Newswatch

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Thursday, August 13, 1998

Gores swim with
Waikoloa dolphins

The vice president will speak at McKinley
and at the convention center

By Mary Adamski, Star-Bulletin

Vice President Al Gore and his wife, Tipper, swam with the dolphins at the Hilton Waikoloa Village yesterday at the beginning of a Big Island vacation.

The two-hour morning visit to the Kohala Coast hotel's water attraction happened only after a crew of Navy Sea, Air, Land Specialists (SEALS) inspected the pool, according to a hotel employee.

The Gores, who honeymooned in Hawaii and were back recently for their 25th anniversary, are staying at another West Hawaii hotel. There was no official announcement of their visit. A spokeswoman for Mrs. Gore said two of the couple's four children are with them.

Gore is scheduled to speak at a Democratic Party fund-raising event Aug. 25 at McKinley High School, said state party Chairman Walter Heen.

Tickets are $25 for the party, which will be from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m..

Gore will also give the keynote address at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees convention.

About 4,000 government employees are expected to attend the Aug. 24-29 event, the first major convention at the Hawaii Convention Center since its opening.

Comedian arrested for theft

Gubernatorial candidate and local comedian Bu La'ia was arrested yesterday for allegedly stealing an 18-year-old's surfboard.

The arrest is his second in less than a month.

Kaui Hill, better known as Bu La'ia, was arrested near Sandy Beach at about 5 p.m., police said.

He reportedly stomped and threw a rock at the teen's surfboard.

He said, "You took my land, so I'm taking your board," according to a police report.

Hill, 32, reportedly took the board into the waters and was arrested when he came out. He faces felony theft charges.

Hill was also arrested July 28 for allegedly damaging a sticker vending machine at the International Market Place in Waikiki. He was released following psychiatric examinations at Queen's Hospital.

The comedian is running for governor as a Green Party candidate. However, the party has disavowed Hill, saying he isn't a party member and failed to go through its candidate-screening process.

Big Island library to be closed

Honokaa Library will close temporarily from Saturday through the end of October for the installation of central air conditioning and electrical wiring.

The Honokaa book drop will be locked, so library patrons should return books and other library materials to other Big Island libraries. For more information, call 775-7497.

University off-ramp closing

The state Transportation Department will close the H-1 freeway's University off-ramp just before fall semester classes begin Aug. 24.

The ramp will be closed for guardrail repairs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Aug. 20.

Drivers can take the Bingham Street exit after the Punahou off-ramp instead. It leads to a residential area a few blocks ewa of University Avenue.

The residential streets lead to University Avenue, but the South King Street exit may be a better option for those unfamiliar with the area, the department advised.

A right turn after the H-1 overpass and a left at the second light after that leads to the Diamond Head side of the campus on Dole Street.

Labor Day horse show benefits animals

The Hawaii Horse Show Association is holding a benefit for the Hawaii Humane Society.

The Labor Day weekend event Sept. 5-6 at Maunawili Farm in Kailua is free and open to the public. Proceeds will go to Humane Society programs such as lost and found, adoptions and humane education. From 9 a.m. to sunset, riders will compete in jumping events and display their skills in exhibitions. Children can take pony rides.

There also will be a silent auction. Participants can bid for riding gear, travel packages, fine wine and artwork.

Isle air cargo industry will meet

The movers and the shakers in Hawaii's air cargo business are inviting people to discover opportunities in the industry.

They will be discussing regulatory, business and financial issues with industry experts at the Hawaii International Air Cargo Symposium Sept. 15 and 16 at the Hawaiian Regent Hotel.

Representatives from Hawaii-based producers, suppliers and freight-forwarders will offer presentations and seek input on how to enhance the industry in Hawaii.

Registration is $125, but organizers will accept registrations after Aug. 31 with a $25 late fee. For information, call 838-8701; or from neighbor islands, 1-800-352-3506. E-mail your questions to hidotair@lava.net.

Star-Bulletin staff honors

Twenty Honolulu Star-Bulletin staffers who collaborated on coverage of the June arrival of the USS Missouri in Hawaii were cited for teamwork in the quarterly in-house Kilohana Awards.

The citation was one of seven awards announced yesterday.

Judges also applauded:

Reporters Jaymes Song and Gregg Kakesako, who covered the June 3 shooting of a vacationing Army pilot. Song also interviewed the widow.

Business writer Rick Daysog, who unearthed exclusive chapters in the continuing Bishop Estate story. He wrote of Milton Holt putting hostess bar bills on his expense account and trustee Lokelani Lindsey's foray into the gold market.

Reporter Helen Altonn for her feature on Jackie Young's battle with cancer.

Business writer Rob Perez for stories on the state's controversial attempt to move agencies to Kapolei and on Hawaii's inflated gasoline prices.

Photographer Dennis Oda for his art of the Merrie Monarch hula competition.

Graphic artist David Swann, who created graphics of the Missouri and the recovery of the battleship Yorktown.

Joining in the team effort to chronicle the Mighty Mo's final voyage were editors Lucy Young-Oda and Alan Matsuoka; reporters Gregg Kakesako, Lori Tighe, Susan Kreifels, Helen Altonn, Craig Gima, Stan Constantino; photographers Dean Sensui, Ken Sakamoto, Ken Ige, Kathryn Bender, Craig Kojima, Dennis Oda, Cindy Ellen Russell; copy editors Ben Wood, Seth Markow, Marissa Maemori; layout editors Michael Rovner and Dan Woods; and graphic artist David Swann.

See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Search] [Info] section for subscription information.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Morning crash closes lane of Kalanianaole

An early morning car accident closed one eastbound lane of Kalanianaole Highway today.

A car slammed into a utility pole at about 1:24 a.m., police said. One lane from Waiholo Place to Kaimoku Place was closed for several hours. No injuries were reported in the accident.

Diamond Head Road fatality, 27, identified

The 27-year-old East Honolulu man who was killed when his car struck a utility pole on Diamond Head Road on Saturday has been identified by the medical examiner's office as Ross Hattori.

Traffic investigators said his Honda sedan appeared to be traveling west on Diamond Head Road fronting Kapiolani Community College when he lost control and struck a utility pole. Hattori was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the 3:44 a.m. crash.

Police believe speed is a possible factor in the crash. Whether alcohol was involved in still unknown. Police are still waiting for the autopsy results.

Man carjacks couple at Mokuleia Beach

Police are searching for a man who carjacked a couple at Mokuleia Beach yesterday.

The couple were taking pictures at about 1 p.m. when a man displayed a gun tucked into his pants and demanded their rental car keys, police said. The suspect then fled with the car.

The couple hitchhiked to Haleiwa, where they reported the incident. No injuries were reported.

Three young hikers rescued near lava flow

HILO -- A California man, 18, and two Big Island boys, 9 and 7, were rescued by a Hawaii County helicopter at 6:30 a.m. yesterday after becoming lost while trying to hike to the current lava flow area at night, the Fire Department said.

The three were reported missing about 12:30 a.m. by four adult hikers who became separated from them, said Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which assisted in the search.

The hikers drove to the area on a rough, rocky private road, the same route another group of night-time hikers used in April. A man in that group fell over a cliff and disappeared in the ocean.

House fire in Haleiwa likely caused by arson

Arson investigators believe yesterday's house fire in Haleiwa was maliciously set.

The fire was reported at the abandoned home at 61-475 Kamehameha Highway at about 2:22 a.m., police said.

The fire, which started in the living room, was fueled by a flammable liquid.

No injuries were reported.

Police award two men for catching burglar

Police Chief Lee Donohue today presented two men with awards for their roles in apprehending and disarming a burglary suspect last year in Makiki.

Kenneth Brazile was given the Civilian Medal of Valor, the department's highest honor, and Victor Marx was presented with the Certificate of Merit.

See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Search] [Info] section for subscription information.