Hawai`i News -- 12 April 1996 [Fri]
Prophet Zarquon
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The Net of Light Friday, April 12, 1996
Hawai`i News -- Internet Edition Compiled by Ryan K. Ozawa
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Summarized from various island news sources, including independent interviews
and research, radio and television broadcasts and local papers. No material
is duplicated directly unless otherwise attributed. Intended for personal use
only -- please obtain permission from author before redistributing. Aloha!
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Subject: CITY MAY CITE FLYING SIGN OPERATORS
Prompted in part by complaints by residents and environmental groups, the
city has asked an upstart company to voluntarily stop flying its lighted
advertising sign over Waikiki. Despite a valid waiver allowing SkySign
International to fly a helicopter in the evening hours, Deputy Managing
Director Ben Lee said today the attached 36-foot wide light-grid -- which
scrolls, flashes and blinks a variety of advertising messages -- is in clear
violation of at least two county regulations. "It is in violation of the city
sign ordinance, as well as the aerial advertising ordinance." Company
officials responded today that their "place of business" isn't regulated by
the city. David Bettencourt, attorney for the company, said today that the
helicopter flies in federal airspace, outside the control of the county and
the state. "The right to engage in first amendment activities, which
advertising is, is granted by the constitution to every citizen," Bettencourt
said. "That's all that's being exercised here." If SkySign doesn't
voluntarily comply with the city's request to stop, Lee said, it will receive
a citation for the violations on Monday. Meanwhile, members of the city
council have begun work on a bill that would prohibit aerial advertising for
any purpose. That is expected to be unveiled next week.
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Subject: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BAN CLARIFICATION PASSES
Saying that it would be irresponsible to hold back, Sen. Milton Holt
yesterday urged lawmakers to vote either for or against a measure that
reaffirmed the state's existing exclusion of gay couples from the definition
of marriage. Without another word, the Senate voted unanimously to approve
it. The bill reasserts a 1994 law that defines marriage as being between a an
and a woman. It is hoped that by passing it, the senate can help the state
Attorney General fight a 1990 lawsuit filed by three gay couples. When the
suit comes to trial later this year, the state must demonstrate a compelling
reason to maintain its current ban on gay unions. The bill was first brought
up last Thursday in an unusual maneuver by Sen. Milton Holt, who it in his
Consumer Protection Committee -- despite the established jurisdiction over
the issue by the senate Judiciary Committee. After review by senate leaders,
however, it was reincarnated and brought to yesterday's full senate vote. In
order to smooth the feathers of senators who disapproved of Holt's move,
senate president Norman Mizuguchi this week put Judiciary chair Rey Graulty
in charge of representing the senate in conference meetings with the House.
This clarification bill is different from another "constitutional amendment"
measure that would have put the issue of same-sex marriage to a public
referendum. That bill was effectively killed in the senate on Wednesday.
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Subject: HOOKED MAN RECOVERS, THANKS RESCUERS
It was a tuna that started the trouble nine days ago for 45-year-old Dave
Baker. While fishing about 1,000 miles south of Honolulu, Baker -- a
California native -- caught the big one. It thrashed in the boat, however,
and during the struggle Baker's hook made a shallow gash in his foot. The
wound got infected, Baker fell ill, and on Monday he became the focus of a
rescue operation that involved the U.S. Army, Coast Guard, and a parachuting
team of Navy SEALS. Today, he was wheeled out of Tripler Army Hospital so he
could publicly thank the countless people who he says saved his life. "I
can't thank 'em enough," Baker said. His sister Barbara, who flew in from
California when she heard the news, also expressed her gratitude for Hawaii's
heroes. Baker's doctor, describing the injury as "aggressive but
superficial," reported that he can't yet say how long it will be until Baker
can walk out of the hospital. When Baker has fully recovered, he said he will
race back to Christmas Island where his boat and his girlfriend -- who first
notified authorities when Baker's fever set in -- are waiting.
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Subject: BIG ISLE MURDERER SENTENCED TO LIFE
Shannon Rodrigues, 23, was sentenced to at least 45 years in prison today for
a double-murder at the old Hilo airport two years ago. "There was a callous
disregard for human life," said Circuit Court Judge Greg Nakamaura, who
handed down the automatic sentence of life in prison with the possibility of
parole. The mothers of Rodrigues' two victims -- 22-year-old Mark Miyasaki
and 23-year-old Timothy Nicholas -- were there for the sentencing. "There is
no justice, no justified punishment for what they did," said Elizabeth
Miyasaki later. "It'll never ever bring back Mark." Gwendolyn Nicholas said
she had begged the judge to impose the stiffest sentence possible. "My son is
gone forever," she said. "All I have is his grave-site." Rodrigues was
convicted Oct. 9 for his role in the attempted robbery and execution-style
murder of the two men. As part of a plea bargaining agreement Rodrigues had
earlier testified against William Hirano, who was convicted last year for 2
counts of second-degree murder. Hirano's sentencing will be on May 3.
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Subject: BITS AND PIECES
SAYING "the law treats the public unfairly," Gov. Cayetano said today that he
supports a House bill that would cut payments to the Office of Hawaiian
Affairs from its revenues collected through using ceded lands. The bill would
exclude the values of improvements the government has made to ceded lands,
such as the Honolulu International Airport. Earlier this week, nearly 200
demonstrators rallied at the state Capitol to protest the bill...
MILITARY police have fenced off a section of beach at Kaneohe Marine Base,
after discovering that a Hawaiian monk seal has chosen the spot to give
birth. Her pup was born earlier this week, and for the mother's sake,
military police are glad she's chosen the restricted location to nurse her
newborn. Five years ago, the same seal gave birth on a public beach on the
North Shore. That time, it was harder to keep crowds of onlookers away...
TRACES of poison were found yesterday in a well in Kalihi, prompting the
Honolulu Board of Water Supply to shut it down. Poisons once used to control
termites -- chlordane and dieldrin -- were detected in the well, and seven
others are also being monitored. Health officials say the trace amounts do
not pose a serious threat, although if consumed in quantities over several
years, there may be a slight risk of cancer...
AGRICULTURE officials had to tell a 14-year-old boy on Wednesday that he'd
have to say goodbye to his pet hamster. The hamster was declared on a
mandatory form filled out during the flight. State investigators say the boy
was not happy to hear that hamsters are banned in this state, due to the
threat of their carrying rabies or destroying local crops. The boy will not
be penalized, officials say...
WATER safety officials today posted jellyfish warning signs along south-
facing shores on O`ahu, from Ala Moana to Waikiki beach. In addition, signs
went up on the Leeward coast from Makaha to Pearl Harbor. The city says more
than 30 stings from box jellyfish were reported, with no serious reactions
suffered by victims. No beaches were closed...
TEMPS: O`ahu 82/71, Kaua`i 71/69, Moloka`i 82/69, Maui 83/82, Hilo 80/69
CASTS: Warm, clear, trades to 25MPH. Surf on the North Shore to 4 feet.
SATURDAY'S TIDES: High 1:38 p.m.; Low 7:16 p.m.
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