Police have put out a renewed call for witnesses who could help with the investigation of the murder of an 81-year-old tourist from Ontario, Canada, in January 2001.

Norman Chaplan died Jan. 23, 2001, of injuries suffered in a robbery and beating that occurred just before 1 a.m. that day at the Outrigger West Hotel, 2330 Kuhio Ave.

Steven M. Hauge, who was sentenced Tuesday in an unrelated hotel burglary that occurred six hours after the Chaplan beating, remains the sole suspect in the murder, city prosecutors said. Hauge was arrested but never charged in the Chaplan case.

The male assailant in the murder allegedly followed Chaplan into the hotel lobby restroom just after his arrival in Honolulu with his tour group. The suspect allegedly struck him on the head with a blunt object and took his wallet.

The suspect was described as a Caucasian in his early to mid-30s,

5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, weighing 180-200 pounds. He had brown neck-length hair and a tan complexion, and was wearing a dark blue or purple T-shirt with white lettering, green shorts and slippers.

Anyone with information can file anonymous tips with CrimeStoppers, 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.

Man charged with sexual assault

A 38-year-old man has been charged with 12 counts of first-degree sexual assault in a case that originated when the female victim was 10 years old.

Alan New made his initial appearance this morning at District Court. Bail was set at a total of $50,000 on the 12 counts.

The victim, now 16, alleged the assaults took place in 'Ewa Beach between August 1996 and March 2001.