Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff
More fines for political donations
Four more companies have agreed to pay fines to the state Campaign Spending Commission for making improper contributions to Hawai'i politicians.
Fujita and Associates will pay $11,000 for making excess donations or improperly providing money to others to make the donations. The money went to former Gov. Ben Cayetano, Mayor Jeremy Harris, former Maui Mayor James "Kimo" Apana, and former Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono.
WMO Corp. will pay $5,000 for making improper donations to Cayetano and Hirono; AM Partners Inc., will pay $1,200 for an improper donation to Harris; and Stanford Carr Development will pay $600 for an excess contribution to Rep. Jerry Chang, D-2nd (S. Hilo).
The commission has issued dozens of fines over the past year amid a lengthy investigation of illegal campaign activities.
Visitor helps save 4-year-old boy
A tourist from Salt Lake City rescued a 4-year-old boy from drowning off Waikiki beach, a city lifeguard said.
The boy, a visitor from Korea, was walking on a breakwater in front of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa when he slipped and fell into the ocean about 40 yards from the shore, said Jim Howe, operations chief for the city Ocean Safety Division.
The boy was in the water for about 15 to 20 seconds when the Utah man jumped in, rescued the boy and carried him to shore, where he alerted lifeguard Ben Forst, Howe said.
Forst resuscitated the boy, who was taken to Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children and admitted to the intensive care unit. The boy was in stable condition, an official said.
Kaua'i man repays debt in Arizona
Gary Baldwin, former head of the Kaua'i Economic Development Board and charter member of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority board, has repaid an Arizona debt that resulted in felony theft and fraud charges, and had all but a single misdemeanor theft count dismissed.
Baldwin, 56, did not contest the allegation that he had taken the money from a Phoenix-area eye surgeon and agreed to a plea bargain. He was sentenced this week to a year of probation following payment of $260,000 to the victim. Baldwin was not available for comment, but a friend described the case as a collection action that went overboard.
Baldwin was arrested by the FBI last July on a warrant from Maricopa County, Ariz., where a sealed indictment was issued in 1986. Eye surgeon David Dulaney had charged that Baldwin defrauded him of more than $330,000 intended for the purchase of a Lear jet.
Fire damages Kaimuki home
Fire damaged a two-story Kaimuki home last night and left six people homeless.
The fire at 1126 First Ave. was reported at 6:31 p.m.
Fire spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada said it was confined to a second-floor kitchen and ceiling, but there was heavy water damage to the first floor of the house.
A couple and their 7-year-old daughter lived on the second floor and three 19-year-old men lived on the first floor.
No one was at home at the time of the fire, Tejada said.
Damage was estimated at $100,000 to the building and its contents. Tejada said the cause of the fire was unattended cooking.
The American Red Cross assisted the six people with lodging last night.
Tax volunteers issue last call
Low-income families and non-English-speaking residents are invited to bring their taxes to Volunteer Legal Services of Hawai'i at 545 Queen St., Suite 100, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. tomorrow for free tax assistance.
The eight-hour tax clinic will be staffed by five or more volunteers who will complete tax forms for needy individuals who may be having difficulty doing it themselves.
People looking for assistance are asked to bring their W-2 form and Social Security card, plus a bank check that shows their "routing number." This will enable direct deposit of tax refunds into their bank accounts.
The tax clinic tomorrow is the last offered by the volunteer service before taxes are due.
Health workers get smallpox vaccine
WAILUKU, Maui — Health professionals were vaccinated for smallpox yesterday in a state program aimed at preparing for potential bioterrorism.
State Health Department officials wouldn't say how many people received the smallpox vaccination, citing security reasons. Earlier, they said that between 500 and 700 health workers would be vaccinated in Hawai'i.
Those vaccinated can serve on the front lines of public health response teams that will include physicians, investigators, laboratory specialists, nurses and staff assistants. The teams will investigate and manage suspected cases of smallpox and implement control measures in the event of bioterrorist attack.
Big Island police seek parolee
HILO, Hawai'i — Big Island police are looking for a 29-year-old woman wanted on a warrant for parole violation and questioning on credit-card and theft offenses.
Christine R.K. Kaiawe is 5 feet 2 and about 195 pounds, police said. She has brown eyes and black hair, and tattoos on her left hand, left ankle and right shoulder. She was last seen April 7 in Waikoloa.
Anyone with information about Kaiawe's whereabouts is asked to call the police nonemergency telephone number at (808) 935-3311, or CrimeStoppers at (808) 961-8300 in Hilo or (808) 329-8181 in Kona.
Additive switched in Maui water
WAILUKU, Maui — The Maui County Department of Water Supply yesterday switched the use of chemical additives in its Kula water systems to address complaints about skin and eye irritation.
The department discontinued adding Calgon C-9 (zinc orthophosphate) to the Kula systems and started using phosphoric acid, officials said.
The department began using C-9 in June 2001 to comply with federal rules of the Environmental Protection Agency. The chemical reduces lead leaching by preventing corrosion in pipes found primarily in older homes.
But at least 88 people have reported problems such as rashes, itching and burning eyes. Water officials decided to replace the zinc orthophosphate with phosphoric acid, which is essentially the same chemical without the zinc.
Anyone who experiences changes in water quality in the next week should flush the water pipes and it should clear up, officials said. Call 270-7633 for water service assistance.
'Ukulele stylist to talk, perform
'Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro will give a free talk and demonstration at the McCully-Mo'ili'ili Public Library from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. tomorrow.
The event is sponsored by the library's friends group and is open to all.
"I consider Jake one of Hawai'i's living treasures of music," said Marcia Ikuta, the Young Adult librarian. "I hope everyone will take advantage of this unique opportunity to see this musical diplomat."
For more information, call the library at 973-1055.
O'ahu math meet at Sacred Hearts
The Oahu Math League will hold its final meet of the school year at 9 a.m. tomorrow at Sacred Hearts Academy.
Thirty high schools and more than 400 students participate in the Oahu Math League.
Awards will also be presented to the top 10 scorers, and the Senior Merit Award will be given to deserving 12th-graders. The awards ceremony will begin at about 11:45 a.m.
He'eia State Park to be spruced up
The Friends of He'eia will sponsor a workday to beautify the stream and remove alien mangrove from 8:30 a.m. to noon tomorrow at He'eia State Park in Kane'ohe.
The group will be planting native Hawaiian plants and people should expect to get dirty. Bring sunscreen and/or wear a hat. For more information, call 247-3156.
Ulupo Heiau work set for tomorrow
The Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club will host a community workday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. tomorrow at Ulupo Heiau next to the Windward YMCA in Kailua.
The day will include removing alien vegetation, mowing, and restoring an ancient taro terrace that is fed by a natural spring.
To sign up, call Chuck Burrows at 595-3922 or e-mail him at ahahui@hawaii.rr.com.
