HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Honaunau man killed in crash
Advertiser Staff
HILO, Hawai'i — A Honaunau man was killed Friday evening in a two-vehicle collision on Hawai'i Belt Road in Ka'u, police said.
Johnnie P. Gouveia, 28, was driving west near the 72-mile marker when his 1988 Chevrolet sport utility vehicle collided head-on with a gray 1986 Toyota two-door sedan traveling in the opposite direction, police said.
The collision was reported at 6:42 p.m. Friday. Gouveia was taken to the Kona Community Hospital and pronounced dead. The driver of the Toyota, who has not been identified, was in critical condition.
It was the 31st traffic fatality on the Big Island this year, compared with 22 for the same period last year.
WINDWARD
Kapa'a cleanup gets big turnout
A large turnout of 60 people for last weekend's Kapa'a Quarry Road cleanup caught organizers by surprise.
The group, including 30 seventh- and eighth-graders from St. Anthony's School, picked up more than 100 bags of litter from the road next to Kawai Nui Marsh. They also collected three truckloads of scrap metal and cleared rock, branches and metal, said event organizer Jim Wood.
Wood said only about 20 people had confirmed they would come, so the project ran out of food and supplies.
But the students came away with a new appreciation for the marsh, Wood said. "The best education is the experience of seeing all this yucky stuff," he said.
HONOLULU
Ha'iku Stairs plan to be heard
A resolution to approve a Ha'iku Valley land swap between the city and the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will be heard before the City Council Budget Committee at 9 a.m. tomorrow in the Committee Meeting Room at City Hall.
If approved, the exchange of DHHL property in Ha'iku Valley for the city's 'Ewa parcel known as Varona Village Expansion could provide access to Ha'iku Stairs, a popular hiking trail, and needed affordable housing lots for Native Hawaiians in 'Ewa.
Both parcels are valued at $3.1 million.
The Ha'iku Stairs have been at the center of controversy in which some residents want the trail shut it down because large numbers of hikers trespass over neighboring property to reach it.
Makiki woman reports attack
A 20-year-old Makiki woman told police she awoke about 3:30 a.m. Saturday to find she was being sexually assaulted by a stranger.
Police classified the case as first-degree sexual assault, but said they had no suspects.
McCully rumble leads to charge
A 19-year-old Wai'anae man was charged yesterday with attempted murder in connection with an Aug. 29 fight in which another man was stabbed.
Travis Demello was arrested Sunday and charged yesterday afternoon with one count of second-degree attempted murder. His bail was set at $20,000.
Demello is accused of stabbing a 19-year-old during a fight in the 2800 block of Kapi'olani Boulevard in McCully that police said involved 12 to 15 men armed with bats, knives and electric stun guns.
No one else was seriously injured in the fight, police said. The injured man's condition was not available.
Man arrested as burglary suspect
A 44-year-old man is facing second-degree burglary charges after police arrested him about 4:30 a.m. near McCully Bike Shop on South King Street.
An anonymous caller reported a burglary and gave a description of a man seen carrying a bag as he left a restaurant near the bike store.
Police stopped to question the man, who initially fled. He was arrested soon after on suspicion of burglary.
Dinner to benefit Hawaiian cause
Celebrity chefs from more than a dozen restaurants will cook for "Nahokupa: A Gathering of Stars," a gala fund-raiser to benefit the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp.
The event will take place 5 to 9 p.m. Oct. 16 at Bishop Museum's Great Lawn.
Entertainers Keawe Lopes, Kainani Kahaunaele and Maunalua will perform.
Tickets cost $100 per person, with corporate tables and 10-seat tables available.
The nonprofit, public-interest law firm specializes in Hawaiian land and traditional rights. For more information, call Cheryl Hibbs, 521-2302.
Museum to hold teachers' night
Teachers are invited to Bishop Museum's fourth annual Educator's Evening from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 12 to exchange information and learn about the museum's educational offerings.
Interactive stations and presentations will give educators a chance to experience the museum's science, cultural outreach, maritime, garden and planetarium programs. Teachers also can preview upcoming traveling exhibits.
A live auction will give teachers the chance to win a free visit to Bishop Museum's Kalihi Campus or the Hawai'i Maritime Center, and discounts on outreach programs.
For more information, call 848-4168 or e-mail education@bishopmuseum.org.
ELECTION NOTES
House District 19 debate tonight
Tonight's live political debate at 6:30 p.m. on 'Olelo Community Television's Channel 54 features candidates for House District 19: Republican incumbent Barbara Marumoto and Democratic challenger Michael Abe.
AARP to host debate on Maui
KIHEI, Maui — The advocacy group American Association of Retired Persons will host a debate between state Sen. Roz Baker, D-5th (West and South Maui), and her Republican challenger Don Couch from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Kihei Community Center.
Larry Bulling of the AARP's national office in Washington, will moderate.
AARP Hawai'i Director Greg Marchildon said prescription drug affordability and financial security were likely to come up during the debate, which will include questions from the audience. Refreshments will be served.
