State tax law now gives breaks on college loans, capital gains
Gov. Ben Cayetano recently signed into law a bill to make Hawaii income tax law conform more closely to the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.The act incorporates provisions of several 1997 federal laws and allows a deduction before adjusted gross income for interest paid on higher-education loans up to $1,000.
It also permits taxpayers to exclude up to $250,000 ($500,000 for married filing jointly) of capital gain in sale of a principal residence on or after May 7, 1997.
The act also gradually increases the percentage of deductible health care insurance expenses for self-employed individuals until the deduction equals 100 percent of costs in the year 2007.
Parents tormented 3-year-old, police say
For wetting herself, not listening or talking back, 3-year-old Tajhai Cooper was whipped on the head with doubled-up electrical cords and spanked with a brush handle, a police detective said.Detective Martha Kwon, assigned to the Family Violence/Child Abuse Unit, testified at a preliminary hearing yesterday that the girl's stepmother, Tammy Cooper, admitted to hitting Tajhai in the face with a fan cord.
In a separate statement to police, the girl's father, Kinyatta Cooper, said he hit his daughter "approximately every other day."
Kinyatta Cooper used a wooden brush handle to spank his daughter on the buttocks, Kwon said.
Family Judge Russel Nagata ordered that the couple's case be sent to Circuit Court for trial. They will be arraigned June 29 at 8:30 a.m. before Judge Victoria Marks.
Two Army physicians who examined the girl Friday at Tripler Hospital, where she was treated for a multiple compound fracture of the right forearm, described the numerous U- and J-shaped scarring on Tajhai's face and neck as "potential permanent disfigurement."
Doctors to discuss sports injury, treatment
Orthopedic surgeons will discuss sports injuries and treatment options in a public lecture at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Queen's Medical Center Kamehameha Auditorium.Speakers will be Drs. Darryl Kan, Jay Marumoto and Allen Richardson.
Kan is a former pro football player with the San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers.
Call 537-7117 for reservations.
New state librarian already facing daunting problems
Hawaii's newly appointed state librarian faces reviewing a library reorganization plan, opening a new library and developing a new biennium budget for the libraries in the next few months.And she's not even here yet.
"The sooner she comes, the better, and the easier it will be for everyone," said Francis McMillen, head of the school board's Library Committee.
Virginia Lowell, Hawaii's next state librarian, is not expected to be here by July 1 -- the date the board had hoped the new librarian and the schools superintendent would begin.
When the committee meets again next month, Hawaii's longest-serving state librarian, Bart Kane, will already be gone. He steps down June 30.
Kane told board members yesterday the library system is in "excellent shape" in some areas, while others require serious attention.
Ongoing problems Lowell will have to deal with are the potential for more restrictions by the governor and controlling personnel and material budgets and expenditures.
Dental benefits being phased out for 5,000
Hawaii Dental Service will begin phasing out its Individual/Family Dental Plan Oct. 1, eliminating benefits for about 5,000 subscribers.Those whose 12-month plans expire in the next three months will have the option to extend through December.
"We want to make sure everybody has time to find something else," said Mark Fukuhara, senior vice president, marketing and product development.
HDS, the state's largest dental insurer, launched the Individual/Family Dental Plan July 1, 1996.
Fukuhara said it's "not working out well financially" because many people joining the plan need extensive services.
"Usually, when you have insurance, those who don't need help pay for those who do," he said. Because the plan is sold directly, utilization has been very high, he said.
He said HDS also wants to return to its core business of offering dental plans through employers, which it has done since 1962.
Perfect Title's founder indicted on tax charges
A grand jury indicted the founder of a controversial title company on charges he failed to obtain a general excise tax license and failed to file a tax return for the business.The grand jury yesterday charged Donald A. Lewis with two counts related to the tax allegations. His company, Perfect Title Co., was charged with the same counts. The indictment said Lewis didn't file a state tax return for Perfect Title for 1996.
The company researched property ownership based on 19th-century Hawaiian Kingdom law and invariably found that current titles in Hawaii were no good. Its findings were dismissed as absurd by the industry.
Lewis could not be reached for comment. But he previously told the Star-Bulletin that Perfect Title didn't pay state taxes or get a state business license because the company operated under kingdom law and didn't recognize state law as valid.
Lewis and Perfect Title co-founder David Keanu Sai were indicted last year for a theft charge related to a Perfect Title case. They have not gone to trial.
Woman jailed 10 years for welfare fraud
Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario yesterday sentenced Izumi Toma Frias to 10 years in prison for welfare fraud. He also ordered her to make more than $28,000 in restitution.Frias was convicted of first-degree theft for fraudulently obtaining welfare benefits between 1995 and 1997 while on probation for other felony property crimes.
She used one of several aliases to get benefits, and misrepresented the location of her husband and his employment status, officials said. She also was gainfully employed under other aliases.
Army to resume live-fire training at Makua site
The Army will resume live-fire training at Makua Military Reservation, but will not allow the use of certain high-risk ordnances such as tracers and anti-tank missiles. It also will have full firefighting capabilities operating at the 1,200-acre military range.The Army imposed a stand-down in training and began an internal review of its operations March 30 after two fires were started in the valley during firing exercises. It also will hire three more safety technicians and will buy more firefighting equipment.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffBoy charged in cleaver attack on his father
A 15-year-old Waikiki boy was arrested and charged for allegedly threatening his father with a pair of forks and cutting him with a meat cleaver.The father and son were arguing about money at their Ala Wai Boulevard apartment at 7:10 p.m. when the boy threatened the father, 49, with the forks, police said.
When the father disarmed him, the boy reportedly grabbed a meat cleaver and threatened the father again.
While disarming the boy of the cleaver, the father suffered a cut on the finger.
The boy was charged with second-degree assault and first-degree terroristic threatening.
Police investigating kin in kidnap, sexual assault
Police are investigating a brother and sister in connection with an apparent kidnapping and sexual assault of a 38-year-old woman.The victim told police that her 36-year-old boyfriend yesterday dragged her out of a house in Kahaluu by the hair, punched her repeatedly and dropped her off at his sister's apartment on Ahuimano Road.
According to a police report, "the sister, 40, directed the victim to remove her clothes and then used physical force to sexually assault the victim."
The results of a forensic medical examination showed that injuries were consistent with the victim's statement.
No arrests have been made at this time.
Ewa Beach house fire put out with no injuries
Three fire crews responded to a house fire this morning in Ewa Beach.The 4:54 a.m. blaze at 91-863 Haehae Place was brought under control at 5:16 a.m., fire officials said.
No injuries were reported.
Try at stealing jet ski leads to two stabbings
A confrontation yesterday between a Maili resident and three men who allegedly were trying to steal a jet ski ended with one of the three being stabbed in the stomach.The injured man, 36, is listed in guarded condition at Queen's Hospital, police said.
The resident, 37, confronted the three men, who were on his Maipalaloa Road property with a bolt cutter trying to break the lock on his jet ski at 1:40 p.m.
The man had armed himself with a machete and a knife.
During a struggle one of the trio disarmed him and stabbed the resident in the forehead twice with the knife. The resident was able to get the knife back and stabbed the suspect in the stomach, police said.
The three suspects fled in a truck.
The injured man sought treatment for his wound at the Waianae Kaiser Clinic and was later taken to the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Heath Center before being medivaced to Queen's.
Police plan to question the man about the alleged robbery after he is discharged from the hospital. His companions are still at large.
Fire does $2,000 harm to Kihei phone exchange
WAILUKU -- A smoldering fire did $2,000 in damages to the roof and structure of a Hawaiian Telephone exchange in Kihei.The fire at 210 Halona St. was caused by the heat of a chimney and was under control within several minutes after the alarm at 3:09 p.m. yesterday, a fire spokesman said.
Telephone scam touts 'Hawaii's Most Wanted'
Police are warning the public about a possible telephone scam in which a caller is trying to solicit advertising for "Hawaii's Most Wanted Magazine."The caller claims to represent the "National United Law Enforcement Officers Association" and is soliciting ads and donations, claiming both are tax-deductible.
The Honolulu Police Department and CrimeStoppers are not involved.
Anyone who has contact is asked to call Detective Joseph Makanani at 529-3115 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
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