Posted on: Friday, April 29, 2005
HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Big Island woman indicted in church theft
Advertiser Staff
HILO, Hawai'i — A grand jury has indicted a Big Island woman on first-degree theft and other charges for allegedly stealing more than $20,000 from the Malia Puka O Kalani Catholic Church in Hilo.
The 90-count indictment made public yesterday alleges Kathleen Baybayan falsified checks for amounts ranging from $99 to $1,200 during 2000, 2001 and 2002.
The indictment also charges Baybayan with 89 counts of second-degree forgery.
Baybayan said yesterday she could not discuss the matter because she needs to speak with her lawyer.
HILO, Hawai'i — Preliminary results from Wednesday's autopsy on a 40-year-old Kona man whose body was found near the Prince Kuhio Plaza failed to determine the exact cause of death, police said.
Foul play is not suspected in the death of Dennis Kreis of Kailua, but police said it has not been ruled out. Investigators are awaiting toxicology reports. The man's body was found at about 6 a.m. Sunday in a wooded area between Longs Drug Store and Railroad Avenue.
Anyone with information about Kreis' death or who saw him before his body was found should call detective Robert Wagner at (808) 961-2380 or the police nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311.
Fire damages unfinished home
A fire last night heavily damaged a home that was under construction in Ma'ili.
The fire at 87-711 Meaulu Road was reported at 7:51 p.m. and arriving firefighters reported a two-story structure on fire, said fire spokesman Capt. Emmit Kane. The blaze was brought under control in 15 minutes and extinguished at 8:42 p.m., Kane said.
The home was in the early stages of construction and had no doors or windows, Kane said. He said there was "a little cause for suspicion" because there also were no live electrical lines to the house.
There were other homes under construction in the area, but none was damaged, Kane said.
Meeting to cover Makua kayaking
A meeting to discuss commercial kayaking activity at Makua State Park will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the multi-purpose room at Wai'anae District Park.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is seeking public comment on the month-to-month interim concession permit issued to a group called Makua Lani last year to conduct kayaking and snorkeling activities and some land-based wildlife viewing at the park.
Makua Lani's permit expires June 30 and the DLNR is assessing whether to continue commercial kayaking in the area. The next step will be to bring a recommendation to the Board of Land and Natural Resources.
Residents also can submit written comment until the end of May by writing to: Dan Quinn, State Parks Administrator, P.O. Box 621, Honolulu, HI 96809.
For more information, call Lauren Tanaka 587-0293.
Park won't open till work is done
The opening of the skateboard park and its comfort station and parking lot at Manana Community Park has been delayed until certain areas around the facility are fully grassed, according to a report from City Councilman Gary Okino to the Pearl City Neighborhood Board.
Okino reported the city will not accept the project until it is fully completed.
No date has been set for the skateboard park opening.
The contractor also has hired private security for 24-hour patrol of the skateboard park to prevent illegal use and vandalism until the city accepts the project.
Winning artist named May 14
The winner of the 2005 Congressional art competition "Kaha Ki'i — An Artistic Discovery" will be announced May 14 in a ceremony and reception at Kapolei Hale, 1000 Ulu'ohi'a St., from 1 to 3 p.m.
The contest was open to high-school students statewide. Some of the outstanding entries will be displayed for public viewing.
The winner will travel to Washington, D.C., on June 14 and represent Hawai'i's second Congressional District for a national exhibit.
Meeting features police speaker
The Papakolea Community Association will hold a general meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday in the community center, 2150 Tantalus Drive. A speaker from the Honolulu Police Department will attend the meeting to discuss recent parking tickets issued in the community, and ID theft.
For more information, call 520-8998.
Cause of death still a mystery
MA'ILI
WAI'ANAE
PEARL CITY
KAPOLEI
PAPAKOLEA
