Hawaii

HONOLULU — Aloha Airlines informed a bankruptcy judge that the company is unable to sell its cargo division and must shut down operations at the end of business Monday.

The announcement came during a hearing to decide whether Aloha pilots could go on strike over a contract dispute.

Aloha attorneys said two companies that were interested in buying the cargo division pulled out within two hours of each other on Monday afternoon. When that happened, Aloha’s primary lender, GMAC, said it was unwilling to continue financing operations.

Aloha bankruptcy attorney Paul Singerman said he had “tremendous regret for the circumstances.”

The shutdown means the end for about 1,000 employees.

The end of Aloha cargo will make a major impact on Hawaii’s economy. (Read the full post about ‘Aloha Air’s Cargo Division Shutting Down’…)

HONOLULU — A former city worker Monday admitted taking thousands of dollars in bribes by selling vehicle registrations at lower prices.

Brian Hamasaki, 51, was a clerk at the Downtown Satellite City Hall. For 17 years he worked extra hours selling vehicle registrations, mostly for big commercial trucks, prosecutors said.

“The annual sticker that you need for the license plate, he would update that for half the cost that it would normally require,” Deputy Prosecutor Chris Van Marter said.

Hamasaki committed bribery by taking money from the companies and theft from taxpayers by not depositing weight tax money into the city treasury. (Read the full post about ‘City Worker Admits Taking Bribes For Registrations’…)

HONOLULU — An attorney for a young woman accused of taking part in a robbery and kidnapping that ended with a man being gunned down on a Kaneohe street last year said the only thing his client is guilty of is bad judgment.

Rihanna Joy Valentino, 22, appeared in Honolulu District Court Monday morning. Police charged her with kidnapping and robbery. She is being held on $1 million bail.

The crime she is connected to is one of the most shocking in recent years.

In May 2007, Benjamin Grajeda, 27, was beaten and kidnapped from his home and thrown into the trunk of a car, police said. (Read the full post about ‘Woman Faces Charges In Robbery, Fatal Shooting’…)

HONOLULU — A house fire in Salt Lake caused nearly a $500,000 in damage Sunday, according to Honolulu Fire Department officials.

It happened at 1218 Ala Pili Loop.

Firefighters had the blaze out in less than an hour.

The one person who lived at the residence escaped safely.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

HONOLULU — Former University of Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan has been drafted by the Washington Redskins.

The Redskins selected Brennan in the sixth round of Sunday’s NFL League draft. Brennan was picked No. 186 overall. He was the 10th quarterback selected.

The former Warrior owns 21 NCAA records. He lost some of his draft status after a poor performance in the Sugar Bowl and possibly for having hip surgery recently.

Brennan will leave for Washington Thursday. (Read the full post about ‘Brennan Drafted By Redskins’…)

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Kenny Chesney appears to epitomize the motto, “The show must go on.”

Country Music Television reported that Chesney played through the pain Saturday night in Columbia after an equipment malfunction crushed bones in his foot at the start of his performance.

Chesney’s foot apparently became stuck between an elevator lift device and the stage. After prying himself loose, he stood up and kept holding his hand on his knee as he began to sing.

The musician was visibly limping and holding his knee during instrumental breaks. (Read the full post about ‘Chesney’s Foot Crushed In Stage Mishap’…)

LOS ANGELES — Disney Channel actress Brenda Song is so furious that her photo was allegedly used in an ad for an escort service that’s she’s filed a lawsuit.

The ad allegedly appeared in an alternative paper called the L.A. Weekly and Song’s suit is against Vibe Media and its owner.

“As a role model to millions of young people, I feel I have to take a stand against this company in regards to its exploitation of my image,” said Song, who stars in “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” on the Disney Channel.

Song said that she hopes this never happens to anyone else.

NEW YORK — Rosie O’Donnell is going back to Broadway.

O’Donnell is spending the next couple of weeks rehearsing for a revival of the 1971 musical “No, No Nanette.” It’s set in the flapper-era of the 1920s.

On her blog, O’Donnell said that the rehearsal schedule is “a mad frantic pace” to get the show ready.

O’Donnell’s acting gig isn’t a long-term commitment. It’s a special event, with performances from May 8 through May 12 at the New York City Center.

Sandy Duncan also stars.

LOS ANGELES — An appeals court has affirmed a jury’s decision holding actor Robert Blake liable for the death of wife Bonny Lee Bakley but has ordered that the $30 million damage award to Bakley’s family be reduced.

The 2nd District Court of Appeal on Friday ordered the award cut in half to $15 million.

Bakley was sitting in Blake’s car in May 2001 when she was shot outside a restaurant where the two had just dined. (Read the full post about ‘Blake Wrongful Death Judgment Cut In Half’…)

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Kenneth Keith Kallenbach, who was a long-time member of Howard Stern’s “Wack Pack,” has died.

He was 39.

Kallenbach’s mother said he contracted pneumonia at a prison outside Philadelphia and died Thursday morning at a suburban hospital.

Fay Kallenbach said that her son suffered from cystic fibrosis and is accusing the Delaware County Prison of failing to provide adequate medical care. She said her son called her a few days before his death and begged her to intervene.

In March, the actor-comedian was arrested for allegedly trying to lure an underage girl into his car. He had denied any wrongdoing.