Posted on: Monday, June 6, 2005
HAWAI'I BRIEFS
31-year-old killed in ATV crash
Advertiser Staff
A 31-year-old man died last night at Wahiawa Hospital from injuries suffered when he was thrown from an all-terrain vehicle at Army Beach in Mokule'ia.
Police Sgt. Byron Martin in Wahiawa said the man lost control of the ATV he was operating on the beach and was thrown head-first onto rocks. The accident was reported to police at 6:45 p.m.
The case has been classified as an unattended death.
Authorities yesterday still had no indication that reports of what appeared to be a person in distress off Waikiki on Saturday were accurate, and suspect it may have been a balloon.
"We still haven't had any reports of anyone missing," said department spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada.
On Saturday two helicopters, three boats and nearly 20 searchers and crews from the Coast Guard and HFD searched the waters off Kaimana Beach after people on the beach reported seeing what they believed was a hang glider in trouble heading out to sea.
But after two hours of looking, both agencies called off the search and considered the possibility that the object was a runaway balloon from a nearby high-school graduation.
Kaimuki High School began its graduation ceremonies Saturday at the nearby Waikiki Shell at 5 p.m.
Two hours later, witnesses described seeing what appeared to be a hang glider in distress.
Grammy Award-winning singer Dionne Warwick was the featured speaker yesterday at St. Andrew's Priory's commencement exercises, urging the 28 graduating seniors to continue the spirit of excellence that inspired the school's founders more than 135 years ago.
"I want you to continue to strive for the excellence that you are all capable of, and I want you to thank God for the precious memories of this school that will influence the steps you take in the future," Warwick said.
Warwick appeared at the invitation of school trustee and friend Andy Kluger.
Lynne Matusow was re-elected chairwoman of the Downtown Neighborhood Board at its monthly meeting last week.
Other officers elected were Tom Smyth, vice chairman; Karl Rhoads, secretary; and Dolores Fees Mollring, treasurer. Burton White was named the board's representative to the Citizens' Advisory Committee of the O'ahu Metropolitan Planning Organization.
The board meets the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Pauahi Recreation Center, 171 N. Pauahi St.
The July 7 agenda includes a discussion of City Council Bill 40, which would raise the general excise tax to 4.5 percent to fund a rail transit system.
A 24-year-old man apparently drowned Saturday in waters off Kahalu'u Beach Park in Kona.
The victim was identified as Dong Kyu-jung of South Korea. Dong, who was affiliated with Mission Building in Kona, was found unconscious in about 4 to 6 feet of water off the beach park.
Responding to a 2:26 p.m. call, Kona patrol officers arrived to find lifeguards attempting to revive the victim. He was taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:06 p.m.
Police have ordered an autopsy.
The former treasurer of the Hilo Community Players pleaded guilty Thursday to eight felony charges for stealing money from the nonprofit theater organization.
Chris Drayer, 55, of Hilo, took approximately $8,500 from the group by pocketing grant money and cash from door receipts in 2002 and 2003, said Deputy Prosecutor Sandra Freitas.
Drayer pleaded guilty to a total of 12 charges, including six counts of second-degree theft and two counts of second-degree forgery — all felonies. He also pleaded guilty to three counts of misdemeanor third-degree theft, and one count of fourth-degree theft, a petty misdemeanor.
Under the terms of a plea agreement, prosecutors will not seek more than 90 days in jail for Drayer when he is sentenced Aug. 18, Freitas said.
An official with the theater group said Drayer has not been associated with the organization since late 2003.
Kane'ohe Day on the Bay 2005 is seeking volunteers to help operate the event, which promotes healthy families and friendships. This year's event will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 23 at the Kokokahi YWCA.
The gathering will celebrate the many diverse cultures in the community with entertainment, food, free activities, Xtreme Fun, craft fair, pony rides and petting zoo, said Jennifer Bui, volunteer coordinator.
About 150 volunteers are needed to set up and clean, handle parking and traffic control, staff booths and assist with stage productions and hospitality.
To volunteer or for more information, call Bui at 235-7747.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will conduct four public hearings at 6:30 p.m. June 21 to discuss proposed amendments to commercial harvest permit rules for forest products including timber, seedlings, greenery, tree fern, cinder and lava rock.
The proposed amendments call for increasing the number of permits that a group can obtain each year from three to six; upping the maximum value of raw material to be harvested from $1,000 to $10,000; and increasing the time for harvesting from 14 to 30 days.
The hearings are scheduled at:
Hilo, Hawai'i: DLNR Forestry and Wildlife conference room, 19 E. Kawili St. Honolulu: Kalanimoku State Office Building, Room 132, 1151 Punchbowl St. Kahului, Maui: Lihikai School cafeteria, 335 S. Papa Ave. Lihu'e, Kaua'i: State Building conference rooms A, B and C, 3060 Eiwa St. Written testimony will be accepted and must be sent by July 6 to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, 1151 Punchbowl St. #325, Honolulu, HI 96813.
No one missing, officials confirm
Dionne Warwick speaks to grads
Chairwoman wins re-election
Man, 24, believed to have drowned
Group treasurer enters guilty plea
Day on the Bay helpers sought
DLNR to discuss harvest permits
