O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
WINDWARD
Kahalu'u park work to begin
Residents could see major progress at Kahalu'u Regional Park as early as mid-August when a contractor grades dredged material there and prepares the land for playing fields.
By the end of September the community hopes to have a ground-breaking ceremony and initiate the construction of football/soccer and baseball fields for the first phase of the project, said John Reppun, Kahalu'u Neighborhood Board member. The affected area is on the mauka/Kane'ohe corner of Kamehameha Highway and Waihe'e Road.
The designer is refining the plan with the help of the community, and everything, including permits, should be in place by September, Reppun said.
Event focuses on families
Families and friendships are the focus of Kane'ohe Celebration: A Day on the Bay, to take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Kokokahi YWCA.
Planned by local service providers to inspire and encourage healthy families and friendships, the celebration will include free family activities, community resource information, a craft fair, food and entertainment. The day will also offer a petting zoo, pony rides, "extreme" rides and free kayaking and sailboating on Kane'ohe Bay.
The event is sponsored by the city Department of Parks and Recreation, Honolulu Community Action Program, Hope Chapel, Kama'aina Kids, Marimed Foundation, New Hope Windward, PACT/ Kane'ohe Community Family Center, Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center, Salvation Army-Kane'ohe, Windward Missionary Church and YWCA of O'ahu.
Motorcyclist had heart attack
A 61-year-old Waimanalo man who died Sunday morning after he experienced a heart attack while riding his Harley Davidson near the Crouching Lion restaurant has been identified as John W. Soria, according to his brother and the medical examiner.
Soria was riding in a foursome heading toward Kahuku when a fellow rider noticed Soria's motorcycle wavering and Soria gesturing that something was wrong, according to his brother Alfred.
As the group pulled over to the side, Soria experienced a heart attack and died at the scene just before 11:30 a.m. Soria and the group were traveling the speed limit, his brother said.
He was taken to Castle Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Soria preferred not to wear a helmet, his brother said.
CENTRAL
Builder seeks land rezoning
Castle & Cooke Homes is seeking rezoning of 104 acres of agricultural land, where it plans to build homes in the third and final phase of its Mililani Mauka development.
The company plans 522 single-family and 304 multi-family homes on land adjacent to the H-2 Freeway. At one time, the site was earmarked for the University of Hawai'i West O'ahu campus, which now will be located at Kapolei.
He said the time frame for the development would be between 2003 and 2008.
Castle & Cooke has both development plan and zoning approval for approximately 6,600 homes at Mililani Mauka. The developer has asked to shift some of those to the Phase Three development and seeks approval for 140 more homes.
Man killed by backhoe identified
A 38-year-old Kalihi man who was killed Sunday in Mililani when he was crushed against a wall by a backhoe has been identified as Leo S. Castillo, the medical examiner said.
Police have classified the death as an industrial fatality.
Castillo was working near the machine in a residential area of Mililani at about 9 a.m. when the backhoe slipped in the loose dirt and slid into him, pressing him against a concrete retaining wall. He was taken to Wahiawa General Hospital and pronounced dead at 9:30 a.m.
Man arrested in Waiawa Sunday
A man whom police called a convicted felon was arrested Sunday on suspicion of carrying a gun and hunting illegally in Waiawa.
Police arrested the 39-year-old man on suspicion of several firearm violations, including possession of a firearm by a felon, hunting without a license and two drug offenses. They said state Department of Land and Natural Resources officers saw the man hunting illegally and suspected he was a convicted felon.
During the investigation, the man dropped what appeared to be drugs and drug paraphernalia, police said.
LEEWARD
Fishing event nets $3,250
A total of $3,250 has been donated to volunteer groups that helped run the fifth annual Ahi Fever in Wai'anae Fishing Tournament recently.
In recognition of their help, the tournament's organizers donated money to Pearl Harbor Naval Security Group, Wai'anae Horse Shoe Club, Wai'anae BLAZTAZ Girls Softball Team, Nanakuli High School, Wai'anae Girl Scout Troop 810, and the Makaha Elementary School PPT Program.
The volunteer groups helped in parking control, cleanup, boat registration, making the official numbered cards each boat is required to display while fishing and helped with other parts of the event.
Store's ATM stolen in Pearl City
A burglar smashed the front door of a Pearl City convenience store and stole an automated teller machine on Sunday, police said.
An officer on routine patrol Sunday morning noticed the front door smashed at Chubby's Pantry, 945 Kamehameha Highway.
The owner told police someone had stolen the ATM inside. Further investigation revealed the burglar had turned off the electricity to the building and cut phone and cable lines.
Police identify body found in Wai'anae
Police have identified William Van Winkle, 36, as the man whose body was found at Wai'anae District Park June14 by an early-morning jogger.
Van Winkle suffered head and facial injuries and was discovered on the basketball court, police said. Robbery may have been the motive for the attack.
Police believe Van Winkle was attacked sometime between midnight and 6:30 a.m. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
EAST HONOLULU
City honors preservationist
The City Council honored David Matthews recently for his efforts to preserve one of O'ahu's last undeveloped coastlines.
The 76-year-old Matthews co-founded the Save Sandy Beach Coalition and the Ka Iwi Action Coalition to spark awareness of development proposals.
Matthews has spoken out on issues concerning protecting the scenic Ka Iwi area from development.
HONOLULU
Police say man hit son with chair
A 15-year-old boy suffered broken left forearm after his father struck him with a chair Sunday in Kalihi, police said.
The man was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault. Police said the man became enraged after the boy snuck out of the house and stayed out all night.
Hirono raises $200,000 at event
Lieutenant Governor Mazie Hirono's campaign for governor raised at least $200,000 at its latest fund-raiser, campaign officials said.
Campaign coordinator Allicyn Tasaka said Thursday's event at the Dole Cannery Ballroom drew more than 3,000 supporters.
At the event, Hirono talked about her leadership capabilities and desire to bring people together. She has additional campaign rallies scheduled for next month.
Hirono likely will face Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris in next year's Democratic gubernatorial primary election.
Jelly fish threat to be assessed today
The city Ocean Safety Division will assess beaches this morning to see if jellyfish warnings should remain in affect.
The advisory was issued during the peak of the box jellyfish influx on Saturday and Sunday.
The areas commonly affected are the Ala Moana Beach Park swim channel and Waikiki Beach. Other affected areas included Hanauma Bay, Poka'i Bay and Makaha Surfing Beach. If jellyfish are found in any beach areas, warning signs will be posted, said Dennis Sallas, an Ocean Safety Division radio operator.
Ocean safety personnel advise that if you are stung by a jellyfish, flush the area with vinegar. If the pain persists, seek medical attention. Lifeguard stations are also supplied and equipped to treat this type of sting.
