Good end to a bad day

Near Aloha Stadium I was kind of stuck in the middle lane. I usually drive home in the right lane, because that is where most stranded drivers end up. Coming from the viaduct and merging with the Moanaloa Freeway puts me right in the middle. I was getting irritated because the traffic on both sides of me was moving pretty briskly and I couldn't match speeds for a lane change, and I soon found out why. A few cars ahead of me was a pickup that was slowly lurching to a stop. Eventually I was right behind it and I fired up the amber dome light, to help people realize there was a problem.

The truck wouldn't quite stop, and it couldn't quite go, everytime I thought it was through it would seem to revive. We limped over to the right shoulder slowly as I blocked traffic. Eventually the painter's pickup came to a stop.

I walked up and asked if there was anything I could do to help. They didn't have a cellphone so I let them use mine. It was noisy and so it was hard to hear. The first call was a little funny because after 30 seconds of trying to make himself understood he realized it was a wrong number! The second call seemed to go through and I guess he was able to call for help.

His passenger asked if I could take him to Pearl City. I said no problem and he gathered his stuff and hopped in my truck with me. I don't want to get into details but today was a very frustrating "first day on the job" for him and he was very grateful to be "rescued" from his day. He was very frustrated with the driver, whom he had just met that day and he wanted nothing else to do with him. We introduced ourselves and I enjoyed listening to him. He had a lot to say! I ended up taking him to Waipahu High School since there was a transit center there and it was basically on my way.

I gave him a card and dropped him off at the bus stop. I'd have to say I have never met anyone so grateful for my assistance than this young man. He said he was ready to just get out of the truck and walk home already!

I'm glad I was able to bring a little blessing to his life. Hopefull he'll check in here and give his side of the story too!

Beware Police Impersonator

News Release
June 4, 2007

Impersonating a Police Officer and
Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle

CrimeStoppers and the Honolulu Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a male wanted for Impersonating a Police Officer and Unauthorized Entry Into a Motor Vehicle.

On May 23, 2007 at about 7:45 p.m., a female was driving northbound on Piikoi Street when she was pulled over by a male claiming to be a Police Officer. The suspect had a rotating blue light on the dashboard and used a loud speaker to order the driver to stop. The suspect told the driver that she was being pulled over for a defective tail light and to get out of her vehicle. The female, who was talking on her cell phone refused and the suspect tried to grab the phone from her. The female began screaming for help, and two males scared the male away. The male got back into his vehicle and fled.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call CrimeStoppers at
955-8300, or *CRIME on your cellular phone.

Free cellular calls are provided by AT&T, Nextel Hawaii, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless Hawaii.

Suspect: Unknown male
Race: Hawaiian
Age: 20’s
Complexion: Tan
Clothing: Black jacket, black pants
Vehicle: 4 door, dark blue or black sedan, dark tinted windows

Roadside Rescue

These sweet ladies were having some kind of mechanical issue that robbed the van of power. Someone else had also stopped and was helping them too. She already had her husband on the way. I realized there was nothing I could do to help and I didn't have my cards on me at the time either.

This message was sent from Rich's Treo 650.