HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Victim in attack at Burger King dies
Advertiser Staff
A 69-year-old man who was beaten and choked unconscious April 7 in the restroom of a Burger King restaurant at Wai'anae Mall died yesterday at The Queen's Medical Center.
An autopsy will be performed today, the results of which will be considered in new charges against the alleged assailant. Gary R. Avilez, 35, was charged April 9 with attempted murder and is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.
The Honolulu Medical Examiner's office declined to release the name of the victim last night at the request of police, according to an investigator.
$6.6M WILL HELP KEEP HOSPITAL COOL
WAILUKU, Maui — Gov. Linda Lingle has released $6.6 million for replacement of Maui Memorial Medical Center's air-conditioning system. The funds will be used to replace the air-conditioning equipment, duct systems, insulation, piping and thermostats throughout the hospital.
Officials said the project will keep patients comfortable and ensure the facility's sensitive medical equipment remains at recommended temperatures.
Construction is expected to be complete by December 2008.
UH CELEBRATES EARTH DAY TODAY
An Earth Day Fair today at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa will feature "green" products, informational activities and live music. The fair, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will transform the Sustainability Courtyard into an eco-marketplace with food, live music featuring Paula Fuga and Makana, multicultural dance and handmade crafts.
There will be a free showing of "Who Killed the Electric Car?" at 1:30 p.m. in Kuykendall Auditorium.
The celebration will close with a free concert from 7 to 11 p.m. on the front lawn of Hawai'i Hall, with entertainment by Organix, DJ H.O.P., The Genie and the InLight Fire Performance Troupe. Food, soft drinks, beer and wine will be available for purchase.
FLIER WHO DIED WAS FROM JAPAN
A 66-year-old man who died Wednesday on a flight from Japan to Honolulu was identified by the Honolulu medical examiner's office as Masahiro Watahiki, 66, of Ibaraki Prefecture.
The cause of death was listed as pulmonary embolism.
IT'S CLEANING DAY AT SANDY BEACH
Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai'i will conduct a beach cleanup and cigarette butt litter prevention campaign Sunday at Sandy Beach from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Individuals and groups are invited to join in and help clean Sandy Beach.
Jamba Juice and Starbucks are providing refreshments and Kale's Natural Foods is providing bottled water and prizes for a drawing for volunteers.
For information, call Suzanne Frazer or Dean Otsuki at 393-2168 or go to www.b-e-a-c-h.org.
Correction: A cleanup campaign on Sandy Beach tomorrow will include the Hawaii State Bodysurfing Association. The group's name was not mentioned in a previous version of this story.
KAHALA THEFT SUSPECTS ARRESTED
Two juveniles and three women from the 'Ewa Beach area were arrested Wednesday morning shortly after two women reported being robbed in the Black Point Road area of Kahala.
The women, ages 26 and 27, who reported the robbery told police the robbers demanded their personal belongings.
