Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin Staff
Thursday, May 8, 2003
Council OKs Doyle as environmental boss
The City Council confirmed Frank Doyle yesterday as the director of the city Department of Environmental Services.Last month, the Council delayed Doyle's confirmation for three weeks after hearing reports of illegal dumping near the former Waipahu incinerator.
The Environmental Services Department oversees city operations that include landfill and sewers.
But yesterday there were no objections by the Council to Doyle being confirmed.
"Because of the complexity of the issues involved with the job, I think there's always going to be questions, but I also think that at this time for this job that Mr. Doyle is the right man," said Councilman Mike Gabbard, chairman of the Public Works Committee.
Doyle's supporters also turned out to lobby the Council to approve his nomination. "He is extremely competent and highly qualified," said Tim Steinberger, who was Doyle's boss when Doyle was the department's deputy director.
Phone scammers claim BBB approval
A new phone scam is trying to grab Hawaii residents' attention with an impressive credential: the Better Business Bureau seal of approval.Officials at the bureau's Hawaii office issued a warning yesterday that callers saying they are affiliated with the agency are selling financial advisement and estate planning services.
For an organization known as a watchdog committed to ethical trade, having its venerated name used to bilk consumers is the ultimate insult.
"Any kind of credibility they can assume for a quick hit is all they need," said Anne Deschene, president of the BBB in Hawaii. "It's a new stretch of nerve."
Deschene said a number of people alerted the bureau Tuesday and yesterday about the calls. When recipients asked for more details on the affiliation with the BBB or for contact information, they were disconnected.
The bureau has not received any word from individuals who have lost money in the swindle and has not made any report to law enforcement officials.
The Hawaii BBB issues alerts to consumers about twice a month for various types of scams, Deschene said.
But the bureau has never had to warn the public that they might fall victim to a scam using the BBB's name.
City raises $177,735 from motorcycle sales
The city raised $177,735 yesterday by auctioning off its last Harley-Davidson police motorcycles.The city sold 22 Harley-Davidsons, most for between $8,000 and $10,000. The Honolulu Police Department also sold one Kawasaki motorcycle and various motorcycle parts. The Harley-Davidsons were replaced by BMW motorcycles.
Post-polio syndrome effects to be discussed
Brian Combs, neurologist at the Queen's Medical Center, will speak about the chronic effects of polio Saturday at a Post-Polio Syndrome Support Group.The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to noon in the March of Dimes building, 1451 S. King St.
Shirley Sypert, who teaches classes, will speak at the start of the meeting about symptoms of post-polio syndrome.
Combs has been with Queen's for 10 years and has worked part time for five years at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific.
Seminar scheduled for cancer patients
The American Cancer Society's Central/Leeward Unit will hold a free seminar for cancer patients and caregivers Monday."Taking Charge of Money Matters" will be held 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the unit's office, 98-029 Hekaha St., Aiea. To register, call 486-8420.
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[Taking Notice]
>> The Good Beginnings Alliance has given its 2003 Circle of Honor awards to Henry "Kalani" Long, Keiki Clubhouse Inc. Preschool, Maui; Judy Puniwai, Hawaii Community College Children's Center, Hawaii; Cora Gibo, KCAA Muriel Preschool, Oahu; Papia Sengupta, Paia's Playhouse, Oahu; Pearl Abernathy, Kainalu Elementary School, Oahu; and Gail Shin, E Malama I Na Keiki O Lanai, Lanai.>> Compadres Bar & Grill has inducted Vik Watamull into the restaurant's "Wall of Fame" of unsung heroes. Watamull was honored for chairing the Susan G. Komen Hawaii Race for the Cure for eight years.
>> Susan Hirai, 16, of Punahou School, has received the Girl Scouts' Gold Award (Young Woman of Distinction) for her community service. She was one of 10 girls in the nation selected from 3,500 entries to receive the organization's highest award. Hirai received a free five-day trip to Washington, D.C., and a $1,000 scholarship from the Kappa Delta national sorority.
>> The Hawaii State Ethics Commission has recognized Cassandra Abdul, Jean Aoki and Larry Meacham for their contributions to ethics in government. Abdul, a commission member since 1994, was chairwoman from 1997 to 2002. Aoki is the legislative chairwoman of the League of Women Voters of Hawaii. Meacham is former executive director and spokesman for Common Cause Hawaii.
"Taking Notice" runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Please send items to City Desk, Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813.|
>> Installation of FieldTurf at Aloha Stadium is expected to continue through the end of next week. It was incorrectly reported on Page B2 Tuesday that it would be completed by the end of this week. The project is on schedule, and the new surface is expected to be ready for the Aiea High School graduation on May 24. Corrections and clarifications
>> The smoking ban in Maui County does not include many workplaces. A story on Page A4 Tuesday incorrectly stated that workplaces were included.
>> A story about the feather cloak owned by Chiefess Nahi'ena'ena that ran on Page D1 Tuesday said incorrectly that the princess was Kamehameha's granddaughter; she was his daughter.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers POLICE CARS GET UPDATED LOOK
COURTESY PHOTO
Honolulu police are putting the CrimeStoppers logo and telephone number on the back of 300 patrol cars. A local business donated cost of the decals. Since 1981, CrimeStoppers Honolulu has helped solve 33 homicides and more than 4,000 felony cases. It has also helped recover $3.8 million worth of stolen property and paid out $194,225.50 in rewards. To report a crime, call 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Big Isle police arrest 15 on drug charges
WAIMEA, Hawaii >> Big Island police assisted by U.S. Customs agents arrested 15 people on drug charges and found various drugs yesterday at four Waimea homes.Police said they seized crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, prescription pills, a rifle, and cash. Irma Freitas, 52, one of the 15 suspects, was charged with promoting dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released on $2,000 bail.
Police released four suspects who are juveniles, said Kona vice Lt. Robert Hickox. The other suspects remained in police custody this morning.
LEEWARD OAHU
Crash victim is ID'd as Schofield man, 25
The Honolulu Medical Examiner has identified the victim in Saturday's fatal crash in Pearl City as Scotty Ricks, 25, of Schofield Barracks.Police said Ricks was a passenger in a car that struck a concrete barrier on the H-1 freeway near the Kaahumanu Street overpass and rolled over several times.
Police seek suspect in Waianae shooting
Police are looking for a 31-year-old Waianae man who allegedly fired a shotgun Tuesday night at an acquaintance. The victim, 37, was driving the suspect's car with the suspect's permission so the reason for the shooting was not clear, police said.The victim said the Waianae man shot at him, and the shot hit the front fender of the car.
The victim reported he fled in the car while his assailant chased him in a truck. When the victim stopped in front of his home on Kaulawaha Road, he said the suspect got out of the truck and fired another shot at him, hitting the trunk of the car, police said. Both men then fled. No one was injured.
Threatening suspect is arrested at Halawa
A 27-year-old Waimalu woman told police that her ex-boyfriend threatened to kill her by pointing a handgun at her last month.Police said the incident happened at an Uao Place address. Since then police learned that the 24-year-old suspect was being held at Halawa Correctional Center on an unrelated offense. Police arrested the suspect yesterday for terroristic threatening in this case.
HONOLULU
Police seek possible kidnap victim, 22
Police are looking for a 22-year-old Waipahu woman who apparently was kidnapped last night by her ex-boyfriend while she was riding on her current boyfriend's motorcycle.The woman's boyfriend, 35, reported that two men in a blue Jeep Cherokee with license number "EDZ-367" drove up when the couple were leaving Ala Moana Center at about 8 p.m. One man exchanged words with his girlfriend, he reported.
When the couple stopped at a traffic light, the man grabbed his girlfriend and dragged her into the vehicle, police said. The men then drove away.
