Police Beat
Advertiser Staff and News Services
Ex-officer charged in death files claim
A former Honolulu police officer charged with manslaughter has filed a counterclaim against the family of the woman killed in a car crash.
Advertiser library photo • May 23, 2001
Clyde Arakawa wants relatives of 19-year-old Dana Ambrose to be held responsible for damage done to his Ford Thunderbird in the Oct. 7 collision.
Retired police offiecer Clyde Arakawa faces "frivolous charges."
Arakawa, 48, goes on trial in July on accusations of being drunk at the time of the crash at Pali Highway and School Street. The retired officer denies charges he ran a red light, and has pleaded not guilty.
"I don't know what in the world is the basis for what he's done," said Richard Fried Jr., attorney for the Ambrose family, which is suing Arakawa over the death.
Arakawa's attorney said his client would use the money to defend himself against the "frivolous charges." Michael Ostendorp also noted the suit is not against the victim's family but her estate, or insurance policy.
Fice arrested in raid on Wahiawa home
Police raided a suspected drug house in Wahiawa Tuesday night and arrested five people after finding drugs and drug paraphernalia.
Police conducted a search warrant at 320 'Ohai Place at about 9:30 p.m. after receiving numerous complaints about drug activity.
Inside the house, police said they recovered crystal methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
They arrested two men, ages 38 and 43; two females, ages 38 and 21; and a 16-year-old girl on suspicion of promoting dangerous drugs and drug paraphernalia. The girl was released pending further investigation, police said.
Fire damages room at Kalihi school
A fire heavily damaged a storage room at Ka'ewai Elementary School in Kalihi yesterday afternoon.
There were no reports of injuries.
Third-grade teacher Alison Adachi said she was returning to her classroom following a meeting when she saw sparks and smoke coming from the storage room at about 4 p.m. The room is used by custodians and also houses a kiln, Adachi said.
Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control at 4:12 p.m. and extinguish it at 4:34, said fire spokesman Capt. Richard Soo. He said smoke from the fire was visible for miles, but the fire was contained to the storage room and did not damage other classrooms.
Damage was estimated at $40,000 to the building and $10,000 to its contents. The cause of the fire was under investigation, but Soo said arson was not suspected.
