Holiday keeps ambulances busy

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

While firefighters ran from one small brush fire to the next, and police tried to keep the peace among the celebrating throngs, Honolulu's ambulance service more than doubled its usual number of runs as the celebration of American Independence kicked into high gear.

Emergency Medical Services' Jason Kaneshiro said paramedics helped 114 people on the 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift Friday. The usual number is 40 to 60.

One person was shot and another was stabbed. Four people were hurt by fireworks, and one teen was seriously injured, he said.

Firefighters handled around 40 brushfires, officials said.

One EMS team was on Cushman duty in Ala Moana Park, looking after the injured as fireworks spectators, some of whom had claimed their places in park long before dawn, lost their inhibitions in the night.

The man who was shot was wounded about 8 p.m. at the corner of 'Ohai Street and 'Ohai Place in Wahiawa. EMS arranged for a helicopter to airlift the 28-year-old victim to The Queen's Medical Center, where he was treated and released. Police arrested a 32-year-old suspect.

The stabbing happened about 6 p.m. on Ulune Street in 'Aiea Heights. Three men in a green Jeep drove up to a party, got out and started wielding clubs. One suspect had a knife.

After the Jeep drove away, partygoers discovered a 22-year-old man had been stabbed. He was treated and released, police said.

Police are looking for a man between the ages of 18 to 20, 140 pounds with a thin build and long black hair.

Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.