HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Man injured while free-diving
Advertiser Staff
A man who was free-diving off Hale'iwa yesterday was pulled from the water in critical condition at about 1:30 p.m.
The man had been under water for what was believed to be 15 to 20 minutes, said Emergency Medical Services spokesman Bryan Cheplic.
The 34-year-old man was taken to Wahiawa General Hospital in critical condition. His condition improved and he was taken to Kuakini Medical Center for treatment in a hyperbaric chamber, Cheplic said.
STATEWIDE
FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF TO HONOR OFFICERS
U.S. and state flags will be flown at half-staff tomorrow in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day.
President Bush ordered that all U.S. flags be flown at half-staff today to honor the nation's law enforcement officers. Gov. Linda Lingle issued a proclamation that the state flag also will be flown at half-staff at state and county buildings.
HONOLULU
LIQUOR INSPECTORS' SENTENCES BACKED
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the prison sentences handed down last year to two Honolulu Liquor Commission inspectors.
Arthur Andres received three years and five months, and Eduardo Mina got five years and five months, for taking bribes from bars and strip clubs.
The appeals court also affirmed Mina's conviction. Andres had pleaded guilty. They are being held at federal facilities on the Mainland.
The two were among eight former Liquor Commission employees and supervisors charged in a 57-count indictment. It was returned in 2002 following a yearlong investigation by the FBI and police.
At trial, prosecutors proved the various liquor investigators accepted more than $200,000 in bribes for overlooking liquor law violations.
PEARLRIDGE
MAYOR SPEAKING AT TOWN MEETING
Mayor Mufi Hannemann will be the featured guest at an 'Aiea-Pearl City town meeting from 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 22 at Pearl Ridge Elementary School cafeteria. Elected officials from the area are hosting the event.
WAIPAHU
7 LAWMAKERS TO DISCUSS SESSION
Waipahu lawmakers will share their activities from the past legislative session on Tuesday at the fifth Waipahu Legislative Town Meeting.
Sens. Will Espero, Brian Kanno and Clarence Nishihara; and Reps. Rida Cabanilla, Jon Riki Karamatsu, Alex Sonson and Ryan Yamane will speak from 7 to 8:30 p.m in the Waipahu Intermediate School cafeteria.
BIG ISLAND
DEMOS, EXHIBITS FOR POLICE WEEK
Tucker the tracking bloodhound will be featured at Police Week activities this week on the Big Island.
The dog recently joined the Hawai'i County Police Department to help locate fugitives and missing children, hikers and dementia patients.
Police Week activities include a ceremony at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Hilo police station honoring officers killed in the line of duty, with traffic radar demonstrations and displays until 3 p.m. Keiki ID kits will be distributed, and Tucker will appear along with dogs used in drug detection.
The dogs, demonstrations and exhibits will be available to West Hawai'i residents on Wednesday at the old Kona Airport gym.
