State Attorney General Margery Bronster intends to issue a legal opinion that would limit the applicability of the reciprocal benefits law intended for people who cannot marry. Bronster forestalls
reciprocal benefits suitFive companies -- Bank of Hawaii, C. Brewer & Co., Hawaiian Electric Industries, Outrigger Hotels & Resorts and Theo H. Davies & Co. -- have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the law, arguing that it is too costly and could force companies to slash health benefits.
But Bronster said yesterday that she believes it is likely that the lawsuit will be dismissed because apparently none of the plaintiffs provide insurance to their employees.
The five companies apparently cover their workers through mutual benefit societies, such as the Hawaii Medical Service Association, or through health maintenance organizations, commonly known as HMOs.
The law doesn't require mutual benefit societies or HMOs to cover reciprocal beneficiaries, Bronster said.
It only mandates the state and commercial insurance companies to cover reciprocal beneficiaries, she added.
That means instead of tens of thousands of people eligible for reciprocal benefits, it will only be about 2,000, Bronster said.
Police are looking for a suspect in a stabbing death last night near Mayor Wright Housing in Palama. Man, 31, dies of knife wounds
after he was attacked in PalamaMoments before a 31-year-old man died of what police said appeared to be a puncture wound to the neck, police saw the victim walking with the suspected killer at 1120 Pua Lane.
Shortly after 9 p.m., a police officer making a traffic stop at the intersection of Pua Lane and Kanoa Street noticed the victim and the suspect together. The suspect is described as a 40-year-old man, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches tall, with a muscular build. He was wearing a black leather jacket and camouflage pants.
Police said several minutes later, the victim, who had been stabbed, ran to the officer asking for help, collapsed and was taken to Queen's Hospital, where he died at 9:50 p.m.
If Hawaiians get what they want, federal statistics could become distorted. Changing Hawaiians' census
category would distort stats, feds sayThat's the argument of a federal task force that recommended to the Office of Management and Budget on July 9 not to allow the transfer of Hawaiians from the Asian Pacific Islander category to the American Indian category.
Hawaiian leaders, facing a Sept. 8 deadline to comment on the proposed change, contend it will help identify them as a native people and educate others on the problems Hawaiians face as a dispossessed group.
The Office of Management and Budget, which sets minimal standards for federal statistics, is revising rules for the first time in 20 years, and is taking final comment on the recommendations before a decision in mid-October.
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Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffPolice arrested a 29-year-old man yesterday for allegedly attempting to kill a 60-year-old man. Man arrested for stabbing
River Street resident, 60Police said the suspect entered the victim's River Street apartment about 6 p.m. and, after a struggle, stabbed the elderly man with a 12-inch kitchen knife.
Police said the victim ran to a neighbor's apartment and was followed by the suspect. The suspect was confronted by the neighbor and the apartment building's resident manager, who held the suspect until police arrived.
Police said the victim was treated at Queen's Hospital and released in good condition.
Police arrested two more wanted fugitives, bringing to four the number arrested since a July 1997 Wanted Fugitive poster was released by CrimeStoppers. Two more wanted fugitives
caught via CrimestoppersYesterday at noon, acting on information received through CrimeStoppers, police located and arrested Naiuli Lui at Farrington Highway address in Waianae. Lui was wanted on outstanding contempt and assault warrants, and his bail was set at $10,350.
Saturday, at 8:45 p.m., also acting on CrimeStoppers information, police located and arrested Sonny Asuega at Maluna and Likini streets in Salt Lake. Wanted for felony contempt warrants, his bail was set at $11,000.
Other Police/Fire items:
Pair arrested on firearms and narcotics charges
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