Hawai`i News with Ryan Ozawa

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Monday, January 15, 1996 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ UNIONS VOTE, KEEP HAWAIIAN AFLOAT Hours ago, the final vote counts came in. All four unions representing the employees of Hawaiian Airlines agreed to accept a buyout package, smoothing the way for a mainland takeover at the end of the month. Late last week, Hawaiian Airlines announced that unless employees ratified the new contracts, they would run out of money and be forced to shut down operations on Jan. 15. As a result, some local travel agencies had begun warning against booking flights on Hawaiian. Part of the deal approved tonight includes giving up a scheduled 5% pay raise, worth an estimated $5 million. "We're very gratified that this part of the process is completed," said Bruce Nobles, company chairman, minutes after the results were announced. Nobles said the shut down warning last week "was not an ultimatum." With tonight's vote, Nobles said approval of a long-anticipated $20 million investment from a New York group moves forward to a shareholders meeting on Jan. 30. HARRIS WARY OF MERGING DEPARTMENTS In the face of tight economic times, some members of the City Council are suggesting that the Auditoriums Department -- which manages facilities like the Waikiki Shell and Blaisdell Center -- be eliminated. That would at least save the city the $83,000 salary of the department's director, or the $79,000 salary of its deputy director. The responsibility for running city auditoriums would then be handled by the Parks Department. "Our problem," Mayor Jeremy Harris said today, "Is that our parks department is one of our biggest. The larger you make a department, the more inefficient it gets." Supporters of the plan want to put it to the public to decide, as one of several charter amendments on this fall's election ballot. SWARMS STING SWIMMERS, CLOSE PARK For the second consecutive day, swarms of box jellyfish closed Hanauma Bay and stung several other beachgoers around the island. City lifeguards on Waikiki Beach say there were 50 stings reported there, where tide breaking walls keep the creatures from escaping back to sea. Water safety officials have good news, however -- 70% of the jellyfish should be gone by tomorrow. Box jellyfish come to shore three days a month to spawn. THOUGH in the midst of winter, Honolulu recorded a record high today of 86 degrees, breaking the previous record of 85 set in 1984. KA `UPENA will return with a full-size report tomorrow. Hope your observance of Martin Luther King Jr's birthday was restful and full of aloha. TEMPS: O`ahu 83/70, Kaua`i 82/69, Moloka`i 84/70, Maui 83/71, Hilo 82/68 CASTS: Mostly clear, some vog, winds 5-15MPH; Surf to 10 to 15 feet. TUESDAY'S TIDES: High 11:14AM; Low 5:38PM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Friday, January 12, 1996 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT REACHED WITH REFINERY OPERATORS In the biggest ever settlement paid to the State Health Department in connection with air pollution violations, BHP and Chevron agreed today to fork up $100,000 each in connection to numerous noxious emissions at Campbell Industrial Park last year. The emissions had sent several people to the hospital, including children at a nearby elementary school. The money will go towards the establishment of an air monitoring program, and will include funds for state-of-the-art equipment and $50,000 for a full-time air monitoring officer for the Barbers Point refineries. "Both companies agreed to pay more than they would have paid otherwise," said Health Department Deputy Dr. Bruce Anderson, "I believe both companies want to be good neighbors." David Young, spokesperson for Chevron, said today, "We're putting up a few more bucks here early, but we're doing it to get this thing behind us, and to get the air quality studies moving ahead." Although the settlement will fund the program for only one year, both BHP and Chevron said they will consider funding it in the future should it prove effective. In return for the settlement, the companies will not have to admit guilt for harming anyone with emissions, and their records of all violations in 1995 will be wiped clean. OHA OFFERS TO HELP STATE WITH FISCAL HARDSHIP The Office of Hawaiian Affairs said today that it is willing to allow the state to defer its annual payments for their use of former Hawaiian land, which they say would amount to a $30 million loan. Currently, the state must pay OHA one-fifth of revenues generated by projects taking place on the land, amounting to payments of about $16 million a year. "Rather than spend our energies fighting with them," said OHA trustee Kinau Kamalii, "We hope we can sit down and work with them. This is one way we thought we could offer our strength." The response from state legislators so far, however, has been weak. "I'm not so sure it's that great a deal," said Donna Ikeda, chairwoman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, "In my mind there's no point in deferring a payment unless you know money will be coming in the future to pay off the debt." Senate chairman Calvin Say was also critical of OHA's offer, saying OHA has been hoarding its money without doing enough for native Hawaiians. OHA reportedly holds $200,000 million in interest-earning investments. Even if the state takes the deal, it will have to continue to pay interest on the "loan." NAVY WILL KEEP SQUADRONS IN HAWAII It will take three years for 32 P-3 Orion aircraft to move from one side of O`ahu to the other, but the fact that they're staying on the island is drawing cheers from local economists. The Navy announced today that it will move three of its P-3 squadrons from Barber's Point Naval Air Station to the Marine Corps base at Kaneohe Bay. The move is part of the ongoing shutdown of the Barber's Point base, incorporating the P-3 program into an existing military base. "That will save the Navy and Federal government a lot of tax dollars," said E.C. Waller, Commanding Officer of the Navy squadrons. Two years ago, two other squadrons were decommissioned and one was moved to Washington. By keeping the last 3 in Hawaii, economists say an estimated $84 million in annual revenue will be kept in the state. In addition, the move will require $140 million in construction at Kaneohe Bay to accommodate the planes. The primary responsibility of the P-3 squadrons is anti- submarine warfare, and at least one is in the air over Hawaii at all times. Several Seahawk helicopters will go with the P-3 planes, and the move is expected to be completed in 1999. DONATIONS NOW ACCEPTED AT HANAUMA BAY Big blue signs will go up at Hanauma Bay tomorrow, urging visitors to donate money to help maintain the area. As a result of a City Council decision last week, out-of-state beachgoers stopped paying a $5 user fee on Monday. Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris said a volunteer donation system is the best option to make up for the budget shortfall now facing the park's maintenance budget. "If the revenue doesn't come in, $2 million in services will have to be cut somewhere," Harris said today. The discontinued fee was expected to bring in $4 million, to go towards park maintenance and educational programs. $2 million had been collected to date. The metal signs, approximately 4 feet high, read: "Suggested donation $5.00 per person. Your gift will help support Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve." Harris said signs written in Japanese with the same message are already being made. In addition, Harris said he is considering a plan to allow private tour companies to handle the transport of visitors from Waikiki to the park, in order to make more room on city buses. TANOA TAKES STAND IN DEAF MAN'S DEATH Peniamina Tanoa testified today in Circuit Court that repeated threats by Robert Sevaatasi prompted him to punch then fatally stab the deaf Sevaatasi three years ago at Makua Beach. Speaking through a Samoan interpreter, Tanoa said he was drinking beer with friends when they were joined by Sevaatasi. Savaatasi stared at Tanoa and threatened to shoot him, Tanoa said. Tanoa decided to leave, he said, but Savaatasi followed. Angry, Tanoa drove to Makua Beach (also known as "Pray for Sex Beach"). "When he raised his arm I thought he was going to attack me so I punched him," Tanoa said. Minutes later, he returned with a 15" hunting knife and fatally wounded Savaatasi. "I was thinking later on it wasn't myself then," Tanoa said. If convicted of 2nd Degree Murder for the April 15, 1993 incident, Tanoa faces life imprisonment with the possibility of parole. CHARGES FILED FOR FATAL CLUB BEATING The Navy today has charged Steven Durant, Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class, with murder in connection with the death of 25-year-old Seaman Apprentice Frank Yoma. Yoma was found beaten and unconscious Saturday morning in the parking lot of "Club Pearl," a Pearl Harbor nightclub. He died of multiple head injuries at Tripler Army Medical Center on Monday. Durant is being held at the Ford Island Naval Brig. Under military law, Durant could face life in prison or the death penalty. The Navy is also holding 24- year-old Marine Jason Comden but has not yet pressed charges against him. BIG ISLAND MURDER DETAILS REVEALED 26-year-old Mark Dunse appeared in Kona District Court today in connection with the weekend murder of a Kona entertainer. Dunse is accused of killing the 43-year-old woman, a photographer and harpist at the Royal Waikaloa Hotel. Her nude body was discovered Saturday night in a lava field, and court documents released today reveal that she had been found with a rock lodged in her mouth. Witnesses say Dunse was seen at the scene of the murder, had scratches on his neck and his hand was swollen. The hearing will continue next Thursday. Meanwhile, Dunse is being held, unable to post $250,000 bail. ADMITTED hitman Anthony Kekona, sentenced to life in prison for the murder of two people on Maui, was transferred to the Maximum Security Section of Halawa Prison yesterday afternoon. Kekona had arranged to serve his sentence on Maui to be near his family, but after a fight with another inmate last November, during which he broke the other inmate's jaw in four places, Kekona will now serve the rest of his sentence on O`ahu. First, however, he will spend a week or so in an isolation cell. RICHARD Reiger, 38, pleaded guilty today for his connection with what the U.S. Attorney called one of the biggest drug rings in the state. Five people were named in the 1995 bust. In return for his guilty plea and providing testimony against his former co-conspirators, Reiger may be granted a reduction in the 10 years to life sentence he faces if convicted. Reiger's father, Vernon, was a well-known crime figure in Hawaii in the 1970s. COPPER, chromium, and nitrates have been detected in two wells that provide drinking water for the Mililani Mauka subdivision. Department of Health officials say the concentrations are so low, they do not pose a health threat to the public. Even so, they will continue to monitor water quality. GOLFERS beware. Kaua`i police say a New Jersey tourist was robbed at gunpoint while playing a golf course in Poipu. The suspect was wearing a helmet and dark clothes, and emerged from some brush to approach the victim. Although the robber made off with the man's wallet, he was not injured. TEMPS: O`ahu 81/68, Kaua`i 80/66, Moloka`i 83/69, Maui 84/70, Hilo 83/67 CASTS: North Shore surf to 10 feet. Mostly sunny over the long weekend. SATURDAY'S TIDES: High 8:50AM; Low 3:56PM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Thursday, January 11, 1996 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ DEMOCRATS ALIGN AGAINST KILLING TAX CREDITS Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairwoman Donna Ikeda joined a number of her fellow Democratic legislators in speaking out against Ben Cayetano's push to eliminate a number of state tax credits. Cayetano wants to eliminate the tax credits in order to bring some relief to the state's beleaguered economy. Ikeda said today that Cayetano's plan is a step in the wrong direction. "What we need to do is put money back into people's pockets," Ikeda said, "If they spend it, it will help businesses." Currently, the state grants a $27 food tax credits to all Hawaii residents, and offers a credit for solar energy use, owners of car child-seats and low income renters. Eliminating them would save the state $27 million in the next year, and $34 million each year thereafter, Cayetano said. In order to keep the credits, Ikeda said one alternative could be tapping the $40 million surplus now sitting in the state's highway fund. HARRIS RECALLS TRIUMPHS, PROMISES MORE COPS In the second-ever "State of the City" address, Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris heaped praise on members of the city council and recalled success stories from his half-term in office. "We've been able to increase efficiency and productivity," Harris said this morning. He also called attention to his administration's efforts to improve the quality of life, protect the environment, beautify the city and boost public safety. On the last point, Harris said he wants to add 240 more officers to the police force in the coming year. To pay for the new cops, Harris proposed a "user fee" on criminals. "Lawbreakers should pay a fee to cover the cost of the police and prosecution services they're generating," he said. Harris, who comes up for re-election this year, also vowed to maintain the city's jurisdiction over regions being eyed by the state. "I will oppose any initiative to create a state authority over Waikiki, or an expansion of the Kaka`ako district to include the area around the Convention Center," he said. WITNESSES SOUGHT FOR KIDNAPPING, MURDER OF VIDEO CLERK Police are seeking the public's help in investigating the abduction and murder 24-year-old video store clerk last Thursday. Mun-Sim Song was the sole employee at the Han Mi Video store on the second floor of a downtown building, located at the corner of Kaheka and King streets. A friend who had come to pick her up just before 9PM found the store unlocked, and Song's purse sitting behind the counter. A few bills were scattered on the floor. 10 hours later, Song's body was found in Moanalua Community Park. Police confirm she died from a single gunshot wound to the head. Police are looking for leads in finding a man who was seen in the area that night, walking around and later sitting in an older model, red-colored Camaro. Police are asking for anyone else who was in the area -- including people who used the Bank of America ATM on the ground floor of the building that night or anyone who heard gunshots near the park -- to come forward. MAUI SEES FIRST TRAFFIC DEATH FOR 1996 Maui Police are still investigating an unusual accident that left a 19- year-old man dead on the scene last night. Erik Kolomitz of Wailuku was driving along Honoapiilani Highway at around midnight when he apparently lost control of his car, hit a concrete divider, and flipped over. His overturned automobile was then broadsided by a van driven by his father, who was following behind. Both were apparently leaving work at the Lahaina boat harbor. The 41-year-old father, a Kihei resident, suffered minor injuries. He was arrested, but was released this morning pending further investigation. Hawaiian Airlines. President says his planes will stop flying in 8 days unless a buyout offer is approved by the company's unions. ANZAI PROPOSES SHIFTING FUNDS Hawaii's rental car tax currently pumps $22 million a year into the state's highways fund, but State Budget Director Earl Anzai said today that it should go into the general fund instead. "The general fund's broke," Anzai said. In addition, Anzai recommended allocating surplus funds in both the highway and airport funds to settle long-standing lawsuits filed against the state over the last several years. Donna Ikeda, Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairwoman, said today that she supported the push for quick settlements. She said, however, that she had a problem with tapping the money for the general fund. "We need to have long range planning," Ikeda said, "Scooping money just puts that off." HIGH SURF THUNDERS ON NORTH SHORE High surf all along Oahu's North Shore stopped all but only the bravest of surfers today. Before dawn, waves higher than 20 feet crashed into Waimea Bay. By mid-day, 12 to 15 foot waves were the norm -- still high enough to prompt water safety officials to close all north-facing beaches today. Sightseeing traffic along the shoreline was also backed up for most of the day. Despite the dangerous conditions, only one rescue was reported at Waimea. High surf conditions are expected to continue tomorrow. NEW SOVEREIGNTY GROUP EMERGES "One agenda for one sovereign nation." That's the mission of Hui Kalai`aina, a new sovereignty group that announced its formation today on the grounds of Iolani Palace. "How are we to regain control of resources and assets that rightfully belong to the Hawaiian people?" asked President Eli Nahalu. The answer, he said, is unity. Nahalu said his group plans to support a slate of five candidates seeking seats on the Board of Trustees for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. MASON SENTENCED FOR LIFE FOR 1991 MURDER Called by some "The Prince of Darkness," 22-year-old Ted Mason was sentenced yesterday on the Big Island to life in prison. He was found guilty last September for the July 1991 kidnapping and murder of Juliana Laysa. Mason had bludgeoned and stomped repeatedly on Laysa's body. 22- year-old John Perez has already pleaded guilty for his part in the murder, and is currently serving a 25-year jail term -- the minimum sentence. NAVY TO SET OFF KAHO`OLAWE BOMBS The island of Kaho`olawe will shake throughout the day tomorrow as explosives are detonated. Although the target-practice bombing of the island has long since ceased, a number of unexploded ordinances have been discovered during ongoing cleanup efforts. The ordinances will be cleared between 10AM and 4:30PM, and the Navy has warned boaters to stay clear of the area until an all-clear is issued. Approximately 28 500-pound bombs will be detonated. TEMPS: O`ahu 83/68, Kaua`i 82/65, Moloka`i 82/68, Maui 83/68, Hilo 83/66 CASTS: Winds to 25MPH; North Shore to 20 feet. Weekend showers anticipated. TUESDAY'S TIDES: High 9:04PM; Low 2:32PM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Wednesday, January 10, 1996 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ PROPOSED TUITION HIKE MAY TURN STUDENTS AWAY According to a tuition schedule released yesterday, the UH Board of Regents is now proposing increases of about 50% for all University of Hawaii system campuses. Both resident and non-resident students will be affected, whether at community colleges, UH-Manoa or its three other regional campuses. The BOR estimates that the increases will lead to a drop in enrollment of approximately five percent. UH administrators say the tuition hikes are needed in order to cover anticipated budget shortfalls, including an estimated $58.4 million shortfall in the coming year. In addition, the system's frozen repair and maintenance budget has led to a backlog of nearly $75 million in overdue work. Last year, students across the state were outspoken in their opposition to rate hikes. According to state law, tuition cannot be more than 30% of the actual per-student cost of providing education. If the 50% schedule is approved at its Feb. 16 meeting, tuition will cover about 20% of that cost. UH administrators reiterate in their proposal that even with the increase, a UH education is a relative bargain. Under the proposed schedule, UH- Manoa undergraduate tuition -- now $767 per semester -- would be $1,152 in the Fall of 1996 and $1,416 in the Fall of 1997 for residents. At UH-Hilo, upper- division tuition would rise from the current $668 to $888, then $1,068, over the same period. Public hearings will be held statewide Jan. 19-23. HAWAIIAN AIRLINES FACES SHUTDOWN After pulling itself out of bankruptcy and, late last year, securing a mainland-based investor, Hawaiian Airlines Inc. said today that it may have to shut down and again return to Chapter 11 protection. Unless labor unions agree to contract changes, Hawaiian says it will run out of operating funds on Jan. 18. The company has given the unions until next Monday to ratify new contract terms. Without their approval, Hawaiian's yet unnamed mainland interests -- which is offering $20 million for control of the company -- will not risk covering the airline's operating costs through the end of January, which is when their permanent investment negotiations are scheduled to close. Spokespersons for the four unions involved -- which represent the airline's 2,400 employees -- have not yet responded to the company's statement. Both the Association of Flight Attendants and the Air Line Pilots Association are reportedly considering quick approval of the new contract terms. STATE POKES AGAIN AT POKE, MUSUBI, BENTO In its can, Spam is said to last centuries. Once slapped onto a block of rice, however, it better be gone in four hours. So says the State Health Department, implementing a set of regulations that will dictate how Hawai`i food merchants can store and display certain foods -- which includes many local favorites. After backing off setting similar rules in 1994, rising concerns over bacteria and potential food poisoning have now pushed health officials to put them in place. The measures include: Foods susceptible to bacteria -- E. coli and Staphylococcus, for example -- must be stored either below 45 degrees or above 140 degrees Fahrenheit; foods kept at room temperature must be discarded after four hours; and all raw foods (like oysters, sashimi or poke) must be refrigerated at below 45 degrees at all times. A failure to comply can result in a daily fine of up to $1,000. BARBERS POINT REFINERIES CONSIDER SETTLEMENT Chevron and BHP, cited for separate emission violations in Campbell Industrial Park in the last few months, are now being pressed with a settlement agreement in which the companies would buy state-of- the-art air monitoring equipment for the state. In November, a still unexplained release of noxious gasses sent several children to the hospital. Proponents of the settlement say its an ideal option, as it both penalizes the companies and benefits the public. If no settlement is reached, state prosecutors say they will proceed with their lawsuits. GROUNDBREAKING took place this morning on a project, 30 years in the making, to build a bridge to Ford Island. The 400 acre island in Pearl Harbor, home to several Navy facilities and 100 or so residents of Navy housing, will be connected to the rest of O`ahu with a 4,700 foot bridge just north of Richardson Field and across Aloha Stadium. The $78 million project is expected to be completed by late Spring of 1998, at which time the Ford Island Ferry will be retired from service... JOSEPH Prueher, the second highest-ranking officer in the U.S. Navy, was appointed as head of the Pacific Command today by President Clinton. He succeeds Adm. Richard Macke, who was forced into early retirement in November of last year after making allegedly trivializing remarks about the rape of a 12-year-old Okinawan girl. Prueher, 53, will command 330,000 American servicemen if his appointment is approved by the Senate.... NOXIOUS fumes cleared out the King Kamehameha Mall in Kona this morning. At about 9:40AM, mall employees reported detecting a strong sulfur- like smell. The mall was closed, while six people were taken to Kona Community Hospital for treatment of nausea and headaches. Traffic along Kuakini Highway was also closed for most of the day. Late this afternoon, the mall reopened, saying the problem was identified and corrected... NINE days after the close of a record-setting year for bank robberies, the first holdup of 1996 took place yesterday afternoon at a Bank of America branch in Kaimuki. The suspect, wearing a nylon stocking over his head, revealed a handgun, pointed it at a teller, and cocked it. After getting an undisclosed amount of money, he fled towards 7th Avenue on Keanu Street... KRISINDA Joseph, 22, and her 14-month-old daughter Kaylen, were identified yesterday as the victims of a fatal two-car accident Monday in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The driver of his other car, 44-year-old Charles Robinson, and David Trail, 39, are both in guarded condition. The accident, which took place at about 2:15PM, is still under investigation... VANNA White arrived in town today, in preparation for a weekend taping of the game show "Wheel of Fortune" at the Hilton Waikaloa on the Big Island. Pat Sajak will arrive in Kona tomorrow... TEMPS: O`ahu 80/69, Kaua`i 79/66, Moloka`i 83/67, Maui 83/70, Hilo 83/67 CASTS: Mostly sunny; trades returning; surf on North Shore 6-8 feet. TUESDAY'S TIDES: High 7:51PM; Low 1:53PM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Monday, December 11, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ HONOLULU MARATHON, STATE SEES NEW HIGHS Two records were broken this past weekend. The Honolulu Marathon, held Sunday morning, netted well over 27,000 finishing runners -- making it the nation's largest marathon for the year. Those runners, however, experienced another broken record first-hand: temperatures that day soared to 88 degrees, setting a new record for that date. The heat took its toll on the race participants, perhaps 200 people requiring intravenous treatments for dehydration, and over 15 being raced to emergency rooms. Beginning at 6:30AM, the marathon had lost nearly four buses' worth of its 34,420 starting participants by noon. Two runners from South Africa -- 23-year-old Josiah Thungwane and 31-year-old Colleen DeReuck -- took first in both men's and women's races, finishing the 26.2 mile course in 2:16:08 and 2:37:29 respectively. The state's heat wave began Saturday, registering 89 degrees and setting the all-time high for the month of December. The month has seen an average high of 87 degrees, compared to the usual average of 81. Weather forecasters say Hawaii's normal winter weather and temperatures should return by late tomorrow. VonAPPEN PICKED TO LEAD 'BOWS UH Athletic Director Hugh Yoshida has reportedly chosen Colorado Defensive Line Coach Fred VonAppen as the new head of the Rainbow football program. Although the official word isn't expected until later this week, several unnamed sources have confirmed his selection. VonAppen's last remaining competitor was reportedly Duane Akina of Arizona State, both apparently favored over three other candidates from Hawai`i. Bil Marolt, athletic director for Colorado State, said, "I think the University of Hawai`i is getting a terrific person that I know will do a great job with their football program." Cal Lee, head coach for St. Louis High School and one of the local candidates favored for the job, said today, "He's always been a winner." Lee said he was told VonAppen would be contacting him; sports commentators now wonder if he will be asked to join VonAppen's yet-unnamed coaching team. VonAppen's appointment must be approved by the UH Board of Regents, which will meet Wednesday afternoon. The official announcement will follow at 5PM. VonAppen is expected to land in Honolulu tomorrow. VETO PROMISED FOR DISCONTINUED HANAUMA FEE Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris today vowed that he would veto a bill passed last week by the City Council that abolishes the non-resident admission fees at Hanauma Bay. The move will allow the city to continue to collect about $10,000 a day, at least for now. The fee was expected to raise $4 million a year towards the maintenance of the nature preserve; so far, about $2 million has been brought in. The council may consider a special session to contemplate an override. Meanwhile, Councilman Mufi Hanneman has said he is working on a revised fee system. Hanneman's proposal would lower the fee to $3 or $2, and charge residents a $1 per-year education or upkeep fee. Harris said he is open to compromise, but that he feels charging Hawai`i residents anything to visit island beaches is unacceptable. SEVERAL Hawai`i residents -- particularly senior citizens -- came forward today to testify in the last of several public hearings regarding a 33% general rate increase requested by GTE Hawaiian Tel. Opponents say any increased cost will force them to choose between paying for medication or their "lifeline to friends." The company points out that it hasn't had an increase for 10 years. If the maximum increase is approved by regulators, the average household telephone bill will rise from $14.40 to $19.09. CALLING the former-mayor "Frank 'The Extortionist' Fasi" is the First Amendment right of the press. So said Federal Judge David Ezra today, dismissing a libel suit filed by Fasi against the _Honolulu Star- Bulletin_. Fasi's suit was protesting a 1993 editorial, alleging he was dealing with Campbell Estate, acquiring land for a planned sports complex by changing zoning on other estate-owned property. BREAKING into a Waianae construction site yesterday afternoon, an uniden- tified male held a gun to a security guard's head, tied him up with duct tape, and stole a vehicle from the property... Specifically, a backhoe- tractor. Police are looking for the man; the missing machine, described as "big and yellow" in dispatch bulletins yesterday, was recovered today on Waianae Valley Road. The backhoe was valued at $50,000. TEN soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division, assigned to Fort Shafter, will be spending Christmas in Bosnia. They are being assigned there following recent peace agreements in the area facilitated by the U.S. government. The soldiers, specialists in topography, ship out of Honolulu tomorrow night. REALLY, I mean it this time! This will be the last daily issue of Ka `Upena until early January. Provided I survive this week's finals and my first-ever trip to meet my sweetie's family this winter break, Ka `Upena will return soon after classes resume Jan. 10. Fear not, however -- those hungry for island updates will still get their fix in my absence. Stay tuned... TEMPS: O`ahu 88/74, Kaua`i 86/70, Moloka`i 85/72, Maui 85/70, Hilo 83/65 CASTS: Mostly sunny; trades returning; surf on North Shore 6-8 feet. TUESDAY'S TIDES: High 7:19PM; Low 2:52PM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Friday, December 8, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ WAHINE FALL TO MICHIGAN STATE The UH Rainbow Wahine volleyball team lost hours ago to Michigan State in the NCAA Mountain Regional semifinal. Traffic had backed up onto the H1 freeway earlier tonight, as island fans flocked to the Special Events Arena. The Wahine burned swiftly through the first two games, winning 15- 6 and 15-8. Following a ten minute break in the third game, however, Michigan State rallied back, winning the next two, 15-10 and 15-7. In the fifth and final game, under rally scoring, the Wahine flared back, at one point tying the game at 11-11. In the end, fatigue took its toll on the Wahine, and Michigan State won the match 15-12. Coach Dave Shoji and his team were shocked, some players openly weeping as Michigan fans celebrated their advancement to the NCAA semi-finals. The Wahine thus end their season with a 31-1 record. With another sellout crowd of over 10,000 in the stands tonight, they also hold the Western Athletic Conference's record in home game attendance. BARBERS POINT KIDS AGAIN HIT BY STINK For the third consecutive day, students at Barbers Point Elementary School were shaken up by a strange smell in the air. Today's incident sent about six kids home early, and school officials say that as many as 60 students simply did not report to school in the first place. Their absences are perhaps understandable, as classes had been evacuated both Wednesday and yesterday because of a yet unidentified gaseous odor. Wednesday's incident is attributed to a hydrocarbon leak from the Chevron refinery in nearby Campbell Industrial Park. Health and safety officials were on hand today with detectors and other equipment, but just like yesterday were unable to identify the source of the smell. School officials are beginning to suspect that the odor is present every day at Campbell Industrial Park, and that a streak of unusual weather conditions (Kona winds) is only now carrying it inland to their neighborhood. CAPTAIN IRWIN GROUNDED BY STATE Citing the broadcast delays of local radio stations, the State Department of Transportation announced yesterday that it would cancel its contract with helicopter pilot "Captain" Irwin Malzman. Malzman previously did helicopter traffic reports for KSSK, and has been flying over O`ahu roadways for over 22 years. Earlier this year, the state signed a $190,000 contract with Malzman to do the reports for them, which were then syndicated to about 25 Honolulu radio stations. However, the state says that those stations would tape and hold Malzman's reports until it was convenient to air, delaying them to the point where they were no longer useful to motorists. His last report will be broadcast the evening of Dec. 29. "I am going to try to continue the program somehow," Malzman said yesterday. Malzman said that he is considering turning his work into a private venture, and has already solicited the interest of some local radio stations. CAYETANO PUSHES HAWAII PROS IN PHILIPPINES Gov. Ben Cayetano is currently touring the Philippines, in the hopes of marketing the skills of Hawaii's professional population. As the state doesn't have much to trade or manufacture, Cayetano said Hawaii is best positioned to sell services -- specifically, architecture and resort development expertise. During his visit, he has been given the red carpet treatment, including protection by Philippine President Fidel Ramos' own security staff. "When he came to Hawaii, he was impressed by the hospitality we showed him," Cayetano told KHON TV-2. "We hit it off pretty well. This is just his way of demonstrating his hospitality." During his visit, Cayetano is being accompanied by his daughter, Samantha. Cayetano, the first Hawaii governor of Filipino ancestry, said that returning to his roots and teaching his family about them is an added benefit of the trip. MUSEUM TAKES MARCOS MERCEDES FOR $30,000 Rusting and not necessarily bulletproof anymore, the 1983 Mercedes Benz owned by former Philippines leader Ferdinand Marcos still sold for $30,000 at a federal auction yesterday. The buyer is the Imperial Palace automobile museum in Las Vegas, which is currently home to several famous cars, including some used by former Japanese Emperor Hirohito and Adolf Hitler. The minimum bid was originally expected to be $35,000, but the museum's bid was accepted because of the car's special significance and its need for "extensive restoration." The car had sat, exposed to the elements, since 1992 in the Marcos mansion's driveway in Makiki. The sale money will go towards paying of a $2 million settlement to 10,000 human-rights victims who suffered under the Marcos regime. HAWAII'S TOP TEN TO SHOW ON JUMBOTRON According to the Hawaii Visitors Bureau's tongue-in-cheek Top Ten List, the second best reason to visit the islands is "Built-In Central Heating." That message, coupled with a picture of an erupting volcano, will be one of several to be played on New York City's famous Sony Jumbotron screen in Times Square. Starting next week, pedestrians in the chilly metropolis will see the 15-second advertisements for Hawaii, showing 111 times between Dec. 13 and 19. HVB officials hope cold temperatures -- or even snow -- in the city will make their pictures of warm Hawaii irresistible.
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Thursday, December 7, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ HAWAII REMEMBERS PEARL HARBOR, MACKE DOESN'T SPEAK The 54th anniversary of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor was commemorated today throughout O'ahu and the state. One event, however, stood in the shadow of controversy. At this morning's Navy ceremonies at the USS Arizona Memorial, Admiral Henry Chiles delivered the keynote address. Although Admiral Richard Macke was originally scheduled to speak, Macke yesterday agreed by a request by Chiles to take the podium. Last month, Macke enraged Japanese and U.S. officials by making a controversial statement about the recent rape of a Japanese girl by American servicemen. In recognition of his error, Macke had requested an early retirement. Although Macke will still attend the ceremony, his staff refused to comment on whether the controversy had to do with the decision not to speak today. Elsewhere, the Coast Guard will unveil a bronze memorial to the Coast Guard Cutter Taney this afternoon. The memorial, located near the Honolulu Maritime Center near Aloha Tower, recognizes the efforts of the Taney and three other vessels in defending Honolulu Harbor during the attack. Additionally, an all-branch war veterans group will hold a Christmas picnic at the Kapiolani Park bandstand. The event, which is open to the public, is a benefit for Hawai`i homeless. ANOTHER ODOR CLEARS OUT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL At about 9AM today, the students of Barbers Point Elementary School were evacuated from their classes after a gas-like odor was detected. The incident follows an emergency evacuation yesterday, when a hydrocarbon gas leak from the nearby Chevron refinery sent 32 people -- 26 of them Barbers Point kids -- to the hospital. No one was hospitalized in today's incident, and classes resumed about an hour later. Officials investigating yesterday's gas leak were on hand today, and all confirmed that the Chevron refinery was not at fault for the smell. "Whatever happened at the school was not us," said Jeff McElroy, regional manager for Chevron. The Health Department is now checking into the possibility that yesterday's incident was caused by something other than the Chevron plant. Nevertheless, the company took responsibility for the school's evacuation, after a mechanical failure allowed a cloud of hydrocarbon gasses to escape the plant and drifted inland to where Barbers Point Elementary School is located. MCKINLEY LAND GOES BACK TO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION About 5.3 acres of land adjacent to McKinley High School is now back in the hands of the Department of Education, thanks to an executive order signed yesterday by Gov. Ben Cayetano. The order reverses a controversial one executed in 1992, which had transferred control of the parcel -- the former site of Kapiolani Community College -- to the Hawaii Community Development Authority. The agency had planned to build two residential towers on the property, much of which was to be designated faculty housing for the University of Hawaii. Community members opposed the planned towers, saying the land could better be used for more classroom space for the overcrowded High School. They sued the state last year, and Cayetano then promised he would cancel the project. A non-profit school group now wants to expand McKinley's athletic facilities into the property, located at the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and Pensacola Street, and will begin soliciting private donations next year. About $18 million will be needed to fulfill their hopes of adding an Olympic-size swimming pool, additional parking, and modifying the existing track, gymnasium, and women's locker rooms. ELECTRIC BILL PLAGUES HAWAII PUBLIC SCHOOLS The public school system doesn't have enough money to pay its electric bills this year, and school officials fear that money reserved for services and instruction will have to be tapped to pay them off. Gov. Cayetano said yesterday that he refuses to let that happen. "Cutting instructional funds should not have to be a consideration, even in these austere times," he said. During the last legislative session, lawmakers ignored cost estimates from the Department of Education and instead opted to use those by Hawaiian Electric to determine funds allocated towards electricity. The company's estimate, however, left out allowances for new buildings and facilities put into service this year. As it became clear that money for power was running out, some schools began informal efforts to save money by not using air- conditioners, turning off lights between classes, or even during if available sunlight was adequate. Cayetano said yesterday that the Legislature must find the estimated $1.5 million to cover the shortfall. CLASSES END, FINALS LEFT FOR UH STUDENTS Today is the last day of classes for the 25,000 or so students at the University of Hawaii-Manoa campus, and another 2,400 students have their last day tomorrow at UH-Hilo. Next week, final exams, and then winter break. Classes resume January 10 for the Spring 1996 semester. With the close of the Fall semester this week, students recall a most memorable year, for which "activism" seems to have been a system-wide theme. Service and budget cuts sparked an overnight-sit in at Hamilton Library, a 5,000-strong noontime march on the Capitol on Halloween Day, a picket and rally at UH-Hilo and a telethon to save classes at Maui Community College, all netting the university an unprecedented level of media and community attention. The year end brought the surprise firing of UH football coach Bob Wagner, and a record season for the UH Wahine Volleyball team. It won't be a very happy new year for some campus programs, however, as UH President Kenneth Mortimer will announce his candidates for substantial budget cuts or elimination in the midst of the Christmas holiday. SPECIAL STATUS FOR MANOA VALLEY DEBATED Residents of Manoa Valley are debating a proposal that would set the neighborhood apart from other O`ahu districts with a special set of rules, written in the hopes of maintaining the area's beauty. Yesterday, about 300 people attended the monthly Manoa Neighborhood Board Meeting to have their voices heard. One plan, assembled by the community group Malama O Manoa, would require Manoa homeowners to get a permit before chopping down a tree in their yards. It would also limit the size of homes, double the setback required between buildings and the roadway, prohibit the cementing of front lawns for parking spaces, and keep walls below 3.5 feet in height. The idea of creating special district ordinance for Manoa was supported by the neighborhood board earlier this year. Opponents say it is a dangerous precedent in restricting the rights of property owners. SELF-MADE LAWYER RELEASED FROM PRISON Eric Schroeder, who was in prison since 1986 on robbery and kidnapping convictions, made use of his time studying law and filing more than 25 lawsuits while behind bars. Schroeder was released this week on parole, but has vowed to pursue his legal interests. They include a lawsuit against the state to compel them to enforce "no smoking" rules in prisons, and starting a newsletter to inform and empower other inmates. Schroeder has been called a "jail-house laywer" by peers and state officials, and had netted nearly $200,000 in settlements with his prison-based legal efforts. KA `UPENA TO TAPER OFF FOR BREAK After today's issue of _Ka `Upena_, the publication of issues between Dec. 8 and Jan. 9 will be sporadic at best. The change is mostly because access to news sources is tied very strongly to my attendance at UH, which officially ends today for the Fall 1995 semester. With finals next week, and a long overdue trip to Florida thereafter, I cannot report on Hawaii news on a daily basis until school starts again on Jan. 10. I am looking into the possibility of another volunteer to do news reports in my absence, perhaps on a weekly basis... stay tuned. Most other reports (Hawaii Sports, Maui News, Lahaina News, etc.) will still be distributed. I deeply apologize for the inconvenience. TEMPS: O`ahu 81/68, Kaua`i 82/70, Moloka`i 83/70, Maui 87/70, Hilo 83/69 CASTS: Sunny and clear, moderate trades; surf to 6 feet on north shores. FRIDAY'S TIDES: High 5:36PM; Low 10:40PM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Wednesday, December 6, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ THREE DEAD IN VILLAGE PARK MURDER-SUICIDE As reported in yesterday's _Ka `Upena_, the bodies of three people were recovered from a residence in Village Park. Dead are 36-year-old John Lewis, Marci Llacuna, 27, and her mother, 59-year-old Pat Avergonzado. All died of gunshot wounds, Lewis' self inflicted. Lewis, Llacuna's ex-boyfriend, forced his way into the home at about noon yesterday, violating a restraining order Llacuna had filed against him. Police reported to the scene at about 12:30PM, responding to an earlier call. Neighbors reported hearing gunshots, some possibly fired at police. Special Services officers closed off the street, evacuating nearby residents and surrounding the home. The standoff lasted several hours, and at about 4:30PM, two children walked out of the house unharmed. Minutes later, officers entered the home, to find only Llacuna's 5- month-old son by Lewis alive. The boy is currently in serious condition at Queen's Medical Center, having suffering a stomach wound police suspect was inflicted by broken glass. Lewis reportedly harassed Llacuna repeatedly since she ended their relationship about eight months ago. Late today reports surfaced that a previous girlfriend of Lewis had also filed a restraining order against him. HANAUMA BAY FEES KILLED BY COUNCIL In an 8-1 vote today, the Honolulu City Council repealed fees for non- residents and commercial drivers who visit the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. The fee, implemented in July, charged non-residents $5 to hike down to the beach, and taxi and bus drivers paid additional fees to deliver people to the park. Although it had raised about $2 million so far towards the maintenance of the park, it received strong criticism from tourism industry leaders, and questions about its constitutionality were raised. Saying that the reasons behind implementing the fees were inadequate, Councilman Mufi Hanneman originally introduced today's bill. Other councilmembers, like Donna Kim, questioned why fees weren't being collected at other beach parks. The only councilmember to vote against killing the fee was Councilman Andy Mirikitani, who maintained that Hanauma Bay was a "special" case that required additional funds to operate. Now, the city must find $2 million in funds to make up for the lost revenue for the rest of this fiscal year. The fee was expected to bring in $4 million per year. CHILDREN SENT TO HOSPITAL AFTER ANOTHER GAS LEAK 24 children at Barbers Point Elementary School had to be taken to the hospital today, after an unspecified amount of hydrocarbon gas escaped from the Chevron Refinery at Campbell Industrial Park. Six other people in the area also required treatment, eight of them for serious conditions (many related to asthmatic conditions). At about noon today, witnesses reported seeing a large black cloud billowing out of the refinery's smokestack. "According to our investigation so far, nothing in that black cloud should have been very toxic," said David Young, a Chevron spokesman, "Though it could be very irritating, it should not impact health over the long term." Young said the leak resulted from a power-short in an electrical generator, causing pressure to build up in the system and eventually vent into the atmosphere. He said the situation was under control by 2PM. The leak follows another gas emission from the nearby BHP refinery, which also led to the hospitalization of several people earlier this month. SKATERS TURN LOBBYISTS IN QUEST FOR STREETS A group of in-line skaters met with Councilwoman Rene Mansho and members of the Transportation Committee, showing their support for a bill that would allow users of their chosen form of locomotion to use all public roads. Mansho was quick to say that the bill, considered by many to be "too broad," will most likely die before the committee. However, Mansho asked for more ideas, and tentatively scheduled another meeting in February. Currently, Hawaii law groups in-line and roller skates with skateboards, and are limited to sidewalks. In addition, they are essentially banned in Waikiki. Skating instructors were on hand, saying that in-line skaters are ideal peers for bicyclists. The first step would be to allow skaters to use roadway bike- lanes; someday, they envision free roam of the streets, like their peers in other cities like New York. They also want to be allowed back on Waikiki sidewalks, but on that point Mansho and other councilmembers were less willing to compromise. "Let's start off in residential areas," said Councilman Duke Bainum, "not the narrow sidewalks of Waikiki." FLYING may in fact be safer than walking down the street. A 20- year-old woman, a flight attendant with Japanese Airlines, was walking with friends near Ward Center at about 7:30PM last night when her purse was snatched. She hung on, and was dragged a few feet before the assailant began punching and kicking her. They fell, and he eventually escaped with the bag. Police have arrested a 17-year-old Salt Lake man under suspicion for second-degree robbery... LORRAINE Sawyer, 42, also known as Patricia Attwater, is wanted for questioning by Honolulu Police. She is suspected of attacking a 25- year-old woman at Kapiolani Park. On Sept. 4, the victim was slashed in the neck and face with a broken bottle... HILO Police are trying to identify the body of a man that was found yesterday floating in Wailuku River. He's described as a Caucasian in his 40s, 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. No foul play is currently suspected in the man's death... WITH the end tomorrow of the Fall term at UH, so ends the regularity (!) of _Ka `Upena_. I'll still try to get them out until I leave for Florida on Dec. 16, but with more papers and finals next week, there are no guarantees! TEMPS: O`ahu 84/70, Kaua`i 82/69, Moloka`i 84/70, Maui 85/69, Hilo 82/68 CASTS: Some showers, mostly sunny; best surf is 2 to 4 feet at Sunset Beach. THURSDAY'S TIDES: High 4:48PM; Low 12:14PM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Tuesday, December 5, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ [ A short and early report today; I've got two big papers due tomorrow! -ed.] POLICE INVESTIGATE DEATHS IN KUNIA Hours ago, police removed the bodies of three people from a Village Park home. Dead are a 65-year-old woman, a 25-year-old woman, and a 25-year-old man. A 5-month-old child, who was reportedly found between two of the bodies, is currently in satisfactory condition at Queen's Medical Center. Officers initially reported to the Kaiewa Street address at about 1PM today, responding to a call for a temporary restraining order violation. A SWAT team was eventually called in, and the home was surrounded. At about 4:45 this afternoon, officers entered the home and found the bodies. Although details are still sketchy, the trouble started when an ex-boyfriend of one of the residents had shown up uninvited. Neighbors told television crews that there had been no past disturbances at the house. The case is currently being handled as a murder investigation, though the classification may change. ARREST MADE FOR KULA DOUBLE-MURDER Earlier today, Maui police arrested a 45-year-old man in connection with a double-murder in Kula last Friday. He was reportedly picked up while leaving the Maui Beach Hotel in Kahului. No charges have yet been filed. On Dec. 1, the bodies of 47-year-old James Capriotti -- a rancher and part-time musician -- and 40-year-old Betty Ballard were discovered in Capriotti's Omaopio Road home by his mother. Capriotti suffered multiple stab wounds and cuts, many police say are indicative of a struggle before death. Ballard suffered a single gunshot-wound to the head. Investigators still have determined no motive for the crime, and Maui police said yesterday that toxicology tests would be performed on the victim's bodies. COUNCIL MAY OVERTURN HANAUMA BAY FINE A bill to repeal a controversial visitor's fee at Hanauma Bay goes before the Honolulu City Council tomorrow. Currently, the city charges out-of-state visitors $5 to get to the beach; Hawai`i residents are allowed access for free. After months of questioning and opposition from politicians and tourists, the council will most likely vote to eliminate the fee. The disparity in cost between visitors and residents is at the heart of the battle, which some have called unconstitutional. "No one anticipated the depth of concern that would arise," said Councilman Duke Bainum today. City Budget Director Malcolm Tom said that he will be looking into cutting elsewhere to make up for the $2 million in lost revenues that would result if the fee is repealed. Since it went into effect this past summer, $2 million in fees have been collected. A total of $4 million was projected for this year, which was budgeted towards park maintenance. A different bill for fees has already been introduced to the council. If it gains support, Tom said he hopes to have it in place by July 1996, before the start of the next fiscal year. HONOLULU TOPS HEALTH SURVEY Honolulu was one of only two cities to appear in the top-ten across the board in five categories, which ranked over 100 American cities by various health statistics. Honolulu took top honors in unemployment and violent crime (with the lowest figures), landed fifth for low infant-mortality, eighth for low prevalence of poverty, and eighth for low murder deaths. In social terms, Hawaii's capital had the fifth lowest teen-ager birth rate, and ranked 16th lowest in the number of households headed by one female. Honolulu also had the 28th highest percentage of high school graduates. The National Public Health and Hospital Institute conducted the survey, which it calls the first to compare U.S. cities by such a wide range of indicators. They also included the number of syphilis, gonorrhea, AIDS and tuberculosis cases -- in all of which Honolulu ranked above-average. HAWAII BANK TO OPEN BRANCHES ON MAINLAND First Hawaiian Bank's parent company has announced plans to buy 30 branches of mainland banks in the Pacific Northwest. First Hawaiian Inc., which currently has 63 branches in Hawaii, hasn't yet named the mainland venture. There are now 25 new banks planned for Oregon, four in Washington, and one in Idaho. The company will retain their current staff, adding only new administrative personnel. Spokespeople for First Hawaiian say that the company had been looking to expand for some time, but the only place left to go was the mainland. The purchase price for the banks -- formerly owned by U.S. Bancorp and West One Bancorp -- will be 5.25% of the current deposits in their branches. The deal must first pass various government regulatory approvals before being made official. MAUI WATER SUPPLY RUNNING LOW The state Commission on Water Resources has advised Maui county Board of Water Supply officials that the use of water from the Iao aquifer has been too excessive. The aquifer is the exclusive water source for Wailuku, Kahului, Kihei and Makena. The aquifer has a sustainable yield of about 20 million gallons per day, but that volume has been exceeded in the last few months, and the average withdrawal has recently been 19.998 million gallons per day. The county must take action soon, perhaps in the form of stopping construction or a moratorium on new developments in the region bounded by Waihee to Paia. Otherwise, the state says it will assume control of the aquifer. STATE FINES BHP FOR GAS LEAK Over two days last week, about 8,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide -- a toxic gas -- escaped from the BHP refinery in Campbell Industrial Park. That emission sent 29 people to hospitals, and affected many others. As a result of the incident, the state today levied a $50,000 fine against BHP. The figure is the maximum possible in such cases. In addition, public hearings will be held tomorrow to discuss the incident, and other safety issues. TEMPS: O`ahu 85/69, Kaua`i 85/71, Moloka`i 84/70, Maui 86/69, Hilo 84/66 CASTS: Cooler temps across state, trades to 15MPH. Surf 2-4 feet all shores. WEDNESDAY'S TIDES: High 3:28PM; Low 10:58AM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Monday, December 4, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ KANESHIRO WON'T SEEK THIRD YEAR Honolulu City Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro announced today that he will not run for a third year in the office. Kaneshiro said he had accomplished most of his goals since beating out former deputy prosecutor Randal Yoshida in 1992. "I want to spend all of my time working towards [bringing] law enforcement issues before the legislature, and not have to devote time to campaigning," he said. Kaneshiro has been one of the city's strongest advocates of capital punishment, and drug testing for various state employees. With Kaneshiro's withdrawal from the race next year, two prime candidates remain: Yoshida, and another former deputy, Peter Carslisle. Both who say they can do a better job. "People are afraid to walk the streets," Yoshida said today. "Crime is out of control and we plan to do something about it." Carslisle said he doesn't want Honolulu to end up one of the nation's "hotbeds of human misery and suffering," like Los Angeles or New Jersey. "Unfortunately, we're on that path right now," he said. DETAILS SURFACE IN CALIFORNIA-HAWAII DRUG BUST Seven people -- two of them California residents -- were indicted Friday for trying to smuggle more than five pounds of ice (crystal methamphetamine) to a Hawaii prison inmate. The operation stretched between November 1994 to January of this year. Charged were: Ronald Malta, 29, the inmate at the state Waiawa prison; his 26-year-old brother James Malta; James Malta's 31-year-old wife Brenda; fellow Waiawa inmate Leslie Naki, 32; and 32-year-old Francis Lii, a former inmate and also the son of late union leader Josiah Lii. Catarino Candelaria, 70, and 27-year-old Kelly Garcia, both of Los Angeles, were also named in the indictment. Federal officials say that the two Californians smuggled cocaine to Lii in November of last year. Lii allegedly paid for the drugs by committing to sell 5 pounds of ice to Ronald Malta. Brenda Malta was detained while en-route to California last December at Honolulu International Airport with $39,600 to buy the ice. Yesterday, James and Brenda Malta, Lii and Naki filed not-guilty pleas. The trial is set to begin on Jan. 30. FRIDAY RAID NABS SEVEN FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING The residents of the Laumaka Work Furlough Center got an early- morning wake-up call by law enforecement officers last Friday, and seven of them were arrested -- three for the alleged possession of drugs, found in their rooms. Sting officers from several agencies, ranging from a police SWAT team to federal agents, converged on the Kalihi dormitories at about 5AM. It was spurred by the findings of a two month investigation, police say, in which undercover officers purchased ice and crack cocaine from inmates at the center. 60 officers surged into the buildings, interrupting the breakfast and sleep of their residents and searching their rooms. Police say two packets of crack cocaine, ice, and marijuana were found in at least one dormitory. The seven people arrested ranged in age from 32 and 44, though none have yet been named. Prison inmates are assigned to Laumaka as their sentences near an end, where they can job-hunt and work. Residents are required to return by 8PM and they're searched before being allowed inside, but drugs frequently get in, police say. Although drug raids are common, Friday's operation was a first for the Laumaka dorms. NEW THEATERS OPEN THIS WEEK IN HILO The new "Kress Cinemas" will open this Thursday in downtown Hilo, and neighboring businesses are hoping the four-screen theater complex will bring them more business. The theaters -- two with 125 seats and one with 250 -- are located in the historic Kress Building, which went through a massive renovation last year but had no tenants until Wallace Theater Corp. leased part of the property. Wallace managers anticipate as many as 1,000 people per day will come to the complex, which brings the total screens in the Big Island town to nine. By showing movies passed over by their competitors, Consolidated Theatres, and putting movie screens back into the history-laden Kress building, the company says the cinema could be a big draw for the area. Ticket prices are $5.50 adult, $3.50 for children, and movies will be shown three to five times per day on each screen. With the popcorn concession and a new ice cream store, however, most of the 33,000 square foot Kress complex on Kalakaua Street remains empty. The downtown Hilo area is home to many restaurants and small family-owned stores, and business has been weak in the last few years. Merchants hope the Wallace complex will change that. STATE WATER COMMISSION MEMBER TAGGED Political watchdog groups are barking at the heels of Monty Richards, Gov. Ben Cayetano's appointee to the State Water Commission. The commission is currently mediating a battle between Windward and Leeward landowners for water from the Waiahole ditch system. Richards, also a Big Island rancher, has been linked to companies with an interest in diverting water to Leeward O`ahu, including Bishop Estate, Amfac, and Campbell Estate. Richards allegedly leases the land for his ranch from those companies. Responding to the conflict-of-interest allegations Gov. Cayetano said today that he is looking into the matter. Cayetano said asking Richards to resign is one of several options he is considering. GOVERNOR PUSHES VIRTUAL U FOR HAWAI`I The Western Governor's Association endorsed a plan last week to establish a "Western Virtual University," an exchange system that would allow students at schools to attend classes at others. "In every state, governors are going through the same thing," Cayetano said today. "We cannot afford to build the physical facilities which are needed to keep up with the population." Cayetano pointed to the state's HITS system -- an interisland video network with a similar purpose -- as a good example of Hawaii's head start in the coming years. "It's going to be the wave of the future," he said, "It's very exciting." He hopes such a system might be operational in about ten years, after faculty and accreditation concerns are resolved. FIVE NAMES REMAIN IN COACH HUNT According to UH Athletic Director Hugh Yoshida, the list of candidates to replace former football head coach Bob Wagner has been shortened to five names. They are Norm Chow, Offensive Coordinator with Brigham Young University; Duane Akina, Offensive Coordinator with the University of Arizona; Bill Young, Ohio State University defensive coordinator; and Fred VonAppen, Defensive Line Coach for Colorado University. The 49- year-old Lee has had a strong record teaching high school football at St. Louis, including winning 10 O`ahu Prep Bowls in a row. Lee said he might also seek a position as UH assistant coach. Chow brings 17 years of experience at BYU. Yoshida said he hopes to decide by Dec. 15. GUN COLLECTION DRIVE NETS LESS In the last seven days, the Honolulu Police Department accepted 272 weapons in its annual "Goods for Guns" drive. Last year, 800 were collected. "The numbers aren't as large as we've seen in previous programs," Police Chief Michael Nakamura admitted today, "But I'm very encouraged by what we see. These guns represent the potential for saving lives here in Hawai`i." Nakamura said that many of the guns collected had serial numbers filed down, and one was reported by New York police as stolen. This year's drive brings the two-year total to 1,100 firearms. The guns will be taken to a site in Campbell Industrial Park and destroyed. DUKE Bainum, City Councilman, introduced a bill today that would outlaw roosters -- at least those 5-years-old or older -- from certain urban areas. Bainum said crows from roosters are a major nuisance for residents of Waikiki, Kaimuki, and much of Manoa and Palolo. In addition, the bill would hike fines for "animal noise violations" throughout Honolulu... FORMER Deputy City Prosecutor Gary Modafferi was acquitted today for a New Year's Day traffic accident in 1992. Modafferi was accused of lying when he said his girlfriend was driving his car at the time of the accident, and for presenting a fake no-fault-insurance card. The officer in the case, however, refused to testify, citing the fifth-amendment... FORMER Deputy Managing Editor of the _Detroit News_ Jim Gatti is now the editor of _The Honolulu Advertiser_ (so says a front page story in same). The 54-year-old replaces Gerry Keir, who left in September and now works in public relations for First Hawaiian Bank. Gatti once served with the 11th Brigade at Schofield Barracks, and is married with four children... BISHOP Museum's widely popular Family Sunday program is no more. Yesterday marked the last time Hawai`i residents enjoyed free admission, live music, and a picnic on its lawn. They started in 1984. 10,000 people were in attendance, and 600 YMCA volunteers worked at the gala... TEMPS: O`ahu 82/71, Kaua`i 84/72, Moloka`i 82/71, Maui 87/74, Hilo 84/71 CASTS: Sunny, chance of showers later in week; top surf 2 to 4 feet. TUESDAY'S TIDES: High 2:50PM; Low 10:21AM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Friday, December 1, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ DOUBLE MURDER ON MAUI, DRUG TIE SUSPECTED Maui County Police have converged at a Kula home, where the bodies of a 47-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were found early this morning. Investigators have found marijuana plants growing on the property, and a bag of a yet-unidentified white, powdery substance was found near the dead man's body. The male victim's mother, who lived in another part of the 600 Omaopio Road residence, reportedly heard a car leave their driveway at about 1AM. She called a friend and together they investigated, police say. That's when they found the woman's body on a bed in a veranda-like extension. When going through the home to call police, they discovered the man's body. The male victim rented the home with his 74-year-old mother; the female victim is believed to be the man's friend. The woman was shot with a small- caliber firearm, and the man suffered multiple stab wounds during an apparent struggle, police say. Neighbors in the small farm community said they shaken by the proximity of such a crime to their own homes. There are no suspects yet, police say, and the names of the victims have not yet been released. The double-murder brings the total murder count for Maui County to five. TEACHER CHANGES PLEA IN SEX ABUSE CHARGE Lawrence Norton, a Mokapu Elementary School teacher who was accused of fondling the breast of an 11-year-old girl in January, changed his plea yesterday from not-guilty to no contest. Prosecuting attorney Barry Kemp said that both the victim and an eyewitness had been prepared to testify in the case. Norton was acquitted of a similar charge in 1993; in that case, there had been no witnesses. Circuit Judge Sandra Simms was asked to defer accepting the change-of-plea by Defense Attorney Clifford Hunt. Hunt cited Norton's lack of prior convictions, saying, "We don't think he deserve to go to jail." If it is deferred, Norton will be spared jail time and have the case record expunged after a certain length of time. Simms will rule on Hunt's motion at Norton's sentencing, scheduled for May 13. Kemp said he will pursue the maximum sentence: 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. "It represents a very serious breach of the trust students and families put in teachers," Kemp said. The victim of the Jan. 13 incident currently resides in Japan, but her family was prepared to return to testify, Kemp said. DAIEI OPENS LARGEST, FOURTH STORE Hawaii residents again demonstrated their passion for shopping yesterday, as people lined up at 1:30AM to be the first customers to shop in Daiei's new superstore in Waipahu. When the doors finally opened at 8AM, there were as many as 2,000 people waiting. In the past, traffic had backed up onto freeways as islanders flocked to grand openings of other retail outlets, including K-Mart and Wal-Mart. The local supermarket chain, which has three other locations on O`ahu, offered special promotions -- like free bags of rice -- to mark the 120,000 square-foot store's grand opening. In addition to being the largest Daiei store, the new Waipahu location adds a 400 seat food court, a full-service branch of Central Pacific Bank, large appliances and several more lines of products to its shelves. Daiei owners say the store boosted their total O`ahu retailing space by 30 percent. No sales figures on the store's first day of business were made available, but managers there said yesterday they were happy with the turnout. PAIR SENTENCED FOR 1993 BEATING 22-year-old Aaron K. Siga and Ryan Sousa, 22, received twice the usual sentence yesterday for the 1993 beating of counselor Taylor Clark, 45, at Kailua Beach Park. Circuit Judge Bambi Weil set their maximum jail term to 20 years for the pair's first-degree assault convictions. On Sept. 3, 1992, Clark suffered as many as 200 facial fractures as the result of an attack from up to a dozen young men and teenagers. Two other defendants have already pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Weil said her sentence was influenced by prior convictions for both Siga and Sousa, stemming from a 1991 robbery at the same park. Prosecutors had portrayed Siga as a gang leader of the group. The pair apologized in court yesterday to Clark, who was present. "I can't think in terms of forgiveness," Clark told _The Advertiser_, adding that he hopes the severe sentence raises awareness of violence in the state. HANDIVAN MANAGEMENT MAY TRANSFER TO THAT OF THEBUS A bill that would put management of HandiVan and TheBus to one company has been sent to the Honolulu City Council. The move follows allegations that HandiVan -- the company handling public transportation for the handicapped and disabled -- was mismanaged and negligent in caring for its vehicles. Under the proposal, introduced yesterday by Councilman John Henry Felix, HandiVan would be run by the same company that runs TheBus: Oahu Transit Services. Felix said the merger could save over $1 million in its first year, and as much as $5 million in later years. Much of that would come from OTS' status as a non-profit agency and the elimination of a duplication in services like dispatch operations and maintenance. Laidlaw Transit Services, which now runs HandiVan, said the city should stick to the competitive bid process. "If you don't," said Laidlaw manager Scott Schell, "there's no incentive to cut costs." BIDS BEING TAKEN TO RUN CONVENTION CENTER Two years before the Hawaii Convention Center is scheduled to open, the Hawaii Visitors Bureau is already soliciting bids for the company that will manage the $215 million facility. State officials have heard from 24 unnamed companies so far, most of whom specifically seek the opening contract. The deadline to submit initial proposals is Dec. 15. The state hopes to hire the company by early next year, giving it until the grand opening in July 1998 to get set up, and then run the center for a year. If performance is satisfactory, the company will have the option to stay on for 4 more years. Similar contracts to run facilities in other states say the base contract could near the $500,000 a year range. TEMPS: O`ahu 82/72, Kaua`i 81/73, Moloka`i 82/73, Maui 85/73, Hilo 81/69 CASTS: Scattered showers; Surf up to 12 feet on north/10 feet on west shores. WEEKEND TIDES: Saturday -- High 12:44PM; Low 6:55PM Sunday -- High 1:28PM, Low 8:55AM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Thursday, November 30, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ CONGRESS MAY TIGHTEN EAST-WEST CENTER BUDGET After laying off 121 of 225 employees in October, the East-West Center may have to consider letting go even more of its staff. Members of congress have proposed yesterday to cut the center's budget to $11.75 million, half of what it was given in 1995. Earlier this year, EWC President Kenji Sumida had said that if their budget was cut to $10 million, as many of 60 more employees may have to be let go. Either that, or the center would have to put concerted effort into raising money from the private sector, Sumida said. The cut proposed yesterday came from a Senate and House conference committee, after an appropriation of $15 million was included in a Commerce department budget bill. Commenting on the possible cut, Sumida said that the EWC could still be a viable institution -- if it works harder in demonstrating the value of its work, and learns from its roots. "I can remember in the 60s when the center budget was at $5 million," Sumida said. "It was a good institution at that time." Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye has said he will work to increase the center's budget if the overall bill is vetoed. CAYETANO TAKES MORTIMER, REGENT TO VEGAS Gov. Ben Cayetano left this morning to attend the Western Governors' Association Conference in Las Vegas. It is his second trip in two months to the city. This time, he is bringing UH President Kenneth Mortimer and Joseph Blanco, chair of the UH Board of Regents. In a statement released today, Mortimer said his travel partners are going to Las Vegas to explore the potential for a 'virtual university.' "Together," Cayetano said, "we can look at ways to establish an exchange of long-distance learning using new-age electronic technology." The 13 states of the WGAC have been looking into a shared educational enterprise in order to avoid the cost of building new facilities. Cayetano said that such a project could allow Hawaii's future students to take classes from "top-notch universities on the mainland without having to leave Hawaii." The last time Cayetano traveled to Las Vegas, it was to attend a UH football game; the trip raised some controversy when his former law partner David Schutter used Cayetano in an advertisement announcing the opening of his new Las Vegas office. Last night, Lawrence Johnson -- president of Bancorp Hawaii, Inc. -- hosted a $1,000-a- plate fundraising and birthday dinner for Cayetano at his Nuuanu home. Cayetano turned 56 on Nov. 14. Cayetano's office had no figures on the attendance. ACTOR JUMPS FROM PALI, RESISTS RESCUE 59-year-old Maurice Elias of California visited the Pali Lookout yesterday, like hundreds of people do every day. When Elias got to the cliff side railing, however, he didn't stop. Elias jumped from the lookout and fell about 80 feet to a ledge below. It was revealed today that Elias also went by the name of James Stacey, and was a television and film actor. He played in the 60s western "Lancer," and in the film "Matters of the Heart." Witnesses say Elias climbed atop the wall yesterday morning and held up a homemade sail before leaping over the edge. Police say Elias took the idea from other people in the area, as visitors often catch severe winds at the lookout with towels or sheets to be lifted off the ground. According to rescue crews, Elias initially refused to cooperate with them, and then ridiculed their efforts. "He wouldn't get into the basket," said Rescue Captain Aaron Young. Elias, who was missing both his left limbs, had left his crutch and an empty whiskey bottle against the railing where he jumped. Elias, who reportedly told police he wanted to fall, was taken to Castle Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation. Police confirmed that Elias was drinking before the incident, and the case has been classified as an attempted suicide. WAGNER TO MARCH WITH SENIORS, MORE NAMES SURFACE Former UH football coach Bob Wagner said today that he intends to march this Saturday beside the team's sixteen senior players. The Rainbows will play their last game of the season against Oklahoma State, after which the seniors will be recognized in the traditional Senior Walk. The game will be the last one for Wagner. "I don't want to take anything away from the seniors," Wagner said today. "It'll be great to go away with a win; it'll be great if there's a good showing of people out there." Meanwhile, the seniors are going ahead with their own banquet for family and friends on Sunday, despite the cancellation of the Annual Football Banquet. "We've been through a lot," said Senior Receiver Matt Harding. Slotback Eddie Klaneski said, "Everybody wants to play better because it's the seniors' last game, and especially after all the things that happened." In addition, two more names have surfaced as likely candidates to replace Wagner: Bill Young of Ohio State and Fred VonAppen of the University of Colorado. THE RAINBOW SENIORS The graduating UH football players are: Tupu Alualu, Robby Blakeney, Jeff Bredy, Phil Cunningham, Agenhart Ellis III, Rodney Glover, Walter Grissam, John Hao, Matt Harding, Clinton Kuboyama, George Noga, Joe Shaw, Danny Katoa, Brannon Kennedy, Ron Tagalicod, Marvis Tauala, David Tuifua, Brett Washington, and Rod York. FISHERMAN TESTIFY AGAINST EXPANDED WHALE SANCTUARY Public hearings began today on a proposal to expand the boundaries of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The sanctuary, which was established in 1992, included all waters off the island of Maui, and select areas off Kaua`i. The plan would expand it to include waters off all islands, and establish a management plan. Local fisherman say the expanded sanctuary threatens their livelihood. "Anybody that believes that there will be no new regulations or new user fees is in a dream world," said William Aila, who spoke against the proposal tonight at Tokai University. In addition, opponents say, the sanctuary makes a dangerous precedent of the federal government taking jurisdiction over Hawaiian waters from the state. Supporters of the plan said that the intent is simply to further studies of the endangered mammal. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will take testimony at statewide hearings until Dec. 15, after which it must address collected concerns and prepare a formal report to the governor. The governor will decide on whether to accept or reject all or part of the proposal. State waters make up 80% of the sanctuary. DEVELOPER REFUSES TO GIVE UP ON MEGA-RESORT International developer Charles Chidiac returned to Hawai`i and appeared today before the State Land Use Commission. Chidiac was hoping to restore life to the "Hawaiian Riviera Resort," a sprawling complex he has wanted to build in Ka`u for years. Chidiac made headlines in 1992, when he accused the commission of "extortion practices." At the time, the commission had rejected his resort plan because of muddled finances. Chidiac charged it was the commission's procedures that led to the project's demise. His accusations led to an FBI investigation of the State Land Use Commission, but it was closed in 1994 because of insufficient evidence. Today, the commission again denied Chidiac's request, this time because he no longer owned the land. 3,000 acres of the site land was foreclosed on by Norwegian bank Den Norske; another 20,000 was acquired by local developer Hawai`i Ka`u Aina. Chidiac said that he intends to buy out the other interests and return to pursue his resort plan. He also said today he stands by his original charges. DRUG SUPPLY CONSTRICTED BY BUST Law enforcement officials say that crystal methamphetamine, or ice, is in short supply in the islands, after a major drug bust earlier this year. Six suspects were indicted today for trafficking ice and cocaine, constituting much of the drug trade in the entire state. Those named in the indictment were Parson Iosua, Natalie Awa, John Awa, Ofati Malepeai, Richard Reiger, and Daniel Umamoto. Only Iosua was allowed out of custody this afternoon. "They were a major if not the largest distribution group of ice and cocaine in the island," said federal attorney Steven Alm. Alm said the operation ran from November of 1992 to February of last year. During that time, they were involved in 50 large drug deals, and at one point were distributing a pound of ice and a kilo of cocaine every day, he said. Since the bust, officials estimate the street-price of ice has jumped from about $40,000 a pound to $70,000 a pound. SUSPECTED PURSE-SNATCHER CHARGED A Japanese woman -- 5-months pregnant -- and her husband were walking along Ala Moana Boulevard Tuesday night when her purse was snatched. She hung on for a while and was dragged about 15 feet, suffering several minor injuries. Today, police charged 30-year-old Rodney Robello of Moloka`i for the theft. They are also investigating whether or not he was involved in any other purse-snatching incidents in Waikiki. Robello is the son of John Kalani Lincoln, a local crime figure who was sentenced in October of 1994 to 11 years in prison for drug and weapons violations. DIVERS RECOVER KNIFE FROM ALA WAI CANAL After spending two hours in special protective diving gear, Navy divers recovered a knife with a 5" blade today from the Ala Wai Canal. Police had narrowed the search for a murder-weapon to the stagnant Waikiki waterway in an ongoing murder investigation. 51-year-old Terry Caldwell was found dead in her Waikiki apartment Nov. 5 with several stab wounds. Her home had been ransacked and several items were missing. Police have already charged a 17- year-old Makakilo man with the murder. TEMPS: O`ahu 86/71, Kaua`i 82/72, Moloka`i 83/72, Maui 86/70, Hilo 83/68 CASTS: Heavy showers, thundershowers; Flood Potential Advisory, all islands. FRIDAY'S TIDES: High 11:54AM; Low 6:23PM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Wednesday, November 29, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ WAGNER FIRING LEAVES MORE QUESTIONS The departure of UH football head coach Bob Wagner, which was announced yesterday morning, remains the top story in the islands. It is anyone's call on how the firing will affect the Rainbows' performance at its last season game this Saturday against Oklahoma State, and the university is hard pressed to name his replacement. There yet remains another snag: the hiring freeze. At the beginning of the semester, UH President Kenneth Mortimer placed a freeze on hiring lecturers, staff, and student help at all campuses. That freeze applies to the Athletic Department as well, now technically preventing them from filling Wagner's position as well as those of his coaching staff. Today, Athletic Director Hugh Yoshida filed a request with Mortimer for an exception to the hiring freeze. Originally, the department's revolving funds were proposed as a quick-fix way to pay the yet-unnamed staff. The salaries for the now empty slots are as follows: Head Coach: $66-96,000; Associate Head Coach: $41-75,000; Coordinators: $45-69,000; and Assistant Coaches: $36- 51,000. However the Board of Regents, which must approve Yoshida's choice for the new head coach, has the power to adjust the pay scale. Meanwhile, players are now receiving refunds for their tickets to the Annual Football Banquet, which was canceled in light of Tuesday's shake-up. As it was scheduled for this Sunday, many say they're disappointment at the last minute decision -- family members had been flying in from the mainland to attend. The players are reportedly planning their own informal celebration. BISHOP ESTATE JUMPS INTO WASHINGTON FRAY Nestled in the final budget bill being formulated by US lawmakers are new rules that would tighten things for larger non-profit organizations. The proposed rules have prompted Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate, which holds tax-exempt charitable status, to thrown itself into the debate. The legislation would limit excess benefits and salaries given to the staff of charity groups; the Bishop Estate Trustees, who receive an annual salary of $830,000, would be affected. The measure would place a 25% tax on "excessive benefits," which could be hiked to 200% if the excesses aren't corrected. The objective is to direct money at actual charity projects, not administration. Although the defining line has yet to be set, some have proposed it be set at parity with the US president's annual salary: $200,000. Capping the KS/BE trustees' salaries there would save more than $3 million. KS/BE has hired the law firm of former Hawai`i Governor John Waihee to represent it, and the firm has reportedly drafted a 4-page statement for Washington lawmakers opposing the measure. Hawaiian activist Haunani Kay-Trask said today she supports the restrictions. Trask said KS/BE money should go towards educating Hawaiian children, "not to benefit well-heeled, politically well-connected fat cats." Note: KHON reported tonight that KS/BE's efforts are mentioned in the Dec. 4 issue of _U.S. News & World Report_ (I couldn't find it. -ed.). MARCOS CAR SEIZED, VICTIMS SEEKING MORE A locksmith arrived this afternoon at 2338 Makiki Heights Drive -- the now-vacant mansion of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos -- and unlocked the door of the Marcos' 1988 Mercedes. Law enforcement officials seized the specially-designed bulletproof vehicle today, the first asset acquired to pay a $2 billion settlement to over 10,000 people who suffered various human-rights abuses under the Marcos regime. Local attorney Sherry Broder, who is representing some of the victims, was pleased. "Some of these people were tortured in 1975," Broder said. "I think it's already been too long for them to wait." The car will be auctioned off this weekend, and is expected to fetch between $35,000 to $150,000. Officials will then move on to auction off the Makiki mansion, but their primary target is an estimated $400 million in funds reportedly locked away in Swiss banks. "FLYING SQUAD" SWOOPS IN TO STRENGTHEN HPD The Honolulu Police Department announced today that it has created a new division, dubbed the "Flying Squad." 13 officers and one supervisor formerly part of HPD's fourth watch (the division for newly graduated recruits) will make up the squad, to help alleviate manpower shortages at O`ahu police substations. The most visible change will be the reassignment of the officers from foot-patrols to vehicles. It is hoped the move will help improve police presence at fast-growing O`ahu neighborhoods, specifically Pearl City, Waianae and Kapolei. Forrest Broom, an HPD Captain, said, "It's just insuring that our number of officers are in proportion to the population in these areas." The Waikiki watch will still have the same number of total officers. However, the HPD is planning on adding a new bicycle patrol unit in the future. The "Flying Squad" will also allow HPD to complete federally mandated officer training, Broome said, which had lapsed because of the continuing shortage of officers. AIRPORT RENOVATION CRITICIZED Marion Higa, state auditor, said she is upset at "wasted" money that was allocated to renovate Honolulu International Airport. "The total expenditure of $102 million has netted nothing," Higa said today. The funding was to go towards improvements at the airport's international terminal, as well as for its people-mover train system. Costs to plan the renovations have far exceeded initial estimates, prompting officials to put a hold on the project. A spokesman for the airport insists the money was not wasted, and that the division will proceed with the project when the state gives the go ahead. JUST IN: REICHEL NOMINATED FOR GRAMMY Hawaii's own Keali`i Reichel is the first Hawaiian artist to be nominated for a Grammy Award. It was announced today that Reichel has been nominated in the "Best Musical Artist, World Music Album" category. The island artist will vie for the prestigious award beside nominees that include "Gypsy Kings" and "Selena." "Lei Hali'a," Reichel's newest album, was just released, and is expected to require a second printing to keep up with demand. RELIGHTING a gas heater for the Royal Kona Resort led to an explosion yesterday that has put two men in the hospital. James Taketa, 48, of BHP and 48-year-old resort worker Roy Lewi Sr. are in guarded and stable condition, respectively, at Kona Hospital. Routine maintenance was being done on the heater, located on the roof, when an apparent gas leak caused the explosion. An estimated $30,000 in damage was done to the hotel... CUSTOMS officials as Santa's little helpers? They seized a shipment of 661 pairs of socks earlier this year after they were determined to be counterfeit products manufactured in Asia. After getting permission from the copyright holders, the socks will now be donated to island charities rather than destroyed. Bearing assorted images -- including Barney, Super Mario and Snoopy -- they will go to the Community Clearing House this week... NUUANU residents had an added headache this evening, as Old Pali Road was temporarily closed because of a packed fundraiser for Gov. Ben Cayetano. Supporters paid $1,000 per plate to attend the event, held at a private residence. The media was not allowed inside, and no attendance or money figures have yet been released... COAST Guard helicopters spotted and retrieved the crew of the 70- foot vessel Pacific Pioneer this afternoon. The boat, which was suspected of being used for illegal fishing off Kauai last month, has apparently sunk. The crew was flown to Kahului, where they were reported to be in good condition... JOGGING along Lilipuna Road yesterday evening, a 26 year-old Kaneohe woman was attacked by a man wielding a razor. She escaped, suffering a slight cut to her left arm. Police are seeking the suspect she described in detail... WANTED: Basic telnet access in the Ocala/Marion County, FL area. I'll be there from Dec. 16 to early January, but hope to keep the rest of the NewsList running. Please write ozawa@hawaii.edu if you can help... TEMPS: O`ahu 82/72, Kaua`i 83/71, Moloka`i 84/71, Maui 87/70, Hilo 84/70 CASTS: More showers, gusty trades to 20MPH. Surf 1 to 3 feet on all shores. THURSDAY'S TIDES: High 12:03AM; Low 5:47PM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Tuesday, November 28, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Special Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ COACH WAGNER KICKED FROM UH FOOTBALL After two consecutive losing seasons, UH football coach Bob Wagner was "relieved of his duties" yesterday afternoon by Athletic Director Hugh Yoshida. His nine assistant coaches will also lose their jobs when their contracts expire March 31. The news, which left the sports community in a fervor, leaked out last night in television news broadcasts. The official announcement came this morning at a packed news conference in the new Special Events Arena. "Given the economic situation, and declining attendance at our home football games, I felt it would be in the best interests of the athletic department to make this decision," Yoshida said. Wagner, fighting to keep his emotion in check, thanked the players and his staff for their support. "We ran a clean program," Wagner said. "I was not expecting this to happen." Wagner is leaving with two years left in his current contract; it is yet unclear on whether the university will buy out the $95,000 annual salary he would have received. Although the university has offered Wagner an unspecified position within the Athletic Department, he said he'd rather not be associated with the football program. "I don't think that would be good for me or the new coaching staff," Wagner said. In late breaking news, the Athletic Department announced this afternoon that the traditional Annual Football Banquet this year has been canceled. Wagner will continue to coach for the rest of this week, as there is still one game left in the current season. This Saturday, he will coach his last game against Oklahoma State. THE RECORD: Wagner leaves the team after 19 years with the university, including 9 coaching the 'Bows. Under his leadership, the Rainbows netted a 58- 48 overall winning record, with 3 ties. Wagner has led the Rainbows to two bowl games, including a win in the Holiday Bowl in 1992. Wagner was named Western Athletic Conference Coach of the year twice. In his first eight years as coach, his players had a graduation rate of 72%, compared to the 56% national average among other NCAA Division 1A teams. In contrast, the Rainbows have averaged just over 28,500 fans per game this season -- the lowest average in the team's 16 year Western Athletic Conference membership. The Athletics department expects a net drop of up to $1.5 million in ticket revenues over the last three years. COACH WALLACE CONCERNED ABOUT FIRING With emotions still running high, Athletic Director Hugh Yoshida opened the floor to questions after announcing Bob Wagner's dismissal this morning. Riley Wallace, head coach of the UH basketball team, spoke up. "I was called in last year, and was told I didn't have a good year. They questioned my coaching ability, and the ability to handle players," Wallace said. "I was told that attendance didn't mean anything, and wins and losses didn't mean anything. It was graduation rates and whether or not we're bringing in good people." Yoshida, unprepared for Wallace's question, refused to discuss the matter at the press conference. Yoshida had cited looming economic strain and declining attendance as primary reasons for firing Wagner. UH System President Kenneth Mortimer, who was in attendance, responded. "I think Bob Wagner is a class act," Mortimer said. "I don't know how many of you read the front page as opposed to the sports page, but we took a $50 hit." Mortimer said that the university will seriously re-evaluate general funds allocated to the intercollegiate athletics program, with total self- sufficiency being the ultimate goal. Later, Wallace said he learned that ability and graduation rates are clearly not the only criteria in judging department coaches. "Watch your back," he said, "You better fill the stadiums, and you better win some ball games." Wallace did not receive the traditional rollover of his contract when he came up for review last year. UH FOOTBALL PLAYERS SURPRISED BY NEWS According to team members, nothing was said at the team's regular practice yesterday afternoon. The UH Rainbows heard of Wagner's impending departure on the evening news at the same time Hawai`i residents did. "It's been like that all year," said John Hao, senior quarterback reserve for the 'Bows. "We don't find out straight from the coaches." Wagner and his staff of nine assistant coaches were dismissed. "I feel sad," said cornerback Al Hunter. "They're good people, good coaches, but our record doesn't reflect that." Yet, although team members were shocked, some weren't heartbroken. "Wagner was the main problem," Hao told _Ka Leo_. "He was the salt in the wound." Hao was among many who celebrated the news last night in the UH- Manoa dormitories. Linebacker Punahou Aina was more somber. "I don't know if this is going to be for better or for worse," Aina said. "I don't agree with the way they did it. It'll be like freshman year all over again." PREDICTIONS OF WAGNER'S SUCCESSOR RUN RAMPANT Athletic Director Hugh Yoshida said today that football coach Bob Wagner's replacement should be named as early as next week. The need to have new leadership in place before next year was one of the reasons for the unusual timing of Wagner's forced departure, he said. The school has not yet named a single candidate for the job. However, players, insiders and analysts have already come up with a hotlist. BYU Assistant Coach Norm Chow is on the tips of most fans' lists. "It's always flattering when your name is tossed around," Chow said today. However, he added: "Just to set the record straight, I have not been officially contacted by the University of Hawaii." Cal Lee, head coach of the St. Louis football team, is a favorite as well. He has reportedly expressed specific interest in a job with the UH football program, as head coach or even as an assistant coach. Other unverified prospects were Duane Akina, Dick Tomey, and a third individual, all assistant coaches at Arizona, and Adam Rita, CFL. <> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Tuesday, November 28, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ [ Just a small report today, because of the extensive Wagner coverage. -ed. ] CAYETANO KILLS CONTROVERSIAL CONTRACT Gov. Ben Cayetano announced today that he would be terminating a state contract with a Mainland-based law firm. The 1994 deal has been the subject of scrutiny in recent weeks. Although the contract was to end June 30, 1994, it was extended for two more years by the state led by then- governor John Waihee. Critics point out that the extension came days before a new state law went into effect on July 1, requiring such contracts to go out for bid. In addition, Waihee was later hired to work for the firm. "I believe it was inappropriate for the previous administration to approve the extension of this contract," Cayetano said today, "and then for this law firm to turn around and hire the previous governor." He said the contract will be canceled, effective Dec. 31. The original contract was for $390,000; the two year extension raised the total to $990,000. In a statement released today, Waihee said, "When we approved the contract, I had no idea I'd be working with the firm." MERCHANT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT NEW CITY STORE Members of the city council received a sneak preview today of the various products to be sold at the "Honolulu City Store." Mike Kometani of Resort Sports, Inc. -- the company chosen to coordinate the retail venture -- showed off sample hats, T-shirts, jackets and coffee mugs. The items are emblazoned with specially designed logos for Honolulu (the use of the official Honolulu seal for commercial purposes is prohibited). In addition, surplus products such as lifeguard shirts will also be sold. "It's really an unknown for me, what will sell," Kometani said. He said he expects $800,000 in gross sales in the store's first year of operation, and anticipates 70% of sales will be to tourists. The City Store is scheduled to open Dec. 15, as part of a new satellite city hall located inside the Ala Moana shopping center. Kometani said he hopes to expand city logo products into other retail outlets, such as Liberty House. Future city stores may also appear in Waikiki and Aloha Tower Marketplace, he said. The county's share of profits will go towards hiring new police officers. NAVY HIKER RETURNS, MISSES BOAT Navy man Victor Blanco, thought missing this past weekend after disappearing on a trial above Pacific Palisades, made his way out of the mountains yesterday on his own. He traced back his steps, walking up to rescue crews waiting at the trail head at about 10:30AM. Blanco, 24, said he decided to spend Sunday night under a tree rather than trying to get home in the dark. He was in good condition, say rescue officials, with only a few scrapes. His unplanned stay, however, caused him to miss the departure of the USS Cavilla, the attack submarine on which he serves. Although the vessel remained at port until Blanco's safe emergence was announced, it headed for sea yesterday afternoon on a scheduled operation. The navy said that it was looking into ways to get Blanco back aboard the submarine. JUDGE SUBPOENAS FORMER MAYOR Circuit Court Judge Daniel Heely said he will subpoena former Honolulu Mayor Frank Fasi, despite the objections of Fasi's lawyer. Fasi's son, attorney David Fasi, is representing his father in the case. Heely wants Fasi to answer for foreign contributions to the Fasi Foundation, a charitable organization connected with the Fasi family. The contributions may violate the $2,000 limit on campaign contributions. The investigation was put into motion by the Campaign Spending Commission, and David Fasi says its charges are nothing more than "harassment" against the former mayor. Although he will appeal today's decision, David Fasi said his father will most likely appear before the commission at the hearing, set for Dec. 9. VISITORS to Hanauma Bay from out-of-state may no longer have to pay a $5 fee to get to the scenic O`ahu shore. A bill to repeal the controversial fee was forwarded today by a city committee, and it will go before a full City Council vote on Dec. 6. Since implementation, the fee has raised $100,000 a day towards maintenance of the park. It may still be resurrected next year, and a fee for Hawai`i residents may also be added... CHANGING a fuse under his car proved fatal this morning for a 37- year-old Aiea man. He was reportedly working under a black Monte Carlo while the motor was running. The vehicle slipped into gear and off its supports, crushing the man and spinning 180-degrees in the street before hitting a wall... SIXTY-FIVE guns have been netted so far in the city's Goods for Guns drive, which runs until Dec. 3. Among them, a World War II rifle, and another that was purchased in 1918. Gun owners can exchange their firearms, "no questions asked," for $500 in coupons, including tickets to two bowl games... MISSION Aloha Philippines, the statewide relief effort for victims of Typhoon Angela, received a boost today. Representatives of GTE presented a $25,000 check to Gov. Ben Cayetano. So far, $300,000 has been collected, and 71 tons of goods have been sent to the Philippines... STEPPING off a bus on Farrington Highway in Nanakuli, a 13-year- old girl died this evening after being struck by a passing car. A name has not yet been released; police are still investigating... TOURISM was up 1.6% in October, making seven months of continuous increases. 510,860 people visited the islands. However, the length of the average stay has continued to drop, shrinking by 6.1% from September figures... TEMPS: O`ahu 84/71, Kaua`i 85/70, Moloka`i 84/72, Maui 87/69, Hilo 84/68 CASTS: Chance of showers, trades to 15MPH. North shore surf up to 6 feet. WEDNEDAY'S TIDES: High 9:55AM; Low 5:09PM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Monday, November 27, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ MATHISON CONVICTED, ATTORNEY SAYS CASE SENDS MESSAGE After deliberating for just under three hours last Wednesday, a jury convicted former Big Island police sergeant Kenneth Mathison in the kidnapping and murder of his wife, Yvonne, three years ago today. It was Nov. 27, 1992 -- the day after thanksgiving -- when Yvonne was beaten, then run over on a rainy Hilo road. On Nov. 22, Judge Greg Nakamura set Mathison's sentencing for March 15. Mathison was ordered to jail immediately, without bail. The conviction for murder carries a mandatory life sentence as a maximum, with some possibility for parole. For kidnapping, Mathison faces a 20-year sentence. This afternoon, State Attorney General Margery Bronster said, "Yvonne's death will not be in vain." She said last week's conviction sends a clear message to abusers that they will be brought to justice. Bronster credited the Hilo County Police Department for their investigative work in the case. Some, however, are still unsure the HCPD didn't attempt a cover-up of the case. "I don't think they were doing everything that they could," said Mayapple McCullough, of Citizens for Justice. McCullough praised the efforts of prosecutor Kurt Spohn. Mathison's attorney, Michael Weight, has said they will appeal. BOARD HEARS TESTIMONY ON USER FEES Three public hearings were held tonight, and eight more remain, as the Board of Education seeks feedback on a multi-faceted plan to survive the ongoing budget cuts. Among the proposals, a $1 rewind fee for video- tapes borrowed from state libraries, and a $1-per-day fee for avid readers to get a reserved copy of books on the bestseller list. State library director Bart Kane heard some opposition to the latter fee tonight at Washington Intermediate School. "There are 150 to 200 libraries on the mainland doing it now," Kane said, "But we may drop it in our final review." Another proposal would raise the fee for the state's "A Plus" child-care program from $35 per child to $60. The BOE is contemplating exemptions for families in need, or those with several children. A third proposal involves raising the fees for community groups to use school facilities, like classrooms and cafeterias. The BOE heard testimony for aerobics and dance groups in favor of a sliding scale, that would set fees based on the amount of money collected by groups using school property. Organizers of for-profit craft fairs countered that such a scale would discriminate unfairly against them. Under the plan, school-based craft fairs would likely get to use the facilities for free. RODRIGUES RETURNS TO COURT 37-year-old Wade Rodrigues, a man some law enforcement officials have called a "career criminal," appeared in court today in connection with the shooting death of a 49-year-old man last September. The victim's body was found in Kalihi with a gunshot wound in the back, killed "execution style." In addition to the murder, Rodrigues faces other charges of terroristic threatening, firearms violations and car theft. Gary Senaga, the prosecutor in the case, says the evidence is clearly stacked against Rodrigues. Defense Attorney William Harrison, on the other hand, today characterized the victim as a homosexual with multiple partners, one of whom was the most likely assailant. Rodrigues is currently serving a 27-year federal sentence for unrelated firearms violations, and allegedly trying to sell drugs to a minor. When this case concludes, several more await Rodrigues, including pending trials for drug possession and robbery. Finally, Rodrigues will also face escape charges. He allegedly cut his way through a fence to freedom on March 6 from the O`ahu Community Correctional Center. He was captured four days later in a Pearl city home. PAIR PUSHED OVERBOARD, SLASHED IN BOAT HIJACKING Being a good samaritan was all a 27-year-old boat owner was doing yesterday morning, as he and a 26-year-old friend brought an unidentified man onto their boat -- supposedly to help the man get to his own stranded craft offshore. After heading away from Kailua, however, the man pulled a gun, and forced the two men to jump overboard. At about 8AM, the pair were in the water, reportedly calling for a floatation device. He refused. When one of the two men climbed back aboard, he was again ordered off. Then, the hijacker put their boat into reverse, the motor slicing into the 27-year-old's buttocks. The 26-foot vessel Roxy M then headed towards Hawaii Kai, leaving the two men trying to swim for Rabbit Island. They were picked up off Makapuu. The injured man was taken to Castle Medical Center, for the treatment of three gashes in his rear. Doctors had to use twelve metal 'staples' to help mend the wound. His 26-year-old companion was not injured. The boat was found run aground at Maunalua Bay, and the suspect was seen running ashore at around 9AM. OCEANIC DIGGING AROUND O`AHU NEIGHBORHOODS Residents of Pearl City are among the latest surprised by the appearance of five-foot tall, metal boxes in front of their houses. They're dubbed "energy boxes," part of a major upgrade project by Oceanic Cablevision. In addition they're often guarded by a pair of bright yellow concrete poles. The company, the largest cable television provider in Honolulu, hopes to eventually bring a wide variety of services -- including more channels, interactive games, internet access and eventually phone service -- to O`ahu homes. Oceanic plans to install up to seven hundred of the tall, high- voltage towers across the island. In areas with utilities strung overhead on poles, the needed boosts to Oceanic's system can be provided with smaller underground units, company spokesman Kit Beuret explained. In newer communities, however, the boosters have to stand above-ground. They sit in the resident-maintained easement between the sidewalk and roadway. Beuret said they're five feet tall because Hawaiian Electric requires that the electric meter embedded in the tower be four feet above ground for convenient reading. The boxes are also now appearing in Central O`ahu neighborhoods. KAHUKU High School players were apparently sore losers after last Friday's Prep Bowl, which they gave to Saint Louis for one point (27-26). Stadium officials say the locker room used by the Kahuku players was splattered with food and Vaseline, and some lockers were damaged. Students will likely repay the state with community service projects... DWAYNE Collins, 33, was sentenced today to 2 and a half years in prison on a drug conviction. Collins, a former HPD officer, pleaded guilty earlier to possession of about an ounce of crack cocaine. Collins was charged with trading a gun for the drugs in May... DAVID Schutter, Honolulu attorney, transferred ownership of his 17- bedroom Kahala mansion to Bank of Hawaii late last week as part of a plan to settle debts. The bank alleges Schutter defaulted on several loans, totaling $11 million. The mansion will be put up for sale. Base price: $8.9 million... THOUGH he served four years in jail for a 1977 conviction for murder, 37- year-old Tracy Peters is now back behind bars. He was arrested this past weekend after a traffic officer saw the butt of a gun in Peters' vehicle. A warranted search turned up two guns and ammunition... HONOLULU Hale got its official Christmas tree today, a 35-foot Norfolk pine now installed on the front lawn of City Hall. It'll be swiftly decorated to be ready in time for the tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 9... UNEMPLOYMENT in Hawaii was 5.7% last month, a drop of 0.3% from the previous period. Even so, that is half a percent higher than the national average... ADVANCE NOTICE: I really don't know what's going to happen to the NewsList during the winter break. There's mid-terms, and now, a surprise trip to Florida (!) for me to finally meet my sweetie's parents. Stay tuned... TEMPS: O`ahu 87/71, Kaua`i 84/72, Moloka`i 85/71, Maui 86/70, Hilo 84/69 CASTS: Sunny, second swell on north shore, more 15 foot waves anticipated. TUESDAY'S TIDES: High 8:57AM; Low 4:22PM
Ryan's column will be MIA due to Holiday activity Thursday and Friday the 23rd and 24th....
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Wednesday, November 22, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ TRIAL FOR QUEEN'S SHOOTING SUSPECT BEGINS Facing charges for reckless endangerment, terroristic threatening and unlicensed possession of a gun, 25-year-old Tessie Limos appeared in court today for the first day of her trial. Limos, a mother of three, was taken to Queen's Hospital in September of last year after being found by police at the Pagoda Hotel in an agitated state. While awaiting psychiatric evaluation, Limos reportedly asked to go to the bathroom, and emerged minutes later with a loaded pistol. Witnesses say that Limos pointed the gun at emergency room staff. On her way out of the hospital, the gun discharged twice, and two more times in the parking lot. Reginald Yee, Limos' attorney, said yesterday that she was a victim of spouse abuse, without the means to deal with her problems. The staff at the hospital agitated Limos, Yee said. She was in the hotel lobby because she was paranoid, Yee said, and heard voices in her room. The police officer who originally reported to the hotel said that her symptoms were indicative of probable drug use, specifically crystal methamphetamine, or ice. Limos could face up to 25 years for five separate charges. Her trial is expected to conclude next week. INOUYE AMONG CONGRESS' WORST TRUANTS Hawaii Senator Daniel K. Inouye, torn away from Washington D.C. for a number of "official trips" this year, came in eight from the bottom among all senators in terms of votes cast. Inouye was present for 95.05 percent of all senate votes taken this year. Comparatively, Sen. Daniel Akaka was present for 97.95 percent (ranking him 66th), Rep. Patsy Mink's ranked 108th of 435 in the House of Representatives with 99.12 percent, and Rep. Neil Abercrombie ranked 343rd with 95.58 percent. According to Inouye's staff, the senator missed ten total votes because of two trips to Hawaii in January to meet with the then-new slate of state leaders. Ten more were skipped six months later when he met with the Hawaii Visitor's Bureau. Receiving an award last month pulled him away from a couple more votes. The missed votes, mostly falling on Fridays, were mostly unimportant and procedural, his office said. Akaka, meanwhile, was pegged in national stories last week as one of a select few senators absent when the vote on the federal debt was taken -- eventually leading to the government shutdown. The rankings were compiled by LegiSlate, an on-line service maintained by congressional watchdog groups. GUN COLLECTION DRIVE TO RETURN Netting over 800 rifles, handguns and shotguns last year, the Honolulu Police Department's "Guns for Goodies" program returns this week. From Saturday until Dec. 3, owners of guns can turn in their firearms, no questions asked. In return, they can get a variety of items, including 7- Eleven gift certificates (for $7.11), football tickets to the Aloha and Hula Bowl, and a stack of coupons. Islandwide fire and police stations will accept guns from 2 to 8PM on weekdays, 11am to 5pm weekends. According to Police Chief Michael Nakamura, fire stations tend to be more popular because they provide better anonymity. Police say that last year's drive brought in 819 weapons, ranging from a rocket launcher to various modified versions of the AK-47 rifle. A list of participating collection sites can be obtained by calling 529-3592. JUVENILE OFFENDER RECORDS TO GO ONLINE The arrest records of juvenile delinquents across the state were previously kept by police in several different ways: paper files, computer disks, sorted index cards and mainframe systems. That made work hard for the range of people who need to review them -- Family Court researchers, police, prosecutors and corrections officers. By the end of this year, however, a single statewide computer database will centralize and streamline all such records. In the works for five years, the Juvenile Justice Information System will be accessible and searchable in a number of ways. A spokesperson for the state attorney general's office said the system will bring 13 different agencies online, allowing them to search the entire state's records by name or any possible aliases. Police say the interisland nature of the system will help them flag runaway kids. In addition, officers who pick up youths can now find out what happens to them after the arrest. DODO Mortuary, on the Big Island, is working with police in investigating how two bodies were accidentally switched earlier this month. Due to the mix-up, the wrong body was cremated, and the wrong body was in the casket at a funeral. Dodo executives have filed a complaint with Hilo Hospital... BAGS of rice may have saved lives at the Palama Supermarket yesterday, after a woman backed her Acura through a plate glass window. The vehicle also bumped another car in the parking lot before crashing into the store, where it stopped against a stack of 25-pound rice bags. No one was injured... SEARCHING for drugs and money, two men robbed a Maili Point home last night, leaving its owner with minor lacerations and his five guests shaken. One suspect was reportedly armed with a semiautomatic handgun, and one was wearing a ski mask. It took place on Maipalaoa Road at about 9:15PM... HONOLULU'S police force will soon have 19 more sergeants, after their promotions become official on Dec. 1. Seven officers in Criminal Investigation, eleven in various patrol districts, and one in Juvenile Services were promoted this week to the rank of sergeant or detective... EIGHTEEN hundred people are expected to spend Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow with the Salvation Army, a number of local personalities and entertainers, and several volunteers. The 25th annual gathering will take place at the Neal Blaisdell Center. Corporate sponsors provided many of the supplies... CORRECTION: Yesterday's sulfur dioxide leak at the BHP refinery occurred at 91-489 Komohana Street in Campbell Industrial Park. The incorrect area was reported in yesterday's Ka `Upena. A total of twenty-six people were sent to hospitals, and another twelve were treated at the scene... TEMPS: O`ahu 88/72, Kaua`i 82/71, Moloka`i 86/73, Maui 84/71, Hilo 83/70 CASTS: Sunny, second swell on north shore, more 15 foot waves anticipated. THURSDAY'S TIDES: HIGH 4:32AM, LOW 11:46AM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Tuesday, November 21, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ FUME LEAK SENDS NEIGHBORS TO HOSPITAL At least 20 people were taken to hospitals after being overcome this afternoon by noxious fumes. A yellow-white cloud of sulphur dioxide escaped from the BHP oil refinery in Kakaako this afternoon, descending on a neighboring industrial district. "At first people noticed a smell like rotten eggs," Bobby Pedro, district chief for the Honolulu Fire Department, "Eventually they were overcome by the smell, and suffered pain and nausea." Spokespeople for the release was the result of a pump failure -- and that it was the second time within five hours the toxic gas was released. After the first time the equipment failed, the wind shifted, directing the second cloud towards people, they said. Fire and rescue crews responded to the scene, and first contemplated an evacuation of the area, officials say. The plant was closed for a few hours. The refinery was opened later this afternoon. Although employees at nearby warehouses say they've smelled a similar odor before, BHP maintains there had been no previous problems. According to plant employees, the gas would most likely have been fatal at its source. They plan to disassemble and examine the faulty pump unit tomorrow. MATHISON SAYS HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW WIFE DIED Three years ago this week, Yvonne Mathison jumped out of a moving van on a rainy Hilo night; hours later, she was dead. So says her husband, former Hilo police officer Kenneth Mathison, who is charged with her murder. He took the stand yesterday in his own case. Saying that their van was moving between one and 80 miles per hour when his wife jumped out, Mathison said he "couldn't figure out what happened," and his confusion led him to initially admit he had run her over with the vehicle that night. The prosecution says Mathison first beat his wife to death inside the van, then ran her over on Volcano Highway to collect her life insurance -- a $675,000 policy he took out months prior to her death. In his testimony, Mathison says his wife was driving, and they were fighting because he had revealed he was being named in a paternity suit by anther woman. She then jumped out, Mathison said, leaving him to drive back and forth to search for her. He says he eventually found her lying injured in a driveway, cradling her in the back of the van until police arrived. That's how, defense attorney Michael Weight argues, blood was found in the van's interior. GOO SEEKS LUCK FROM A "LITTLE THING" Wahine Basketball Coach Vince Goo and his team displayed their new uniforms today, with one special change: the `okina (the Hawaiian diacritical mark that marks a glottal stop) was added to the green jerseys. Instead of "Hawaii," they now read, "Hawai`i." Goo said that the team had two sets of uniforms, one green and white, and the green ones were going to be replaced anyway. Since they had the chance, Goo said, "We put that little thing on it." Called a politically correct change by some, the move was made in the interest of accuracy, the team says. The presence of the `okina can often change the meaning of a word in the Hawaiian language, but its usage is sporadic because of typographical and other awkward issues in meshing Hawaii's two official languages together. Earlier this year, the University of Hawai`i spent over a thousand dollars to make the same change to the gold lettering on marble monuments placed at the main entrances to the Manoa campus. In addition to the `okina (a closing single apostrophe), a kahako (a long horizontal line to mark a long sound) was also added above the "a" in "Manoa." Goo said, "Hopefully the new uniforms will give us good luck." KAZUO Hosaka, 85, suffered minor injuries after going into a Makiki restaurant... through the back wall. Hosaka's car crashed into the wall of the University Square Shopping Center this morning. Hosaka said he simply hit the wrong pedal while trying to leave the parking lot... THREE candidates have been named to replace Admiral Richard Macke as head of armed forces in the Pacific. They are: Adm. William Flanagan, Vice Adm. J. Paul Reason, and Adm. Ronald Zlatoper. It could be days to months before the replacement executive is named and installed, government officials say... CURATORS at Queen Liliuokalani's summer palace in Nu`uanu are relieved to have their umeke -- a valuable koa wood artifact used by ancient Hawaiians to serve food -- back. It was returned by an anonymous man just before 5PM today, after being stolen by another man yesterday afternoon... SHIPPING things by boat between the islands and the Mainland? Matson, one of the primary ocean freight carriers in the pacific, has filed for a 3.8 percent rate increase with the Federal Maritime Commission. If approved, prices could go up as soon as Jan. 28... SURFERS are either cowering or cheering the news that a huge winter swell may reach the islands late tomorrow. Waves as high as 15 feet on north shores are anticipated. Another swell may come this weekend, as a result of a different storm system descending from Alaska... KHNL, broadcasting on channel 8, has started an on-air countdown to Jan. 1. On that day, the station will become the new NBC affiliate in the islands. "40 days to NBC," Dan Cooke, anchor for the station's unique news team, said tonight. The switch is a result of a deal closed earlier this year... KA `UPENA will not be published on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 24 and 25, in observance and enjoyment of the long Thanksgiving holiday. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. Rest assured, the other NewsList features should be delivered on schedule... TEMPS: O`ahu 88/71, Kaua`i 81/72, Moloka`i 88/72, Maui 86/72, Hilo 85/68 CASTS: Brisk trades, surf up to 14 feet possible on North shore tomorrow. WEDNESDAY'S TIDES: HIGH 3:41PM, LOW 10:52AM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Monday, November 20, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ PARKS REOPEN WHILE NATION RECOVERS After six days of locked doors and barricades, several popular sightseeing destinations in Hawai`i finally reopened after the nation's lawmakers approved an emergency measure to restore government services. Frustrated tourists again have a chance to see the state's treasures -- at least until the next federal deadline on Dec. 15. At Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, the park's 72 furloughed employees returned to their jobs this morning. The park's privately-run hotel, the Volcano House, was ready to receive guests again by 8AM this morning. It had closed on Friday as a result of the government shutdown. The road to the top of Haleakala Crater on Maui was also reopened this morning soon after sunrise. On O`ahu, the Arizona Memorial again sported its traditional crowds and lines as the visitor's center reopened, and the National Memorial of the Pacific in Punchbowl Crater restored its 8AM to 5:30PM operating hours. Meanwhile, government services like the social security and veterans affairs office reported no unusually long lines this morning as they resumed business. The employees of these facilities were among 10,000 federal workers that returned to work today, the majority of which were civilian employees of the military. THEFTS BUMP HAWAII'S CRIME RANK UP Hawai`i is now second only to Washington D.C. in larceny-thefts reported per capita. Thanks to a recent wave of property and auto thefts, figures released this month by the FBI have pushed the state's overall crime ranking to fourth of 52 districts. According to the Attorney General's office, there were 14,029 burglaries from homes and 16,841 thefts from automobiles in 1994. That adds up to about 150 larceny-thefts per day. Those figures landed Hawai`i behind only Arizona, Florida and Washington D.C. in total reported crimes. Even so, in terms of violent crimes, the state remains among the nation's safest, ranking 44th for in that category. Although visitors are often a more visible victim of petty thefts, the Attorney General's office reports that in previous years, only 14 percent of the state's incidents involved tourists. The department warns that the rankings are somewhat misleading. Unlike many districts, for example, all incidents are reported whereas others disregard those involving items of $50 in value or less. Even so, a survey last year by the Attorney General determined that perhaps only 20 percent of isle victims of thefts from autos report them to the police. MORTIMER HANDED BUDGET AX The UH Board of Regents agreed last Friday to give President Kenneth Mortimer the brunt of the responsibility to distribute cuts within the university system. His authority over the budget crunch was established at the board's November meeting, held at the UH-Hilo campus. Facing $50,000 in cuts in the coming year, Mortimer and the Regents have to determine what programs to cut back, or eliminate completely, while still guiding the university towards its "academic mission." Also discussed at the meeting, possible cuts to the university's tuition waiver system. In an all day workshop held today at Campus Center on the Manoa campus, the regents joined with faculty and state leaders in a budget workshop, where panelists discussed their suggestions on where cuts could be made. Among those programs targeted: the law school, library science, medicine, nursing, agriculture, and the long-delayed construction of the UH West-Oahu campus. Mortimer is eager to get some numbers down on paper. "It's quite possible fiscal decisions will be made in the next month or so," Mortimer said today. Meanwhile, public hearings on a proposed tuition hike schedule will begin next week. A cap of a 75% increase per year is being considered. HIKER ACCESS PRESERVED, RESIDENTS CAUTIOUS Access to the popular Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail will be preserved, and hikers will not have to sign liability waivers as proposed by the residents of the adjacent Waialai Iki subdivision. So says a ruling levied yesterday by the state Board of Land and Natural Resources, closing over 15 years of debate over public access to the trail. When the gated subdivision was built in 1979, preserving access to Wiliwilinui Ridge was one of the conditions of the permit. Yet further development obscured and later blocked the trail's entrance. When hikers pushed to restore access, residents raised concerns over liability issues, as well as problems with parking in the area. After meeting several times over the last five years, they turned to the board to settle the dispute. The community association proposed using liability waivers, much like those used by hiking clubs, to protect themselves. After receiving hundreds of letters and hearing testimony this month, the state has preserved unrestricted daytime access to the trail. In addition, overnight hikes and camping will be allowed with a standard state permit. A small parking area and a streetside overflow parking area will be built. The board has also contacted the attorney general to determine what liability protection nearby residents can get, but has received no judgment yet. CAYETANO STANDS BY HIS DIAMOND HEAD VISION While opposition and some ridicule continues to simmer, Gov. Ben Cayetano today reaffirmed his belief that Diamond Head Crater -- marking the east edge of Waikiki -- would make a great place for... something. "The area [inside the crater] is barren, arid and dirty," Cayetano said. "It's a disgrace, really." Cayetano said he feels the unmistakable Hawai`i landmark could bring more than a ubiquitous logo to the islands. After being turned down by Disney for a proposed theme-park, Cayetano has continued to seek interest from other corporations. A world-class golf course is now his favored plan, he says, noting that the sport is now gaining popularity in Asia. He said that legal concerns over the crater's protected status can be resolved with appropriate legislation. Cayetano said he hasn't yet received or secured more political support for the crater's development, but insisted, "We should at least put it on the table." The governor also said he was optimistic about a rebound in the state economy before the end of the millennium, pointing out that the state has approved over $7 million in construction projects statewide within the last year. ADMIRAL RESIGNS, REGRETS WORDS Four-Star Admiral Richard Macke, who commanded all U.S. forces in the Pacific, was compelled to resign this past weekend after making "insensitive and offensive" remarks about the rape of a 12-year-old girl in Okinawa by American servicemen. While leaving a meeting in Washington last Friday, Macke was asked if military screening criteria could have found possible aggressive tendencies in the accused soldiers. "I think it was stupid," Macke reportedly said. "For the price they paid to rent the car, they could have had a girl." Faster than even the media could track, Macke offered to retire early, and his superiors accepted. The backlash by Japanese government officials, however, still roars today. Macke, based in Hawaii, arrived yesterday -- visibly subdued and tired -- at Hickam Air Force Base. Appearing for the first time since the incident at a press conference, Macke said, "I made a serious error, and I am sorry. I deeply regret the embarrassment it has caused." Macke also asserted his respect for women in the armed forces. Although many local servicement empathise with Macke's carelessness, the controversy has driven government officials into spin control. TEMPS: O`ahu 90/72, Kaua`i 82/70, Moloka`i 88/74, Maui 88/71, Hilo 86/67 CASTS: Trades will fade, scattered showers. North shore surf, 2 to 4 feet. TUESDAY'S TIDES: HIGH 2:50PM, LOW 8:41PM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Friday, November 17, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ RALLY TARGETS RACISM ON UH CAMPUS The alleged ejection of two Hawaiian students from a Geography class two months ago was the spark behind a four-hour rally held yesterday at UH-Manoa. Over 300 students listened and cheered speakers and performers at the event, promoted as an exploration of discrimination against native Hawaiians at the university. Haunani-Kay Trask and Lilikala Kame`eleihiwa -- both faculty in the Hawaiian Studies department -- were the keynote speakers. "Look around you," Trask asked the audience, "85 percent of the student body are people of color. 85 percent of the faculty [at UH] is haole -- What's wrong with this picture?" Trask said the practice of awarding Hawaiian Homestead lands on the basis of a blood quantum is based on racist philosophy, saying that the government is dividing the Hawaiian population much as it did the African American population in the south. She also urged more opposition to the tuition hike proposal now in the works, and a plan to cut tuition waivers to native Hawaiian students. Kame`eleihiwa gave a history lesson about racism in the islands, starting with the first missionaries came to the islands. "We cannot have peace in Hawai`i until we have justice in Hawai`i," Kame`eleihiwa said. Comedian and former gubernatorial candidate Bu La`ia was emcee. "Sovereignty isn't a Hawaiian thing," Bu La`ia said. "It's about an injustice done to a people." The event was organized by the Center for Hawaiian Studies and Kuikalahiki, a student group focused on Hawaiian rights issues. BUMPY ENJOYS FREEDOM, SUPPORTS RALLY'S INTENT Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele, leader of the Waimanalo-based sovereignty group Nation of Hawai`i, attended the Hawaiian rally yesterday, listening to and applauding speakers. Kanahele was released earlier this week from federal confinement, allowed to live in a halfway house until his case can be retried in January. "I never come here to be acknowledged," Kanahele said. "I came to support the intent of whatever this was for." He said he was originally invited to speak by Kame`eleihiwa, but declined. "This is my third day out," Kanahele said. "I just want to take in the fresh air and the freedom." On Wednesday, Kanahele issued a public apology to Mililani-Kay Trask and her sister, Mililani, who vehemently rebuffed the call for peace yesterday. Today, Kanahele kept his distance from Haunani-Kay Trask saying it was "not the right time" to approach her. "I'm happy I came," Kanahele said. "This is the first time I've come to such a big gathering here." Kanahele said he has been asked to speak at the UH Law School. CAMPUS TO CELEBRATE DIAMOND YEAR ANNIVERSARY Starting today, the UH College of Arts and Sciences will be commem- orating its 75th year of academic pursuit. In 1907, the campus was originally the College of Hawai`i of the Territory of Hawai`i. It was in 1920 that faculty efforts finally effected the creation of the College of Arts and Sciences, turning the schools into the University of Hawai`i. "Magic and Mystery" is the theme of this weekend's festivities, to culminate with "Sunday at Manoa," a large open house and grounds fair on the lawn between Hawai`i Hall and the new Architecture Building. The area, called the Quad, once constituted the extent of the university's campus. Booths by each of the four schools within the college will highlight the university's history and the newest endeavors, from cutting-edge scientific research to multimedia presentations. Live entertainment by the Royal Hawaiian Band and performers from the Hawaiian group "Hapa" will play, and food concessionaires will sell a variety of ethnic foods. Today, four "favorite" emeritus professors will speak in Campus Center; Tomorrow, a special half-time show will be performed at the UH football game versus San Diego State. COMMISSION PREPS SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BILL Allowing gay couples to marry, or at least a domestic partnership alternative, will be the recommendation of the State Commission on Sexual Orientation. The commission met yesterday to finalize their draft report, which will now go before the public for comment before being forwarded to the legislature. The report is expected to go before the full commission next Wednesday. Currently, same-sex marriages are illegal in Hawai`i, but the 1991 statute is being challenged by several court cases. One of those cases was suspended because of the commission's pending presentation during the 1996 legislative session. The public hearing phase will run from the draft's approval this week to Dec. 7, when the final form will be drafted and again voted on. Even if only the domestic partnership alternative is made law, it would essentially grant the same financial and legal rights of opposite-sex couples. The debate peaked in 1993, when the Hawaii Supreme Court questioned the constitutionality of a statute outlawing same-sex marriage. It warned that the law may be overturned unless the state can show a compelling reason why marriage should be limited to male-female relationships alone. STATE WORKERS INSURERS UNTOUCHED BY MONEY CRUNCH Companies that provide workers compensation insurance in Hawai`i showed an upturn in profits last year, a profit of over $30 million, according to the National Association of Insurance Companies. Although company represent- atives point out that the earnings for island providers are below the U.S. average, last year's numbers are a far cry from those in the preceding two years. Workers comp insurers revenue dropped 7.3 percent, then 5.7 percent, in 1992 and 1993 respectively. Marty Simons with the state Insurance Division said yesterday that the profits show that "the crisis mentality in this state for workers compensation is totally unwarranted." Attorneys that specialize in workers comp claims say, however, that things aren't that bright. They say that 15 percent figures are considered ideal, and that the dearth of new insurers in the state show an industry reluctance to enter Hawaii's weak market. The profit is thought to be the result of a 20 percent rate increase in 1994, and a reduction in the number of claims paid out last year. WHALE DEATHS SUSPEND "BOOM BOX" RESEARCH The discovery of three dead humpback whales off California has prompted the National Marine Fisheries Service to stop the activation of a controversial network of sound-transmitters -- including one off Kaua`i -- until the cause of the whale deaths can be determined. The suspension order comes after researchers revealed that the Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate (ATOC) tested the underwater transmitters several times in late October. The latest partially-decomposed whale was discovered Nov. 9 off San Francisco. The first dead whale turned up on a stretch of beach adjacent to Pioneer Seamount (a underwater prominence), where the sound source was installed on Oct. 28. The second whale was found near the Farallon Islands last Wednesday. Sesearchers admit the deaths are suspicious events, but insist they could not have been caused by their tests. But longtime opponents of the ATOC program say that three deaths within such a short period of time is "highly unusual," and are backing a government investigation. They say that they were not told of any equipment tests, and the unapproved sounding of the equipment violated federal regulations. IN OTHER NEWS: [+] NEARLY 200 students held a sit-in yesterday at the UH-Hilo campus, protesting a proposed tuition hike for the university system while the Board of Regents met on the Big Island. Organized by students of UHH and Hawai`i Community College, the protest follows a Oct. 31 march on O`ahu... [+] ALTHOUGH they died over the weekend in a fatal Hawaii Kai accident, the families of Thanh Van Nguyen and Hanh "Cindy" Pham fulfilled their engagement to eachother. The two teenagers, 19 and 18 respectively, were married yesterday. Their unborn son, Thanh Van, was also mourned... [+] HIKERS and nearby property owners are butting heads over a public access plan for the popular Wiliwilinui Trail, which winds up into the Ko`olau mountains above Waialai Iki. Residents of the subdivision are concerned about liability for people in the area to hike... [+] KRUGER, a rare white rhino at the Honolulu Zoo, may be flown to China in the hopes that he can find a compatible mate, and keep the species from dwindling further. The zoo orginally hoped a female could be found and brought to Hawai`i, but five years had turned up no prospective dates... TEMPS: O`ahu 88/71, Kaua`i 80/68, Moloka`i 86/72, Maui 85/70, Hilo 86/70 CASTS: Heavy rains for Maui, Big Island. 4-8 foot surf on the North Shore. SATURDAY'S TIDES: High 12:32AM, Low 6:53PM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Thursday, November 16, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ PLANNED PRISON SITE DRAWS FIRE At the first of several hearings today, members of the public were given the opportunity to testify on the potential effects of putting a federal prison in their neighborhood. The Federal Bureau of Prisons has selected two possible sites for the first federal prison to be built in Hawai`i, one on Elliot Street near the Airport, and one adjacent to Fort Armstrong in Kakaako. The latter site was the subject of most of the debate. Among points raised by speakers: possible contamination of groundwater and area soil at the Fort Armstrong location, delays in likely tangles with Hawaiian groups (the site sits on ceded lands), and complicating access to the Imigration and Naturalization Services building located in the next lot. Bishop Estate spokesman Neal Hannahs was also on hand, saying the prison would have an impact on area developments planned by the estate. Anne Kent, US Marshall, is intent on choosing a site quickly. "There is no time for delay and indecision," Kent said today. "It is too late to look for another site, or a better site." The bureau will be hearing public comment until Dec. 11, then draft a final Environmental Impact Statement. Kent said they hope to choose the final location by February of next year. With groundbreaking expected in 1997, the facility may take up to five years to build. DIAMOND HEAD DEVELOPMENT OPPOSITION ERUPTS A seemingly forgotten legislative bill in defense of Diamond Head's natural state is the latest volley in an ongoing wave of criticism levied after Gov. Cayetano revealed that he had approached the Disney company -- unsuccessfully -- to build a theme park in it. State Senator Les Ihara has stepped forward today with a statute he successfully backed in 1992, asserting that the crater should be kept in a "semiwilderness" state. Many commentators are apalled at the idea that anyone could consider the Hawai`i landmark as just another site for a commercial development. "It is sacred in people's minds," Ihara said. Ihara explained that if Cayetano wants to move forward with his vision, he has to change a 1979 plan designating the crater as both a federal and state monument. Michelle Matson of the Diamond Head Neighborhood Board said today, "This mad hatter, hare-brained idea of his is just another example of the exploitation of public land." Cayetano's ideas are part of his master plan -- rooted in efforts started during the Waihee administration -- to redevelop much of Kakaako and to bring more commerce into the cash-strapped state. Cayetano is currently in Japan. VOLCANO HOUSE SHUTDOWN LEAVES WORKERS IN LIMBO The guests of the fully-booked Volcano House hotel, overlooking the Kilauea Caldera inside Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, have been told they have to find accomodations elsewhere. A federal order, stemming from the national government shutdown in effect since Tuesday, mandates that the hotel be closed by 3PM tomorrow. Volcano House, which features 42 rooms and 10 cabins, employs approximately 60 Hawai`i residents. According to Lee Harlow, president of the hotel, its workers do not share the same protections as regular federal employees. Nearly all Volcano House employees will be laid off, but will not be entitled to recover lost wages -- if they're rehired. "Since this is just before Thanksgiving, it's going to be very hard on them," Harlow said. Only a skeleton crew will be kept on to perform vital maintenance and to keep the lobby's famous fireplace, said to have been crackling nonstop for over a century, burning. The park itself has been completely closed, including all trails, roads, and visitor centers. Mardie Lane, coordinator for the park, said, "People are kindhearted about the situation, but you can sense their frustration." HARRIS OFFERS TO HELP RUN FEDERAL MONUMENTS With tourists by the hundreds being turned away at the gates of the National Cemetary of the Pacific in Punchbowl and the Pearl Harbor Arizona Memorial, Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris has offered to help restore their normal operating hours. "We'll keep these places open," Harris vowed today, saying he will meet formally with federal officials tomorrow to discuss his plan. Harris has offered to coordinate volunteers to staff the two facilities while its paid employees are furloughed in the government shutdown. "I think it's vital that we keep them open," Harris said, noting reports that the government shutdown is beginning to bring down numbers in the private sector. The only concern, Harris said, is that neither the city nor the federal government will easily accept any liability for the volunteers. According to federal regulations, no volunteers work at facilities like the Arizona Memorial because of liability concerns. TRASK SISTERS KEEP DISTANCE FROM KANAHELE Mililani Trask, member of the sovereignty group Ka Lahui Hawai`i, lashed out today against Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele. Kanahele, leader of sovereignty group Nation of Hawai`i, publically asked for peace and cooperation between the different Hawaiian groups throughout the islands. Kanahele had called Mililani Trask and her sister, Haunani-Kay Trask, "brilliant," and valuble allies in the fight for Hawaiian independence. Mililani Trask said Kanahele's request was simply a publicity stunt. "It may be convenient to create a media event when you're facing federal charges," she said. Mililani Trask was critical of statements made by Kanahele two years ago, when he allegedly called some members of his own sovereignty group "terrorists" that he could not control. Those words, and his pending federal case, is a "black eye on the sovereignty movement," she said. Meanwhile, Kanahele appeared today on the UH campus to attend an anti-racism Hawaiian rally led in part by Haunani-Kay Trask. Haunani-Kay Trask did not acknowledge Kanahele's presence, although Emcee Bu La`ia had pointed him out. [More coverage of the rally and Kanahele to come. -rko ] IN OTHER NEWS: [+] TELEVISION coverage led 42-year-old Michael Malakha, wanted on a grand jury warrant for murder, to turn himself in tonight, about an hour after KHON aired a story on him. He is charged with the 1991 death of 3-year- old Zachary Riviera, the son of his girlfriend. Malakha reportedly tied and gagged the toddler to stop him from crying. He will be flown to O`ahu tomorrow... [+] KATHLEEN Johnson, Senior Vice President of the HVB, resigned yesterday from her position. HVB President Paul Casey, only in his post since summer, said he was surprised by Johnson's resignation, reportedly to pursue job opportunities on the mainland. A replacement may be months away... TEMPS: O`ahu 87/70, Kaua`i 81/70, Moloka`i 84/71, Maui 84/72, Hilo 84/69 CASTS: Mild trades, some isolated showers. Rising surf on the north shore. FRIDAY'S TIDES: High 12:38AM, Low 6:22PM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Wednesday, November 15, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ CAYETANO: NO DISNEYLAND, BUT PUT SOMETHING IN CRATER Environmental groups are bristling at talk that Gov. Cayetano has been plying Disney and other big-name companies for a possible theme- park inside Diamond Head Crater. "To me," Cayetano said recently, "It's really an underdeveloped, underutilized asset." Today, Lt. Governor Mazie Hirono clarified, "I think we can envision many number of things we can do with the interior of Diamond Head." Disney was approached by Cayetano earlier this month, but eventually turned down Cayetano's pitch for a "tasteful" park in the 150 acre, flat center of the unmistakable Hawaii landmark. The governor has proposed a number of ideas, including a golf course and Waikiki Shell- esque amphitheatre carved out of the crater's walls, and also says corporate giants Time Warner and Sony are on his hit list. The Outdoor Circle is one of many groups, however, appalled by Cayetano's proposals. Central to their objections are traffic, displacement of area residents, and unchecked development. Cayetano said the crater is an excellent location for a public arena of some sort. "There was nothing sacred inside the crater," he added. ISLE SIXTH GRADERS GET BEST OF MEDIOCRE MARKS The latest Hawai`i figures for the Stanford Achievement Test show a slight decline in math scores for the state's tenth-, eighth- and third- graders. Reading scores for sixth graders were up, however -- 77 percent of students here scored as average or above against national figures. They also stayed above the national average in math. According to figures released this week by the Department of Education: Among high-school sophomores, scores for both categories fell, both now lying along the 71 percent mark; Eight- graders held their place with 64 percent scoring average or above in reading, but math scores here also fell from 74 percent to 69 percent; Similar reading scores for third-graders rose two percent to 65 percent, but fell for math by the same percentage to 76 percent. For comparison, the national average for all grade levels were 77 percent of students scoring as average or above for both math and reading sections of the test. In a statement by Schools Superintendent Herman Aizawa, the improvements in reading scores among elementary grades was highlighted. "However," Aizawa said, "we are concerned about the declining math scores." From the tenth-grade figures, the high schools with the highest percentage scoring as exclusively above- average were: Kaiser (36%), Moanalua (33%) and Waiakea (32%) in Reading; Roosevelt (47%), McKinley (45%), and Pearl City and Kalani (39%) in Math. KANAHELE CALLS FOR PEACE, COOPERATION Asking for more unity between different sovereignty groups, Nation of Hawaii leader Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele said today that he has found the virtues of a more cooperative, focused campaign. Kanahele was released yesterday to a halfway house, where he is to live until his retrial in federal court in January. Calling Ka Lahui sister-leaders Haunani-Kay and Mililani Trask "very brilliant," Kanahele said he hopes to patch up relations with them, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and other Hawaiian-rights groups. "I think we're going forward much more quickly than we've ever done in the past," Kanahele said today. He also asked members of the Nation of Hawaii to refrain from civil disobedience, manifested in the past by driving cars with "SOVEREIGN" license plates and issuing arrest-warrants to Hawai`i judges and law enforcement officials. "These are little fires that we don't need at this point," Kanahele said today. We want to go into what counts." He said he hopes to establish an office in downtown Honolulu. Kanahele still faces the federal charges of interfering with law enforcement efforts and harboring federal fugitive Nathan Brown; the case ended in a mistrial two weeks ago. YOUNG DREAMCOAT VOICES FIND NEW STAGE When producers canceled the Hawai`i stop of their "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" musical tour, several isle youngsters were particularly disappointed. When the show was initially booked, four chorus' were assembled from Hawai`i schools and youth choir groups to sing in the show. Those youths may get their chance to sing Andrew Lloyd Webber's score after all. Diamond Head Theatre has announced yesterday that they will produce a run of "Joseph" in April. "I Do! I Do!" was sacrificed in the season's schedule to make the change. Recently appointed artistic director John Rampage said the move is both to give the children another chance to perform, and also to take advantage of disappointed residents who had bought tickets to the canceled, Canada-based show. The DHT production cannot find a place for every young performer in its decidedly smaller production, but the singers originally scouted by Livent Inc. will get the first chance to audition. Although the change will cost DHT considerably more to produce, they're hoping the Joseph-hungry Hawaii market will make it a success. IN OTHER NEWS: [+] CHARGES have been filed against Ronald DeReis, 34, in the murder of a father and son on the Big Island. The bodies of Ernest Martinez Sr. and Jr. were found earlier this week with shotgun wounds, reportedly also dragged behind a truck. Neighbors reportedly suspect DeReis was upset with the Martinez men when his girlfriend had moved out to live with them... [+] TWO two-year-olds died in separate incidents today. In one, a 23- year-old man reportedly punched his girlfriend's son while they waited outside the Waipahu Civic Center. He died 2 hours later of cardiac arrest at St. Francis Hospital. Navy police, meanwhile, are investigating the cause of death of a girl declared dead this morning at Tripler Hospital... [+] VOLCANO House, the hotel overlooking Kilauea Crater on the Big Island, has been notified it has until Friday to shut down. Although booked full, the hotel is going down with a number of other federal services in the midst of a national government shutdown. Its art museum, and Volcano National Park's Crater Rim Drive, have already been closed until further notice... [+] REPTILES have been making the news this week. Three reptiles, illegal in the islands, have been recovered by state officials in the last seven days. A 4-foot-long iguana in Waimanalo, a two-foot-long "alligator snapping turtle" found in Kemoo, and a foot-long Knight Anole lizard in Kaneohe... TEMPS: O`ahu 83/72, Kaua`i 80/71, Moloka`i 85/72, Maui 85/73, Hilo 83/69 CASTS: Mild trades, some isolated showers. Rising surf on the north shore. WEDNESDAY'S TIDES: High 9:56AM, Low 5:20PM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Tuesday, November 14, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ TOURISTS, CITIZENS SHARE STRESS OF SHUTDOWN The hourly shuttle boats running between the pier and the Arizona Memorial kept their schedule today, even though many of them were empty. Because of a nationwide shutdown of government programs and offices, the usually bustling Pearl Harbor attraction was barely running. With the museum and theatre closed, many frustrated tourists settled for pictures on the front lawn before packing back onto their buses and leaving. Caretakers of the National Cemetery of the Pacific, nestled in Punchbowl Crater, struggled to show visitors what they could during severely truncated hours. On Maui, the road to Haleakala National Park was closed at the 7,000 foot level early this morning, denying a number of eager tourists the famed sight of a Hawai`i sunrise; visitors to Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island were privy to only a small portion of the park's usual offerings. Residents also faced cutbacks in federal services. The Internal Revenue Service and the Veteran's Affairs offices were closed, and the Social Security office in the Federal Building in Honolulu -- usually serving 300 people a day -- struggled through only ten cases today. JUDGE RELEASES KANAHELE WITH CONDITIONS Ordered back to prison last month after his federal case ended in a mistrial, Nation of Hawai`i leader Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele wasn't banking on walking Hawai`i streets anytime before his new trial in January. However in a surprise move yesterday, U.S. District Judge David Ezra released Kanahele to a halfway-house, without bail. Ezra reportedly said that Kanahele's rights need to be heard in addition to that of law enforcement officials. The prosecutors in the case said that Kanahele posed a threat to the public. Kanahele walked out of the federal courthouse this morning, greeted by supporters and family members. With the first few weeks of his stay at Miller Hale -- a halfway-house in Makiki -- paid for by two OHA trustees, Kanahele can bide the time before his retrial any way he likes... so long as he doesn't go near the sovereignty group's headquarters in Waimanalo. Kanahele said he will abide by the judge's conditions, adding that the outpouring of support at today's court hearing -- which included members of other sovereignty groups -- demonstrated the broad support the independence movement is gaining. "This is not just about 'Bumpy,'" Kanahele said. FATHER-SON MURDER UNFOLDS IN EDEN The body of 58-year-old Ernest Martinez was found Saturday night about one mile from his home in Eden Roc, a subdivision in Puna located south of Mountain View. His son, 34-year-old Ernest Martinez Jr., had also been missing since the weekend. The grieving family's worst suspicions were confirmed today, however, when the son's body was also discovered. Police already have a suspect in custody: Ronald DeReis, next-door neighbor to the Martinez family. Police have called the murders particularly grizzly. According to preliminary reports, both Martinez men were shot, then tied to the back of a white pickup truck -- reportedly driven by DeReis -- and dragged along a dirt road for up to three miles. Their bodies were then run over, police say. A shotgun matching the type used to inflict the fatal wounds to both men was found during a search of DeReis' home. Family members and neighbors say that there were frequent brawls between DeReis and the Martinez, but insist that the Martinez men mostly kept their cool, and often helped other Eden Roc residents -- including DeReis -- with errands. Police say drugs are not thought to be an element in the case; to date, no formal charges have been filed against DeReis. GROUPS GEAR UP FOR SUNSET BEACH HEARING The Hawaii Chapter of the Sierra Club, the League of Women Voters of Honolulu, and two other island activist groups have added their support to a lawsuit filed by the Save Sunset Beach Coalition earlier this year. Aligned against developer Obayashi Hawaii Corp. and its controversial Lihi Lani development, the lawsuit faces the first of several hearings in the case this Friday. Central to the debate -- whether a residential district can be built on agriculturally zoned land if the district has "pseudo-agricultural" components. The Wahiawa-based coalition says no. SSBC President Larry McElheny also cited statistics reporting as many as 70 similar subdivisions planned for agricultural land receiving preliminary approval on Maui. "It's only part of the statewide epidemic that we're asking the court to cure." The language of laws drafted by the legislature leave some ambiguity on whether agriculturally zoned lots must have development that are "primarily" or partially agricultural in purpose. Earlier this year, the state delayed work on a Kona subdivision because of a lack of required "farm dwellings." IN OTHER NEWS: [+] CEMENT glue is suspected as the key ingredient used to start a fire last night at Honowai Elementary School in Waipahu. Witnesses reported seeing six juveniles fleeing the area prior to the 6:40PM blaze, which burned a ground- floor classroom in a two-story building. Damage: $50,000 total... [+] MEDICAL examiners have identified the fifth victim of a Friday morning car crash in Hawai`i Kai as Kiet The Tran, 20, of a Linapuni Street address. Thai Nguyen, 20, yet remains in stable condition at Kuakini Hospital... [+] AMBITIOUS visions for a new Waikiki were tempered back today. The task- force working on a long-range plan for the tourist mecca announced that it would be dropping two aspects of their initial plan: making Kuhio Avenue a one-way street, and converting Kalakaua Avenue into a pedestrian mall... [+] STATE tax collections were up last month, an increase of 13.6%, or about $28 million, from October of last year. So say state officials... [+] FORMER HandiVan driver Bill Becker testified today before the City Council, saying the service -- contracted to transport handicapped residents around the island -- is beset by inadequate maintenance and thefts. The council is thinking to dissolve the Honolulu Public Transit Authority... [+] GRASS skirts and coconut-bras stretched from wall-to-wall today, during tryouts for parts in "authentic" Polynesian shows at Disney theme parks. Dancers are being recruited this week for Tokyo and Florida-based shows. Tokyo scouts -- saying hula dancers are always a strong draw at shows in Japan -- eventually found the five "petite" dancers they were looking for... TEMPS: O`ahu 83/72, Kaua`i 80/71, Moloka`i 85/72, Maui 85/73, Hilo 83/69 CASTS: Mild trades, some isolated showers. Rising surf on the north shore. WEDNESDAY'S TIDES: High 9:56AM, Low 5:20PM
<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- The Net of Light Monday, November 13, 1995 Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----- Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha! ============================================================= ================ ISLE EMPLOYEES OF FEDERAL AGENCIES FACE LAYOFFS Just hours ago, lawmakers in Washington, DC failed to beat their midnight deadline to reach a compromise in passing the nation's budget bill. More than 20,000 Hawaii residents -- 16,000 of them in the military alone -- had been prepared for the worst. With the federal government mired in a partial shutdown tomorrow, leaders of the local armed forces said that they have told employees to come in to work, but that they will likely be sent home after three hours. Officials with local offices have confirmed that each of Hawaii's 60 or so federal agencies will be affected by the shutdown in some way. While post offices, Medicare, Social Security and Federal courts will remain in operation, others will be closed or subject to reduced hours. The Arizona Memorial and Haleakala National Park would close, food stamps will not be distributed, and research and grant programs will cease. In addition, the National Memorial of the Pacific will only be open between 10AM and 2PM and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will be running with only minimal staff. HILO STUDENTS PLAN FRIDAY PROTEST Although the public hearings on the University of Hawaii's proposed tuition hikes are still several weeks away, students on the Big Island are still riding the wave of student activism that peaked Halloween afternoon with the Death of Education March in Honolulu. With the November Board of Regents meeting taking place on the UH-Hilo campus this Friday, the student governments of both UHH and Hawaii Community College are preparing for a protest of their own. Kalani Kahalepau`ole, president of the UHH Student Association, said they are expecting a turnout of about 100 people, who will stage a sit-in during the early afternoon meeting. He said that the protests organizers have gained the support of some Big Island businesses, and that they have started running radio advertisements for the protest on KAOI -- a station with transmitters on several islands. Kahalepau`ole said students additionally have their eye on the first public hearing, also scheduled for Hilo, during the first week of December. The regents will move the hearings from island to island that week to fulfill the requirements needed to advance a proposed tuition increase schedule, which would allow the University to raise tuition by up to 75% a year. KALANIANAOLE HIGHWAY CRASH KILLS FIVE A 20-year-old male still remains unidentified after a serious one car accident early Friday morning left five youths -- including a pregnant 18- year-old -- dead. Another passenger is currently hospitalized in stable condition at Kuakini Hospital, while two other survivors have been treated released. 21-year-old Kinh Nguyen of Kaimuki was driving the vehicle, reportedly racing with another car along the newly widened highway. He apparently lost control at about 1AM, jumping a curb and smashing into a fire hydrant, then an electrical transformer, finally slamming into a brick wall where the car immediately burst into flames. The accident occurred between Kirkwood Street and Kuliouou Road. The identified passengers: Driver Kinh Nguyen, dead; Cong Nguyen, 18, treated and released; his brother Thanh Nguyen, 19, dead; Thanh's fiancee -- four months pregnant -- Hanh Thi Pham, 18, dead; Thai Nguyen, 20, hospitalized; Than Thai Phan, 20, dead; Truong Tuan, 15, treated and released. Only the Nguyen brothers were related. The crash cast a somber shadow over ceremonies held Saturday morning, marking the full re-opening of the highway after a multimillion dollar widening and beautification project. Some memorial services are scheduled for Friday. PET OWNERS PICKET QUARANTINE STATION Saying the mandatory 120-day quarantine of animals brought in to the islands is unnecessary, about 30 Hawaii residents picketed outside the state's Animal Quarantine Station in Halawa yesterday. Although most of the protesters hadn't met before, they were mostly unified in their belief that there was much room for improvement in the system. Kailua Representative Eve Anderson lead the picket, saying that modern vaccination and test methods can keep the majority of Hawaii's imported pets from having to go through the four month ordeal. Some of the demonstrators decried unclean and uncomfortable conditions at the facility, noting tick and flee infestations and uncleaned, concrete enclosures. Others were satisfied with the care, but agreed that the confinement period should be shorter. Managers of the quarantine station say that the quarantine system was crafted with the help of the World Health Organization -- an international animal-rights group -- and has been very successful in keeping Hawai`i rabies free. Nevertheless, Anderson hopes to reintroduce legislation that would reduce quarantine stays for properly treated and tagged animals in January. Two years ago, a similar plan was rejected by the state legislature. IN OTHER NEWS: [+] HANAUMA Bay will be closed from today until Friday, for some long overdue road work. City officials say that the main access roads haven't been paved for 13 years, leading to serious deterioration and some foundation subsidence in recent years. A sidewalk will also be installed in the $425,000 project... [+] HEARINGS for a proposal to increase the size of protected whale sanctuaries around the Hawaiian islands begin next week, opening in Hilo on Nov. 27. Proponents say the move is necessary to nurture the growing humpback whale population; skeptics oppose more government regulation... [+] DEFENSE Attorney Michael Weight begins presenting today, hoping to prove that earlier witnesses were wrong in saying former Hilo Sgt. Kenneth Mathison fatally beat his wife, Yvonne, inside their van before running her over. Mathison says she jumped out and was later hit by another driver... [+] HILO police are currently investigating the death of an unidentified 50- year-old man, and murder is suspected. His body was found this past weekend on Mahaina Street in Puna. He suffered a gunshot wound to the head, and was apparently run over by a vehicle. He had "EM" tattooed on his left arm... [+] DESPITE the sketchy service as of late, the Hawaii NewsList welcomed it's 600th subscriber today. It has been recently suggested that the NewsList occasionally distribute "local kine" stories, memories of the past or tales of island adventures written by correspondents. Sound good? Let me know... TEMPS: O`ahu 88/74, Kaua`i 82/72, Moloka`i 88/72, Maui 85/75, Hilo 83/68 CASTS: Partly cloudy, gusty trades to 20MPH; 2 - 4 foot surf on North shores. TUESDAY'S TIDES: High 9:04AM, Low 4:44PM