O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
HONOLULU
Man fleeing cop plunges to death
A 39-year-old man fell to his death from the H-1 airport viaduct Tuesday night, trying to flee a deputy sheriff pursuing him on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
At about 8:41 p.m. a deputy sheriff spotted the driver in Mapunapuna and began chasing him as a possible DUI offender, police said. The driver collided with several cars.
The chase ended at about 9:13 p.m. at the H-1 express off-ramp onto Nimitz Highway, when the driver headed into oncoming traffic.
The driver abandoned his damaged vehicle, fled and finally climbed onto a cement barrier by the Nimitz Highway express off-ramp. He attempted to jump onto an H-1 viaduct barrier but missed and fell to his death on Nimitz, near the Disabled American Veterans Hall, police said.
The city medical examiner's office this morning had neither identified the man nor established whether he had been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Animal rights group to meet
The animal rights group CHAPS (Citizens for Humane Animal Policies), established to study laws and policies that affect animals in Hawai'i, will discuss the city's animal control contract at its meeting today at 6 p.m. at Paki Hale, across from Kapi'olani Park.
A question-and-answer session will begin at 7:30.
For more information, call 254-8116 or 220-8140.
CENTRAL
Woman, 34, dies after crash
A 34-year-old woman died after a speeding car in which she was a passenger overturned Tuesday night just off the H-1 freeway, near Waikele.
The driver, 39, remains in serious condition at the Queen's Medical Center, police said.
The accident happened in the eastbound lanes of the freeway, just before the Manager's Drive overpass. Witnesses told police the car, a 1993 blue Eagle Talon two-door, was speeding and weaving through traffic.
Police said the driver lost control of the car, which ran up the embankment and overturned. Both the driver and the passenger were ejected, police said.
WINDWARD
Three try to flee youth facility
Police arrested three girls on suspicion of second-degree assault after they allegedly roughed up two guards in an escape attempt Sunday from the Hawai'i Youth Correctional Facility in Olomana, police said.
Police said the escape attempt happened at about 5:30 p.m. at the facility, 42-477 Kalaniana'ole Highway, when two guards tried to break up a fight between three girls. During the fight, some girls left a secured cottage, but didn't escape the barbed wire fence, police said.
Bert Matsuoka, executive director of the Office of Youth Services which oversees HYCF, said no guards were hurt and officials have launched an investigation into the incident.
He said the cottage was adequately staffed by two guards.
Matsuoka said one girl threw an object at a guard, who deflected it with his arm. He was not injured, he said.
"The incident is important to us, but it was not a threat to the public," Matsuoka said. "We're investigating it."
Since the girls did not escape outside the fence, no escape charges were filed, police said. Police arrested the three girls, ages 14, 14 and 16, interviewed them, and returned back to the facility.
Boats to sail in parade
Kane'ohe Bay will be the stage for an annual Christmas boat parade beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday at the southern end of the bay near Makani Kai Yacht Club.
Boats decorated with Christmas lights will sail to Kane'ohe Yacht Club, the Marine base and Coconut Island. All decorated vessels in Kane'ohe Bay are invited to join the parade and a party to follow at the Makani Kai Yacht Club.
For more information, call Paul Texeira at 479-0757 or Seth Perkins at 236-2597.
NORTH SHORE
Hale'iwa to hold ho'olaulea
A lot more than a fun time is riding on the Hale'iwa Christmas Parade and Ho'olaulea on Saturday. Hale'iwa merchants expect the daylong celebration to kick-start the local economy.
"The hope is that this event will attract both visitors and locals to Hale'iwa," said Antya Miller, president of the Hale'iwa Main Street business association. "Our merchants have really suffered these past few months."
The festivities will begin at 10 a.m. with Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris launching the long-awaited Weed Circle beautification and landscaping project. That will be followed by the parade, which will run from Weed Circle to Hale'iwa Beach Park.
The ho'olaulea will feature three live entertainment stages: across from Jameson's Restaurant, at The North Shore Marketplace and at the Waialua Community Association Building. The festivities will last until 5 p.m.
EAST HONOLULU
School offers breakfast event
Koko Head Elementary School will hold a holiday breakfast for students, parents and the community from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. tomorrow in the school cafeteria.
Diners will be treated to live music by Heartsong and gifts, all sponsored by the Friends of Koko Head. Cost is 35 cents for children, $1.25 for adults. For more information call 397-5811.
Manoa plans holiday parade
The Waioli Lions Club, East Manoa Lions Club and Manoa Jaycees will present a Christmas parade in Manoa Valley on Dec. 15 beginning at 6 p.m. The parade will start at Noelani Elementary School and travel along East Manoa Road, up Lowrey Avenue and onto Manoa Road to the community's gym parking lot.
LEEWARD
'City Lights' also at Kapolei
A "Christmas at Kapolei" event similar to the "Honolulu City Lights" at Honolulu Hale is set for 6 p.m. Saturday at Kapolei Hale.
Nine groups will march in a short parade starting at 6 at Chili's at Kapolei Shopping Center and ending at Kapolei Hale on Uluohia Street.
Mayor Jeremy Harris will conduct the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, and 10-foot-tall Christmas trees donated by corporate sponsors will be on display.
Entertainment and refreshments will follow at Kapolei Hale from 6:30 to 9 p.m., said event co-coordinator Maeda Timson.
The Christmas trees will be available for viewing throughout December, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. For class tours, call 692-5400.
