HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Volunteer wins national honor
Advertiser Staff
Maui's Kimokeo "Bully" Kapahulehua has been named Volunteer of the Year by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, largely for his work to rebuild the Ko'ie'ie fishpond in Kihei.
Kapahulehua, nominee for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, won the top award at an awards dinner in Washington on Tuesday night over l3 other nominees selected by NOAA marine sanctuaries. Jerry Stowel of Kihei also was a nominee.
"I was stunned and totally humbled," said Kapahulehua, who wore a traditional kihei (shawl) and lei to the black-tie event.
Kapahulehua has worked on re-introducing native plants, sand-dune restoration and efforts to protect coral reefs. He is best known for leading an effort to rebuild the Ko'ie'ie fishpond.
KALIHI
Suspect sought in sexual attack
Police have issued a composite sketch of a suspect in the sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman about 2:15 a.m. Monday as she was walking through Lanakila District Park.
Suspect
The woman told police a man she did not know approached her, pulled out a knife and assaulted her.
The woman ran onto North School Street and was headed in the 'ewa direction when she was picked up by a man and a woman who were parked in a white sedan.
The couple drove the assault victim to her home in Kalihi, from which an ambulance took her to a hospital.
Detective Phillip Lavarias is asking that the couple call him at 529-3817.
In addition, anyone with information about the case may anonymously call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on cellular phones.
The suspect in the sexual assault was believed to be in his early 20s, 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 7, with dark curly hair and a medium complexion. He was wearing a black T-shirt and denim shorts.
KAKA'AKO
Explosives scare forces evacuation
Some students from Word of Life school were moved from their classrooms yesterday as police investigated a possible explosive device at American Self Storage. Police were sent to the storage building at 720 South St. about 11 a.m. after a plastic pipe that was capped on one end and taped on the other was found in the loading dock area.
Word of Life is situated across a narrow lane from the loading dock, so police ordered the students moved to another area of the school grounds. Police bomb technicians used a robot to check out the device and determined it was nonexplosive. The area was reopened about 2 p.m.
O'AHU
Witnesses to 2 incidents wanted
Police are asking for the public's help in finding witnesses to two hit-and-run traffic incidents that left people with serious injuries earlier this year.
The first incident occurred about 6 a.m. March 11 at Ward Avenue and South King Street.
A 33-year-old woman was walking in the crosswalk from Thomas Square toward Straub Hospital when she was hit by a green pickup truck making a left turn from King onto Ward. The truck was equipped with the kind of forks used to pick up large rubbish bins.
The pedestrian was taken to a hospital and treated for leg injuries.
The second incident took place about 10 p.m. May 3 on the H-1 Freeway near the Makakilo exit. A 20-year-old man was riding a motorcycle westbound on the freeway when a blue and white Suzuki GSXR-1000 motorcycle cut in front of him. The Suzuki clipped the front of the victim's motorcycle and sent him flying through the air. The Suzuki continued up the Makakilo off-ramp and disappeared.
The victim suffered a serious, permanent injury to his hand and was taken to a hospital.
Anyone with information about these cases is asked to call Officer Sharon Nanod at 529-3527. Anonymous calls may be made to CrimeStoppers at 955-8300, or *CRIME on cellular phones.
LA'IE
Fire damages home of 7 people
A fire substantially damaged a home in La'ie yesterday.
About 35 firefighters from seven fire units fought the blaze at 65-238-B Kamehameha Highway, which was reported about 6 a.m. The fire was brought under control about 6:55 a.m.
Fire department spokesman Capt. Emmit Kane said about 50 percent of the four-bedroom, two-bath, single-story home was destroyed.
Two adults who own the house, their four children and a tenant were home when the fire broke out, Kane said.
"The fire was first noticed in one of the daughter's rooms, but she was able to alert the whole family," Kane said.
No one was injured, Kane said.
EAST HONOLULU
Legislators want to hear residents
State House members will be on hand Tuesday to hear the concerns of residents from 7 to 9 p.m. at Kalani High School.
Expected to attend are the heads of six legislative committees: Labor & Public Employment, Consumer Protection & Commerce, Judiciary, Energy and Environment, Finance and Education.
