Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Motorist killed in Wahiawa crash
A motorist was killed yesterday in a Wahiawa collision that closed Wilikina Drive for several hours as police investigated the traffic accident.
Police said the accident happened at 5:25 a.m. on Wilikina Drive between Kaukonahua Road and Kamananui Road when a car heading toward Waialua crossed the center line and slammed into an oncoming car.
Police said the driver of the Waialua-bound car was pinned in the vehicle and died at the scene. The driver of the second car was taken to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition and was upgraded to serious condition.
Police said a second crash occurred in Kane'ohe on Kamehameha Highway near Mokulele at 7 a.m. when a motorist suffered a heart attack.
His passenger tried to take control of the car, but it hit a guardrail. The driver, in his late 70s, was taken to Castle Medical Center in critical condition. The passenger was in good condition.
Patient escapes from State Hospital
Police were searching for a 38-year-old man with a history of violent offenses who escaped from the Hawai'i State Hospital yesterday morning.
Police said James Morgan Huffman was on a supervised walk around the Kane'ohe hospital grounds when he ran away through the bushes at around 7:30 a.m.
Huffman was in an agitated state. He had been convicted of violent offenses on the Mainland in several states in the past, police said.
Huffman was found unfit to proceed and ordered committed to the custody of the Department of Health on Dec. 18, 2000, by Judge Victoria Marks. He was facing trial on a charge of second-degree robbery for an incident that occurred on January 26, 2000 in the downtown area.
Police described Huffman, also known as James Michael Allen, as 5 feet, 7 inches tall, 140 pounds, with short grey hair, brown eyes, a fair complexion and a unshaven appearance.
He wore a grey sweatshirt, white t-shirt and blue jeans. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
Rains dissipate over Islands
An upper-level low-pressure system that threatened flooding on Kaua'i and O'ahu yesterday dissipated without generating severe rain.
The National Weather Service took down a flood watch for O'ahu late yesterday morning and removed the watch for Kaua'i in the afternoon.
Both islands had rain, but none heavy enough to cause problems, said meteorologist Roy Matsuda.
The low-pressure area was expected to further weaken and move away from the islands last night.
Canoe club to hold clinic for paddlers
Waimanalo Canoe Club will hold a free canoe steering clinic for paddlers from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Kaiona Beach Park near Shriner's Beach Club.
Fred Hemmings, a state senator also well known for his surfing and steering ability, will conduct the steering and paddling clinic, said Scotty Reis-Moniz, club head coach. The clinic is the first of many activities the club wants to host for the canoe paddling community, Reis-Moniz said.
The club is accepting membership applications from youths to adults, during regular practice sessions at Kaiona from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Besides training and racing, the club offers a youth program that includes excursions to Sea Life Park and the Waikiki Aquarium, paddle- making, Hawaiian language and canoe construction.
"We're trying to focus on our kids and give them more than just paddling," said Reis-Moniz. "We want to give them culture and respect for the Hawaiian culture."
Harris to welcome regional leaders
Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris will be host at the second Asia-Pacific Environmental Summit May 4 to 6 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel.
The conference is designed to bring regional leaders together to exchange ideas and develop practical strategies for each region's environmental challenges.
Keynote speakers include: Klaus Topfer, executive director for the United Nations Environment Programme; Amory Lovins, chief executive officer and treasurer Rocky Mountain Institute; and Maurice Strong, special assistant to the secretary general of the United Nations and president of the United Nations University for Peace.
The topics discussed will include tourism, air quality, sustainable energy, regional and urban planning.
Mayors from throughout the Asia-Pacific region are expected to attend.For more information, call 533-4165 or visit www.environmentalsummit.com.
Entrance changes at Honolulu Zoo
Those who plan to visit the Honolulu Zoo on Tuesday and Wednesday will need to enter at the makai or ocean end of the parking lot.
That's because the admissions building and gift shop will be closed for termite treatment. For more information, call Zoo Director Ken Redman at 971-7175.
