Posted on: Monday, December 20, 2004

HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Two caught using fake certificates

Advertiser Staff

Two people were arrested at Kahala Mall on Saturday when they both allegedly tried to pass fake gift certificates at different stores, police said.

A 27-year-old man was arrested at an undisclosed store at 4 p.m. and a 20-year-old woman was arrested at an undisclosed store at 3 p.m. Both were arrested on suspicion of second-degree forgery after store employees found the gift certificates to be fake, police said.

The arrests bring to seven the total number of people arrested at Kahala Mall and Pearlridge for allegedly passing fake gift certificates.

From Dec. 10 to 12, 13 stores at Kahala accepted 27 fake gift certificates valued at $1,350. Three people were arrested there Dec. 12 to 14. At Pearlridge, two women were arrested Dec. 13 for attempting to use fake certificates.

Enlistee accused of sexual assault

Navy investigators are looking into claims that a 31-year-old enlisted man sexually assaulted a woman at Hickam Air Force Base, police said.

At 12:01 a.m. Saturday, the woman, a 36-year-old dancer at a Waikiki club, met and left with the man, who drove from Waikiki to Hickam, police said. There, he allegedly assaulted her, the woman told police.

The woman was taken to the Sex Abuse Treatment Center, where she was examined. She later picked out the man in a photo lineup. The case was turned over to the Navy Criminal Investigation Section.

Two men sought in robbery

Police are seeking two men who allegedly robbed two women at gunpoint late Saturday, police said.

At 10:30 p.m. Saturday police said two 24-year-old women were picked up by two men on Kukui Street. The women were driven to Lusitana Street, where they were robbed at gunpoint, police said.

Japan school aids UH flood relief

A Japanese school has donated 1 million yen, or about $10,000, in support of flood-relief efforts at the University of Hawai'i.

The donation from Kanazwa Institute of Technology will go to restore Hamilton Library, which had 2.8 million items on its first floor damaged by the Oct. 30 flood.

The items included 800,000 government documents, which account for about 20 percent of the library's overall collection; books and pamphlets; and a vast collection of microfilms, videos, CD-ROMs and DVDs.

The two schools have had a 22-year academic partnership.

Since 1982, the institute has sent 20 to 25 of its students from Japan every summer to learn English at the UH-Manoa's Outreach College.

Interim President David McClain has said the total tab for the flood damage could run as high as $100 million, when factoring in the lost time for business and research.

'Ohana Festival Jan. 9 in Mo'ili'ili

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i will celebrate the new year at its free 'Ohana Festival, set for 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at the center and the adjacent Mo'ili'ili Field.

The event will showcase multicultural cuisine and entertainment. There will be cultural art displays and demonstrations, a craft fair, an antiques and book sale, keiki "make-and-take" activities, games and rides.

In addition to other ethnic foods being sold, freshly pound-ed mochi will be made by Tenrikyo Hawaii Dendocho, during a 10:30 a.m. demonstration at Mo'ili'ili Field.

This year's entertainment takes place on two stages, one dedicated to Japanese and Okinawan performances in the center courtyard, and the other featuring varied cultural performances. Kenshikan Dojo will also present martial arts demonstrations throughout the day.

A complimentary trolley service will operate throughout the day between the center and the parking structure at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa.

Information: 945-7633.

'Ewa Beach crash victim identified

A 32-year-old 'Ewa Beach motorcyclist killed Saturday in a traffic accident on Fort Weaver Road in 'Ewa Beach was identified by authorities yesterday.

The man's name was Dean H. Hampp, according to the medical examiner's office.

At about 3:30 p.m. on Fort Weaver Road near the intersection of 'Ewa Beach Road, Hampp's motorcycle collided with a Subaru driven by a 17-year-old girl.

Hampp was not wearing a helmet and died at the scene.

The driver of the car was taken to Kapi'olani Medical Center at Pali Momi in guarded condition. Her 14-year-old passenger was flown by helicopter to The Queen's Medical Center in critical condition.

No information was available yesterday about their conditions.

Fire damages Kuli'ou'ou home

Firefighters quickly extinguished a fire at a home in Kuli'ou'ou yesterday morning.

The 9:30 a.m. blaze on Aimoku Street was brought under control within five minutes and extinguished within 15 minutes, said Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada.

The fire started in a lower bedroom. Fire investigators are trying to determine the cause.

Damage to the house and contents was estimated at $90,000.

Red Cross volunteers helped the occupants of the home — a couple and their adult son — make alternate arrangements.

Library holiday hours on Web

All public libraries will be closed Jan. 1 in observance of New Year's Day.

Some libraries, including the Hawai'i State Library, will be open on New Year's Eve, however.

Visit www.librarieshawaii.org for special holiday hours.

Most libraries will reopen Jan. 3. Call your local library for its reopening date.

BLOOD DRIVE 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Foodland, 'Ewa Town Center; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 31, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Hawai'i Kai Chapel; donors must be in good health, 18 years of age or older, weigh 110 pounds or more and provide a valid photo ID; make an appointment by calling 845-9966.