By local and wire sources Credit card suspect sought ADVERTISING Big Island police are asking the public’s help identifying a man suspected of using a stolen credit card. A 33-year-old man reported to police that his wallet, which contained credit
Credit card suspect sought
Big Island police are asking the public’s help identifying a man suspected of using a stolen credit card.
A 33-year-old man reported to police that his wallet, which contained credit cards, was stolen sometime between 9 p.m. Sept. 23 and early Sept. 24 in the Hilo area, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Police later found video surveillance showing a man using the credit card at various businesses in Kona on Sept. 24, according to police.
The suspect is described as Caucasian, possibly in his 30s, bald, approximately 6 feet tall with numerous facial piercings, according to police. He was wearing dark shorts, no shirt and a white necklace during the transactions.
Anyone with information on his identity should call Officer Donovan Kohara at the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-8300 in Hilo. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
Police seek Puna man on bench warrant
Big Island police are asking the public’s help locating a 58-year-old Puna man wanted on an outstanding bench warrant and for questioning in connection with a recently reported sexual assault of a minor.
Sage Million, who last resided in the Ainaloa subdivision, is described as Caucasian, 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing about 140 pounds with short brown hair that is balding at the front and brown eyes, according to the Hawaii Police Department. He has a medium build and light complexion.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call Detective Daylan Asuncion at 961-8843 or the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-8300 in Hilo. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
DOT hears road recommendations
HILO — Small groups of people engaged in lively discussions Wednesday night in Hilo to identify transportation problems in East Hawaii.
The public meeting was hosted by the Hawaii Department of Transportation as part of a months-long process of updating transportation plans for Hawaii Island and the state. A previous plan had been developed in the 1990s, but since that time the Big Island has experienced major population growth, and with it, major traffic congestion problems.
The plan that the DOT is developing now is intended to address the Big Island’s population through 2035. Previous traffic analyses have shown that the island’s current highway system will be woefully inadequate to accommodate future growth if no additional capacity is built by that time.
“This is the part where we’re looking for community input for potential solutions,” said DOT Project Manager Dave Zevenbergen. “Tonight, nothing is going to be left alone. We’re asking for any ideas that people have. And who knows the roads better than their citizens?”
Fewer than 20 people turned out, but those who did were eager to point out deficiencies in the island’s highways to state officials.
Discussions focused on the often congested Highway 130, the Keaau-Pahoa Road, which is scheduled for widening and improvement in the coming years.
James Weatherford, a Hawaiian Paradise Park resident and candidate for County Council suggested roundabouts at intersections.
Oahu man finalist for nat’l service award
HONOLULU — A Hawaii man who took on a knife-wielding robber at a restaurant is a finalist for a national award that recognizes everyday Americans who display courage and selflessness.
Thirty-six-year-old Walter Jennings Fowler of Kaneohe was selected as one of 20 finalists for the Citizen Service Before Self Honors. Fowler’s heroic act took place Dec. 8 while he and his wife were dining at a Honolulu sushi restaurant. Police say a man with a large knife walked in and demanded money from the owner but Fowler grabbed the man’s wrist and forearm and disarmed him.
Award recipients will be announced March 12.
UH fire causes delay for some payments
HONOLULU — The University of Hawaii is still trying to get caught up on payments including stipends, scholarships and utility bills, more than two weeks after a fire caused $1.25 million in damage to a fiscal building.
University spokeswoman Lynne Waters says payments that were being processed when the Feb. 12 fire started have been lost. She did not have a number for the amount of transactions delayed by the fire. She says a “good portion” of those payments were processed and sent out last week and earlier this week.
As officials catch up with payments, stipends, fellowships and scholarships are given first priority, followed by utility payments and payments more than 30 days past due, including reimbursements.
Payroll and student loans were backed up electronically and will continue uninterrupted.
Ewa Beach toddler’s death ruled a homicide
EWA BEACH, Oahu — Autopsy results show a 14-month-old Ewa Beach boy’s death was a homicide.
The Honolulu medical examiner’s office says Zayden Lonergan died from abusive head trauma.
The toddler was taken from an Ewa Beach care facility last week to Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, where he died Monday.
Detectives say the case has been turned over to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service because the incident happened on military property.
Free electric vehicle charging through 2012
HONOLULU — Hawaii’s electric vehicle drivers will have free access to more than 130 charging stations across the state through the end of 2012.
Electric car network provider Better Place says it is activating the state’s largest electric vehicle charging network on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, including at hotels, office buildings and shopping centers.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, drivers will have the option to sign up for a Better Place membership plan.
With federal and state funding, Better Place has been working with businesses and property owners to install charging infrastructure across the state. In April last year, Better Place installed its first charge spots in the parking structure of a Waikiki hotel. There are now charge spots at five hotels and resorts on Oahu, Maui and Kauai.
Proposal heightens standards for dog breeders
HONOLULU — The discovery of a Waiamanlo puppy mill in 2011 has lawmakers looking at tightening regulations for large-scale dog breeders.
The goal is to prevent puppy mills from operating in Hawaii by closing gaps that allow breeders to sell dogs without a license. The Hawaiian Humane Society says revenue from dog sales equals up to $9.4 million a year.
On Wednesday, a Senate committee will hear Senate Bill 2494, which sets regulations for breeders caring for more than 10 dogs.
That would ensure large-scale breeding facilities are sanitary and large enough to accommodate all dogs on the property. It also calls for the canines to be given appropriate medical care.
The bill also prohibits owning more than 30 dogs older than one year and still capable of breeding.
Kauai police chief on leave meets with mayor
LIHUE, Kauai — Kauai’s mayor has met with the police chief he placed on leave while the county investigates an employee complaint.
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Chief Darryl Perry met on Monday night but a county spokeswoman wouldn’t provide details of the meeting.
Spokeswoman Beth Tokioka says the chief is still on leave.
The island’s top cop was placed on leave earlier this month and then the police commission voted that he could return to work. Perry returned to work last week ago but was denied access to equipment, including his gun and badge.
A Kauai County Charter Review Commission meeting Monday that was expected to explore whether Carvalho has the authority to place the chief on leave was canceled due to a lack of quorum.
Lawmakers consider creating state gambling commission
HONOLULU — It’s unlikely that gambling will be legalized this year.
However, a bill moving through the Senate would create a gambling commission to advise the Legislature on legalized gambling proposals in future sessions.
Hawaii is one of two states that doesn’t permit any form of gambling.
Since January, state lawmakers have dismissed proposals that would pave the way for legalized gambling. One would have given the Hawaiian Homes Commission the authority to allow gambling on Hawaiian Home Lands. Another would have permitted a standalone casino in Waikiki.
A gambling commission would analyze the financial and social impacts of legalized gambling. It would also assess the viability of different forms of gambling and determine what percentage of each dollar put into a gambling system would go to the state and other stakeholders.
By local and wire sources
