domestic abuse case in Makiki. Police arrested the suspect on suspicion of felony abuse.

While escorting the suspect to a police vehicle, the suspect head-butted the officer in the face, police said.

The suspect was then subdued before being taken to the police station, police said. He was also arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault on a police officer.