"We have received several donations," said Bonnie Judd, Punahou Schools spokeswoman. "We are very grateful. It is amazing that people stepped forward, parents and other donors."

Police continue to investigate the theft, which occurred in the final hours before the carnival ended at 11 p.m. on Feb. 2. The money was taken from a safe in the school's business office and there was no sign of forced entry.

Van-cam driver's ticket dismissed

The operator of the traffic camera enforcement van cited for speeding by a Honolulu police officer has had his case dismissed in court.

One week after the traffic camera program in January, camera operator Adam Badgley was cited for speeding in his ACS company van and not having a valid registration in the van.

Court records show the the charges were dismissed by Judge Yvonne Shinmura after a court hearing Feb. 7 in which Badgley argued that he was not going as fast as the officer said.

Campaign donor records resisted

The head of an engineering firm under investigation by the state Campaign Spending Commission is fighting a subpoena for financial records, commission head Robert Watada said.

An attorney for Michael Matsumoto, chief executive officer of SSFM International, filed a court motion this week to quash the subpoena, Watada said.

The same attorney, Steven Hisaka, persuaded a judge last week to nullify subpoenas the commission issued to seven people connected with another engineering firm, Ernest K. Hirata and Associates.

Circuit Judge Dan Kochi ruled that those subpoenas, which sought banking records and other documents, were overly broad.

Watada said the commission intends to revise and reissue those subpoenas and will contest the attempt to quash the Matsumoto subpoena. Hisaka could not be reached for comment.

The commission is investigating whether people who made campaign contributions to Mayor Jeremy Harris and other politicians were illegally reimbursed for the donations, and where the money came from.

Police acquitted of false arrest

A federal jury yesterday acquitted two Big Island police officers who were accused of making a false arrest in 1999 were exonerated by a jury yesterday following a trial held before Judge Alan Kay.

The jury found in favor of Sgt. Ronald Paul and officer Juergen Canda in the suit brought by Nancy Makanui. She said she was falsely imprisoned during a dispute with another person over the care for a senior person in Volcano.

She accused police on acting without just cause against her for assisting an older person disabled by Alzheimer's disease.

Makanui sought a $150,000 settlement from the county before the trial began, according to Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida. The county refused the demand, requiring the trial that went for three days.

The jury deliberated 30 minutes, Ashida said, before finding no liability on the part of Canda and Paul. The county and police department had been dismissed from the suit previous to the trial. The policemen were represented by county attorneys Michael Kagami and Glenn Shiigi.

Big Island groups fight redistricting

KEALAKEKUA, Hawai'i — Citizens groups have filed two lawsuits challenging the new boundaries for the Big Island's nine County Council districts.

The Kona-based Citizens for Equitable and Responsible Government say the reapportionment commission violated the state constitution and county charter. The lawsuit was filed by attorney Michael Matsukawa, a former Hawai'i County corporation counsel.

A second lawsuit was filed by Honolulu attorney Jack Schweigert on behalf of a group including sociologist David Holzman and four others. It says the nine-member reapportioned panel ignored socio-economic factors in drawing up the new district, which will be in effect through 2012.

Opponents say Hilo is not entitled to three seats on the council, and say urban Kona was unfairly divided as was Puna, the state's fastest growing district.

County Clerk Al Konishi said he believes the plan he accepted from the reapportionment commission in December meets all legal tests.

Big Island sailor faces sex charge

HILO, Hawaii — A 19-year-old sailor from the Big Island was arrested and charged in California for allegedly molesting a 13-year-old girl, and officials believe there could be more victims in Hawai"i.

Stanley Shigeishi Jr., of the USS Nimitz, was charged with 12 counts of sexual conduct with the girl, "some forcible, some not," San Diego Deputy District Attorney Jodi Breton said Tuesday.

"I have every reason to believe that there are additional victims on your island," Breton said. "I know who some are and there's others that I don't know."

The alleged crimes with the California girl happened Jan. 29, Breton said.

False report charge cut

KEALAKEKUA, Hawai'i — A woman who has accused two police officers of sexually assaulting her has won dismissal of criminal charges that she made a false report.

Judge Ronald Ibarra dismissed the charges without prejudice after prosecutors were unable to find a key witness in the case against Kiana Dempster of Ocean View. Dempster is the principal complainant against two officers now on paid suspension while police look into the misconduct allegations.

One of the officers was acquitted of criminal charges in December, but remains on suspension pending completion of a police investigation.

Educators honor retireee

LIHU'E Kaua'i — Gladys K. Okada, has been named the Hawai'i Education Association's outstanding retired teacher volunteer for Kaua'i in 2001.

She was recognized at the Hawai'i Retired Teachers Association convention March 5 at the Kaua'i Coconut Beach Resort.

She volunteers with the retired teachers, senior citizen activities and in Japanese cultural programs.