The H4 Hawai`i Times - News with Ryan Ozawa!

Hawai`i News via Ryan Ozawa's Ka `Upena K ukui

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Wednesday, July 24, 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! ============================================================================= Subject: BOMBS FOUND AT PALI LOOKOUT, SCARE AT AIRPORT Herb Lau, a solo-bike officer with the Honolulu Police Department, was headed up Pali Highway shortly after 6 a.m. today when he noticed the steel gates at the entrance to the Nu`uanu Pali Lookout were still closed. When he rode past the gate into the park, he apparently hit a trip-wire that detonated a small bomb hidden in the brush. When another officer reporting to the scene opened the gate, a second explosive device went off. Although no one was seriously injured by the booby traps, Lau reportedly sustained a slight ear injury. Police investigators described the devices as crude, the trip-wire -- one end tied to the gate post -- ran to a simple detonator inside a plastic bag filled with a yet-unidentified explosive material. Although the bombs were not of the more dangerous fragmentary type, police say they had the potential to badly hurt someone. Police kept the lookout closed while searching for evidence and other devices in the thick brush lining the sides of the park access road. Police have no suspects in the case. Meanwhile, bomb squads briefly cleared the employee cafeteria at Honolulu International Airport when diners reported hearing a loud sound coming from a small open area outside an emergency exit. The Kama`aina Cafe, located in a restricted area of the airport's main terminal, was closed during the hour-long search. Nothing was found, and airport officials say the noise was likely the sound of a fluorescent light exploding outside. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: UH HAWAIIAN STUDIES CENTER COMES TO LIFE After more than 10 years of waiting and a few budget and legal battles, the new Hawaiian Studies Center at the Manoa campus of the University of Hawai`i opened today so that faculty and staff could begin moving in. The $7.5 million building -- about $1 million over its original budget -- overlooks Manoa Stream along Dole Street. It has a design said to be inspired by ancient Hawaiian architecture, the design highlighted by rock walls and tall, angular domes covered with green copper. Inside, one of the university's fastest growing departments will be able to host classes, performances and exhibits. "What we're hoping to do is open up the building and therefore the campus to people who are involved in things like hula, language instruction, voyaging and weaving," said center director Haunani-Kay Trask. The Hawaiian culture is flourishing, Trask said, and so is academic thirst for its history and future. "When we started the Hawaiian Studies Center in 1987 we had 13 students," Trask said. "We now have 1,350 students." The center should be ready for use by the beginning of the fall semester. Completion of the center's was five years behind schedule, due in part to protests by a community group that claimed that building the center would destroy historic taro lo`i at the site. In 1992, Ho`o`kahe Wai tried to stop construction and proposed a redesign of the center that would spare the lo`i. Although the redesign was refused, Trask said despite the controversy and intense construction work, the taro in question remains untouched today. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: MAYOR HARRIS DEFENDS PAWA`A HOUSING VENTURE A city-backed housing project at the site of the old police station in Pawa`a may be in jeopardy after the state denied the developer tax credits it says were needed in order to take the job. Earlier this month, the state Housing Finance and Development Corporation met to determine which developers would get tax credits set aside for companies building affordable housing in Hawai`i. The city endorsed developer Waldron Ventures for the Pawa`a project, but the company said it wanted a $2.9 million tax credit -- $900,000 more than the total available tax credits the state had to distribute year. The HFDC decided to divide the available credits across four separate affordable housing projects on the neighbor islands. The city hoped Gov. Ben Cayetano would find the extra money to move ahead in Pawa`a, but this week Cayetano said the city should not have backed a company that didn't have adequate finances. "I think the governor made a very bad decision," Harris said. "[Pawa`a] is a good project -- not only for people on this island that need housing, but it's also a good project for people who need jobs." However, the HFDC said the Pawa`a project had other disadvantages compared to the ventures that did receive tax credits. The four projects -- located on the Big Island, Moloka`i and Maui -- would bring 212 affordable housing units to the island market in all, according HFDC spokesman Ron Lim. The Pawa`a project would only build 128 units, he said. "It just didn't match up to the other projects," Lim said. Waldron Ventures has filed a petition with the HFDC board, questioning its selection process and criteria. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: EWA VILLAGES DEVELOPER BACKING OFF The city had high hopes for its Ewa Village Revitalization Project, expecting $45 million in home sales in its three subdivisions this year alone. To date, however, only 20 people filed applications to buy lots in the first phase -- Green View Villas -- and only a handful qualified. No homes have been built or sold since construction started near the municipal golf course. The slow sales have prompted realtor Prudential Locations this week to suspend its marketing efforts for the Ewa Village. Now, developer Armstrong Builders, Ltd. has apparently started talks with the city to reconsider their strategy. "Mr. Armstrong has discussed the situation with the city and has alerted us that he wants to re-evaluate what types of homes he wants to build and sell in the area," City Budget Director Malcolm Tom said. "We are looking at alternative marketing approaches and looking at what he can do to increase the sales rate." City Council Budget Chair Duke Bainum is calling for an audit of the project. "What we've seen is a string of projects in which we really were competing with the private sector," Bainum said. The Ewa Village project was approved by the council in 1994. Although at the time the city had committed to using union labor, Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris changed the provisions of the contract a month after he took office allowing the developer to pay less than union wages. The decision was protested by local construction unions earlier this year. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: CONVENTION CENTER WORK HURTING BUSINESSES Responding to growing complaints from Waikiki businesses and residents, Convention Center Authority spokesman Alton Kuioka said they're doing what they can, but that some problems are beyond their reach. "Some of the things that they'd like us to do is really beyond the authority's level," Kuioka said. Traffic around the construction site has been congested for weeks, and the noise is grating on the nerves of neighbors. In addition, businesses near the Hawai`i Convention Center site say the chaos has hurt them. Kevin Gazzara, manager of Cafe Bellshiba, said sidewalk traffic in the area is down and parking for his restaurant is almost impossible to reach. His business is on Kapi`olani Boulevard, directly across from the site. "Our lunch hours have been down about 50 percent," Gazzara said. Although the state is considering moving its construction work to night hours, no final decisions have yet been set. Although night work would solve the daytime traffic nightmare, Kuioka said, problems with noise might increase. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 87/72, Kaua`i 83/71, Moloka`i 82/70, Maui 88/72, Hilo 83/70 CASTS: Scattered showers, trades to 20MPH; South shore surf to 4 feet. THURSDAY'S TIDES: High -:-- a.m.; Low -:-- p.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Tuesday, July 23, 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! ============================================================================= Subject: KAUA`I TEENS RETURN FROM ATLANTA MISADVENTURES A group of 87 high school students from Kaua`i were looking forward to three weeks of Olympic excitement when they left the islands for Atlanta last week. ""Promises, promises, promises," said Donna Rodenhurst, one of several chaperones who accompanied the teens on their trip. "They said someone would meet us there, that we'd have jobs, places to stay -- nothing." Instead of getting part-time jobs at Olympic Village kiosks, rooms at an Atlanta hotel and tickets to Olympic events, the Kaua`i contingent got a bus-ride to a small Georgia town and emergency food and shelter from the American Red Cross. The students, along with about 2,000 other kids from across the country, were left high and dry by the Atlanta-based travel agency Creative Travel Services. They returned to Hawai`i today, thanks to the Anheiser-Busch Corporation which arranged a special chartered flight to bring them home. The company also gave the students souvenirs, tickets to an Olympic basketball game for their last day in Atlanta, and closing their trip with a "real" dinner. Each of the students spent about $500 for the ill-fated excursion. "Our housing wasn't that great, the food wasn't that great," said Kaua`i High School student David Michaud. "It was pretty bad." While sleeping on cots in a middle-school gym, many compared the experience to weathering Hurricane Iniki years ago. Kapa`a High School student Jodie Noma said the trip wasn't a total disaster. "It was totally unforgettable, it was great," Noma said. "There were some downtimes, but there were also uptimes, and I'm glad that's how our trip ended -- on a positive note." The FBI is reportedly opening a criminal investigation. Meanwhile, some parents of the Kaua`i teens were critical of Gov. Ben Cayetano, who was also in Atlanta, saying he ignored the island kids' plight. Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono said that wasn't the case. "The governor's office, as soon as they found out about it, took efforts to assess the situation and to help out," Hirono said. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: HARRIS MAKES RE-ELECTION BID OFFICIAL Before a crowd of about 300 supporters, Honolulu mayor Jeremy Harris today came down from his third-floor office in Honolulu Hale to kick off his campaign to return to his post, which he won two years ago after former mayor Frank Fasi resigned to run for governor. Harris filed his election papers today, the last day for any citizen to declare a run for office. In a noontime speech in the courtyard, Harris lead his supporters in a three-time cheer of "Hana hou!" As the incumbent, Harris is currently leading in the polls, and he said he expects to win the non-partisan race outright in the Sept. 23 primary. "Let's pull together once more, let's do it again from the heart," Harris said. "If we keep pulling together as a community, there's no reason the future can't be a bright and beautiful vision." Rainbow-dyed pigeons were released, and free plate-lunches were distributed at today's City Hall rally. Harris is being challenged by Fasi and Arnold Morgado, who came in second in the 1994 election. Although Morgado supporters have suggested that Harris would drop his city post in mid-term to run for governor in 1998 (as Fasi had done), Harris said a gubernatorial run isn't likely. "Right now I have no intention of running for governor," he said, "but I'm not going to foreclose any options." Many political analysts believe that Fasi's decision to run will undercut the Harris campaign, as both supposedly share the same supporter base. Despite remarks made by Fasi earlier this month characterizing him as a weak leader and a promise-breaker, Harris said the race will not be a personal one. "There are some who would cast this campaign as a personal fight between Frank Fasi and us," Harris said. "I'm here to tell you that's not what this campaign is about." -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: MAINLAND TOURISM CAMPAIGN UNVEILED The Hawai`i Visitors Bureau got a new name today, and also kicked off a new strategy in marketing the islands as a tourist destination for U.S. Mainland travelers. A quick vote turned the Hawai`i Visitors Bureau into the Hawai`i Visitors and Convention Bureau, a change that represents the agency's new role in promoting and booking the Hawai`i Convention Center currently under construction. The HVCB then announced a multi-million dollar television advertising campaign to lure Americans to island shores. Last year's tourism figures found growth in the number of visitors from nearly all markets, except for those from the Mainland. "We've got a lot of business being taken out of the market by the cruise business," said HVCB President Paul Casey. "What we need to do is re-energize and reinvigorate the U.S. market." The campaign marks a shift from the print-based strategies of the past, Casey said, in part prompted by aggressive television advertising by other tourist meccas like the Caribbean and Florida. The 18-month campaign will focus on the dual theme of aloha and diversity, the main goal being to "rebuild the brand of Hawai`i in North America." The plan was hailed by some local hoteliers as a stronger partnership. "The message should be clear that HVCB's job is to brand the product," said Hilton Hawaiian Village spokesman John Votsis. "Those of us in private industry will be out there retailing the product." -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: SEVERAL TO BE RE-ELECTED AUTOMATICALLY At least five state senators will automatically get their seats back in September, as many incumbent candidates -- most of them democrats -- were left unchallenged after today's campaign filing deadline. Several candidates waited until the last minute to file their election papers, with security guards securing the Lieutenant Governor's office at 4:30 p.m. sharp. Among those re-elected by default are Kauai Rep. Bertha Kawakami, Maui Rep. Robert Nakasone and Honolulu Reps. Dennis Arakaki, Romy Cachola and Nobu Yonamine. More unchallenged posts may be identified later tonight as papers from the satellite elections office in Pearl City are collated with those from the state Capitol. Richard Port, standing chairman of the state's democratic party, said the candidates winning free-rides to the state House deserve to return. "Some of those names clearly are among the best and the finest that the democratic party has in office today," Port said today. "I feel that there is a lot of confidence among voters for some of those names." Jane Tatibouet, chairwoman of the Hawai`i republican party, conceded that she hoped to challenge every democratic legislator. "We were trying to field quality candidates," Tatibouet said. "We wanted to make sure we could find the best people." -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: TWO CLOTHING CHAINS PULLING OUT OF HAWAI`I After the phenomenal influx of discount retail stores in Honolulu over the last few years, two major store chains are pulling out of the island market. Off-price apparel stores Marshall's and T. J. Maxx will leave Hawai`i by September, meaning about 250 employees in all will be losing their jobs. Market analyst Eric Tema told KHON that a consolidation of the retail market was inevitable following the mass arrival of national chains such as K-Mart and Wal-Mart. Marshall's currently has 6 outlets in the state, while T.J. Maxx has one at Stadium Mall in Aiea. All of the locations will be sold to Ross, a competing retailer that will then be left as the only clothing chain of its kind in the state. "Ross is going to be interviewing every manager and every associate," said company spokeswoman Cathy Sharpe. "It is our expectation that they will be able to retain many of the employees." At this point, Sharpe said, Ross will probably not open stores in all six of the acquired locations, instead subleasing them to other businesses. The transfer is scheduled to become effective Sept. 1, although presently no final contracts have been signed. Marshall's and T.J. Maxx recently announced a partnership which involves closing 200 stores nationwide. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BITS AND PIECES UNDERWATER World is coming to the islands. The owners of the U.S. franchise, which operates two other combination mall-and-aquarium centers on the Mainland, today announced that it will be putting a 1.5 million gallon, 80,000 square foot tank at the Dole Cannery Square shopping complex. The Underwater World in Honolulu will be the third one nationwide, the others currently operating in San Francisco and Minnesota. It will feature a 400- foot submerged acrylic tunnel, seven feet in diameter, that will allow visitors to walk under the aquarium and view the sea life as if they were on a deep sea dive. It is expected to open in late 1997 or early 1998... FRANK Fasi Jr., son of the former Honolulu mayor, will receive a settlement in excess of $100,000 from the city following an accident in Waikiki seven years ago. Fasi was riding a bike along Kalakaua Avenue in 1989 when a police cruiser allegedly cut across 3 lanes of traffic to cite him. The car struck Fasi, who suffered back and neck injuries despite wearing a helmet at the time. A City Council committee today voted to back the six-figure settlement. The final amount will be determined pending approval by the full council... DAIRY farmers in Hawai`i are asking the state for permission to raise the amount they can charge for their milk. The state regulates the price producers such as Foremost and Meadow Gold pay to farmers, which is currently 49 cents per gallon. The request, prompted by a 40 percent increase in the cost of feed corn, seeks to raise the rate to 55 cents per gallon. Two years of poor corn production has led to rising milk prices on the Mainland, farmers say, and the added costs have now reached the islands... WATER safety officials were kept busy today as surf on the state's southern shores swelled to 8 feet, with 12-foot waves being reported on some neighbor islands. The unusually high surf, caused by a storm system south of Tahiti, began yesterday. At least 20 rescues were made on Monday, and lifeguards had to render first aid and rescue lost surfboards today. No major injuries were reported. Waves are expected to be strong through tomorrow... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 89/74, Kaua`i 85/73, Moloka`i 84/72, Maui 90/73, Hilo 85/71 CASTS: Humid, some showers, trades to 15MPH; South shore surf to 5 feet. WEDNESDAY'S TIDES: High 11:52 a.m.; Low 6:41 p.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Monday, July 22, 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! ============================================================================= Subject: MORGADO FILES, FORESEES UPHILL BATTLE Leading a group of about 100 sign-carrying supporters, Arnold Morgado today marched to Honolulu Hale and officially filed to run for Honolulu mayor. Despite having the endorsement of Gov. Ben Cayetano and several state employee unions, Morgado said he's facing several challenges that other candidates don't. "There has been strong-arm tactics that have gone on with this current administration with people in town who could support other candidate's attempts to raise money," he said. "That creates a unique problem for us." Morgado is referring to claims that he violated city ethics laws by accepting support from a major O`ahu contractor. The charges, made last month by supporters of incumbent Mayor Jeremy Harris, has prompted an investigation by the state Attorney General. To date, Morgado said he's spent about half a million dollars in his campaign, and will concentrate on winning the non- partisan race primary on Sept. 21. "I want you to know this is not the first quarter," Morgado said in a speech outside City Hall. "This is the fourth quarter, this is the fourth down -- we need to make that yard, we need to score." Harris said he has a $350,000 war chest, tonight hosting a $25-per- person fund-raiser to raise about $50,000. Alluding to the charges hovering over Morgado's campaign, he said he doesn't mind raising cash $25 at a time. "We're following the campaign ethics law, which says no big contributions from no big contractors," he said. "That's the law and we intend to follow it." Although he said his campaign strategy isn't set, he he'll get the 'Hana Hou!' his campaign posters call for. "We're going on to victory in September," Harris said. Challenger Frank Fasi reportedly has about $450,000 for his campaign. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: TWO ARRESTED IN FRIDAY FREEWAY SHOOTING All town-bound lanes of the H-2 freeway were closed Friday night when a "stink-eye" staring contest between two cars turned deadly for one 18-year- old passenger. Shortly after 8 p.m., five teens were traveling in two cars to Pearlridge Plaza when a red Cadillac pulled along side one vehicle and hostile looks were exchanged, according to Honolulu police Lt. Allen Napoleon. All three cars pulled onto the shoulder just north of the Ka Uka Boulevard off ramp and the victim, Travis Rollins of Mililani, apparently got out of one car and approached the Cadillac. One of the two occupants of the Cadillac then shot Rollins. Rollins' companions drove him to St. Francis-West Medical Center, where he later died. The incident led police to route all south-bound traffic off the H-2 at Mililani, and commuters had to take Kamehameha Highway through Kipapa Gulch to rejoin the freeway at the Ka Uka interchange. The next day, police responded to a call along Waipio Point Access Road and found the Cadillac involved in the incident on fire, its license plates missing. The plates were later recovered, and they led investigators to a Halawa Height's home where they arrested two 22-year-old male residents. One is reportedly a Schofield Barrack's soldier, and the other -- discharged from the Army in May -- is believed to have fired the deadly shot. The latter was booked on second-degree murder and firearm violation charges while the first was charged with hindering prosecution. A roommate of the two men said they told him that Rollins had a gun in his waistband at the time of the shooting. However, police have not recovered that gun nor the murder weapon. Napoleon said Rollins had a police record. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: STATE MULLS ANOTHER CHANGE TO FOOD RULES The state Department of Health is thinking about relaxing its restrictions on how food can be displayed and sold at isle eateries, supplanting them with a new fee that would go towards educating food handlers about the dangers of food poisoning. The plan, now before public hearings, would allow food service outlets to leave food at room temperature for up to four hours before refrigerating it. Meanwhile, the department would establish a fee for health permits, ranging in cost from $60 to $430. Although the department says the money would go towards training and awareness programs, some Hawai`i merchants are crying foul. "The only reason to support this renewable fee permit system is if you're trying to raise state revenues and believe the people of Hawai`i are so dumb that they will never know you've found a way to tax them," said Bryon Graper, a consultant for O`ahu restaurants. Last year, concerns over growing numbers of food poisoning cases prompted the health department to draft new rules governing how foods are sold in the islands. All outlets -- from lunch wagons to banquet halls to musubi stands -- were prohibited from displaying food at room temperature. Instead, to prevent spoiling, food would have to be kept heated or refrigerated. Many said the rules meant added costs in buying and maintaining new equipment, and that refrigeration would turn favorites like the Spam musubi into rock-hard bricks. Although opponents assert the average bento as non-lethal, the health department said there were 800 cases of food poisoning reported in 1995. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: SENATORS HOLT, BUNDA ANNOUNCE CAMPAIGNS Today, one state lawmaker said he wants to give it another shot, while another is making a bid for the U.S. House. State Sen. Milton Holt, who was the focus of much controversy as chair of the Consumer Protection Committee this past legislative session, said he will run for re-election. Two years ago, Holt said he would not return to the senate in order to spend more time with his family. This year, Holt presided over two major legislative debates: the state's no-fault insurance system and same-sex marriage. With unsatisfactory resolutions in either issue, Holt said he decided he wants to return. Holt, who also works for Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate, will be facing fellow Democrat Suzanne Chun-Oakland for the Kalihi-Palama senate seat. Chun-Oakland is currently a state representative, and unlike Holt is a supporter of same-sex marriage. Holt said his past conviction for spouse abuse shouldn't be a campaign issue, but if it is brought up he said he has been up front and stood accountable for the difficult times in his life. "These issues have surfaced in the past, and I've never shied away from those issues," Holt said. Meanwhile, state Sen. Robert Bunda today announced that he will be running for the U.S. House against fellow Democrat Patsy Mink. Although there are two years left in his senate term, Bunda isn't required to resign his current position to run for a federal seat under state law. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BLIND VENDORS SUE OVER RETIREMENT BENEFITS Claiming the state is diverting money that is supposed to cover their retirement fund, a group of blind vendors today filed a lawsuit against the city and the state. Although newspaper and snack stands in city and state buildings bring in $100,000 a year, attorney Evan Shirely said only about $800 goes towards an IRA for health benefits for each of the legally blind citizens that run them. That means after 10 years on the job, only $8,000 will have been set aside for an employees retirement, he said. When asked at a press conference today whether $8,000 would be enough to get by, vendor Myles Tamashiro said, "There is no way." Tamashiro is one of many disabled employees that works behind the register at the snack bar in the Honolulu Municipal Building. "They just feel that we're just a minority group so therefore, 'Who cares?'" said Filo Tu, another vendor. Tu said he didn't think the government was taking them seriously. "We are very upset," he said. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: OLD ISLE EATERY RAZED FOR PARKING LOT Chunky's Drive-In, known for its teriyaki beef plates and other local cuisine, had been an O`ahu landmark since it first opened in 1957. Located near the old stadium at the corner of King and Isenberg streets, Chunky's closed four years ago but its familiar sign and orange-tiled facade remained as a reminder of the days before fast food chains -- until today. Demolition crews have flattened the once-popular eatery to make way for a parking lot then later, a branch of First Hawaiian Bank. One of the men who was driving a tractor over the rubble today was once a regular customer there. Stanley Hashimoto, a 25-year veteran of the island demolition business, told KITV-4 that he's been involved in clearing away many of Honolulu's old hangouts in the name of progress. "I've been wrecking a lot of old places, like the Civic Auditorium, Scotties," Hashimoto said. Although he empathized with a lot of the people who mourn the disappearance of old Hawai`i, Hashimoto said he never went so far as to take souvenirs from the various sites he's cleared. "It's just a job," he said. "Everything is pretty old already." -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 89/75, Kaua`i 84/76, Moloka`i 84/73, Maui 86/72, Hilo 85/71 CASTS: Cloudy, warm and humid, some showers; South Shore swell to 8 feet. TUESDAY'S TIDES: High 10:52 p.m.; Low 5:02 a.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Friday, July 19, 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! ============================================================================= Subject: KAUA`I KIDS STRANDED IN ATLANTA While millions watched the festivities heralding the start of the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta, a handful of kids from Kaua`i were crawling into cots in a school auditorium 70 miles away. The Hawai`i youths are stranded along with kids from high schools across the country after an Atlanta-based travel company invited more students to work at Olympic Village kiosks and hospitality stations than could be accommodated. Creative Travel Services of Atlanta had assembled a package where students could attend some of the games and pay their way by working for various vendors. The Kaua`i delegation paid about $500 each to travel to Atlanta, but when they got there the jobs they were to get had apparently dried up. Instead of the lodgings they were promised, the Hawai`i students -- along with 300 other Mainland kids -- were moved to a nearby motel. A fire marshal killed those arrangements, however, when it was determined too many students were in the rooms. Their final destination turned out to be at Forsyth Middle School in emergency lodgings set up by the American Red Cross. Chaperone Bobby Kamakele said many of his students don't have enough money to remain in Atlanta without work. Although the students were told to go back to Hawai`i, Kamakele said their tickets can't be used for two weeks. For tonight, however, they're just glad to have a roof over their heads. "We're being housed and the people are being warm to us," he said. Kamakele said the Hawai`i kids are coping better than most because of their past experience with makeshift lodgings during Hurricane Iniki. Allan Branco of Kapa`a told KHNL News-8 that he's worried for his 16- year-old son, Justin. ""We don't know from one hour to the next where our children are going to be," Branco said. Concerned parents can call the middle school at (912) 993-3056. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: CAYETANO FLIES TO ATLANTA ON AT&T TAB Although Gov. Ben Cayetano was probably going to attend the opening ceremonies of the centennial Olympic games in Atlanta tonight, his office says that the purpose of his Mainland trip is to attend a telecommunications symposium and meet with AT&T Pacific Region President Michael Antieri to discuss the future of telecommunications in Hawai`i. The free trip, accompanied by a pass to tonight's inaugural Olympic events, is a gift from AT&T, a corporate sponsor of the games and one of several participants of telecom summit also being held in Atlanta. AT&T only recently broke into the Hawai`i interisland long-distance market, after decades of a GTE monopoly. Some public-interest groups have cried foul, also citing the governor's past history of accepting gifts and travel from private interests. Government watchdogs fear such gifts may sway officials to favor their beneficiaries in setting public policy. Randy Obata, an aide to the governor, said the claims are unfounded. He said trips such as this one to Atlanta are valuable opportunities to establish relations with investors, he said. Obata said Cayetano hopes that Hawai`i can find draw fresh revenue sources by combining telecommunications and sports-based tourism. The Olympics, where much of the world's latest technologies have converged this summer, is an ideal place to meet with corporate leaders and discuss expansion and investment in the islands, Obata said. Making Hawai`i a major international sports venue is one of the major objectives of Cayetano's administration, he added, building on the state's established prominence in professional sports like golf, marathons and bowl games. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: GROUP SUES TO STOP NATIVE HAWAIIAN VOTE A federal lawsuit filed against the Hawai`i Sovereignty Elections Council and Gov. Ben Cayetano yesterday claims the Native Hawaiian Vote -- which began last month and is scheduled to close on Aug. 15 -- is unconstitutional. Office Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Billie Beamer, Ka Lahui Hawai`i member Clara Kakalia, Lela Hubbard and Stephen Kubota say the state has no jurisdiction over the future of Hawaiian self-determination. Beamer, Kakalia and Hubbard are of Hawaiian descent, and Kubota joined the lawsuit to represent non- Hawaiians, according to attorney Thomas Watts. The lawsuit alleges the Native Hawaiian Vote is an attempt to usurp the constitutional right of native Hawaiians to independently seek redress from the U.S. government. In addition, Watts said, since the vote for native Hawaiians is funded by government money, it discriminates against non-native Hawaiians who cannot participate. Over 85,000 ballots were mailed to native Hawaiians worldwide to find the collective answer to the question, "Should the Hawaiian people elect delegates to propose a native Hawaiian government?" The state-funded HSEC is conducting the vote, and will announce the results in September. HSEC attorney Poka Laenui called the lawsuit "grandstanding," saying its simply an attempt to divert attention from the balloting effort. Instead of suing to halt the vote, Laenui said, opponents of the process should just vote no. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BITS AND PIECES READERS of Ka `Upena Kukui who've followed along in the story of 2-year-old Alana Dung, the leukemia patient who mobilized over 30,000 kama`aina this year in her search for a bone-marrow donor, can now send their messages of hope and aloha to her family. Although this week's transplant operation went well, weeks of waiting lie ahead for the girl's family. Well-wishes are being collected by "Bruddah" Jim Clement at jclement@hula.net. Although blessings flooded in from islanders, Clement said Alana's family would be thrilled to know people all over the world have been following and hoping too... OVERCROWDING at the Hawai`i State Hospital in Kaneohe will be partly alleviated this month with the opening of four transitional houses, adding a total of 14 beds to the hospital's patient capacity. Earlier this year, the hospital rejected the court-ordered transfer of a female prison inmate into its mental health program because of a lack of space. An even more pressing overcrowding situation at the women's prison, however, led to the inmate being sent to the hospital after all. The new facilities, to be located within existing psychiatric offices, will be run by a private contractor... WELFARE recipients in Hawai`i are getting a one-time Christmas gift in July thanks to $1.6 million in leftover grant funds. Everyone on general assistance welfare will get $82 for each month they were registered for the state's 1995-'96 fiscal year. The Department of Human Services got a $42 million grant from the Legislature to provide welfare benefits, but there were less qualified recipients this year because qualifications were tightened and some residents were placed on federal support programs. The monthly allowance, which was originally cut from $418 to $217, will now be increased to $268... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: ISLAND WEB WATCH ReadToMe -- http://www.pixi.com/~reader1 Literacy and use of the Hawaiian language are both objectives of the Hawaii Education Literacy Project (HELP), and its new web tool -- ReadToMe. ReadToMe, which can work with content of any web page, is designed to help parents and teachers to help children learn to read and ease them into the classics of literature. A free beta-test version of ReadToMe is available at HELP's web page, as are links to famous writings at Project Gutenberg on which to try it. The local non-profit organization hopes to receive feedback on ReadToMe's potential uses and possible problems or bugs... Vote Maui! -- http://www.hookele.com/vote/ Vote Maui! is a site dedicated to bringing election and political information to the residents of Maui, Moloka`i and Lanai. Vote Maui! gives candidates the ability to directly convey their goals and platforms without the filters of the media. Information on districts, parties, top issues and other goings-on in the Maui County political scene can be found here, and the site's fax-on- demand features allows visitors to get campaign promises on paper. Links to other campaign news and politics-related sites are also provided... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 88/74, Kaua`i 83/72, Moloka`i 83/71, Maui 87/71, Hilo 84/68 CASTS: Scattered showers, trades to 25MPH; East shore surf to 3 feet. SATURDAY'S TIDES: High 7:04 p.m.; Low 12:34 a.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Thursday, July 18, 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! ============================================================================= Subject: O`AHU FAMILY TOUCHED BY FALLEN FLIGHT 800 While the investigation of last night's explosion and crash of TWA flight 800 continues, a Hawai`i Kai woman and her three sons are en route tonight to St. Louis to take care of teenagers orphaned by the tragedy. 41-year-old Barbara Glenn barely got 2 hours of sleep last night, worrying and whispering on the phone with family members on the Mainland. At 6 a.m., her worst fears became reality. Glenn's sister and brother-in-law, Patty and Jay Henderson, were on board the jumbo 747 which is now scattered across and under waters off Long Island. "It's been a complete fog," Glenn said. Although she was initially frustrated at TWA's delay in confirming whether her sister was on board the downed plane, Glenn said in retrospect she understood the airline had to be accurate in its notification. "By seven o'clock I heard from TWA that they were going to fly us to St. Louis," she said. There, Glenn and her sons will comfort and grieve with her parents, and try to take care of the Henderson's three teenagers. "My sister's kids," Glenn said, pausing to take a breath. "I can't imagine what it would be like to lose your parents like that." She said her sons will help their cousins get through the tough times. As Glenn boarded the 747 at Honolulu International Airport tonight, the TWA gate agent hugged her and squeezed her hand. Airport officials said they have received no orders to step up already high security measures, adding that more attention will be paid to electronic devices brought on board. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: TRANSPLANT DONE, WAIT AHEAD FOR ALANA Even after a bone-marrow transplant procedure that lasted over 4 hours, 2- year-old leukemia patient Alana Dung still started the day with a smile. "She got up this morning and said, 'Hi Dad!'" said Adelia Dung, the girl's mother. Tonight, Alana Dung remains in satisfactory condition at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. Her father, Stephen Dung, said Alana slept through most of the operation. "She was sleeping before it started, but when [the marrow] came she got up and she touched the bag," he said. "It was pretty touching." The procedure, comparable to a blood transfusion, was done in the girl's hospital room, beginning at 9:40 p.m. and wrapping up shortly after 2 a.m. Seattle time. "It went real well," Stephen Dung said. Doctors say the girl now has a 60 percent chance of survival. Alana Dung will spend several more weeks at the center, as doctors watch for signs of infection or other problems. "Usually it takes about two to three weeks for the new marrow to set up housekeeping and begin to grow," said center pediatrician Jean Sanders. In 28 days or so, a sample of the transplanted marrow will be extracted from the girl's bones to ensure cells are growing properly. The family, meanwhile, continues to be inspired by her high spirits. "She gives us a lot of strength," Adelia Dung said. "We stay optimistic because she's optimistic." -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: GRADUATES NOT UP TO PAR, EDUCATORS SAY When students who graduate from Hawaii's public high schools take their first classes at the University of Hawaii, instructors and professors are frequently frustrated to find most of them don't have the basic skills needed at the college level. "We do have a problem with the poorly prepared students," said UH regent and community college chancellor Joyce Tsunoda. "We have been spending nearly $1.5 million of the university's resources to remediate them." In a joint meeting held today at the UH Manoa campus, UH and state Department of Education officials discussed the common goal of improving education in Hawai`i. "We need to focus our attention where it really counts, and this is on the students in the classroom," said Department of Education head Herman Aizawa. According to UH figures, anywhere from two to 500 students who enter the university in the fall quit before the spring term. While many at the university urged the Board of Education to raise their standards, the state said one of the major problems is a shortage of qualified teachers -- which UH is expected to provide. DOE officials say the state needs to hire about 700 new teachers annually. "We're trying to address that here at the College of Education," dean Charles Araki said. "We graduate between 400 to 500 teachers yearly." -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: PENNSYLVANIA PROFESSOR FOUND DEAD Honolulu police have identified a body discovered yesterday morning in a condominium at the Ilikai Hotel as 51-year-old Robert Henderson, and released a few gruesome details. Henderson, in Hawai`i to attend a summer language conference at the University of Hawai`i, was the director of the linguistics department at the University of Pittsburgh. According to investigators, his nude, partially decomposed body was found on its side in the living room. More disconcerting, police say, is a message found penned across the man's backside: "I rape little boys so I must die." Henderson's neck was fractured, and a pen was reportedly found stabbed into his thigh. HPD investigator Allen Napoleon asked for the public's help in untangling the case. Colleagues enrolled the UH conference say they didn't notice anything unusual when Henderson attended a session on Friday, when he was last seen. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BITS AND PIECES CLEAN Earth Products, a Haleiwa-based environmental company, may be the first local agency to be prosecuted under the federal Clean Water Act. The company and its owner, Dan Fredrickson, have been charged with 13 counts of falsifying waste water test results and 13 counts of mail fraud. According to court documents, Clean Earth Products sold an enzyme that it clamed naturally disintegrated oil and grease. Prosecutors say Fredrickson filed fake reports that hid the fact that the enzyme didn't work. If found guilty, Fredrickson faces up to $6.5 million in fines and a 91 year prison sentence. The company, meanwhile, faces fines of over $13 million... PLANS to revamp the state's strict stance on animal importation may be advancing just in time. The U.S. Justice Department today asked to join a private lawsuit pending in federal court that claims Hawaii's quarantine law discriminates against people with disabilities. Presently, people with seeing-eye dogs must subject their guides to the same four-month confinement as others moving to the island with pets. The law is being contested under the American with Disabilities Act, which requires state and county governments to modify policies if they discriminate against the disabled... JAMES Aki, state senator and former Hawai`i senate president, was indicted today on charges of promoting gambling and operating an illegal business. The case stems from a 1994 investigation that found gambling was taking place at a facility Aki supervised in Nanakuli. At the time, Aki said he didn't know what the building was being used for. Three others were also indicted, along with non-profit group Children of Polynesia... SIX Honolulu residents were indicted today for welfare fraud. An O`ahu grand jury found them guilty of stealing more than $20,000 each, falsifying claims of income, assets or living arrangements to illegally extend public assistance payments. The six are Joseph Kahwai, Leona and Jose Lucero, Deborah Lesa, Dawn Naleiha and Alicia Pelekai... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 87/72, Kaua`i 83/71, Moloka`i 82/71, Maui 85/71, Hilo 84/68 CASTS: Some showers, trades to 25MPH; North and West shore surf to 3 feet. FRIDAY'S TIDES: High 6:31 p.m.; Low 11:44 a.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Wednesday, July 17, 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! ============================================================================= Subject: AMNESIA VICTIM'S IDENTITY NO LONGER A MYSTERY Philip Cutajar -- a former U.S. State Department diplomat turned substitute teacher -- once served as an adviser to President Bush, worked at the U.S. Embassy in London and graduated from New York's Columbia University with honors. But until yesterday, he didn't remember doing any of those things. After four months of investigation by Honolulu police and private investigators both here and in New York, the identity of an amnesia patient once known as William DeSouza appears to have been found. According to his family, Cutajar had given up his embassy job in Port au Prince in 1988 and left his home in Florida for points unknown. Cutajar's 36-year-old brother Robert said Cutajar told him he was going on a humanitarian mission in the Caribbean. Although he never wrote or called, family members say, no one thought his silence was unusual. Now, Robert Cutajar said, his family has to try and untangle the mystery of how he ended up in Hawai`i, and how he came to be found beaten and robbed on Kailua Beach in March. When Cutajar regained consciousness, amnesia apparently wiped away his identity. He thought his name was William DeSouza, and gave what he thought was his social security number. Both were wrong -- although now police have found the social security number he provided was fairly close to the right one. Cutajar, unable to remember more than 48 hours at a time, had been living at Castle Medical Center. Family members and police have refused comment on reports that Cutajar rented an apartment in Maryland soon after announcing his trip. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: LES MISERABLES RETURNING TO HAWAI`I The Broadway musical Les Miserables, which played to sold out crowds in Honolulu two years ago, is coming back to the islands. Producers today announced the 16-show run at Blaisdell Music Hall from Sept. 11 to 22, a two week engagement that could be extended to three if ticket sales are as overwhelming as they were last time. Although a return engagement was originally scheduled for last October, promoters later canceled it along with two other major musicals originally planned for the Hawai`i stage. "Honolulu loves Les Miz, and Les Miz loves Honolulu," said Richard Alexander, executive director of the traveling production. "I know that Hawaii's had some quite bad experiences and promises of shows coming but we're totally prepared to bring Les Miz strong and better than ever." Because Hawai`i was so receptive to the production in 1994, Alexander said he's pulling singer Craig Schulman from the Broadway production to revisit his role of Jean Valjean in the islands. "I'm just thrilled to death that Richard asked me to do it again," Schulman said today. Tony-award winning musical actress Lea Salonga will also headline the Honolulu cast. The Philippine-born Salonga, who had her debut on Broadway as the original star of the musical "Miss Saigon," will appear as Eponine. Alexander said no expense will be spared to reproduce the massive sets and stage design that musical-buffs enjoy in New York. "It's gonna be the top notch full scale Broadway production," he said. Open auditions for two key children's roles will be held at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow at the University of Hawaii's Orvis Auditorium. Ticket prices range from $30 to $79. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: HOTEL SEEKS PARDON FROM YOUNGSTERS Last month, the Wailuku Hongwanji Summer Fun program took 98 kids on a field trip to the Grand Wailua Resort, only to have them ejected from the pool. The program had paid $4,000 for a day of activities at the Maui hotel. Although Grand Wailea management was quick to apologize for the rude interruption, refunding the money and offering another visit on the house, the children weren't keen on a second tour. Tanya Ito-Shima, director of the summer fun program, said many kids were angry, and that some told her they'd go back only if their parents would go along. "Some of them were afraid to go back to any hotel," Ito-Shima told the _Honolulu Advertiser_. Enter Donn Takahashi, manager of the Maui Prince hotel. Fearing that the youngsters would grow up with an unfavorable impression of the hotel industry, Takahashi put together a day of summer fun at the Makena resort that could have made grown-up guests jealous. With hotel staff and officers volunteering their time and enthusiasm, 106 Wailuku children on Monday were treated to more activities than they could handle. Sand-castle building had to be put aside for flower arranging, painting, koi watching and feeding and cake decorating. Hotel managers manned grills, cooking a lunch of hot-dogs and burgers that was topped off with a dessert of shave ice. Takahashi said his staff had a great time, as did the kids, who Ito-Shimo believes have forgiven hoteliers. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BITS AND PIECES SEVERAL items stolen this week from St. Mark Church on Kapahulu have been returned after Honolulu police pulled over a truck in Kailua last night and found an air-conditioning unit in its bed. Although the driver fled on foot, police arrested a 37-year-old suspect after finding him with a computer in his lap with the church's name marked on it. Also recovered was the church's bank deposit bag. Over the weekend, burglars had taken just about everything from the church office. "Just about anything that wasn't nailed down," said pastor Bruce Betker. "But they didn't take any books or bibles..." ALANA Dung, a 2-year-old Leukemia patient from Nu`uanu, is this minute getting the gift of life. Dung began receiving healthy bone marrow from a Taiwanese donor late this afternoon, and the procedure -- comparable to a blood transfusion -- will take anywhere from 2 to 10 hours to complete. The operation is taking place in the girl's hospital room at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Wash. Jean Sanders, head of pediatrics at the center, hand-carried the marrow in a cooler on a morning flight from Taipei. She arrived at the hospital at about 2 p.m. in a taxi cab... POLICE are investigating a possible murder tonight after the discovery of a body today at the Ilikai Hotel. Police reported to the Ala Moana Boulevard hotel this morning after cleaning staff found more than unkempt sheets in a room on the 14th floor. Investigators say the victim was a 51-year-old Caucasian male, believed to be a language specialist from a Mainland college who was in Honolulu to attend a seminar at UH. The victim was last seen on Friday, and police believe he has been dead for about two days... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 90/74, Kaua`i 85/73, Moloka`i 83/71, Maui 87/72, Hilo 84/69 CASTS: Mostly sunny, trades to 25MPH; East shore surf to 4 feet. THURSDAY'S TIDES: High 5:57 p.m.; Low 11:01 a.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Tuesday, July 16, 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! ============================================================================= Subject: TOMORROW IS DAY ZERO FOR LITTLE ALANA 2-year-old Alana Dung underwent her second-to-last radiation and chemotherapy treatment today in preparation for a long-awaited bone marrow transplant. "Tomorrow is considered day zero," her father, Steven Dung, said. "It's finally coming and we're really really excited." The Nu`uanu girl, suffering from a rare form of leukemia, had inspired over 30,000 island residents to contribute to bone marrow registries earlier this year. Members of her family accompanied her to Seattle when she checked into the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center last month, where she is now finishing up a week of high- intensity radiation treatments that are needed to kill any remaining infections before the new marrow is infused. The radiation she's been subjected to this week is the most intense her body can withstand, Dung said. Although she was throwing up five times a day at one point, Dung said his daughter never complained. "We know she's getting the real stuff," he said. "It's just amazing that she's so resilient." Despite spending hours a day confined to a crib in a lead-lined room, her father says the girl's high spirits have never faltered. "Even when she's having a rough day, or even as we're finishing this radiation, the minute she sees you she will smile." A doctor from the center will hand-carry the anonymous donor's marrow -- to be extracted tonight -- from Taiwan to the operating room. The actual transplant will take place at about noon Hawai`i time. Although today was his wife's birthday, Dung said it might as well be his daughter's. "It's like a new birth with the new bone marrow entering her body." Doctors say if all goes well, Alana Dung has a 60 percent chance of remaining disease free. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: AMNESIA PATIENT'S FAMILY MAY HAVE BEEN FOUND A man who has been unable to remember who he is or why he's in Hawai`i may finally get some answers. Honolulu police today reported an interstate investigation has found what is believed to be the mystery man's family. "We spoke to, supposedly, his brother who resides in Florida," said HPD investigator Joe Self. "He assured me that's his brother because he recognized the voice." For now, police are using the name the amnesia victim thinks is his -- William DeSousa. According to police, a woman claiming to be the DeSousa's mother says her son has been missing since March, after he told them he was going to the Caribbean for humanitarian work -- perhaps with the U.S. Foreign Service. Both relatives have spoken to DeSousa, but so far he doesn't recognize them. Self said the identity police are trying to pin on DeSousa will not been released until a fingerprint match can be done. In March, DeSousa was found face-down in the sand on Kailua Beach. He was taken to Castle Medical Center, where his condition was determined to be good but some swelling in his brain was reported. When he regained consciousness, he told doctors he thought his name was William "Bill" DeSouza but couldn't remember much else. His name turned out to be a dead end. "If we find out this is his positive I.D., we know his name ain't William DeSousa, that's for sure," Self said. A story in Newsday, a New York publication, prompted investigators in Nassau County to contact Honolulu police, Self said. The most useful clues were those supplied by DeSouza when he first regained consciousness, he said. He has been living in Castle Medical Center housing since he was found. If his name is confirmed, police will try to find the hotel he checked into to see if any of his belongings can be recovered. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: JURY DISMISSES DEFENSE CLAIMS IN ROOMMATE MURDER Luis Castillo, 44, said he was only trying to fend off the sexual advances of his elderly roommate when he struck 63-year-old Boyd Petrie with a 2-by-4 last August. Prosecutors claimed Castillo maliciously struck Petrie with the piece of lumber to rob him for drug money. A Circuit Court jury yesterday rejected Castillo's claim that he acted in self-defense, convicting him of murder and bypassing a lesser charge of manslaughter. During the trial, Castillo said Petrie helped him when he was kicked out of his Kaka`ako home by his ex-wife, giving him money and a room in his Nu`uanu apartment. Despite their friendship, however, Castillo claimed Petrie soon started harassing him and asking for oral sex. City prosecutor Franklin Pacarro said the allegations of homosexuality and sexual advances were just an unsuccessful attempt to distract from the relevant facts in the case. Castillo had testified that after striking Petrie, he put a plastic bag over his head to keep the blood from staining the bed. Pacarro said his intent was to suffocate him. Medical witnesses disputed whether the blow to the skull was fatal, or if Petrie's death was the result of a combination of the injury and suffocation. Because the victim was over age 60, Castillo faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and could get life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 11. Deputy Public Defender Reginald Yee said an appeal is likely. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- FALLING just over 11 inches into a mis-aligned elevator at the airport was hazardous enough to win a 37-year-old woman an estimated $1 million in damages. The victim claims she was permanently disabled from the fall despite several operations. A jury this week found Hawaii Protective Association -- an airport security agency -- liable for most of the $150,000 claim, with the elevator company to pay 20 percent and the state 15 percent. State insurance investigators said the elevator doors opened before it was level with the floor, and that a guard with HPA had reported the problem days before the incident with no preventative action taken... NEARLY everything -- from an air-conditioner to a pencil-sharpener to a computer and fax machine -- was stolen from Kaneohe's St. Mark Lutheran Church earlier this week. In all, perpetrators took about $5,000 in equipment from the church, apparently using a glass cutter to get in and taking the time to steal anything of value. A chair, two calculators and the church seal are also missing. Honolulu police currently have no suspects. Pastor Bruce Betker said the burglars took enough supplies to run an office in the break- in, saying they were apparently "one-stop shopping." The church's insurance policy will cover replacement of the stolen goods... AFTER three days of looking, Coast Guard and Hawai`i County officials today called off a search for a University of Hawai`i-Hilo student who left last Wednesday on a spearfishing expedition and never returned home. 20-year-old Mark Cajski was reported missing on Friday, and on Sunday police found the 1972 Landrover he'd borrowed from a friend at Anaeho`omalu Beach Park. Big Island personnel were concentrating on the waters of Waikaloa. Cajski, a graduate of Damien High School, was described by friends to be an avid and experienced fisherman. Unless other leads turn up, Coast Guard officials say they will not resume the search... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 89/74, Kaua`i 84/72, Moloka`i 83/70, Maui 87/69, Hilo 82/69 CASTS: Mostly sunny, trades to 25MPH; South and East shore surf to 4 feet. WEDNESDAY'S TIDES: High 5:26 p.m.; Low 10:21 a.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Monday, July 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! ============================================================================= Subject: "GOLDEN BUDDHA" TRIAL BRINGS MARCOS JR. TO ISLES The son of late Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos testified in Circuit Court today that he never saw a solid gold, diamond-filled statue of Buddha that a treasure hunter -- now deceased -- claimed was stolen during the Marcos regime. Ferdinand "Bong Bong" Marcos Jr., 38, arrived in Honolulu yesterday to appear in the civil case, now in its third week. Lawyers representing the late Rogelio Roxas are seeking billions of dollars in damages for the alleged theft of discovered treasure. Roxas filed his lawsuit in 1992, claiming he found the buried statue in 1971 where a Japanese general had stashed it during World War II. According to Roxas, the treasure once belonged to Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, who reportedly pillaged Southeast Asia during the war. Roxas claimed soldiers under Marcos' rule took the treasure, then imprisoned and tortured him for over two years. Before he died in 1993, Roxas gave his claim to the treasure to a group of Atlanta investors that incorporated to form the Golden Buddha Corp. Attorneys for the Marcos estate say the statue never existed. "I've never seen a golden-colored Buddha," Marcos Jr. said. "I never saw gold except in jewelry." He said his father kept a lot of his wealth in the form of gold as a sign of his power. "It is important that one be perceived as having the wealth to be a political player," he said. "I think that applies to all politics but moreso in the Philippines." Marcos Jr. said he was looking forward to refuting the charges against his father, who was ousted in 1986 and died in the islands in exile in 1989. Marcos Jr. said he will be returning to the Philippines on Wednesday. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: STATE UNSURE WHO WILL PAY FOR DUMP CLEANUP State Health Department officials today reported finding no toxic material or fumes at the site of an illegal dump in Waianae that went up in flames last week. It took several fire companies over 900 man-hours to extinguish, and as the smoke clears the state is still left with the question of who will pay for the cleanup. Preliminary estimates put the cost at nearly $1 million. "We will be pursuing enforcement action against the landowner or landowners to assure the problem is dealt with aggressively," said department spokesman Bruce Anderson. Anderson admitted, however, that it's still unclear who the liable landowner is. The former owner of the Puhawai Road property had put it up for foreclosure, and the site is now technically owned by Bank of America. However, Anderson said, the bank is protected from having to pay for cleanup costs by state law. One thing Anderson said is clear is that taxpayers shouldn't have to foot the bill. He said testing the air and soil has already cost between $5,000 and $10,000, but those costs are covered by the Emergency Response Fund. With no health hazards found so far, the Fund shouldn't be used for the full cleanup, Anderson said. Meanwhile, a local topsoil company has expressed an interest in buying the property. David Souza of Island Topsoil said today that he will be offering $45,000 for the abandoned lot, and hoped to close the deal by next week. Souza asserted that he would not be paying for the cleanup either. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: 3-YEAR-OLD SAFE AFTER BUS ADVENTURE Jessica Fisher rode the city bus all by herself, and all she got was a T- shirt. The mother of the 3-year-old dropped the girl off at an aunt's this morning on her way to work. Much to her chagrin, police and reporters were on hand when she picked her daughter up -- at the bus depot. "Everything came out all right," said Honolulu police Sgt. Gary Nihipali. "The child is safe, that's the most important thing." Fisher's adventure began at about 9 a.m. this morning when her aunt reportedly fell asleep. Fisher wandered out of the yard and to a bus stop at the corner of Gulick Avenue and School Street. With her aunt's purse and about $26 in cash, she boarded a city bus. The driver didn't think anything of the young passenger. "When little Jessica got on the bus with an older boy, the driver assumed they were together," TheBus driver Roger Morton said. Fisher rode the bus to the end of the line, and disembarked at the terminal on Middle Street. "One of our employees simply noticed a young girl by herself," said TheBus spokeswoman Marilynne Nascimento. Police were called, and Fisher was given a company shirt. The lost girl's plight was announced on local radio station KSSK, and her mother heard it. Ducking the press, she picked her daughter up and took her home. Fisher told reporters she just wanted to ride the bus on her own, but when asked why replied, "I don't know." The aunt who was supposed to be watching the girl was a teenager, Nihipali said, and was warned to be more careful. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BITS AND PIECES CITING unspecified health problems, Hawai`i Democratic Party Chair Richard Port announced on Saturday that he would be resigning his position. Port's announcement came as a surprise to many, noting that he was elected to a second term at the helm of the party two months ago. While a party committee considers a successor, local lawmakers praised Port's accomplishments and dedication. Rep. Dennis Arakaki said Port's courage and conviction will be missed by the party's leadership. Although his health problems are reportedly not life-threatening, Port has made no public comment about his condition... AFTER successfully using the full-closure strategy to resurface parts of the H-1 freeway last month, state Department of Transportation officials have announced that all but one lane of Likelike Highway will be shut down during the next two Sundays for various repairs. Between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. on July 21 and 28, all Kaneohe-bound lanes and one town-bound lane will be blocked off as state workers tackle long-overdue maintenance projects en masse. The state hopes to get drains cleared, guardrails repaired, streetlights replaced and trees trimmed during the shutdown... POLICE today arrested a 14-year-old boy suspected in the pellet-gun shooting of two elderly Kailua residents earlier this year. A man and woman suffered minor injuries after a "pellet-gun sniper" fired at them along Uluniu Street in March. The suspect, a Kalaheo High School student, had a prior arrest record but denied the shootings, police say. The boy was released pending further investigation, and faces second-degree assault charges... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 88/74, Kaua`i 84/72, Moloka`i 83/71, Maui 87/69, Hilo 83/69 CASTS: Cloudy, light rains, traes to 25MPH; all shore surf to 3 feet. MONDAY'S TIDES: High 4:55 p.m.; Low 9:45 a.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Friday, July 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! ============================================================================= Subject: COURT REFUSES MOTION TO SET ASIDE ETHICS LAW A Circuit Court judge today turned down a motion filed on behalf of mayoral candidate Arnold Morgado which sought a temporary restraining order against a 1994 campaign ethics law. Morgado's supporters claim the city law restricting campaign contributions was engineered by Mayor Jeremy Harris to discourage people from supporting Morgado's campaign. The law makes it illegal for a contractor or other lobbyist awarded city contracts or permits to support an election campaign within two years. Dan Foley, Morgado's attorney, said the law is unconstitutional. "Mr. Morgado and his campaign have the right to associate with these people and this ordinance prohibits them," Foley said. City Attorney Mark Bennet argued that the law is a long-needed measure to restore the public's trust in government. "Members of the public have the perception that elected city officers give preferential treatment to special interests which make substantial campaign contributions," Bennet said. "This perception must be dispelled." In May, Harris supporters cried foul when local contractor Dennis Mitsunaga -- who had recently received several contracts with the city -- was actively involved in Morgado's campaign. The motion refused today would have given Morgado 10 days of immunity from prosecution under the law so that his campaign could accept contributions it currently deems illegal. An injunction in the case will be heard later this month, when representatives for all parties involved will appear in court. Morgado's suit names Harris, City Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro and state Attorney General Margery Bronster. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: CONVENTION CENTER CONSTRUCTION IRKS SOME While construction of the Hawai`i Convention Center is racing along, people living near the site are fed up with the traffic and noise. A group of representatives from the surrounding neighborhood held a press conference today urging the state to recognize and fix problems more quickly. Earlier this year, pile-drivers shook the ground and rattled windows for weeks. "They were really driving people insane down there," said Waikiki resident Mary Jane-McMurdo, who like many complained to the state and endured the ruckus for weeks before the contractor shielded and muffled the noise. Now, Hawaiian Electric is in the midst of major installation and renovation work under Kapi`olani, closing off lanes of the major thoroughfare every day. The maze of cones and blocked sidewalks are just asking for disaster, Jane-McMurdo said. "I would say the Convention Center Authority has been very lucky that we haven't lost somebody along that road," she said. Tourists and residents blocked from walking into Waikiki around the site perimeter are still darting across Kapi`olani, residents say. Center authority spokesman Alan Hayashi said he's working to address their concerns, proposing the addition of a temporary traffic light and hiring a security guard to keep people from crossing Kapi`olani on the wrong side. Though in favor of the ideas, the Convention Center Community Network wants progress now. "If they continue to operate in dealing with the community at the speed they are currently operating at," group spokesman Jack Levin said, "nothing will ever happen." The group plans to kick off a petition campaign next week. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: ILLEGAL WAIANAE DUMP BURNS, SOME EVACUATED Fire fighters are still working to extinguish a fire in an empty lot off Puhawai Road in Waianae. The first call reporting the rubbish fire came in last night shortly after 9:30 p.m., and nearby residents reported hearing explosions. Fearing that hazardous materials may be involved, fire department officials evacuated at least 10 residents from the area. The Red Cross arranged for evacuees to spend the night at the Waianae Community Center. "At lest they gave us a place to stay," resident Bill Kingerly said. "We weren't left out on the streets." Fire crews were called in from Manoa to Olomana to battle the blaze. "We did a scene assessment, atmospheric testing with our team," said fire battalion chief John Coe. "Their recommendation was for us to go in with our full protection equipment." Coe said the property was definitely being used as an illegal dump. Neighbors said the property owner had been misusing the lot since she acquired it 10 years ago. The owner, Sebrina Grace, reportedly claims she's been trying to clean the property for years. Others disagree. "She's baloney," said Rose Acosta, a Puhawai resident for 43 years. "Big dump trucks would go sometimes 15, 20 times a day." Acosta said the fire could be just what the neighborhood needs. "It's good now, maybe something can be done about it," she said. According to state Health Department spokesman Bruce Anderson, responsibility for the cleanup is up in the air as Grace had filed for bankruptcy and the bank had initiated foreclosure proceedings. Sale of the property was expected today, Anderson said, but the buyer dropped out this morning. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: FIREFIGHTER, WIFE ARRESTED IN DRUG INVESTIGATION A Honolulu firefighter and his wife were arrested last night and booked on several drug and drug paraphernalia charges following an 8 p.m. search of their Waihawa home. After a two month police investigation, 52-year-old Conrad Buenconsejo and his 35-year-old wife Velvet Buenconsejo are suspected of running a "good sized" drug operation. Narcotics officers found 1 ounce of cocaine, 3 grams of crystal methamphetamine (or "ice"), 10 grams of marijuana and several pipes and small scales in the home. Also confiscated were swords, cameras, jewelry, stereos, televisions and a 22-caliber handgun with the serial number filed off. Over $750 in food stamps were also recovered. Police say judging by the amount of goods found, the volume of drugs involved is a sizable one. Conrad Buenconsejo is currently on leave for unrelated reasons from his new position with the fire department's training bureau. Deputy Fire Chief Attilio Leonardi said he was "surprised and shocked" by Buencosejo's arrest. "We have probably the strictest of drug testing programs in the state, and we've had it for 4 years," Attilio said. "We don't tolerate drugs in the department." Buenconsejo is a 24-year veteran of the fire department, having recently served at the Nanakuli Fire Station. Attilio said the department will probably wait for the outcome of the police investigation before looking into any internal action. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: A NOTE TO READERS On Sunday, the UH Office of Information and Technology Services will be performing a major upgrade of the "listproc" mailing-list software on the university system. I am already trying to familiarize myself with the minor changes in list administration and new features provided in the new version. Hopefully the work will be completely invisible to subscribers, but things on my end may be a little hairy for a while. One feature that you should be aware of will be fully automated subscription cancellations for subscribers whose accounts bounce or otherwise generate errors when messages go out. With the number of recipients on the Hawai`i NewsList (arguably one of the largest hosted by the generous folks at UH ITS), every item sent out results into at least twenty messages coming back at me, which require manual compilation and repair. The automated system will be a godsend for me, but may be an inconvenience if your system happens to be unreachable one day or if your mailbox is known to plug up. For this I apologize. Note that I will also be combing through the subscriber list to remove BITNET users, who as of next month will no longer be reachable from the UH mail server. If you're getting HNL reports on a BITNET account, please unsubscribe now. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- SUBJECT: BITS AND PIECES RESIDENTS in Hawai`i are not as healthy or fit as some may think. According to a survey by the state Health Department, about half of the island population lead sedentary lives. Over 52 percent of Hawaii's women don't exercise regularly, while among men the figure is 43 percent. Overall, over 20 percent of adults in the state responded that they participate in no physical activities during leisure time, although physical activity among begins to rebound upwards at age 65. State Health Director Lawrence Miike announced the results yesterday in conjunction with a similar report issued by the U.S. Surgeon General... WHILE getting her Big Island mayoral bid off the ground, Hawai`i County Council Chairwoman Keiko Bonk this week was hit with allegations of violating ethics laws by hiring her boyfriend, Michael Christopher, for a city job with a $49,000 salary. The charge, stemming from a complaint by former council candidate Bob Lerro, was dismissed on Wednesday due to a procedural error. Lerro plans to resubmit his complaint next week. Although Christopher is not married to Bonk, Lerro claims he qualifies as a family member and should not be granted special privileges... AFTER examining the process used to conduct the Native Hawaiian Vote, an international human rights group concluded that the vote is vulnerable to fraud and will support a resolution urging the state to call it off. The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization came to the islands on the invitation of Ka Lahui Hawai`i, a Hawaiian sovereignty group which has been a longtime opponent of the state-funded vote. Representatives with the Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council, the agency responsible for conducting the vote, questioned the objectivity of the organization, pointing out that Ka Lahui leader Mililani Trask also serves as its vice chair... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 86/81, Kaua`i 84/70, Moloka`i 83/81, Maui 87/70, Hilo 82/69 CASTS: Sunny and clear, trades to 20MPH; North shore surf to 4 feet. SATURDAY'S TIDES: High -:-- p.m.; Low -:-- a.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Thursday, July 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! ============================================================================= Subject: FASI ANNOUNCES NINTH MAYORAL BID Frank Fasi today officially announced that he will be running for mayor of Honolulu, saying he's dissatisfied with the job Mayor Jeremy Harris -- formerly his Managing Director -- has done. "He doesn't tell the truth, he has no record," Fasi said at a press conference this morning. "All he has done is been a stand in for two years and not too good at that." Harris succeeded Fasi after Fasi resigned as mayor in 1994 in an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid. Fasi said Harris was partly to blame for his loss to Ben Cayetano. Harris promised to support him during the governor's race, Fasi said. "He would have been doing the job honorably and in the right manner and I'd be helping him." Instead, Fasi claims Harris broke his word, adding that he would probably not have run for governor if Harris refused to back him. Harris disagreed. "I think I was on the news during that period saying he was the best candidate and I was going to support him," Harris said, "But I'm not going to get in this mudslinging with Mr. Fasi." The rivalry between the Fasi and Harris campaign is seen as a potential boost for Arnold Morgado, who also wants to be Honolulu's next mayor. "With Frank Fasi coming in I don't think any candidate is going to get 51 percent of the vote," Morgado said. "It's going to be a longer race." Fasi has already been elected and re-elected as mayor six times out of eight tries; his first win was in 1960. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: MORGADO CAMP SUES OVER CAMPAIGN ETHICS LAW Claiming a law implemented by Mayor Jeremy Harris in 1994 was engineered to discourage people from backing Arnold Morgado's mayoral campaign, Morgado supporters today filed a lawsuit against Harris, City Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro and state Attorney General Margery Bronster. Bill Meheula, Morgado Campaign Chair, said the campaign contribution law is vague and should be overturned. "Jeremy Harris knows its unconstitutional and yet he attempted to have Morgado criminally prosecuted [under it]," Meheula said. The law prohibits contributions or campaign help from anyone who is seeking government work or approval. Two months ago, Harris supporters pointed out that local contractor Dennis Mitsunaga was actively involved in Morgado's campaign, recently receiving several contracts from the city. "The reason why Jeremy Harris attempted to do this is to try to discourage supporters from supporting Arnold Morgado," Meheula said. "It is having an effect." Dan Foley, Morgado's attorney, said people who would support Morgado are now afraid of Harris' scrutiny. "People are afraid to hold a sign for Arnold Morgado for fear or prosecution -- or to give money or to make phone calls or participate in a picnic," Foley said. Harris, however, said Morgado is just looking to get out of following city rules. "I think that Mr. Morgado should be ashamed for trying to avoid prosecution by suing the prosecutor and the attorney general to try to get in a position where he alone doesn't have to follow the campaign ethics law," Harris said. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: SUMMIT WITH MAYOR A LECTURE, GANG MEMBERS SAY Members of a Waipahu gang met with Mayor Jeremy Harris today, telling him that they feel Honolulu police were just "headhunting" when 16-year-old fellow gang member Jarred Fe Benito was killed in a police shootout last month. "Why they had shoot so much times?" gang member Mark Marino asked. "They wanted for kill him, that's why." Fe Benito was driving a stolen car when police stopped him on June 7. Officers opened fire when Fe Benito suddenly reversed towards an officer. The youths told the mayor that warning shots should have been fired, and claimed a history of harassment by police officers. After the meeting, Harris said had only one thing to say. "My message was loud and clear and simple," Harris said. "We're not going to tolerate any retaliation, any threats, any violence against any police officer." Weeks after Fe Benito's death, another stolen car was found near Ewa Beach with threats against police scratched into the paint. The gang reportedly used the car for their message because it was the last car Fe Benito allegedly stole. The gang said today's meeting was unproductive and frustrating, and that Harris clearly just wanted to lecture rather than listen. "When we was telling him about the police brutality, he never talk about that -- just talking about us threatening them," Marino said. "Why he never tell us about the police brutality?" Youth counselor Sid Rosen, who helped arrange the meeting, said he saw their point of view but still felt the summit was a success. "The boys had their say," Rosen said. "I think that the mayor felt an obligation to make a statement upholding law and order... but I think he was very attentive to their concerns." -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: DANNO MAY BE REVIVED ON THE BIG SCREEN Although it's not the first time someone has suggested making the long- running television show "Hawaii Five-O" into a movie, one Hollywood producer is betting he can pull it off. According to the Hawai`i Film Office, film producer George Litto is making plans to begin shooting the crossover picture in the islands as early as next year. If arrangements with investors and other backers are finalized, the production could bring $10 million into Hawaii's economy. Georgette Deemer, spokeswoman for the film office, said setting the movie in the islands will be the most valuable part. Deemer said movies filmed in Hawai`i, such as the upcoming Brady Bunch sequel, can be seen as 90-minute promotional material that can boost island tourism. Litto is hoping the movie will be a major production, and estimates it could bring in $50 to $70 million. In an interview with the _Honolulu Advertiser_, Litto said he was looking for input from fans of the show on who to cast in the various roles. James MacArther and Kam Fong, who starred in "Hawai`i Five-O," have said they would consider cameo or other roles if they're asked. Litto said he hopes to reproduce as much of the style and look of the series in the movie -- theme song and catch phrases included. "Hawai`i Five-O," which aired from 1968 to 1980, is the longest-running police series in history. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BITS AND PIECES DANCERS with the local group "Island Breeze" left for Atlanta today to appear at the 1996 Olympics. They will perform at the Olympic Village on opening day, then perform at several venues in the city for the remainder of the games. The Big Island troupe formed in 1982, and has performed at the Merrie Monarch hula festival. The group was selected in February for the prestigious exhibition of world cultures. "Island Breeze" will represent the many faces of the South Pacific. "What we try to convey is really the heart of each culture," member Kealoha Kaopua said... ALTHOUGH state tax collections for the month of June were down $14.6 million or 7.1 percent from the same period last year, officials aren't frowning. Even with last month's low state tax revenues, the total collected this year overall is $166 million more than in 1996 -- an increase of 6.4 percent. Favorable revenue figures are believed to be behind Gov. Ben Cayetano's revised list of budget restrictions for the current fiscal year, reportedly reducing the size of cuts that will be handed down to state agencies including the University of Hawai`i... CHAUNCEY HATA, 16, was officially charged and arrested yesterday for auto theft and criminal property damage. Hata was one of three boys who were stopped by police while riding in a stolen car near Pearlridge. When they attempted to flee, police opened fire on the car. Hata was hit by three bullets, but escaped on foot and sought medical attention on his own. The driver, 16-year-old Jarred Fe Benito, was killed in the altercation. The third passenger, 17-year-old Sundance Cambra, was not injured... DANIEL Inouye, U.S. senator, announced today that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved an $18.2 million budget package for various Hawai`i projects. Among the items included in the bill include $16 million to complete construction of the Spark Matsunaga veteran's health care facility near Tripler Medical Center. Also included, funds for the Ala Wai Canal watershed improvement program and the National Science Foundation... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 87/72, Kaua`i 84/71, Moloka`i 84/70, Maui 88/70, Hilo 83/71 CASTS: Partly cloudy, trades to 20MPH; South, west shore surf to 3 feet. FRIDAY'S TIDES: High -:-- p.m.; Low -:-- a.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Wednesday, July 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! ============================================================================= Subject: FINAL CUTS TO UH, STATE MAY BE SMALLER Although the numbers aren't confirmed, several state departments may be getting some reprieve from budget cuts initially proposed earlier this year. The University of Hawai`i, which was first told to expect a cut of $14 million for the 1996-97 fiscal year, has been told by the Governor's office that it should instead plan for a $10 million reduction. UH President Kenneth Mortimer has declined comment, but said he plans to make a formal budget announcement at this month's meeting of the UH Board of Regents. University officials say they are concerned that UH may still end up taking a large share of Cayetano's total restrictions package. According to wire and newspaper reports, the final budget restrictions for other state departments will also be smaller than expected. The package of restrictions set by the governor are in addition to the $130 million cut systemwide by the Legislature earlier this year. Funding for the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism will be reduced by 5 percent, losing over $4 million from its $43.5 million budget. The Hawaii Visitor's Bureau, however, will get to keep $2 million that the governor initially planned to cut. The Labor Department will lose $126,000 from its $25 million budget, and the Agriculture Department's $13 million will be cut by $117,000. Despite the widely reported figures, state Budget Director Earl Anzai said yesterday that the media is acting prematurely, and that some of the numbers are inaccurate. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BEACHGOERS FACE DOUBLE RASH ATTACK On Oahu's south shores, the regular swarms of box jellyfish arrived this morning in larger numbers than usual. Off Kailua Beach, state health officials have found toxic seaweed floating in the water. Both developments are adding up to a perilous week for those hoping to splash in the surf. Jellyfish stings sent at least two people to the hospital today, according to city officials. Because they were stung while swimming sometime around 3 a.m., signs warning of the pests' presence hadn't been put up yet. In addition, said lifeguard Paul Merino, no lifeguards were present to provide treatment. The victims eventually had to be taken to the hospital for shots, he said. The swarms of box jellyfish arrive in Hawaii's southern waters -- almost like clockwork -- 10 days after a full moon. This month, Merino said, the swarms are larger than usual. Meanwhile, "swimmers itch" has struck swimmers who went into the ocean off Kailua and the Kaneohe Marine Base this week. State health officials say a toxic algae called microcoleus lyngbyaceus is causing the irritation, which can range from rashes to blisters and often causes inflammation around the eyes. Marine officials say the seaweed often separates into small strands that get caught in bathing suits. State officials say the algae is thriving because of unusual ocean and climate conditions, and should dissipate within a week. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: GANG MEMBERS, MAYOR AGREE TO SUMMIT Twelve members of a Waipahu gang will meet with Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris tomorrow to air their grievances over the shooting death of one of their members last month. Jarred Fe Benito, 16, was killed by Honolulu police June 7 while attempting to flee several officers in a stolen car. The summit was arranged by local youth outreach counselors, who say gang members are looking for a chance to present their view of the antagonism between gangs and police. Local gang members think of the police department as just another gang, said Sid Rosen, a counselor with Adult Friends for Youth. Fe Benito's death has many gang members feeling angry and others feeling vengeful and talking of retaliation. "I think it's foolish not to consider it seriously," Rosen said. "Certainly we know that a lot of these youth have the potential for violence." Police were already wary of that possibility when another stolen car was discovered on July 3. The car was left in plain view with death threats against HPD and the officer who shot Fe Benito scratched into the paint. "Their feeling is that their friend was murdered and that the action of shooting him was completely unnecessary," Rosen said. The gang members attending tomorrow's meeting will bring ideas of how to mend relations with police, he said. Five gang members arrested and later released in the second stolen car case will not be among those present. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: YOSHIDA ENTERS RACE FOR CITY PROSECUTOR Randall Yoshida today formally filed to run for Honolulu City Prosecutor. His friends and family accompanied him this morning to the city clerk's office, where he paid the appropriate fees and said, "It's official." Yoshida, who will leave his private law practice for the campaign, said he was frustrated with the ineffectiveness of the prosecutor's office. Yoshida served as the office's division chief for eight years until an unsuccessful bid for prosecutor in 1988. Yoshida said the city's legal and law-enforcement system just isn't working. If elected, Yoshida said he will work aggressively bring down property and violent crimes. "With strict prosecution against drug dealers and gang leaders, we will bring down the crime rate," he said. "I'm convinced of that." Education programs to keep children from criminal activities will also priority of his administration, he said. Yoshida has also been a longtime advocate of legislation that would make criminals pay full restitution to victims. "I know we can push back the tide of rising crime and make sure that this community is safe," he said. Yoshida is the second person to file to run for city prosecutor. David Arakawa made his bid official two months ago. Meanwhile, local attorney Peter Carlisle is expected to file for candidacy within the month. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BITS AND PIECES MAKING a phone call to a neighbor island will never be the same. As of today, Hawai`i residents can now choose and use one of four long distance carriers without having to first dial a five-digit access code. Last year, MCI, Sprint and AT&T officially entered the market, but because GTE Hawaiian Tel had monopolized transmission lines, customers would have to enter a code to select any other carrier. Now use of a competing service will be automatic provided residents specifically ask to leave GTE. The development is expected to set off a price war that will mean lower costs for customers. Hawai`i is the last state that to comply with federal regulations, which mandate open competition in intrastate long-distance telephone service... OVERTURNING a ruling by a lower court, the state Supreme Court today told Wendy Touchette that she can sue the wife of the man who killed her family. In its ruling, the court said Mabel Ganal was partially responsible for the actions of her husband, Orlando Ganal. Touchette was the only survivor of an arson attack by Orlando Ganal in August 1991. The fire killed Touchette's husband, their two children and Mabel Ganal's parents. Orlando Ganal has already been convicted for the killings. Mabel Ganal was reportedly having an extramarital affair with Touchette's brother-in-law, and taunted her husband with it. Touchette had to undergo massive reconstructive surgery due to the burns and other injuries she suffered in the blaze... FEDERAL regulations require that highway overpasses be built no lower than 16 feet. Those rules, however, came after the Gulick Avenue overpass was built over the H-1 freeway. Yesterday, he driver of a Marine Corps tractor-trailer discovered just how low Hawai`i bridges go when the vehicle struck the overpass and was stopped cold. Although the trailer wasn't unusually tall, the Gulick bridge stands just under 14 feet over the freeway below. Local trucking companies say they are very familiar with the overpass, as their drivers often must take a short detour off H-1 to avoid it. Another Marine truck had crashed into the Gulick overpass two years ago... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 88/74, Kaua`i 84/72, Moloka`i 84/72, Maui 90/71, Hilo 84/70 CASTS: Partly cloudy, trades to 25MPH; North shore surf to 3 feet. THURSDAY'S TIDES: High 2:16 p.m.; Low 6:41 a.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Tuesday, July 9, 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! ============================================================================= Subject: HELICOPTER, PLANE COLLIDE DURING VIDEO SHOOT A helicopter used to film a commercial for a private flight school collided with a single-engine plane yesterday afternoon off Kahala Beach. The three- person video team and pilot in the helicopter escaped with their lives moments before it crashed and sank in 75 feet of water. The plane landed safely at Honolulu International Airport with three feet of its right wing missing. Japanese crew members Kioshi Matsunaga and Hideo Sasaki and Katsuhita Uto of Hawai`i Kai were treated for minor injuries and released. Matsunaga said after they hit the plane, the pilot -- Atsushi Ohara -- managed to keep them in the air for a few moments before splashdown. Those seconds gave them a chance to put on life vests, Matsunaga said, saying he and his fellow passengers were "very lucky." The fire department rescue helicopter successfully plucked them from the water with a suspended basket less than half an hour later. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there were three aircraft flying in formation off Oahu's south shore to film a commercial for Cosmo Flying School. They were cruising side by side at about 1,000 feet when the collision occurred. The third airplane was not hit, officials say. A standard FAA investigation is being initiated, said inspector Jeffrey Weller, but it is unlikely that it will result in tighter rules or penalties. The flight crews knew what they were doing, Weller said. "Just as in making movies, there is a certain amount of risk," he said. This past weekend, Cosmo instructor Tim Strickland was forced to land another plane in waters off the island of Lana`i when a malfunctioning fuel gauge reported more fuel than was actually on board. Strickland was not injured. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: STATE OWES OHA $200 MILLION, JUDGE RULES Under a 1990 law, the Office Hawaiian Affairs is entitled to 20 percent of all revenues generated on most ceded Native Hawaiian lands. Under a ruling yesterday in a federal court, OHA is therefore entitled to the same share of money made from rent at certain public housing projects, sales at Duty Free stores at the airport and in Waikiki and payments collected at Hilo Hospital on the Big Island. If the ruling stands, the state may end up owing $200 million to OHA. "That's very satisfying," said Clayton Hee, OHA chair. "Revenues which by law are entitlements to Native Hawaiians now must be accounted for by the state, and be paid for the betterment of the conditions of Native Hawaiians." The case will now go to trial to determine exactly how much is owed. In his ruling, Heely also determined that the state violated rules governing the use of money made at the airport, which by law can only be used for airport operations. That may mean the state will have to pay an additional 20 percent of airport revenues back to the federal fund. Gov. Ben Cayetano said yesterday's ruling will definitely be appealed. "Clearly what it means is we're either going to have to find more revenue or the cost of providing these services will just go up," Cayetano said. "It will be a burden on everyone else." He pointed out that if state laws requires airport money to go to OHA, they violate federal law. The governor put some of the blame for the predicament on the state Senate, which he said failed to take decisive action on clarifying the law. The state already paid OHA $135 million in 1993 for revenues generated on other ceded properties between 1981 and 1990; OHA may also file to collect on money collected since. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: TEEN PULLS MAN FROM HIGH-RISE FIRE Residents of the Kahala Tower Apartments discovered that one of the units in their building was on fire by watching traffic on the freeway. Cars driving along the H-1 freeway slowed and some stopped as drivers saw smoke billowing from the building looming nearby. The burning apartment belonged to 79-year- old Henry Mortara, who first tried to put the fire out himself. He said he found his bedroom filled with smoke and the blankets on his bed in flames. "I've been suffering from vertigo for several months -- by the time I got my cane and tried to move around I couldn't go very fast," Mortara said today. "Trying to get buckets of water, I didn't get very far. Finally I decided to make my way out to the lanai." Just as Mortara was beginning to make his way through the smoke-filled living room, his 17-year-old neighbor pulled him to safety. Conrad Takenami, who lived in the apartment directly above Mortara's, shuns the title of hero. "The place was covered with smoke, so I just pulled Henry out," Takenami recalled. "I was first scared because when I saw his color he was all black." Mortara remains in good condition today in Straub Hospital. Mortara said he used to smoke, but after yesterday's scare he will quite cold turkey. Fire investigators have not determined the cause of the fire, but estimate damage near $100,000. His wife, Connie Mortara, told reporters that her initial terror upon hearing the news didn't last too long. "I walked in the emergency room [and] he's sitting there kind of dusty, joking with a lovely nurse," she said. "I knew he was fine -- that's Henry." -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: CITY COUNCIL DOES THE SHUFFLE With a few grumbles and gritted teeth, three Honolulu City Council members yesterday called in friends and movers to relocate their offices a few steps to their new places in City Hall. Council Chair John DeSoto ordered councilman Andy Mirikitani to move into the office of councilman Steve Holmes, who in turn moved into the office of Rene Mansho, who would then take Mirikitani's original spot. DeSoto said the office shuffle is the best solution he could come up with to ease tensions between Colleen Sakai, his chief aide, and Mirikitani. The move puts Mirikitani in the furthest office from Sakai's -- an increase in distance of about 20 feet. "They don't want movement, I don't want movement," DeSoto conceded yesterday. "But I had to do it to ensure the safety of a female employee." Sakai filed a police report last month claiming she was verbally attacked by Mirikitani. The charge prompted DeSoto to initially order Mirikitani to move to the City Hall Watchtower, which Mirikitani refused and threatened to counter with a lawsuit. Instead, Mirikitani, DeSoto and Sakai agreed to mediation. Those talks broke down last week, leaving many concerned over the estimated $2,400 price tag. DeSoto, however, said it was worth it. "$175 an hour is just peanuts compared to what the city might have been sued [for by Sakai] if I didn't do anything about it," he said. Councilman Rene Mansho tried to make the move as painless as possible. "I'm hoping to be positive coming out of this," she said. Councilman Steve Holmes was less than pleased. "I certainly did not want Rene Mansho's office," he said. "If we hadn't had a need to put Andy in my office, we wouldn't have been moving." -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BITS AND PIECES CANADIAN visitors were central to a 4.4 percent increase in visitors to Hawai`i seen in the first four months of this year, the Hawai`i Visitors Bureau reported this week. Tourists from Canada were up 27 percent compared to the same period in 1995, a large increase that countered a drop in the number of Asian visitors. Despite an increase in the number of visitors from Japan, travelers from the East were down overall because of huge drops in figures from Korea and the Philippines. Thanks to recent increases in the number of available airline seats coming into the islands, the HVB is hopeful about the rest of the summer despite competition from the Olympics... ALANA Dung will begin an intensive series of chemotherapy and radiation treatments tomorrow, as her bone marrow transplant operation -- scheduled for next Wednesday -- draws near. The 2-year-old leukemia patient has already undergone several low-level treatments to clear diseases and prevent other complications. The next few treatments are much more intense, required to destroy cancerous marrow before she's able to receive new marrow. Once the high-dose treatments begin, there will be no going back for the Nu`uanu girl. She is in satisfactory condition and reportedly in good spirits tonight at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle... KEIKO Bonk, chair of the Hawai`i County Council, announced today that she will be running for Big Island Mayor as a member of the Green Party. Bonk hopes to unseat Mayor Steve Yamashiro, who said he plans to run for re- election. Currently, there are three democratic candidates, one republican and one non-partisan who have filed papers to run for mayor... CORRECTIONS: The headline in a story in yesterday's edition of Ka `Upena Kukui was incorrect, although the article was accurate. The headline should have read "alcohol related traffic deaths hit 49 percent." Also, the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund is not working with the Friends of the Red Road. The defense fund's involvement was wrongly reported in the Jun. 28 edition. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 85/73, Kaua`i 83/71, Moloka`i 84/72, Maui 86/71, Hilo 84/69 CASTS: Sunny with isolated rains; surf on most shores to peak at 3 feet. WEDNESDAY'S TIDES: High 1:37 p.m.; Low 8:43 p.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Monday, July 8, 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! ============================================================================= Subject: GROUPS PUSH HAWAII BID FOR USS MISSOURI Honolulu is among three American cities hoping to be the final home port of a World War II battleship, its presence likely bringing $9 million a year in tourism alone to the local economy. The Navy is expected to decide this summer whether San Francisco, Bremerton, Wash. or Pearl Harbor will get the USS Missouri, the ship on which the Japanese emperor formally surrendered to the U.S. more than half a century ago. The USS Missouri Memorial Association, a Hawai`i-based group of veterans and retired military officers, last month unveiled its master plan for the ship's place in the islands. Ed Carter, head of the association, said the group has lined up over $6 million in donations and private loans to build a memorial park for the Missouri. The facility, which would feature a museum, visitors' center and other exhibits, would also touch on the history of the USS Arizona and the USS Bowfin. Its construction is expected to cost between $15 and $25 million. With the pivotal role Hawaii plays in America's military past, Carter said, the Navy couldn't pick a better home for the Missouri. Its presence would make Hawaii's "Battleship Row" an even more complete picture of the Navy's efforts during World War II, he said, which was set off by Japan's Dec. 7, 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor. U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye issued a statement last week supporting Hawaii's bid, saying the USS Missouri belongs alongside the memorial for the sunken USS Arizona. "The two together represent the beginning and the end of World War II," he said. "Hawaii is the ideal location for this majestic ship." -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: RENTAL CAR CLAIMS TANGLED BY FEDERAL COURT The burden of tracking down the driver of a rental car involved in an accident now falls on the shoulders of the other parties involved rather than on the rental car company. Under a recent ruling by federal judge David Ezra, rental agencies were released from much of their accountability in accidents involving their vehicles. For residents of Hawai`i, the change means having to find visitors from other states or even countries on their own in order to seek damages or injury claims. Local attorneys who specialize in accident litigation say Japanese laws in particular create major barriers to recovering costs. Although the federal ruling would not necessarily supersede state laws that hold rental car companies responsible for finding drivers, proposals that would enact them failed to pass the Legislature last session. Insurers of rental agencies say the ruling was justified, the industry having long backed holding drivers at fault. However others charge shift isn't practical. Wayne Metcalf, state insurance commissioner, said last week that rental car companies have far greater resources to expend on finding its out- of-state customers than the average Hawai`i motorist. The Honolulu police department says it hasn't compiled specific records on the number of accidents that involve rental cars. An appeal of the ruling has already been filed. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: PLANTS MUST BE KILLED TO STOP VIRUS, STATE SAYS Every three days, state agriculture officials say, a new virus infection is discovered in a banana plant somewhere on the Big Island. So far, the "banana bunchy-top virus" -- spread primarily by aphids -- has been found at nearly 100 spots in Hawai`i County, forcing officials and residents to kill well over 500 infected plants. The swiftly spreading plant pandemic has prompted the state to declare an outright war against the virus, which poses a serious threat to the Big Island's $5 million a year banana crops. This week, the agriculture department has called upon the residents of Kailua-Kona to inspect their banana plants for tell-tale signs of the virus: white dust under leaves, shorter and stiffer leaves and an absence of bananas. If they find infected plants, state officials say, they should call the state and leave the extermination to them. Agriculture division head Wayne Kobayashi told the _Honolulu Advertiser_ that a quarantine of banana plant exports from the West Hawaii district is in the works, on top of an existing ban on plants being sent to any other island from O`ahu. Until last year, the virus was confined to Honolulu. The first outbreak on the Big Island was reported in August. The virus is believed to be part of the reason Oahu's banana crops have dropped by nearly 30 percent in under seven years, Kobayashi said. Neighborhoods under alert include Sea View, Kilohana and Hualalai Road. Hawaii County residents should call 933-4447. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: ALCOHOL-LINKED TRAFFIC DEATHS UP 49 PERCENT Hawai`i ranks eighth in the nation in alcohol-related road fatalities, according to a report recently released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Drinking was involved in 49.1 percent of all traffic deaths last year, an increase of 0.7 percent since 1994. According to the local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the figure represents the 64 people who have died as either passengers or pedestrians on Hawaii's streets. Maui County alone saw alcohol-related traffic fatalities rise to 44 percent from 33 percent in 1994, city officials report. Part of that increase might be attributed to the reduction in the number of police roadblocks used to catch drunk-drivers, officials say. The national average was 41.4 percent. Although island-wide statistics haven't surpassed the record high of 55 percent set in 1993 -- placing Hawai`i fourth in the U.S. -- it is indicative of a rising trend across the country. Last year's U.S. average is the first time it has gone up for over 10 years. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BITS AND PIECES WAIMEA Falls Park and Sea Life Park have been unable to keep up with payments for loans granted in 1989, leading Bank of Hawai`i to file foreclosure orders against their owner, Attractions Hawai`i, on Friday. The $12 million was used to renovate facilities at both parks, but a major downturn in tourism -- coupled with new restrictions on tour package wholesalers and a jump in competition -- caused attendance at the parks to drop considerably. Attractions Hawai`i had been freed of its payment obligations since last February, but could not allow the hiatus to continue. The company said it is preparing to sell the parks to a group of investors... CITY Council Chairman John DeSoto may have spoken too soon in offering to pay for half the cost of mediation services recently rendered by retired judge Patrick Yim. DeSoto had intended to pay a portion of the estimated $2,500 bill with money from his campaign fund. However, state Campaign Spending Commission head Bob Watada said last week that use of campaign funds is limited to regular and essential expenses related to county jobs. The mediation effort to resolve a dispute between DeSoto, councilman Andy Mirikitani and DeSoto's chief aide ended without an agreement last week... POWER companies on Maui and the Big Island will introduce a new program that would encourage the use of alternative energy sources. Under the Hawaiian Electric Co. proposal, the company would give homeowners an $800 rebate for installing a solar water heater. Added to the state's current 35 percent tax credit, residents should find themselves paying for only half the final price tag. Developed from suggestions from the public and environmental groups, details for the neighbor island program are expected to be released this week. A similar plan is already weeks from implementation on O`ahu... TIGHTER state laws, a plethora of large public shows and more than a few downpours kept fires to a minimum during Independence Day observances this year. Although fires were reported statewide, including a brush fire in Kihei on Maui, there were fewer than usual for the fireworks filled federal holiday. While fire crews had a moderately busy night, Honolulu police had their hands full managing the traffic created by a heavily promoted fireworks show and live concert at Ala Moana shopping center. Over 10,000 people came to see the aerial display, filling the parking lot of Ala Moana Beach Park... AFTER intensive research and a number of delays, the names listed on a series of memorial plaques at the Arizona Memorial were corrected last week in a ceremony at the Arizona Memorial Visitors Center. The names of military personnel that died in the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor are listed on 34 porcelain plaques at the center's "Remembrance" exhibit. Several errors were discovered over the years, from misspelled and missing names to names of people who were still alive. Among the names added is Pvt. Torao Migita, who was "killed in downtown Honolulu by 'friendly fire.'" -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 88/74, Kaua`i 84/74, Moloka`i 85/71, Maui 87/72, Hilo 85/70 CASTS: Some showers, trades to 25MPH; East Shore surf to 3 feet. TUESDAY'S TIDES: High 12:49 p.m.; Low 7:44 p.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Wednesday, July 3, 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! ============================================================================= Subject: FEDS TO SHUT DOWN ANTENNA, NO H-3 CAGE The Omega Radio Transmitter Station in Haiku Valley -- along with eight other outposts worldwide -- will be shut down next year, federal weather officials announced yesterday. "To keep the stations open would cost something like $8 million a year," said Julian Wright, a federal meteorology spokesman. "There's no $8 million anywhere in the federal government to do that." As a result, state transportation officials say, a controversial electromagnetic shield will no longer need to be installed. "There's no need to put the cage over the freeway," Wright confirmed, "assuming they won't be driving under it before September 1997." Marilyn Kaji, transportation department spokeswoman, said the freeway is scheduled to open in October. "The timing is excellent for us," she said. Kaji said it would have cost taxpayers $2.5 million to put a Faraday Shield -- a cage of steel poles and heavy-gauge wire -- over the one-mile stretch of the H-3 that passes nearest the Omega station. "The shield would have basically created a shield between the antennae and the user of the highway and prevented anything from going through that would be a danger to an individual," Kaji said. Several hundred steel frames and over 25 miles of cable were already purchased to put it up. The shield was opposed by several community groups, some who refute the alleged dangers of electromagnetic fields and many who were concerned that the shield would obstruct the scenic view of the Ko`olau mountains. With its closure, the Omega station's towering antenna is expected to be dismantled. Carolyn Heinrich of the Outdoor Circle said today she is pleased motorists on the H-3 would be spared the "visual pollution" of both the shield and the antenna. Federal weather researchers say their work will not be adversely affected by the closure of the navigational transmitters, as more and more science agencies are now depending on satellite information instead. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: VERDICTS COME FOR THREE IN GANG DEATH CASE All three teenagers involved in the June 1995 beating death of 17-year-old Misiona Faumuina face several years in prison, but none for murder. A Circuit Court jury today found Marc Umi, 17, guilty of manslaughter. His co- defendants, 17-year-old Emanuela Tunoa and 18-year-old Ricky Lealaitafea, were both convicted for second-degree assault. The family of the victim was outraged. "My brother's gone -- he's dead. He cannot defend himself," said Sapena Faumuina. "These boys got away easy with this." Prosecuting attorney Christopher Young said he was surprised at the ruling. "The evidence was clear that [Faumuina] was hit at least 52 times and we cannot understand why this jury would not find them guilty as charged." Defense attorneys, however, were satisfied. "We're very happy with the result," said Nelson Goo, Lealaitafea's attorney. "We felt that it was not a murder case all along." All three defendants were in the same gang as Faumuina, but Faumuina had asked to leave the group. The defendants punched and kicked Faumuina as part of a ritual known as "jumping out." During the trial, Tunoa and Lealaitafea said the beating was Umi's idea. "All of the witnesses shaded their testimony towards making [Umi] look more guilty than the others, said Umi's attorney Timothy Ho "Marc himself got on the stand and took the brunt of the blame." A tearful Lea Umi told reporters that she hoped her son's conviction would serve as a warning to other youths to stay away from gangs. The three will be sentenced in September. Umi faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, Tunoa and Lealaitafea up to five years. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: ASSORTMENT OF LAWS SIGNED INTO LAW Acting Governor Mazie Hirono today approved 14 bills concerning issues ranging from drug sentencing to child care. Gov. Ben Cayetano is currently in the Philippines, representing Pres. Clinton in American-Philippines Friendship Day observances scheduled for July 4. One law enacted today makes it illegal for lunch wagons and other wheeled food merchants to sell cigarettes within 1,000 feet of a school. Violators will be subject to a $1,000 fine. Hirono also furthered the state's ongoing crackdown on the drug crystal methamphetamine (or "ice"). "This bill provides for stricter terms of imprisonment for the promotion, possession or distribution of crystal meth," Hirono said. It sets a mandatory minimum prison term of at least 30 days and a maximum of 10 years. Residents who provide baby-sitting services in their own home also got some relief from business regulations. Under a law signed today, child care provided in a single-family home within a residential area is now exempt from zoning laws and permit requirements. Another bill aimed at moving residents off of welfare and into other vocational and support programs was also approved. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: FIVE TEENS ARRESTED FOR MESSAGE-BEARING CAR Honolulu police today arrested five teenagers, ranging in age from 16 to 17 years old, in connection with a stolen car found last month in Ewa Beach. The black Honda was discovered with several messages etched into the metal and spray painted on the interior and exterior of the vehicle. The messages included several gang-derived slogans such as "187 HPD" that police interpreted as calling for the death of officers. "We take those threats very seriously," said Deputy Police Chief Lee Donahue. "They may be inferring some type of retaliation towards the police." The defaced vehicle was apparently left for HPD to find two days after 16-year-old Jarred Fe Benito was shot and killed by police after a June 7 car-chase near Pearlridge. HPD says all of the suspects are in the same gang as Fe Benito. They were booked on charges of theft and vandalism, and have been released pending further investigation. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BITS AND PIECES SENIORITY wasn't a factor. Neither were prior indictments for theft. Three state prison employees were recently promoted within the Department of Public Safety solely on the basis of a written exam administered earlier this year. The promotion of May Andrade, Buster Ahlo and a third unnamed guard has other employees crying foul. Gregg Takayama, spokesman for the department, said the three had the best test scores among the more than 40 people who took it. Andrade was indicted seven years ago for stealing koa wood, was fired, and was later reinstated after she filed a grievance. Ahlo, meanwhile, remains under investigation in an inmate-abuse claim... FIRES started by stray fireworks are expected to be less of a problem this year, after a state law enacted last year replaced the formerly differing regulations of county governments. Use of aerial fireworks were banned except for groups with specific permits. Residents also need a permit before setting off an unlimited number of fireworks. Honolulu police plan to arrest anyone found with aerial fireworks and confiscate them. Violators may also face a $1,000 fine and 30 days in jail. Maui county officials this week reported that the number of licensed fireworks merchants are down considerably since the state law took effect... ELROY Osorio, a Republican councilman on the Big Island, has announced that he will seek re-election. Osorio's district includes Waiakea, Panaewa and Keaukaha. Osorio's influence in Hawai`i County politics was clipped last year when he lost the council chair position to councilwoman Keiko Bonk-Abramson. Abramson is the only elected official in the state who is a member of the Green Party. Phoebe Lambeth, a republican, has also announced her bid for the council. Lambeth hopes to replace Democrat Takashi Domingo in representing North Hilo and Hamakua... KA `UPENA KUKUI will not be published tomorrow in observance of Independence Day, nor on Friday July 5. My apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. Other Hawai`i NewsList features, if published, should be delivered as usual. Jennifer and I -- now in temporary quarters and the custodians (or perhaps more aptly, servants) of two felines -- wish you all a restful fourth... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 87/71, Kaua`i 83/72, Moloka`i 86/72, Maui 87/71, Hilo 86/69 CASTS: Mostly sunny, trades to 20MPH; East and South shore surf to 4 feet. THURSDAY'S TIDES: High -:-- a.m.; Low -:-- a.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Tuesday, July 2, 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! ============================================================================= Subject: FAILED AIR TALKS DELAY JAPAN-HAWAI`I SERVICE Japan Air Lines has been forced to cancel a planned Thursday introduction of a new weekly flight between Hiroshima and Honolulu after ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Japan were interrupted this week. Hawai`i will lose nearly 400 visitors a week as long as the route is on hold, local experts say. However, JAL officials said today that because the planned route was well-received by Japanese travelers, the company may consider flying passengers on a charter basis. As a result of the stalled talks, JAL may also have to cut its daily Sendai-Honolulu service to three flights a week as U.S. authorization to expand the route -- granted in May -- will expire June 8. The dispute has tangled with airline flights and schedules for several months. The federal government refused to allow JAL's expanded service to Hawai`i because Japan has refused a U.S. claim to routes between Eastern destinations. The same battle of jurisdiction over routes in Asia temporarily delayed the start of a direct JAL flight from Japan to Kona on the Big Island. Meanwhile, Japan is also pushing the U.S. to recognize both JAL and All Nippon Airways as airlines eligible to service American destinations. In return, the Japanese government would allow U.S. carriers -- such as United Airlines and Federal Express -- to expand their presence in Asia. U.S. aviation officials are refusing any further agreements until the question of jurisdiction is settled. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: DEVELOPER, FEDS SUED OVER OFFSHORE DREDGING A Big Island group today filed a lawsuit against the federal government and a local developer in an attempt to stop offshore dredging taking place in Kaupulehu. The Kona Hawaiian Civic Club claims Hualalai Development Corp. is proceeding with the work despite an established report that shows the shoreline -- located north of the Kona airport -- is home to several sites sacred to native Hawaiians. The company is building a Four Seasons Resort in North Kona, and was required by Hawaii County authorities to provide a safe swimming area and public access to the shoreline. Although the company had received a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dredge a portion of the shoreline fronting the resort, the KHCC claims the corps failed to consult local groups about the area's cultural significance. "The Army Corps of Engineers did not notify or consult with us," said Legal Defense Fund spokeswoman Lea Hong. She said the Corps ignored a report issued in May that identified 10 sites in the area eligible for the U.S. register of historic places. Federal laws require such findings to be taken into account, Hong said. "I for one received notification of the dredging activity some 36 hours after it had begun," said KHCC head Hannah Springer. Springer said the developer has already been cited for violating some provisions of the county's dredging permit. "If we don't go into this thing now, they will keep on going," said KHCC member Arthur Mahi. "That's why we're putting the pressure on this thing -- so we don't see any more destruction." -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: DESOTO WILL HELP PAY FOR FAILED MEDIATION EFFORTS Although two meetings failed to bridge the rift between him and councilmember Andy Mirikitani, Honolulu City Council Chair John DeSoto announced today that he will personally pay for half the cost of mediation services. Although official figures are yet to be tallied, the services of retired circuit judge Patrick Yim -- billed at $175 an hour -- are expected to cost about $2,600. Talks ended abruptly yesterday morning when DeSoto's chief aide, Colleen Sakai, walked out. According to her attorney, Sakai felt that her concerns over safety were not addressed and that nothing said in mediation could make her feel safe in Mirikitani's presence. Sakai filed a police report May 30 claiming that Mirikitani verbally harassed her. The incident prompted DeSoto to order Mirikitani to move his office from the second floor of City Hall to the building's watchtower. Mirikitani refused the eviction order, and threatened to sue before he and DeSoto agreed to independent mediation. As reported yesterday, several councilmembers have agreed to DeSoto's plan to shuffle offices in order to put Mirikitani's office as far as possible from Sakai's. Mirikitani said he will comply with the arrangement and move into the office of Councilman Steve Holmes. Holmes will then take Councilwoman Rene Mansho's office, and Mansho will take Mirikitani's original space. The multiple move, originally scheduled for today, has been delayed until next week. Mirikitani yesterday denied Sakai's allegations. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BITS AND PIECES CONTRACTOR Norman Sakamoto announced Monday that he will challenge Sen. Rey Graulty for his seat in the Hawai`i Legislature. Sakamoto, who has led the lobbying group Haku Alliance for the last two years, said he has grown impatient with the apathy and "wait and see" attitude of lawmakers that stalled his group's efforts and left residents hanging at the end of each session. Sakamoto said he sees the same-sex issue as the key issue in the race for the 16th District, as Rey Graulty has been a central figure in the debate and said he supports domestic partnerships. Sakamoto, citing his campaign's citizen polls, said he opposes gay unions... PLANS to build a new power plant to supply electricity on the Big Island may be stalled after the state last week canceled the sale of $50 million in bonds to raise funds for the private facility. Waimana Enterprises planned to sell over 55 megawatts of electricity generated by the plant to Hawaii Electric Light Co., which supplies power to over 25,000 residents on the island of Hawai`i. The plant was to be built on Hawaiian Home Lands in West Hawai`i, and state officials say the cancellation came after public hearings found a majority of residents against it. Waimana officials say they haven't given up on the project, but must now locate another funding source... INTERNAUTS on the neighbor islands who use America OnLine as their provider last week lost their local-access number after only two years of service. While Honolulu customers will keep their island's connection -- subject to the same charges of any AOL user in the U.S. -- everyone else will have to use an 800 number to access the system. Use of the fallback number carries a $6-an-hour surcharge. While a customer on O`ahu will still pay $10 for five hours, neighbor island users will pay $40. In a message sent to Hawai`i customers last week, AOL said it plans to establish a local-access number for the island of Maui by the end of the year... STEPHEN Derby, former president of the Boy Scouts' Aloha Council and founding member of the group that became the Aloha United Way, died last week at the age of 91. Originally from Massachusetts, Derby was hired by Bank of Hawaii in 1932 and made his name as an executive officer of the bank in the 1970's. Derby received the Scouts' Silver Buffalo award in 1974, and in addition to his work with the council, he helped start the Honolulu Community Chest (now AUW) and worked with several other groups. He is survived by his wife, four children, 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren... CALLING it one of the most beautiful spots in the world, U.S. Sen. Inouye today presided over the rededication of Kauai's Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. "Where else can you stand and watch the birds, watch the whales frolicking in the sea and occasionally see a monk seal?" Inouye asked. "This is one of our treasures." The restoration effort concluded last month after Hurricane Iniki ravaged the park in 1992. The improvements included repairs to the historic Kilauea Point Lighthouse, renovation of the visitor's center and the addition of new exhibits on ecosystems and rare plants... PEPE Tanuvasa, 53, died this morning after a five-car accident on Kamehameha Highway this morning. Witnesses say a pickup truck headed towards Ka`a`awa crossed the center line and struck an oncoming car head-on shortly after 9:30 a.m. The accident, which took place near Kahana Valley in Kualoa, tied up traffic for over four hours. Tanuvasa was flown to Queen's Medical Center where she was pronounced dead less than an hour later. No one else involved in the accident was seriously injured. Although speed is believed to be a factor, police say alcohol and drugs were likely not... STEPHANIE Loretta Fitiausi, 21, was arrested Sunday after Drug Enforcement Agency officials approached her at Honolulu International Airport and found 21 kilograms of cocaine duct-taped to her midriff. DEA officials say she had just arrived on a flight from San Francisco, and consented to a pat-down search. After the drugs were found, Fitiausi reportedly told authorities she didn't know the narcotics were there. According to officials, the drugs carry a street value of up to $120,000. The bust came after California authorities told Honolulu agents that drugs were being smuggled on the flight... EAGLE-EYED residents in a Waikiki condominium called fire rescue officials today after spotting a 6-foot shark in the waters of Kaimana Beach. Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Francis Andrews said the shark was seen wandering between two large groups of surfers. It was only "hovering around," Andrews said, and went unseen by wave riders. Water safety officials cruised the beach on a borrowed boat to warn surfers, but found no trace of the shark... SLEEPING in his car at the North Kona Coast Shopping Center this morning, a 68-year-old Big Island man had a rude awakening. Another man opened the door, pushed him out and stole his car. Although the car's owner tried to hold on to the steering wheel, he was unable to stop the suspect. Police stopped the stolen vehicle 10 minutes later along Ali`i Drive. The suspect, 36, was already wanted on two unrelated warrants for forgery and theft. No charges have yet been filed in connection with the auto-theft incident... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 88/73, Kaua`i 83/73, Moloka`i 87/72, Maui 88/73, Hilo 86/70 CASTS: Partly cloudy, trades to 25MPH; East and South shore surf to 3 feet. WEDNESDAY'S TIDES: High 11:15 a.m.; Low 6:17 p.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Monday, July 1, 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! ============================================================================= Subject: MIRIKITANI, DESOTO TALKS CALLED OFF Mediation efforts to mend the rift between City Council Chair John DeSoto and councilman Andy Mirikitani ended abruptly this morning after Colleen Sakai, DeSoto's chief aide, said there is nothing that will make her feel at ease in Mirikitani's presence. Only two sessions -- billed at $175 an hour -- took place. Although city officials will not disclose exactly how much time was spent in mediation, the price tag is expected to total between $1,700 to $2,700 for an estimated 10 to 15 hours of meetings. Although DeSoto and Mirikitani have traditionally sparred, the feud reached a flash point after Sakai filed a police report alleging that Mirikitani verbally harassed her in DeSoto's office. DeSoto ordered Mirikitani to move his office to the City Hall's 8th-floor watchtower on May 30. Mirikitani refused, in part because the new office would not be accessible to handicapped residents. While Mirikitani was out of state, DeSoto and several other councilmembers claimed to have witnessed a history of "inappropriate behavior" on Mirikitani's part. Mirikitani, however, has made no comment regarding any of the allegations. One proposal that surfaced after talks were terminated was an office swap to put Mirikitani's office as far away from DeSoto's as possible. To implement such a swap, Mirikitani would move into the office of councilman John Holmes, Holmes would move into councilwoman Rene Mansho's space, and Mansho would take Mirikitani's original office. However, Mirikitani's staff said they know nothing about such a plan. In a press release, Mirikitani today disputed the claim that he was a threat to Sakai. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: AINA HAINA DRUG RAID NETS PENNY, MORE After a month-long investigation, Honolulu police last weekend confiscated an unprecedented variety of drugs and merchandise from a suspected drug house in Aina Haina. Armed with a search warrant, law enforcement officers approached the home and its closed-circuit video surveillance system early Saturday morning. With no resistance from its occupants, police searched the home and recovered approximately $46,000 in suspected drug goods and several grams of assorted drugs. Investigators recovered $300 in food stamps and U.S. savings bonds valued at $46,000 at maturity. In addition to the expected assortment of computers, cameras and jewelry, police also seized two stolen rifles, a telescope, a collection of comic books and a rare penny valued at over $7,000. Police suspect the goods were traded for drugs. Among the narcotics found were 32 grams of cocaine, 16 grams of black-tar heroin, crystal methamphetamine (or ice) and marijuana. Several pre-filled syringes were also confiscated. "I've never seen what appears to be heroin already measured out, ready to be injected," said Maj. Mike Carvalho. "In my 18 years of doing this type of investigation, I've never seen this type of variety of drugs." Police arrested two males, ages 48 and 46, and one female age 26. All three had prior police records. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: CITY APPROVAL MAY KILL LUMBER LAWSUIT An Oregon wood preservation company that sued the city to halt use of competitors' boron-treated lumber is expected to drop its case. The city building department last week formally approved a set of standards governing the use of boron-treated wood, currently produced by two Honolulu companies. A Mainland company, Conrad Wood Preserving, filed a federal lawsuit late last year to bar the use of boron-treated wood on the grounds that its resistance to termite infestation was unproved. City officials estimate boron-treated wood is being used in 60 percent of construction projects in the state, including the construction of over 3,000 homes since January. No problems were ever reported. Although the judge refused the ban earlier this year, a question was raised over whether the city had properly drafted guidelines for its use. With standards now approved, city attorneys say the last loose ends in the dispute have been tied. City Building Director Randall Fujiki said Conrad sued because it had been losing business on O`ahu as a result of the boron treatment. Conrad attorneys still maintain that boron-treated wood hasn't proven its superiority to Conrad's product. After last week's developments, Conrad officials say, they are at least satisfied that the case has resulted in a better understanding of the differences between them. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: HAWAIIAN VOTE BALLOTS SENT OUT TODAY Over 80,000 ballots are now on their way around the globe to gauge the views of the world's population of native Hawaiians on the question of sovereignty. The Native Hawaiian Vote, organized by the Hawaii Sovereignty Elections Council, is a state-sponsored process that organizers hope will determine once and for all if native Hawaiians want to establish their own government. After several delays, it moves ahead this week despite criticism from several Hawaiian organizations. Ka Lahui Hawai`i opposes the vote, saying in part that the state's involvement violates the basic tenets of international law. Although the group is urging a boycott, HSEC officials still expect a large return. Allen Hoe, HSEC spokesman, said the vote will be deemed successful if the majority of ballots are in favor of sovereignty, regardless of the turnout. Ka Lahui also says the vote will be invalid because the electorate was drawn from the membership of the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs. "For several years we have know there are hundreds of thousands ... on the OHA ballot who aren't Hawaiians," said Ka Lahui founder Mililani Trask. HSEC officials dismiss such claims. "Ka Lahui has used every possible argument and strategy to sabotage this vote," said Mahealani Kamauu. "They have called to those not of Hawaiian ancestry to register in order to sabotage this vote." Ballots must be returned by August 15; the deadline to register is July 15. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: MORE SUPPORT SEEN FOR KAUAI RUNWAY EXTENSION Less than a month after a direct Japan-Kona flight brought more tourists and tourism dollars to the Big Island, Kauai leaders say public opposition to proposed airport improvements has faded. Robert Mullins, chief aide to Mayor Maryanne Kusaka, said the Lihue Airport's north-south runway needs to be extended by 2,000 feet to fully accommodate larger passenger jets. As it stands, the 6,500-foot asphalt strip is long enough to land on, but too short for a fully loaded jetliner to take off. The proposed extension was among the more prominent controversies for the mostly rural island, Mullins said, drawing criticism from residents opposed to noise and further development. More and more people are realizing that more tourism growth and easier exportation of Kauai-made goods are vital to the county's economy, Mullins said, which has been limping since Hurricane Iniki flattened it in 1992. He points to Kauai Sen. Lehua Salling, one of the more outspoken cynics of the plan last year, who is now one of its main supporters. Compared to the airport's older north runway, the runway to be extended is further from residential properties. Some Kauai residents hope the extension will move more aircraft traffic to the more remote strip. Funds for an Environmental Impact Statement was approved by the state Legislature this year, but the permit process may delay the project for five years or more. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BITS AND PIECES ESTRALITA Brown, the mother of a boy shot while trying to flee police in a stolen car last month, has sued the parents of another boy killed in the Pearl City shoot-out. Brown's son, 16-year-old Chauncey Hata, was shot three times during the incident. Brown has filed a civil suit against Ray and Beverley Febenito, parents of 16-year-old Jarred Febenito. Brown claims the Febenito's are liable for their late son's actions, and that they were negligent in their supervision. Brown also claims Hata didn't know the vehicle they were in was stolen... FUGITIVE charges against Catherine Suh, known as the "Black Widow," were dropped by an Illinois court last week in order to allow her to immediately begin serving a life sentence she received last October. Suh was convicted for arranging the 1993 murder of her boyfriend, Robert O'Dubaine, but fled to Hawai`i before her sentencing. She was sentenced in abstentia to life in prison. Suh lived a opulent lifestyle in the islands under a false name until she was featured in the television show "America's Most Wanted." She was missing for nearly three months before turning herself in... CAR thefts are on the rise -- an average of 22 stolen vehicles a day for the month of May, Honolulu police say. A total of 696 cases were investigated, making it the fifth straight month of increase with 44 more incidents than last year. It's the growing trend of violence aimed at officers, however, that has HPD concerned. Officials believe that suspects attempt to flee in a majority of incidents, and a few are hostile enough to push police to draw their firearm. The reason, police say, is because stolen cars are more often accessories in other crimes... WINDMILLS, intended to generate electricity for Big Island residents, were a $100,000 loss for Hawaiian Electric last year. Although the utility wants to keep the Lalamilo wind farm, it has filed a request with the Public Utilities Commission to transfer ownership to Hawaiian Electric Light Co., it's Big Island subsidiary. Activated in 1985, 120 turbines scattered across the hills in South Kona supplied over 2 megawatts of power. Today, output has dropped to about 1.7 megawatts with 90 windmills remaining in use... WASHINGTONIAN Magazine has declared Hawai`i Rep. Neil Abercrombie a fashion victim. After polling legislative staffers and other aides, the magazine named Abercrombie -- along with Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Ohio Rep. James Traficant -- as Capitol Hill's most dubiously dressed. Abercrombie, remembered for the antique checkered cab he drove on O`ahu and known for his long hair and beard, was the only one from Hawai`i picked for any list in the July issue, which included "Biggest Windbag," and "Weakest Spine..." VERMONT is the safest state in the country, while Nevada is the most dangerous. According to the latest survey by publishing company Morgan Quitno Press, Hawai`i is the 27th most dangerous state. The rankings were based on several crime statistics, from violent crime to per-capita spending on law enforcement. The top five most dangerous states were Nevada, Louisiana, Florida, Maryland and Arizona... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 87/72, Kaua`i 82/73, Moloka`i 86/72, Maui 89/72, Hilo 84/71 CASTS: Morning showers, mostly sunny; all shore surf under 3 feet. TUESDAY'S TIDES: High 5:35 p.m.; Low 10:20 a.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Friday, June 28, 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! ============================================================================= Subject: PRICE OF AMBULANCE RIDE TO TRIPLE While state and city officials wrangle with proposed cuts to ambulance crews in three Hawai`i neighborhoods, another separate plan to increase the cost of their services is days away from being implemented. Currently, residents and insurance companies pay $138 for each transport in an ambulance. Under the new rate schedule, approved by state regulators and approved earlier this month by Gov. Ben Cayetano, the charge will jump to as high as $450. The ambulance program has an annual budget of $29 million, according to state Health Department Spokeswoman Ellen Blomquist. Last year, there were nearly 50,000 ambulance calls statewide. The increase will increase the consumer's share of operating costs from about 15 percent to nearly 50 percent. Although some residents are concerned that the added cost will be dropped on their shoulders, Blomquist said in most cases the increase won't be that severe. "If they are insured there will be a slight increase in what they pay... but the bulk of it will be absorbed by the insurance company." The state will continue to absorb all costs for uninsured patients from low-income families, she said, provided they from a household earning 130 percent below the national poverty level. The increase comes as nearly all major health plan providers in Hawai`i are reducing their ambulance service coverage. HMSA pays 100 percent of the ambulance fee only in justified medical emergencies, while Kaiser last year lowered its coverage to 80 percent. Although the increase will bring in an additional $13 million, it won't directly benefit the ambulance program because its budget is drawn from the state's general fund. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BU MAKES COURT APPEARANCE, RELEASES TAPE Saying he never raised a fist, local comedian Kaui Hill -- better known as Bu La`ia -- told reporters today that airport security guards did more than injure his wrists during a March 21 altercation. "They messed my life up," Hill said during a press conference he called to release video footage of his arrest at Honolulu International Airport. The incident ruined his reputation as a performer, Hill said, knocking him from "hero to zero" and leading to a loss of about $8,000 in pulled corporate endorsements. Hill is accused of assault and terroristic threatening after he allegedly punched Wackenhut security guard Garrett Harada, who tried to stop him from skateboarding around and inside the airport. Hill allegedly ignored two warnings to stop before being restrained by security. Hill said he was only carrying his luggage while riding, and that he didn't punch anyone. Hill claims he was the one attacked, by as many of a dozen guards at one. Hill was arraigned today in District Court, and entered a not guilty plea. Hill was ordered to attend a preliminary hearing Aug. 5. The videotape released to the media shows the last few minutes of Hill's arrest, where Hill complains of tight handcuffs and is briefly held in a headlock by a security guard. However, neither of the two cameramen had footage of the initial altercation in question. "Basically I got witnesses, and the guys were there," he said. Until his trial, Hill said he will initiate a civil suit against the state, Wackenhut and three security guards. The intent of the lawsuit is not for money, he said, but to have the company's contract with the state terminated. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: HISTORIC HAWAIIAN LAW USED TO DISPUTE MORTGAGES A local company has declared the titles to 30 Hawai`i properties as invalid based on Hawaiian laws in effect decades before the islands were annexed by the United States. Edith Mar, a Kaimuki resident, hasn't paid her $2,200 monthly mortgage for four months. "Just prove to me that the title is good," Mar told KHON Channel 2. "If the title is not good, then pay my mortgage." She said she wants the company that insured her mortgage loan to take over its payment. Mar is one of several residents who hired Perfect Title Co. to prepare a title report. The company researches the title's history as far back as possible, said president Don Lewis, and so far hasn't yet found one that wasn't broken -- most as a result of the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. "The land titles, to put it mildly, are in a mess," Lewis said. According to the report compiled for Mar, her title was null and void because it was handled in a probate court in 1894. That court was incompetent, the report said, because its members later committed treason in illegally proclaiming the provisional government of Hawai`i. Several local financial institutions say they do not recognize the validity of Perfect Title's reports, which cost clients $1,500 each. "The risk they take," said Finance Factor spokesman Gary Kai, "is losing their homes." -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: JUDGE HALTS PLAN TO WIRE THE RED ROAD Before Hawaiian Electric Co. can continue with the installation of overhead power lines in Puna on the Big Island, the company will have to complete a thorough environmental study of its potential effects on the area. Circuit Court Judge Riki May Amano this week stopped work planned along Highway 137, known as the "Red Road," which is intended to provide electrical service to Puna Palisades and Kalapana and Kehena estates. The ruling is hailed as a victory by community activists and environmental groups, who say the installation has led to unwanted development and threatens endangered species living in the area. The "Friends of the Red Road" have led the charge against the intrusion of electric service, in part because they say power lines have proven to be deadly to the `a`o bird -- an endangered species known only on the Big Island and on Kauai. The group, with the support of the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, alleges that HECO failed to secure many of the permits needed to put in the transmission lines. The group also disputes HECO's assertion that the installation will serve over 1,200 residents in the three subdivisions, claiming that very few plan to subscribe and that most people in the rural communities shun the luxuries of urban life. The neighborhoods are an example of self-sufficient living, some say, with many households run entirely on solar power, drinking rain water and growing their own food. "We live with very few modern aspects of an urban lifestyle and the imposing structures that accompany it," one resident said. The group's web-site, at http://planet-hawaii.com/redroad/index.html, was produced using solar power. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- RUSH-HOUR traffic can now be experienced by Honolulu residents in the comfort of their own homes. Mayor Jeremy Harris today announced that the view taken in by the city's network of 26 roadway cameras will be shown on `Olelo -- Oceanic Cablevision's public-access channel 22. Monday through Friday, 5 to 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 to 6 p.m., live shots of major O`ahu thoroughfares will continuously rotate. Richard Turner, `Olelo general manager, said the arrangement fits the purpose of the community information station, allowing commuters to plan their schedule and routes in advance from home or work... HIKING the popular Diamond Head trail will soon be a little less perilous for the thousands of people who climb to the top of the Hawai`i landmark each month. Specifically, the state will smooth a 1,100-foot section of the trail where erosion and foot traffic have left loose boulders and crevices that cause several stumbles and injuries. "We are trying to improve diamond head as much as we can with a limited budget," said Mike Wilson, head of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Instead of paving the trail, Wilson said, a special epoxy will be put down to harden the ground... FEDERAL agents raided a Hau`ula home today, and recovered an arsenal of guns and ammunition. Armed with a search warrant, ATF agents searched the house and found weapons stored in the master bedroom and a closet. Semiautomatic weapons, bolt-action rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were seized. Some of the bullets were in chains intended for machine gun use. A suspect has been arrested in the case, who reportedly had a 1985 conviction for terroristic threatening and several firearms violations... BIG ISLAND resident Thomas Taitano, 21, pled guilty today to manslaughter and drug charges after a fatal accident in Volcanoes National Park in March. Police say Taitano's truck crossed the center line of a park road, striking the truck of a park ranger head-on. The ranger died the next day at Hilo Hospital. Following the collision, investigators found 195 grams of cocaine in Taitano's truck. He is to be sentenced in October, and faces up to 47 years in prison and $2 million in fines... WHEN they headed up the mountain to Manoa Falls early yesterday, it was sunny and clear. By the afternoon, however, the weather turned wet and dark and they took a wrong turn. The two women were reported missing last night by their roommate. The hikers had to spend the night on the side of the mountain before being rescued this morning by the fire department's helicopter rescue team. They were spotted at about 7 a.m., stranded in an area where the hikers said they couldn't climb up or down... HALLELUJAH! After more complications than I could count, my poor PowerBook has been brought back to life. Even better, the screws and cracked case has been repaired -- Scotch tape no more! NewsList service might be a little sporadic for the next few days as I copy everything back onto this system, and finally put a very overworked Mac back into the Tetris-hungry hands of my sweetie. Special thanks to the First National Bank of Mom, which provided for computer repairs on behalf of the NewsList, sight-unseen... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 88/73, Kaua`i 83/73, Moloka`i 85/72, Maui 87/71, Hilo 82/69 CASTS: Partly cloudy, trades to 20MPH; Makapu`u shore surf to 4 feet. SATURDAY'S TIDES: High 3:21 p.m.; Low 7:56 a.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Thursday, June 27, 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! ============================================================================= Subject: GOVERNOR PRUNES STATE "SUNSHINE LAW" Local policy-makers -- from state lawmakers to university regents -- have been given a little shade from the piercing rays of the press. Gov. Ben Cayetano this week signed into law a bill that relaxes provisions of Hawaii's "Sunshine Law." The law prohibited members of boards or other governing bodies from meeting in private, and required advance disclosure of any meeting between them. Under the revised law, board members can now meet privately provided a quorum is not present and final binding decisions aren't made. Cayetano said the bill would not compromise the original intent of the "Sunshine Law" -- keeping public business out in the open. Supporters of the bill said the law's original wording was impractical and unenforceable, essentially making it illegal for two members of a commission to meet for lunch or chat upon a chance meeting. The bill had strong opposition from public interest groups, including Common Cause Hawai`i, and local media organizations. The Hawai`i chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists said the change would allow the government to slip back into closed-door secrecy and under-the-table dealing. Big Island councilwoman Keiko Bonk- Abramson had asked Cayetano to veto the bill. Critics say citizens deserve to know when their representatives are discussing any items involving the public's interest. The state Attorney General supported the bill, however, echoing Cayetano's sentiment that the original law was impossible to enforce. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: HICKAM AIRMAN SURVIVES FALL IN TERRORIST BLAST By 10 p.m., Master Sgt. George Dyer was asleep in his 7th floor dorm room. The 34-year-old airman woke up the next morning in a hospital. Dyer was one of over a hundred military personnel injured in a terrorist bombing of an apartment complex in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. 19 U.S. servicemen were killed. A 15-year veteran of the Air Force, Dyer was originally reported to be in serious condition. According to his O`ahu supervisor, Col. Bob Spindle, Dyer was upgraded to good condition and will be transferred to a hospital in Germany. "His friends say they found him on the ground, so somehow he got from his bed seven floors up to the ground," Spindle said. "It's just a miracle he's alive." Spindle said Dyer doesn't remember anything about the explosion, which was felt 50 miles away and left a crater 85 feet wide. Originally from Pennsylvania but now stationed at Hickam Air Force Base, Dyer was assigned to Saudi Arabia to handle contracts with area merchants, buying and selling services and supplies. Although Spindle couldn't disclose the nature of Dyer's injuries, he said that the airman will probably return to the islands within a week. There were 24 people from Hickam assigned to Saudi Arabia. None were killed, but two others besides Dyer were injured. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: SACRED HEARTS GRAD TO LEAD COAST GUARD GROUP Commander Kathleen Donohoe, chasing her dream of directing a search and rescue group for the U.S. Coast Guard, had to make a choice: Hawai`i or Wisconsin. The islands were home to her father, a Coast Guard commander at Barbers Point. Wisconsin had winter temperatures averaging 10 degrees. Donohoe, a 1972 graduate of Sacred Hearts Academy, will officially take command of all Coast Guard search and rescue operations in the state tomorrow. She is the first woman to lead the group. "I'm glad to be the first woman, but I look forward to all the women who follow behind me," Donohoe said. She said she has dreamed of working in search and rescue all her life, dedicated to protect people from the water and vice versa. "This is the perfect job for me," Donohoe said today. "To be able to do it here in Hawai`i is just an extra joy." At a change-of-command ceremony today on Sand Island, Donohoe accepted the post from Capt. Dennis Egan. Under Egan's lead, the Coast Guard rescued 200 people from island waters last year. Egan will leave in August to head Coast Guard operations in Alaska. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BU SETS "INJUSTICE" TO MUSIC Local comedian Kaui Hill, better known as Bu La`ia, today announced that he would be kicking off an "injustice awareness" program following a March 21 altercation with security guards at Honolulu International Airport. "I'm the Rodney King of Hawai`i," Hill said, claiming that he was the victim when guards restrained him after he ignored two warnings to stop skateboarding in the airport. Hill said he was assaulted by nearly a dozen guards at once. "Wackenhut wen' whack my coconut -- it wasn't funny," he said. Hill released a two-minute music video today that he says contains footage showing the guards roughing him up. Hill is scheduled to appear in District Court tomorrow, after which his attorney says they will release the full, original footage of the airport arrest. Hill had just arrived on a flight from Los Angeles when he allegedly rode his skateboard up and down the sidewalk outside the airport. After security guards ordered him to stop, he instead went inside and continued skating in the baggage claim area. Before being restrained, Hill allegedly punched one guard in the face. After taking refuge on the neighbor islands for a month, Hill came forward in July to pay off an arrest bond issued after he originally failed to appear in court. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BITS AND PIECES AFTER spending a few precious days out of the hospital with her family, 2- year-old leukemia patient Alana Dung was readmitted this week after developing a fever over the weekend. Dung had just completed another round of chemotherapy treatments at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. Alvin Chung, the girl's uncle, said Dung is still in good spirits. Despite her illness, the bone marrow transplant operation is still scheduled for mid-July. Chung said the family is very impressed with the hospital staff, which has been making a special effort to keep Dung happy -- including scheduling live music and preparing poi, her favorite food... SCOTT Edwards, 29, was indicted for murder yesterday by a federal grand jury in the May 31 death of his 22-year-old wife. Kyong Edwards died instantly after falling from the balcony of their 12th-floor room in the military's Hale Koa Hotel. Following an argument, federal prosecutors say, Scott Edwards -- a South Korean national -- suspended his wife from the balcony several moments before dropping her. Edwards' attorney claims he tried to save her from falling... ANGERED when his 11-year-old son wet his pants, Jose Alvarez-Soza beat him with a hard rubber sandal last August. During his trial, Alvarez-Soza, 30, said he struck his son several times with his girlfriend's sandal in their Waikiki apartment. The boy, who had been confined to a wheelchair, later died of bleeding in the brain at Kapi`olani Medical Center. Alvares-Soza, convicted earlier this year of manslaughter, was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison. His parole eligibility has not been determined... STATE Attorney General Margery Bronster this week announced that the state received a $1.7 million federal grant to improve criminal justice efforts in Hawai`i. The grant is the second received from the U.S. Department of Justice's Edward Byrne Memorial Grant Program. The first grant, awarded earlier this year, totaled $990,000. The money will go towards both state and city programs and projects, Bronster said, specifically domestic violence and family programs and special investigations... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 87/73, Kaua`i 84/72, Moloka`i 85/73, Maui 88/72, Hilo 84/69 CASTS: Afternoon showers, trades to 20MPH; Surf at Makaha, Sunset to 4 feet. FRIDAY'S TIDES: High 2:39 p.m.; Low 7:31 a.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Wednesday, June 26, 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! ============================================================================= Subject: HARRIS COMMITS TO SAVING HAWAII KAI AMBULANCE SERVICE If the state Department of Health can't afford to maintain a 24-hour emergency medical crew for Hawai`i Kai, then the city will pick up the tab, Mayor Jeremy Harris said last night. In addressing a meeting of the Hawai`i Kai Neighborhood Board, Harris said he estimates it will cost $200,000 to keep ambulances on call between midnight and 7 a.m. -- when the state has proposed it will leave residents under the umbrella of ambulance crews in Wailupe. The city will cover the cost only until the state can find the money somewhere else, he said. House Minority Leader Gene Ward has joined a chorus of government and community voices opposed to the cuts, which would also cut the ambulance team in Poipu on Kauai and both ground and air emergency medical response coverage in Waikoloa on the Big Island. Despite health department records showing that the Hawai`i Kai station had the lowest number of calls, Ward blasted the proposal, saying the neighborhood "is not a Third World country." The state has skewed priorities, Ward said, cutting budgets that put lives at risk. Sen. Donna Ikeda said yesterday that the Legislature never intended that the cuts handed down would lead to reduced ambulance services. While Harris joked that he'd sell chicken tickets to raise the money, City Council Budget Chair Duke Bainum said today he knew nothing about the financial commitment Harris made. "I would prefer the state fund state programs," Bainum said. "That's only fair." -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KANEOHE SON SURVIVES TERRORIST BOMBING Family and friends of a 20-year-old Hickam airman crowded into his parents' home last night, hanging on every new report of the terrorist bombing of a U.S. Air Force housing complex in Saudi Arabia. They were worried about Brandon Kekoa Stagner, son of Kaneohe residents Ishmael and Carmen Stagner, had flown to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia less than a month ago on a temporary duty assignment as a security officer. Shortly after the evening news began, the phone rang. "Both dad and my daughter picked up the phone together and then [Brandon] said, 'Hello, I'm alive,'" Carmen Stagner said. "They both screamed, everybody else screamed in the house." Brandon told his family that he was sleeping in his dorm 15 buildings away from the explosion. "They felt the blast, because it was so tremendous," said Kealoha Stagner, Brandon's brother. Brandon told his family that his regular post was at the gate right near the blast site, and that the destruction to the area is much worse than it looks on television. Brandon earned phone privileges by helping with the emergency recovery effort. Maj. Joe Davis, spokesman for Hickam Air Force Base, said today that they've accounted for all 24 island airman stationed in Saudi Arabia. At least two were injured, Davis said. One has been identified as Jay Jacobs of Nebraska, who was treated and released today. The other was hit by debris in the blast, and remains in serious condition in a military hospital. His name has not yet been released. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: HARRIS CAMPAIGN INVESTIGATION GETS NOD Turning down a request to have the case handed over to the Campaign Spending Commission, Circuit Court Judge Daniel Heely today gave the state Attorney General the go-ahead in its investigation of whether local real estate firm Mike McCormick Realty violated campaign contribution laws in Mayor Jeremy Harris' 1994 campaign. The Attorney General has subpoenaed company records to determine whether owners engaged in "bundling," a practice wherein employees are urged to contribute $2,000 towards a campaign and be reimbursed in their paychecks. Such actions are a violation of single donor contribution limits. Company attorney Jeffrey Griswold said today that it is unfair that they do not know who is making the allegations. "From what we understand, this investigation has been spurred by some kind of anonymous complaint," Griswold said. "An anonymous complaint would not suffice in front of the Campaign Spending Commission." Griswold said he will appeal today's ruling. The commission is starting its own investigation in the matter, but committee chair Bob Watada said that Harris is not the target of their inquiry. Deputy Attorney General Larry Goya, meanwhile, said no one is being ruled out at this time. "We are simply gathering information," Goya said. "I don't want to characterize anyone as a defendant at this point." -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: MIRIKITANI RETURNS, REFUSES COMMENT ON MEDIATION After a three-week trip to Italy, Honolulu City Councilman Andy Mirikitani returned to his office on the second floor of City Hall -- the same office he refused to leave despite Council Chair John DeSoto's order last month to relocate into the building's watchtower. Mirikitani met with retired judge Patrick Yim for the first time today in mediation efforts to mend a longtime rift between the two councilmen. Followed by a crowd of journalists up and down hallways all day, Mirikitani refused to talk about any aspect of the $175-an-hour county-funded talks. "The mediator is the only one who can comment," he said. His silence comes despite DeSoto's public criticism of Mirikitani's behavior, specifically involving allegations that Mirikitani verbally harassed DeSoto's chief aide. DeSoto said the incident was what led to ordering Mirikitani to move, and his action was supported by fellow councilmen John Henry Felix and Mufi Hanneman. At the time, Mirikitani claimed that the eviction was retaliation for his opposing position on pending bills -- one of which came before the council today. DeSoto presented a proposal to repeal limits on campaign spending, and Mirikitani didn't hesitate to comment. "At a time when the whole nation is moving forward and implementing reform laws," Mirikitani said, "it does not seem to make sense why Honolulu should be taking what appears to be a step backwards." -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BITS AND PIECES JOSEPH Hashimoto, 32, was convicted yesterday of raping a 15-year-old girl in two separate incidents while on duty with the Kauai Police Department. Hashimoto was dismissed in 1994 after four years with KPD. Prosecutors said Hashimoto first forced the Kapa`a youth to have sex in his patrol car in July 1993 after responding to a call at her mother's home, then again in September after giving her a ride home. Police investigators found blood stains in the car that matched the blood type of the victim. He was found guilty of five counts, including unlawful imprisonment and sexual assault... UNIFORMS will soon make their debut in a public school, as Maui's Kamali`i Elementary gears up for a fashion show next month to allow parents and community members to select the final style and color to be worn by its 580 students this fall. The final cost of the uniforms will be held below $25, according to Kamali`i Principal Sandra Shawan, and work is ongoing to determine policies and possible exemptions. The decision to switch comes after a parent and student survey found 384 of 418 respondents in favor of school uniforms... AFTER a five hour standoff, a 22-year-old Waipahu man surrendered to Honolulu police early this morning. The suspect was wanted for questioning in connection with an armed robbery earlier this month. When police approached him shortly before 10 p.m. yesterday, he fled on foot and eventually climbed onto the roof of a building and held police at bay. A police SWAT team was called in, as was a hostage negotiation team. He came down peacefully at 3 a.m., received treatment for a broken foot and was taken into custody... DON'T FORGET! The first ever cross-community netizen pot-luck picnic is this Saturday, June 28 at 10 a.m. in Kapi`olani Park. Hawai`i NewsList readers are invited to join contributors and lurkers from USENET groups hawaii.nortle, alt.culture.hawaii and soc.culture.hawaii. Any other island internauts are also welcome to attend. Come, eat, and get to know the faces behind those "@" symbols! For details, directions and pot-luck sign-up, read any of the above newsgroups. Hope to see you there... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 87/73, Kaua`i 84/73, Moloka`i 85/73, Maui 89/73, Hilo 84/69 CASTS: Some showers, trades to 25MPH; East, South surf shore to 3 feet. THURSDAY'S TIDES: High 1:55 p.m.; Low 6:49 p.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Tuesday, June 25, 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! ============================================================================= Subject: FOURTH WITNESS TO FATAL BEATING TESTIFIES In exchange for having the murder charges against him reduced to assault, a 17-year-old witness yesterday testified against three fellow gang members involved in the fatal beating of Misiona Faumuina, 17, last year. Joseph Tauiliili testified that he saw 17-year-old Emanuela Tunoa, 18-year-old Ricky Lealaitafea and 19-year-old Marc Umi punch and kick Faumina during a gang ritual. The three defendants are being tried as adults for the June 1995 beating in Waipahu, and if convicted face life in prison. Faumuina had recently told fellow members of the "94 Block Gang" that he wanted to leave the group. Tauiliili said that after Faumuina fell unconscious, the ritual beating -- known as "jumping out" -- initially stopped. Faumuina's head was covered with blood, Tauiliili said, but he regained consciousness and told the gang members that he just wanted to rest. Faumuina died a few days later of bleeding in the brain as a result of his injuries. Tauiliili said the ritual beating was Umi's idea, and said Umi encouraged Tunoa to attack Faumuina after Tunoa had slept through the first beating. According to the defense, the three men didn't intend to kill Faumuina, and had planned on remaining friends with him after he left the gang. Tauiliili, prosecuted earlier as a minor, remains in custody at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility. If prosecuting attorneys find his testimony didn't help their case, they may still seek to try him for murder as an adult. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KIDNAPPING, MURDER TRIAL RESUMES Although a nationally renown forensics expert from Texas will eventually take the stand, a local medical examiner yesterday testified in the trial of 34- year-old Garreth Graham. Graham is accused of kidnapping, attempted extortion and second-degree murder in the May 1994 death of Ming-Li Chang. Chang was found in the trunk of her car in Hawai`i Kai, dead of suffocation. The trial resumes this week after a month-long delay while the defense successfully sought the state Supreme Court's permission to bring in Mainland specialist Dr. Vincent DiMaio as an expert witness. Tape that had been put over Chang's nose and mouth was likely what killed her, deputy medical examiner Dr. Kanti DeAlwis testified. DeAlwis also said that the tape was partially pulled off, but did not comment on whether Chang moved it herself. Without the tape, she said, Chang probably would have had enough air circulation in the trunk of her Mercedes to survive. DeAlwis also said strapping tape that had been wrapped tightly around Chang's chest was probably not a factor in her death. Prosecutors are hoping to prove Graham directly caused Chang's death in part by the placement of tape on her body. Earle Partington, Graham's attorney, said Chang's death was unintentional and may have been caused by heart failure or fright. DeAlwis later contested the heart failure theory. Partington said he is hoping for a lesser charge of manslaughter. Graham had already confessed to kidnapping Chang to get a $45,000 ransom from her husband. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: HORTON CONVICTED OF MURDER, WILL APPEAL Despite his claim that he killed his boss in a sudden rage, a Circuit Court jury yesterday convicted Ross Horton of second-degree murder. In April 1993, Horton attacked 53-year-old Barry Pescosta during one of many arguments over their Honolulu tile company. During the trial, Horton said he kicked Pescosta repeatedly, stopping when he thought Pescosta was dead. Horton then stuffed Pescosta's body into a toolbox and abandoned it off Old Kalanianaole Highway. Defense attorney David Hayakawa said he will appeal the conviction, saying the jury didn't give due consideration to their analysis of Horton's state of mind at the time of the altercation. Horton didn't have a past history of violence, Hayakawa said, and was under severe emotional distress at the time of the incident. Horton had testified that Pescosta had been verbally abusive, shortchanged him and tried to undermine his reputation. Prosecuting attorney Rom Trader said he was glad the jury refused Horton's manslaughter plea, adding that Horton could not have been too emotionally overwhelmed given the trouble he went through to cover up the murder. It took special effort to get Pescosta's body in the toolbox, clean up the blood, park Pescosta's truck at the airport and lie about his whereabouts, Trader said. Pescosta had been missing for a year and a half before his body was discovered. Horton will be sentenced Sept. 16. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- FAMILY and friends of Brandon "Kekoa" Stagner are nervously awaiting any word from the U.S. Air Force tonight following a terrorist bombing of a U.S. base in Saudi Arabia. Military officials are still sifting through the rubble after a gas truck parked near buildings at the base exploded. Carmen and Ishmael Stagner, Brandon's parents, say their son was deployed to the base just over a week ago as a security guard. They say his dream was to be a police officer or an agent with the Drug Enforcement Agency. Family members of military personnel in Saudi Arabia can call 1-800-253-9276... WHERE Ahi's Restaurant used to be. Locals and tourists driving through Kahuku may now hear that phrase in the singular local-style of giving directions after fire destroyed the landmark eatery yesterday afternoon. The popular restaurant, known for its steak and shrimp dishes, was closed when the blaze started sometime after 5 p.m. Neighbors tried to put out the fire with garden hoses, and firefighters took about 10 minutes to bring it under control. Damage to the structure and its contents is estimated at over $250,000. No word yet on whether owners will try to rebuild and reopen... FOLLOWING a new walking-map now available from the state, visitors and residents will be able to find their way to Iolani Palace, Restaurant Row and the State Capitol. Despite being on the National Register of Historic Places, however, no mention is made of the Spanish-styled building known as City Hall. Also missing are Kawaihao Church, the state library and the city municipal building. This despite the fact that many of the 16 suggested routes pass those downtown landmarks. The map designers in the state Health Department say the omissions weren't intentional... RUNNING into the sea, 25-year-old Mark See yesterday temporarily escaped arrest by police after he was allegedly spotted trying to break into a car near Makua Beach. He paddled around about a mile offshore, spurning rescue attempts by lifeguards on jet-skis. Although HPD was prepared to wait until See surrendered out of exhaustion, his mother arrived at about 5 p.m. With the simple command "Get out of there," See returned to shore. With over 50 prior arrests, See was already wanted on a parole violation... AFTER harassing passers-by and throwing things at cars along Kuhio Avenue early this morning, a group of about 12 people punched and kicked three others shortly after 2 a.m., leaving a 17-year-old Los Angeles youth in the hospital. Frank Diaz required emergency surgery for a broken jaw, and had to have his mouth wired shut. Two others, both Schofield Barracks residents, were also treated for minor injuries and released. Witnesses say the group had been acting rowdy for some time before the beating... PUBLIC outcry over a plan to cut ambulance services in four neighborhoods across the state has convinced Gov. Ben Cayetano to temporarily halt its implementation pending further consideration. State Rep. Gene Ward said yesterday that the cost-cutting proposal amounts to "playing with the lives of people." Honolulu Mayor Harris said cutting Hawaii Kai coverage between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. is out of the question. The state Health Department faces a $17 million budget cut this upcoming fiscal year... INTERISLAND shipping company Young Brothers Ltd. has asked state regulators for permission to raise their rates by 9.9 percent. The request, filed Friday with the Public Utilities Commission, is needed to compensate for inflation and stagnating profits. If approved, the increase will bring in $3 million more each year. The company, a subsidiary of Hawaiian Electric, carries cars and other cargo between six islands on barges... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 87/74, Kaua`i 83/74, Moloka`i 83/72, Maui 88/73, Hilo 84/68 CASTS: Partly cloudy, trades to 20MPH; All shore surf to 3 feet. WEDNESDAY'S TIDES: High 1:14 p.m.; Low 7:53 p.m.

<> ----------[ K A ` U P E N A K U K U I ]---------- <> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Net of Light Monday, June 24, 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! ============================================================================= Subject: POLICE SEX HARASSMENT CASE DRAWS FIRE Claiming that lawyers for the city are violating ethics and privacy rules, three civil rights groups have stepped in on behalf of a former police officer who is suing the Honolulu police department and nine other officers for sexual harassment and abuse. Clarissa Barta claims that she was sexually harassed during her three-year assignment at Honolulu International Airport. "She was called all kinds of names, slut and everything else," said American Civil Liberties Union attorney Elbridge Smith. "She was asked and forced to view videos of what she says are police officers engaging in sex acts with prostitutes." In a counter claim filed today in federal court, the National Organization of Women, Hawaii Women Lawyers and the ACLU have asked to join Barta's legal team. The groups claim that Barta has been questioned about her sexual history and that other tactics used by the defense are inappropriate. The strategy reeks of the decades old practice of attacking the victim's character in a rape case instead of the merits of her claims, said Hawaii Women Lawyers spokesman Magali Sunderland. City attorney Bill McCorriston said today that some of the information in question was entered by Barta's lawyers. "The records were relevant to one of the claims being made," McCorriston said. "We have asked Ms. Barta's lawyers if they would like us to enter into a stipulated protective order of confidentiality," he said, "and up until now our requests have been rebuffed." -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: LAIE CRASH KILLS KAHUKU FOOTBALL STAR A 17-year-old Kahuku High School graduate's dreams of college, professional football and teaching were suddenly cut short yesterday in an early morning single-car crash in Laie. Jason Keo, who led his school's football team to the championships last season and was weeks away from attending Brigham Young University in Utah on a football scholarship, was killed instantly when he apparently lost control of his car at about 4:45 a.m. while driving from one graduation party to another. The car skidded over 60 feet before striking a pole, then struck a nearby building twice and crashed into a parked van. Although the 1995 Plymouth Neon was fitted with dual airbags, the angle of the initial impact rendered them ineffective, police say. Two other passengers, both 17 years old, walked away from the crash with only minor injuries. Keo was the only passenger not wearing a seat belt. Police say speed was a factor, and are investigating whether alcohol was involved. His mother, Angeline Keo, today said it was possible he was drinking. "Because of his love for his friends, he would join them and sometimes forget the principles that he's been taught," she said. While friends left flowers near the spot where Keo died, his parents urged others to learn from their tragedy. Graduation parties should be alcohol free, they said, and end earlier. Remembering the last moments they shared at the first graduation party, Angeline Keo said, "The memory I'll have of my son was when he was dancing at me." Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: STATE WINS SECOND CHANCE IN STADIUM RUST CASE The State Supreme Court today ruled that a lower court should not have dismissed misrepresentation claims made during the 1993 case against U.S. Steel, which manufactured most of the metal used to build Aloha Stadium. So far, the state has spent over $80 million to repair the stadium, which has suffered serious corrosion problems for over a decade. While litigation between the companies involved in its construction has cost the state more than $20 million, over $10 million has been recovered in various settlements. The state claims that U.S. Steel made false promises about its product, which was promoted as a metal that would intentionally rust at first but then resist future deterioration. It didn't stop rusting, however, leaving the stadium with a collapsing roof and a disintegrating infrastructure. Attorney General Margery Bronster said she was very pleased with the ruling. "I think that they Circuit Court misread how negligent misrepresentation claims can be brought," she said. "We always felt that the state had a claim that was properly asserted and the supreme court apparently agreed with us." The Supreme Court also found that the jury in the 11 year old case was improperly briefed on deceptive and unfair trade practices. As a result of today's ruling, the case will be returned to Circuit Court for a new trial unless a settlement is reached. -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: BITS AND PIECES CAMPUS housing may cost from 2 to 170 percent more for students in the University of Hawai`i system. The proposed changes to the systemwide rent schedule would also lower rates for summer terms and at three dorms on the Manoa campus. It would cost $193 more per semester to live in Manoa's recently renovated Hale Laulima and Hale Kahawai. Maui Community College students, meanwhile, could pay nearly twice as much for one-bedroom units. Under the plan, current procedures would also be amended to allow dormitory rates to be raised by as much as 9 percent without public hearings... MORE crimes committed by juveniles have been solved since the state began including the fingerprints of minors in its computerized fingerprint identification system, state Attorney General Margery Bronster said today. Last year the Legislature passed a law requiring the fingerprints of all arrested juveniles to be put into the state database. While the fingerprints of minors constitute less than 2 percent of the records in the computer system, Bronster said, 28 percent of all prints successfully matched to crime scenes are those of juveniles... NATIVE Hawaiians living on the island of Moloka`i are one step closer to having what Gov. Ben Cayetano calls a "one-stop shopping center" for health, financial and educational services. About 500 people gathered today at the multi-service center's future site in Kalama`ula, which is backed by six Hawaiian organizations including Bishop Estate, Alu Like, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. As part of the master plan, 124 residential units will be built and nearby Kilauea Park will be upgraded. Construction isn't slated to begin until next year... TOMORROW, Gov. Cayetano will unveil the details of a land-exchange deal that will allow the state to build the long-awaited West O`ahu campus of the University of Hawai`i. In exchange for Campbell Estate's 900-acre Kapolei site, the state will turn over the 49-acres of land under Hawaii Raceway Park. UH-West O`ahu currently occupies several temporary buildings on the campus of Leeward Community College. The swap has drawn some criticism from various groups, including several who feel the cash-strapped state should focus its attention on keeping the Manoa campus up to specs... -----------------------------------------------------------------------==:]>- Subject: KA `UPENA ALMANAC TEMPS: O`ahu 88/74, Kaua`i 83/73, Moloka`i 83/73, Maui 87/73, Hilo 84/69 CASTS: Some showers, shifting trades to 20MPH; all shore surf to 3 feet. TUESDAY'S TIDES: High 12:28 p.m.; Low 6:46 p.m.

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