KIHEI, Maui -- Some Maui residents were skeptical four years ago when Wes Friewald spoke about raising money for an in-line skating rink where teams could play hockey at Kalama Park. Teamwork builds Kihei in-line
skating rink for hockey and fun"We actually got laughed at a couple of times. At first, people weren't very cooperative," recalled Friewald, president of the Maui Inline Skating Association.
"But after they saw how many kids were involved, they realized it was a positive thing, rather than a passing fad."
Over the weekend, Friewald and other association members celebrated the opening of the first regulation-size in-line skating rink in the state.
Attending the celebration were National Hockey League player Chris Chelios of the Chicago Blackhawks and actor Mike Meyers of "Saturday Night Live" and "Wayne's World."
The rink with a cement base and an epoxy finish is expected to be open for free recreational skating from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays starting Saturday.
WASHINGTON -- Rep. Neil Abercrombie's novel about murder and international intrigue in the nation's capital sold only modestly, but now Abercrombie is part (albeit a very, very small part) of another fictional romp through Capitol Hill. Abercrombie gets a
cameo in D.C. mysteryWashington writer Margaret Truman, author of a series of murder mysteries set in Washington, has included Hawaii's often flamboyant lawmaker in her latest novel, "Murder in the House."
Near the end of the novel, a terrorist is dragging his young hostage at gunpoint onto the House floor. The speaker of the hour is none other than Abercrombie.
Writes Truman: "Abercrombie, unaware of what had caused the upset, repeatedly rapped his gavel and called for the House to be in order.
"'Get down!' the clerk, seated in front and below Abercrombie, shouted. The speaker disappeared behind the raised desk, the gavel flying from his hand.'"
That's it. No word on who will play Abercrombie in the movie.
WAILUKU -- State officials plan to expand a system that allows emergency vehicles to gain the right of way through traffic signals at the flip of a switch. Firefighters' traffic switch scores
The Opticom Priority Control System, which uses remote control to change traffic lights from three blocks away, was tested successfully at a few intersections in Lahaina for about 10 months.
The 3M company assumed the cost of installing the test system.
Fire Capt. Ronald Tsuhako said the system has allowed firefighters to get to fires more quickly and more safely.
The Honolulu Fire Department has been using a similar remote control system for several years at about 250 of the city's 400 intersections.
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Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffAn Army man was killed yesterday when a van crashed into a parked car on the H-2 freeway, three-tenths of a mile north of Kamehameha Highway. Man in parked car
off freeway killed in crashThe man, in his early 20s, was seated in the left rear seat of the parked car, which was struck at 4:23 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene and is Oahu's 46th traffic fatality of the year, as compared with 51 on the same date in 1996.
The victim's name is being withheld pending notification of relatives.
Three others in the car were taken to Queen's Hospital. Two of them, ages 23 and 21, were transferred yesterday to Tripler Hospital while another man, 21, is expected to be transferred to Tripler today, a nursing supervisor said.
All four men are stationed at Wheeler Army Air Base.
A 23-year-old Schofield man, who was the only person in the van, is in serious condition at Tripler Hospital.
Police vehicular homicide investigators said speed appears to be a contributing factor. It is unknown if alcohol was a factor, police added.
Investigators are also trying to determine why the car had pulled off the roadway. The Honda Accord was parked about 3 feet off the freeway on the east shoulder when it was struck by the Chevrolet Lumina van.
Police charged a 42-year-old Wahiawa woman on Saturday with second-degree assault for allegedly stabbing another woman Thursday night during an argument at the Waianae Boat Harbor. Woman is charged,
with assault in stabbingDarlene Kalahiki of an Ohai Street address is being held in lieu of $15,000 bail. The victim, 36, of Waipahu was treated at Queen's Hospital for a stab wound to the lower back and later released, police said.
The suspect told police she became angry with the victim for making sexual advances toward her husband, police said.
In other police/fire news:
Man held after brother is stabbed during fight
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