O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
CENTRAL
Woman struck by car dies
A woman struck by a car as she attempted to cross a street in Waikele yesterday morning has died of her injuries.
Police said the woman, between 50 and 60 years old, was crossing Lumiauau Street just west of Lumiaina Street at about 7:10 a.m. when she was hit by a 2000 Chevy Corvette. The car, driven by a 44-year-old woman, was heading east on Lumiauau Street, police said.
The victim suffered head and leg injuries and was taken to the Queen’s Medical Center in critical condition. She died at 11:06 a.m., police said.
Police yesterday were investigating the accident. The woman’s death was the 14th traffic fatality this year, compared with 13 during the same period last year.
LEEWARD
Mercury found in Wai'anae
Another mercury contamination was reported on O'ahu yesterday, the seventh since March 12.
A small amount of mercury was discovered at about 1 p.m. on a concrete pillar used to block vehicle access near the tennis courts at the Wai'anae Regional Recreation Center. A Fire Department hazardous materials unit cordoned off the area.
A private contractor will clean up the small spill.
Workers continue to clean up the much larger mercury contamination at the Pu'uwai Momi public housing project in Halawa that occurred 11 days ago.
Woman injured in dive into bay
A 35-year-old woman suffered possible spinal injuries at about 12:20 p.m. yesterday when diving into the water at Pokai Bay.
The woman dove head first from a floating platform during low tide into about three feet of water and hit bottom, according to the fire department.
She was taken to the Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center and flown by helicopter to the Queens Medical Center in critical condition.
HONOLULU
Stevenson trio receives honors
Three students from Stevenson Middle School will be honored today as winners in the U.S. Savings Bonds National Student Poster Contest.
The winners, all sixth-grade students of teacher Kathleen Mitsuda, are:
• Jessica Lee, first place, who will receive a $1,000 Savings Bond. Her poster will represent Hawai'i in the national competition.
• Angela Yi, second place, who will receive a $500 savings bond.
• Traci Choi, third place, who will receive a $200 Savings Bond.
Bank of Hawai'i and First Hawaiian Bank provided the prizes.
Gov. Ben Cayetano will make the presentations in his ceremonial office.
In the national competition, contestants will vie for up to $5,000 in U.S. Savings Bonds.
Quarantine fees may be reduced
The Hawai'i Board of Agriculture yesterday approved temporary fee reductions for the quarantining of dogs and cats between July 1, 2000, and June 30 of this year.
The rule changes must be approved by the attorney general's office, Department of Budget and Finance and Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, before being submitted to the governor.
Current fees are $1,080 for the standard 120-day quarantine and $655 for pets that qualify for the 30-day quarantine. Under the temporary reductions ordered yesterday, these fees would decline by $120 for dogs and cats belonging to civilians and active-duty military, grades E-7 to O-3, and $220 for grades E-1 to E-6.
The state Legislature appropriated money last year to subsidize quarantine operations and allow the temporary fee reductions.
Retroactive reimbursements will not be available until May. Pet owners can contact the Animal Quarantine Station after May 1 for an application.
Isle lawyer named as court candidate
Prominent Honolulu attorney Richard Clifton apparently is among the leading candidates for appointment by President Bush to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Clifton, a partner in the law firm of Cades Schutte Fleming and Wright, has been a volunteer attorney for the Hawai'i Republican Party and legal counsel for the past two Republican gubernatorial campaigns.
Republican Party Chairwoman Linda Lingle declined to comment on the possible appointment. But she and other party leaders have formed a selection committee to interview possible candidates for federal appointments.
Lingle said several people were interviewed for the 9th Circuit Court judgeship, but she declined to name them.
Boys' heroism tale found to be hoax
A report that group of 8-year-old boys fought off a man attempting to kidnap a girl walking home from Linapuni Elementary School last week was a hoax, police said this week.
The five students said a man drove up and tried to pull the girl in their group into his car, but the boys attacked, pushing and punching and hitting the man in the head with a rock before he drove off.
Police Lt. Letha DeCaries said it's hard to figure out what goes through the mind of an 8-year-old to make up such a story.
It was hard to believe that children could fend off an adult and under questioning one of the children admitted it never happened, she said.
Kalihi police had made the search for the attacker priority.
