The state Health Department yesterday confirmed an outbreak of Norwalk virus, or norovirus, early this month at Le'ahi Hospital.

Investigators reported there were 12 cases of Norwalk virus at Le'ahi from March 2 to 12. The cases were confined to one ward, said Health Department spokeswoman Janice Okubo. Steps were taken to contain the spread, Okubo said.

Le'ahi Hospital in Kaimuki is an inpatient facility for long-term care patients and people with acute tuberculosis. It also has a geriatrics outpatient clinic and an adult health center.

INMATE CHARGED IN CHILD SEX CASES

Prosecutors yesterday charged a 24-year-old Salt Lake man with sexually assaulting boys and allegedly preparing pornographic material of a minor engaging in sexual conduct.

Kaulana F. Hirakawa of an Ala Ilima address was charged with first-degree promotion of child abuse, four counts of first-degree sex assault, and three counts of third-degree sex assault. Bail totals $150,000.

The sex assaults allegedly occurred in 2006 between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31.

Hirakawa was arrested Tuesday at the O'ahu Community Correctional Center, where he is awaiting trial on charges of multiple sex assaults in 2003 involving children.

FUGITIVE SOUGHT FOR QUESTIONING

Police yesterday were seeking a man wanted on four felony warrants for questioning about a home-invasion robbery March 7 in Mililani.

Keo Kahanamoku Aiwohi, 29, is from the Leeward Coast and has four prior convictions. Bail on the four warrants totals $44,000.

Aiwohi is 6 feet tall and weighs 220 pounds.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts can call Honolulu CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellular phone.

Matthew Ako III, 37, was charged last week in connection with the Hokulewa Place robbery. A woman resident, 79, suffered broken ribs and a collapsed lung in the robbery. The case is being prosecuted by the new elderly abuse unit of the Honolulu Prosecutor's Office.

Ako, who is being held in lieu of $200,000 bail, was one of several men involved in the home invasion, prosecutors said. The assailants also stole a car belonging to the residents.

ROTARY CLUB WILL CLEAR STREAM

The Downtown Rotary Club will clear trash and debris from Kalihi Stream from 9 to 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Those interested in lending a hand are asked to meet at 9 a.m. at Kuhio Park Terrace on School Street.

Supplies and other items will be provided, including a snack. To volunteer, contact Erin Parker today at eparker@ortc.com.

CHARGES PENDING IN WAI'ANAE CASE

Charges were pending against a Wai'anae man arrested yesterday with two juveniles in Ma'ili on suspicion of robbing a woman Wednesday night at a bus stop in Wai'anae.

The man, 23, of a Hokuae'a Place address, was booked for investigation of second-degree robbery after being arrested fronting 87-035 Pa'akea Road at 12:40 a.m. Two boys, 17, also were arrested. Police are looking for a man, 24, who was with the others and ran away from a red Honda they were in.

A 51-year-old woman waiting at a bus stop had her purse stolen after being punched in the back of the head by one of the suspects at 9:52 p.m. Wednesday. The woman walked to the Wai'anae police station and gave police a description of the robbers' car.

Not long after, a patrol officer saw a red Honda commit a traffic violation. The woman's purse and all of its contents were recovered from the car, police said.

SUSPECT ACCUSED OF TRASHING BAR

Big Island authorities yesterday accused a Holualoa man of breaking into and trashing a Kailua, Kona, bar early Tuesday.

Anthony Gallacher, 37, was charged with first-degree criminal property damage and first-degree terroristic threatening in connection with the bar incident, and two firearm counts stemming from the seizure of an unregistered gun in his home.

He was being held at the Kona police station cellblock with bail at $12,000.

Police discovered at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday that someone had broken into the bar, which closed at 3 a.m., and destroyed numerous other items. Gallacher had been in the bar before closing and allegedly threatened to destroy it, police said.

ARCHITECTS DISPLAY 'EGG'-CELLENT WORK

Architects Hawaii Ltd.'s seventh annual egg-decorating contest, themed "Green Eggs and Ham," will be open Downtown to the public today for viewing and voting.

Architects decorated the eggs yesterday and their creations will be displayed today at the American Savings Bank lobby at 1001 Bishop St.

Children from Kama'aina Kids at the YWCA of O'ahu will vote for their favorites at 10 a.m. today. The public is invited to vote between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.