O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
CENTRAL
Five injured Marines out of hospital
Five of seven Marines injured Friday in a grenade accident at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island were released yesterday from Tripler Army Medical Center.
Two of the Marines have embarked on the USS Rushmore for a return to training on the Big Island.
Three other Marines have returned to Marine Corps Base Hawai'i at Kane'ohe Bay on limited duty status until they recover fully from minor injuries, officials said. Two other Marines remain at Tripler for further treatment.
The Marines were training at Pohakuloa in support of Rim of the Pacific 2002 naval exercises when a thrown grenade deflected off a berm and landed back in the trench where the Marines were positioned.
A base spokesman said the grenade landed far enough away that none of the Marines was seriously injured.
Boys beat, rob cab driver, 60
A 60-year-old cab driver was knocked unconscious and robbed Sunday by two boys, police said.
The cab driver told police that he picked up four boys at Ala Moana Shopping Center and drove them to Kipaipai Street in Pearl City about 8:12 p.m.
Two of the juveniles fled. The cab driver said one of the remaining juveniles hit him on the head from behind with a large object, knocking him out. When he regained consciousness, the cab driver discovered his wallet missing.
He was taken to The Queen's Medical Center, but his condition was not available. Police are still looking for the juveniles.
AYSO launches tourney tonight
Opening ceremonies tonight at the Waipi'o Soccer Stadium will kick off the five-day AYSO National Games tournament.
Teams, families and supporters are invited to attend. The tournament opens the Hawai'i AYSO soccer season and includes teams from across the country.
Festivities will include a grand march of teams and referees into the stadium at 6 p.m., a formal program at 7, followed by entertainment and a balloon and fireworks show at 7:30.
EAST HONOLULU
Board chairman re-elected
Charlie Rodgers has been re-elected chairman of the Hawai'i Kai Neighborhood Board.
Also re-elected were Brett White, vice chairman; Mary Houghton, secretary; and Bob Clark, treasurer.
The board, elected by voters every two years, meets at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month at the Haha'ione Elementary School cafeteria.
The meetings are usually broadcast at 9 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays on 'Olelo Channel 54.
WINDWARD
Lawmaker seeks sign vandals
State Rep. Joe Gomes, R-51st (Lanikai, Waimanalo), said yesterday that a third campaign sign he believed had been vandalized was actually cut by campaign aides to allow wind to blow through it.
But Gomes said he is still pursuing a complaint he filed with police Sunday that two of his re-election campaign signs in Waimanalo had been defaced with graffiti making derogatory references to homosexuals.
Gomes said he is asking the Campaign Spending Commission if he can use $500 in campaign money to offer a reward for information about the culprits.
State to discuss Waimanalo road
The state Department of Transportation will hold a community meeting today to discuss Waimanalo highway improvements.
The meeting will run from noon to 1 p.m. at the Waimanalo Elementary School library conference room.
The department will summarize the project's status and present plans developed from three previous community meetings, according to Scot Urada, project manager. Comments will be accepted.
HONOLULU
Three men arrested in attempted murder
Three men were arrested Sunday in connection with an attempted murder last week on Booth Road in Pauoa.
Honolulu police arrested the men — ages 23, 25 and 31 — without incident. All three are from Kalihi.
Police say the 23-year-old suspect entered the victim's home at 10:20 p.m. July 2 and pointed a .38-caliber handgun at a visitor there and then burst into the victim's room and shot the victim in the stomach. The 41-year-old victim was taken to The Queen's Medical Center in serious condition. No other information about his condition was available today.
Detective Gary Lahens said police received a tip Saturday night that led them to one of the three suspects. That suspect then identified the other two suspects, including the alleged gunman.
Lahens said the motive in the shooting appears to be robbery but the investigation is continuing. No charges have been filed.
Bicyclist in fatal accident identified
The Honolulu medical examiner's office has identified a 70-year-old bicyclist killed July 3 when he was hit by a pickup truck.
Sheung Lam Ho, of Honolulu, had just gotten off the H-1 Freeway overpass that leads to Captain Cook Avenue when the pickup truck hit him at about 10:20 a.m.
