HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Moped rider, 17, critically injured
Advertiser Staff
A 17-year-old youth was taken to The Queen's Medical Center in critical condition last night after an accident in Wai'anae.
The teenager was riding a moped that collided with a Honda sedan on the corner of Kane'aki and Kepauala streets at 6:20 p.m.
The driver of the Honda was not injured, according to police.
DRIVER BADLY HURT IN VINEYARD CRASH
A 29-year-old man was taken to The Queen's Medical Center in critical condition last night after a head-on collision on Vineyard Boulevard near downtown.
The accident occurred at the intersection of N'uuanu Avenue at 8:30 p.m.
Emergency medical workers said the man's car collided with the other car and then smashed into a pole.
SURFER MISSING; SEARCH SUSPENDED
The search for Dustin Gabel, a 36-year-old missing surfer last seen on Tuesday at a Wai'anae beach, was suspended yesterday at sunset, the Coast Guard said.
Rescue teams searched yesterday near Keawa'ula Bay, also known as Yokohama Bay, and as far as 10 miles out into the Kaua'i Channel.
On Wednesday, a lifeguard noticed Gabel's van parked at the beach, unlocked with the keys in the ignition. Gabel was last seen Tuesday afternoon paddling his surfboard toward Ka'ena Point.
FORMER DIRECTOR ADMITS TO THEFT
A founding member and former executive director of the Waimanalo Health Center has admitted embezzling at least $71,000 from the clinic.
Radine Kawahine Kamakea-Ohelo, 53, pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court to four counts of theft. Each count carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to court documents, the thefts occurred over six years beginning in 1997 and included shopping sprees and more than $1,000 spent at a laser eye center.
Kamakea-Ohelo referred to her actions Thursday as a "mismanaging" of funds. Officials estimate the loss to the center at between $71,000 and $120,000.
She also is awaiting trial in state Circuit Court on charges of welfare fraud. In April 2003, she and former husband Clyde Ohelo were charged with theft for wrongfully receiving $19,000 in public assistance.
