tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35973446751386341842024-03-13T08:06:10.797-10:00Roadside Blessings<b>A personal roadside assistance ministry to the stranded of Hawaii.</b>
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<i>Phil. 2:3-4 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, <br>but in humility consider others better than yourselves. <br>Each of you should look not only to your own interests, <br>but also to the interests of others."</i>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-19936545346422556052008-11-03T21:55:00.003-10:002008-11-03T22:03:59.555-10:00Hidden Acts of ServiceA recent <a href="http://www.enewhope.org/video/index.php?video=607">message about Hidden Acts of Service</a> has changed my mind about this blog. I hope to continue to assist people along the road when I'm driving, but when I do, I will do it privately. <div><br /></div><div>Thank you readers for being a part of this journey. This blog was an exciting experiment, but it confused my motivations and made me question the reasons why I did it. My goal was never to glorify myself, and yet I had to fight that temptation.<div><br /></div><div>I really recommend the video. Check it out. I wish I could embed it, but follow the link and watch for yourself. It is very well done!</div><div><br /></div><div>Aloha and Mahalo, the end of the road has come,</div><div><br /></div><div>Rich</div></div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-15336104061998441802008-06-23T09:54:00.007-10:002008-12-08T13:26:06.510-10:00Been a while...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/SGAC5NU75yI/AAAAAAAAA_I/AUhCTyt2UL8/s1600-h/CIMG6506.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215171550348306210" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/SGAC5NU75yI/AAAAAAAAA_I/AUhCTyt2UL8/s320/CIMG6506.jpg" border="0" /></a>I haven't written for a while now. I had a crisis of confidence in my motivation. Am I doing this for the wrong reasons? I still don't know, but this morning I was nearly forced to stop, so I did. It felt good.<br /><br />As I approached the middle street merge area, I saw a young lady on the side of the road, her car's hood up and she was on the cellphone. I was late for work and in the center lane and although I felt sorry for her I wasn't planning to stop.<br /><br />Then the blue Acura in front of me stopped dead in my lane. Soon his hazard lights came on and I realized he was having trouble. I kicked on the amber flasher and got out to check on him. Right then someone else came to help to so we pushed his car off to the side of the road, getting him out of the dangerous traffic. I ran back to my <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/SGAC5SEnAJI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/0-7KeKY-nZg/s1600-h/CIMG6507.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215171551622004882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/SGAC5SEnAJI/AAAAAAAAA_Q/0-7KeKY-nZg/s320/CIMG6507.jpg" border="0" /></a>truck and got it off the road too and checked on both stalled cars.<br /><br />The Acura just died. He had gas and battery and was not overheating and he just called his dad to help. I walked over to the young lady and inquired if she was OK, and likewise her dad was on the way. As is typical, there was really nothing else I could do.<br /><br />I said my "goodbyes" and "be carefuls" and got back on the road, very late for work now, but I called the boss and he said "no problem."<br /><br />It's frustrating not being able to always solve the problem. I keep lots of resources with the truck (tools, water, gas, a battery-jumper, air compressor, duct tape) but if there is something mechanically wrong with the car, a call and a tow is about all that can be done. I was <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/SGAFvJ2q8cI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/qnh_GrDTMdg/s1600-h/Picture+5.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215174676152250818" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/SGAFvJ2q8cI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/qnh_GrDTMdg/s200/Picture+5.png" border="0" /></a>surprised how many times people with cellphones just wave off help. It happens a lot!<br /><br />Maybe I'll start to stop again (that sounds funny). Stay tuned.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-89947522252063832522007-11-20T07:12:00.003-10:002008-06-23T14:11:47.745-10:00Ouch<span style="font-weight: bold;">Teaching about Giving to the Needy</span><br /><br />Matt 6:1-4<br /><blockquote> <i> “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.</i></blockquote>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-20596456907328025202007-09-18T18:16:00.001-10:002008-12-08T13:26:06.673-10:002-hours waiting for help!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RvCwzu8gFFI/AAAAAAAAAX8/AcrD77qAp3g/s1600-h/CIMG4399.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RvCwzu8gFFI/AAAAAAAAAX8/AcrD77qAp3g/s320/CIMG4399.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111779979887121490" border="0" /></a>I just pulled over to help a young nurse that had blown out a rear tire near the airport. (She told me her name, but now I've forgotten.) She called her brother to come help, but they were having problems understanding each other in regards to her location. Her cellphone was nearly dead when I arrived.<br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><br />I offered to wait with her until her brother arrived, but started looking at the tire and asking if she had a spare. She did, but it was flat! I used my compressor to reinflate it and started to change the tire. I felt like a total rookie using her jack! I kept thinking I was doing something wrong, but I couldn't figure it out. Finally got the car jacked up, and her old tire off, and just as I was putting her emergency spare on her brother arrived! He took over lowering the car and I finally saw what I was doing wrong with the jack. I was so embarrassed!<br /><br />I said my goodbyes (nearly forgetting my compressor!), they said thanks and I was back on the road.<br /></div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-10355001888203172452007-09-17T18:19:00.001-10:002008-12-08T13:26:06.859-10:00Jeremy & Cisco<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/Ru95_koeEPI/AAAAAAAAAXk/aEshrbH4uFI/s1600-h/CIMG4398.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/Ru95_koeEPI/AAAAAAAAAXk/aEshrbH4uFI/s400/CIMG4398.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111438235160940786" border="0" /></a>I just pulled over to help Jeremy and Cisco, because they ran out of gas, shortly after getting off the freeway. I was able to give them the gas they needed, but because the van was on a slope, it wasn't getting to the fuel line. We had Cisco back up to a flatter spot and then rocked the car while he started it. It took some coaxing, but eventually they were on their way back to Waipahu.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-18096896094921383792007-09-17T17:51:00.001-10:002008-12-08T13:26:06.968-10:00Nice Lady in Need<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/Ru97bEoeEQI/AAAAAAAAAXs/4jfKESqGg2Q/s1600-h/CIMG4397.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/Ru97bEoeEQI/AAAAAAAAAXs/4jfKESqGg2Q/s320/CIMG4397.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111439807118971138" border="0" /></a>I just pulled over to help a <a href="http://www.cnaseniortransport.com/contact/">Jennifer Wong</a>, owner of <a href="http://www.cnaseniortransport.com/">CNA Senior Transport</a>. Her vehicle had blown out a front tire on the driver side. She was in a very bad place and much too close to oncoming highway traffic to work on it. She had called AAA and because of her safety, she also called the police to ask if she should stay with the car or find a safer spot. I offered to stay with her until help arrived. Maybe my blinking light might help people see the situation earlier. We only talked for about 10 minutes before the helpful AAA tow truck rolled up and she started the paper work.<br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><br />The van is used to <a href="http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2007/01/01/story16.html">help transport our senior citizens about town</a>, and I guess when there was a problem, they had to transfer their client to another van. That could have been very difficult if they were wheelchair bound, but fortunately that was not the case, and they were able to get their client quickly under way again. She struck me as a very compassionate and intelligent lady.<br /><br />During our conversation she asked me how I was funded. That kind of made me laugh inside. "I'm not" I said with a grin.<br /></div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-81146982243033326022007-09-11T08:08:00.001-10:002007-09-11T11:55:20.540-10:00Black Jag<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Hi Everybody, its 8 a.m. on September 11th Tuesday and I just pulled over to help a black Jaguar that was in distress. I was leaving Mililani and the person declined assistance. He had somebody coming already from Jaguar. He thanked me for stopping, so that's the latest! Aloha -Rich.<br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.jott.com/Show.aspx?id=8e15a03d-2605-4f6e-bf6d-d732835d050a">Click here to listen</a><br /><br /><div style="border: 3px solid rgb(73, 73, 73); padding: 5px; background: rgb(255, 255, 255) none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; width: 370px; text-align: center; margin-top: 10px;"><span style="color: rgb(73, 73, 73);font-family:trebuchet ms,sans-serif;font-size:12;" >Powered by <a style="color: rgb(228, 108, 51);" target="_blank" href="http://jott.com/">Jott.com</a> - Try it at 1 (866) JOTT123 - </span><img style="vertical-align: middle;" alt="Jott.com" src="http://www.jott.com/image/logo_links.png" /></div></div>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-37161473658397635512007-08-27T09:24:00.000-10:002008-12-08T13:26:07.161-10:00Bad Crash<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RtR3E5UzcWI/AAAAAAAAAVU/3RQ2ANQx6hM/s1600-h/CIMG4312.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RtR3E5UzcWI/AAAAAAAAAVU/3RQ2ANQx6hM/s320/CIMG4312.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103835203708875106" border="0" /></a><br />This accident stopped traffic for miles. I didn't stop because by the time I got there authorities were on the scene. It's hard to see, but behind the pickup is an overturned SUV! Yikes!Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-50642640401480605422007-08-10T16:35:00.001-10:002008-12-08T13:26:07.279-10:00Smoke... Not Good.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/Rr0grrwckaI/AAAAAAAAAUc/hUUR9jT8WSg/s1600-h/CIMG4250.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/Rr0grrwckaI/AAAAAAAAAUc/hUUR9jT8WSg/s200/CIMG4250.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097266288105656738" border="0" /></a>I came across this elderly couple with the hood up in the parking lot of Zippys. They were on the phone and had someone coming. There was unknown smoke coming from the engine compartment. Known or unknown, smoke is NOT good.<br /><br />Nothing I could do to help...again. Anyone else seeing a pattern?Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-32976173917488405572007-08-10T10:37:00.000-10:002007-08-10T10:43:38.709-10:00Good Samaritan's final act<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nbc11.com/2007/0810/13861305_240X180.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.nbc11.com/2007/0810/13861305_240X180.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">DES MOINES, Iowa </span>-- A central Iowa woman said she saw a Good Samaritan dying two hours after he had helped her fix her flat tire, reported KCCI-TV in Des Moines. Police said Rick Byrkett, 53, of Des Moines, ran northbound across Euclid Avenue and into the path of a truck. Amy Conlin said that Byrkett had spent the last hours of his life helping a stranger.<br /><br />Conlin was on her way to a friend's house for dinner when she hit a median on the street.<br /><br />"Right here, right there is where I popped the tire," she said, standing near the spot. Byrkett, who was walking by, stopped to help. "He came up and said, 'You ladies need some help?' I said, 'sure,' and so he changed the tire for me," she said. "He said he enjoys doing nice things for other people so maybe if he's in need, maybe someone will stop and help him out. That's what he said."<br /><br />Fifteen minutes later, Conlin and Byrkett parted ways. Neither of them knew that two hours later, Conlin would be stopping for Byrkett.<br /><br />"Yeah, I did stop because I knew. I knew it was him. I knew it was," she said.<br /><br />Police said Byrkett had been hit by a pickup while crossing the street. Conlin was on her way home and drove through the intersection where the accident happened moments before.<br /><br />"I yelled his name, and he grunted," she said.<br /><br />Conlin watched him being loaded into an ambulance. He died later at the hospital. She said she's thankful she had a chance to know him even if it was for only 15 minutes.<br /><br />"I appreciate what he did for me. You know, take his example and move on with his example to help others," she said.</span>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-17687811026777009132007-08-06T18:00:00.000-10:002008-12-08T13:26:07.555-10:00Diesel Fuel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RrzZTrwckTI/AAAAAAAAATg/foXifFKhNNo/s1600-h/0806-.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RrzZTrwckTI/AAAAAAAAATg/foXifFKhNNo/s320/0806-.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097187810463224114" border="0" /></a><br />This big GMC truck I found on the Waipahu off ramp, coming home at the apex of the hill. He said he has a helf tank of diesel fule, but it seems like it's not getting to the engine. He thinks air is getting into the fuel line somehow. He already had someone on the way, so once again nothing I could really do. Didn't give him a card and snapped off a quick photo which turns out focussed on my camera instead. This is a junk way to take a quick photo, I have to try something else.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-24634144487115206172007-08-02T17:30:00.000-10:002008-12-08T13:26:07.657-10:00Accident Aftermath<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RrzXx7wckSI/AAAAAAAAATY/WpwEaDTDpyM/s1600-h/0802-Ax.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RrzXx7wckSI/AAAAAAAAATY/WpwEaDTDpyM/s320/0802-Ax.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097186131131011362" border="0" /></a>This young lady had had an accident earlier in the day. She didn't think her car was damaged, but after getting on the freeway, the car started to smoke, so she decided to pull over and call a tow truck. She was waiting for the tow truck (with her daughter in the back seat) and there really wasn't anything I could do. I forgot to give her a card and nearly forgot to take a photo.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-30725563672079588292007-07-07T20:36:00.000-10:002007-07-07T20:41:26.911-10:00TransmissionI stopped for a guy (Jeff?) in Mililani today. He was near McDonald's and his white car was off to the side of the road, but not completely off. He was just standing there waiting when I pulled over. Nice guy! He told me it wouldn't stay in gear and he had coasted to a stop where he was. I helped him get the car safely out of traffic and there was really nothing else for him to do but wait for the tow truck, which was already on its way. I gave him a website card and we said goodbye, joking about his good fortune of being stranded on a beautiful day in the shade of a big tree. Aloha Jeff (?)!Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-23025071469762356662007-07-05T23:09:00.000-10:002008-12-08T13:26:07.778-10:00Stopped Today<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/Ro6uuPjJ_jI/AAAAAAAAAS8/FGnu7_oigR0/s1600-h/1003794%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/Ro6uuPjJ_jI/AAAAAAAAAS8/FGnu7_oigR0/s320/1003794%5B1%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084193138819071538" border="0" /></a>After nearly a month of no cars or me on a tight schedule, I finally was able to make a stop.<br /><br />I stopped by a truck that had its hood up but no blinkers. The guy came out to meet me and said it just died on him in the fast lane and he had to hobble his way across all the lanes of traffic to get the car to the side of the road. He thought it was just a loose battery cable. I got my "jumper" kit and we had the engine running again, but is sounded terrible! Strange squeals and didn't quite want to idle. He said that the oil light was also on. By then his friend (who had called earlier) arrived so I gave him a website card and said bye. Hope his engine is alright!<br /><br />(I thought I posted a "mobile" Treo blog entry, but I guess it didn't take.)Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-81793674667107889442007-06-08T21:06:00.000-10:002008-12-08T13:26:07.958-10:00Good end to a bad dayNear 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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RmpWwDjxnzI/AAAAAAAAARc/hBbvuckfYNE/s1600-h/CIMG3751.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RmpWwDjxnzI/AAAAAAAAARc/hBbvuckfYNE/s320/CIMG3751.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5073963313775353650" border="0" /></a>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />I gave him a <a href="http://roadsideblessings.blogspot.com/2007/04/my-cards-arrived.html">card</a> 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!<br /><br />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!Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-75455735996214703222007-06-04T14:39:00.000-10:002008-12-08T13:26:08.161-10:00Beware Police Impersonator<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RmSxLAFkrgI/AAAAAAAAARU/cLjSDg625w4/s1600-h/PoliceImpersonator.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RmSxLAFkrgI/AAAAAAAAARU/cLjSDg625w4/s320/PoliceImpersonator.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5072373882886073858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">News Release</span><br />June 4, 2007<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Impersonating a Police Officer and </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.crimestoppers-honolulu.org/index.php">CrimeStoppers</a> and the <a href="http://www.honolulupd.org/">Honolulu Police Department</a> 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call CrimeStoppers at<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">955-8300</span>, or *CRIME on your cellular phone. <br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br />Free cellular calls are provided by AT&T, Nextel Hawaii, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless Hawaii.</span><br /><br />Suspect: Unknown male<br />Race: Hawaiian<br />Age: 20’s<br />Complexion: Tan<br />Clothing: Black jacket, black pants<br />Vehicle: 4 door, dark blue or black sedan, dark tinted windowsRichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-55267103258720755932007-06-01T18:14:00.001-10:002007-06-02T16:51:55.964-10:00Roadside Rescue<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/456/439128988664384/1600/z/401800/bm-image-765634.jpg"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/456/439128988664384/320/z/497264/bm-image-765634.jpg" width="320" /></a></p>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.<br /><p style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">This message was sent from Rich's Treo 650.</span></p>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-49725099161873112732007-05-29T13:28:00.000-10:002008-12-08T13:26:08.245-10:00Lull...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/Rly4HSiSYLI/AAAAAAAAAOE/5I9EbXqpyyQ/s1600-h/flare_wrench.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/Rly4HSiSYLI/AAAAAAAAAOE/5I9EbXqpyyQ/s200/flare_wrench.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070129715886579890" border="0" /></a>Just a note to say that I've been driving my wife's car for a week while we have some maintenance issues attended to. No stops last week and probably won't start again until Thursday afternoon. Don't get stuck until Thursday! (grin) -RichRichhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-67818861452993696552007-05-21T17:41:00.001-10:002007-05-21T20:36:12.244-10:00Blue S.U.V.<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/456/439128988664384/1600/z/267876/bm-image-783116.jpg"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/456/439128988664384/320/z/296133/bm-image-783116.jpg" width="320" /></a></p>This person declined any assistance and said that a tow truck was already on the way. She said the problem was mechanical and she would simply wait for the tow truck to arrive. I think she might have felt a little scared so I didn't offer her a <a href="http://roadsideblessings.blogspot.com/2007/04/my-cards-arrived.html">card</a>. I think she just wanted me to go away. That's OK. I understand. She must have felt very vulnerable.<br /><p style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">This message was sent from Rich's Treo 650.</span></p>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-29999207160437518182007-05-21T17:37:00.001-10:002008-12-08T13:26:08.345-10:00Yellow Pickup Truck<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RlKQVSiSYJI/AAAAAAAAAN0/p8fXKbQIE-o/s1600-h/carburetor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RlKQVSiSYJI/AAAAAAAAAN0/p8fXKbQIE-o/s200/carburetor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067271226172530834" border="0" /></a>Stopped when I saw a yellow pickup on the road with its flashers on and its hood up. He said his wife was already coming and that he needed to rebuild his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">carburetor. There was nothing I could really do but was able to give him a <a href="http://roadsideblessings.blogspot.com/2007/04/my-cards-arrived.html">card</a> and say "God Bless You". He waved thanks as I pulled away. I forgot to take a photo.</span><br /><p style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">This message was sent from Rich's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Treo</span> 650.</span></p>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-16553547898560542252007-05-17T21:26:00.000-10:002008-12-08T13:26:08.607-10:00A Bad Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/Rk1YtCiSYHI/AAAAAAAAANk/2bXIcZA3_9w/s1600-h/CIMG3663.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/Rk1YtCiSYHI/AAAAAAAAANk/2bXIcZA3_9w/s320/CIMG3663.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065802686659715186" border="0" /></a>This young lady was having a really bad day. She is a military wife and her husband has already been relocated to Denver. She's trying to wrap things up here to then join him there. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">They</span> have been trying to sell this truck and it has been sitting at the "Lemon Lot" (used cars on base) for a while. Well she was already running late to chaperon an event in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kailua</span>, when her truck runs out of gas on the freeway by the stadium. Fortunately for her her luck was about to change.<br /><br />She had not been on the side of the road long at all. I know that because I had scanned the side a few minutes earlier and there were no cars. Shortly after, through the jumble of cars in traffic, I can see her hazard light flashing. At the same time a solo bike officer was about 2 cars back from me, also approaching the truck. We both pulled over at the same time (me in front, him behind) which I bet was a shock to both her and the police officer. <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&om=1&amp;amp;amp;t=h&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106325347811770824282.00000112468bacc6a28d5&ll=21.366518,-157.927533&spn=0.002683,0.00478&z=18">(Click for Map)</a><br /><br />When I approached they told me she needed gas. "I have gas." I said and went to work getting the can from the truck bed. The bike officer backed up a little and kinda kept the traffic away from crowding me as I gave her what I had. She also explained to me that because her truck had been sitting so long unused, the battery was weak and she had trouble starting it. "No problem" I said, excited about using my new jump starter for the first time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/Rk1ZCyiSYII/AAAAAAAAANs/iaF1fvIE3X0/s1600-h/CIMG3662.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/Rk1ZCyiSYII/AAAAAAAAANs/iaF1fvIE3X0/s320/CIMG3662.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065803060321869954" border="0" /></a>Sure enough she tried to start it and it was tired sounding. I connected the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">jumpstarter</span>, flipped the switch, she tried again and "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">VVrrooommmmmm</span>..." it kicked over like a champ! Hurray!<br /><br />I gave her a <a href="http://roadsideblessings.blogspot.com/2007/04/my-cards-arrived.html">card</a> and asked if I could take a picture for the blog. I even gave a <a href="http://roadsideblessings.blogspot.com/2007/04/my-cards-arrived.html">card</a> to the police officer and thanked him too. When I was done packing up, I jumped in my truck and immediately noticed the cop was holding traffic up so I could pull out. I quickly did and then realized my seat belt wasn't on yet! YIKES! I got it on, killed the amber flasher and continued on.<br /><br />Hopefully we were able to be a little ray of sunshine on a bad day. I never did get her name.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-22281735742762198192007-05-14T18:51:00.001-10:002007-05-14T20:33:04.701-10:00Selsen needed water/coolant<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/456/439128988664384/1600/z/999525/bm-image-778285.jpg"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/456/439128988664384/320/z/621832/bm-image-778285.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></p><p class="mobile-photo">This is Selsen <span style="font-style: italic;">(Please correct me if I got your name wrong. Hard fo' hea next to traffic!)</span> He needed coolant and his radiator was bone dry and it was still quite hot.<br /></p><br />When I was getting my water from the truck he asked me if this was some kind of roadside service. <span style="font-style: italic;">(I think he was worried about having to pay something.)</span> I said no, it was more like a ministry.<br /><br />The water I was pouring in was steaming and boiling out. He'll need to add some coolant later when he has a chance to work on it. When we were done I gave him a blog card and encouraged him to check out the site. He also let me take his picture and as you can see gave me a great shaka! He only had to get to Waipahu and that wasn't very far away at all. <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&om=1&t=h&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106325347811770824282.00000112468bacc6a28d5&ll=21.393423,-157.957402&spn=0.005434,0.009559&z=17">(Click for map).</a><br /><br />We parted with some smiles and a handshake. Hopefully he will check in here and tell us his side of the story <span style="font-style: italic;">(and give me the correct spelling of his first name!)</span><br /><p style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">This message was sent from Rich's Treo 650.</span></p>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-90960746207322400242007-05-09T22:10:00.000-10:002008-12-08T13:26:08.797-10:00Lianne needed Gas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RkLVRd0f1hI/AAAAAAAAANE/jltAU7lsQHk/s1600-h/Lianne.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RkLVRd0f1hI/AAAAAAAAANE/jltAU7lsQHk/s320/Lianne.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062843427157169682" border="0" /></a>This is Lianne. This "assist" is a little different than most, because I have known Lianne for a long time. <br /><br />Lianne is a member of our small group bible study called <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Wananada Wednesdays"</span>. <span style="font-style: italic;">(We eat with wananada, learn with wananada, pray for wananada...get it?)</span>. Lianne had enough gas to make it to small group and <span style="font-style: italic;">"maybe"</span> enough to get back home. She had her 18 month old son with her, but had forgotten her cell phone at home, and it was getting late. I was happy to provide her with a gallon of gas just to be sure there would be no problems getting home.<br /><br />That's what we do for others, especially our Christian brothers and sisters. We look for opportunities to meet their needs. We honor God when we care for one another (wananada).<br /><br />Anyways, hopefully Lianne will check in here and let us know she made it home safely.Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-4978143441480707552007-05-07T19:06:00.000-10:002008-12-08T13:26:08.859-10:00Young Folks needed Gas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RkAHRt0f1gI/AAAAAAAAAM8/Pfw9WZFvLDw/s1600-h/CIMG3648.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RkAHRt0f1gI/AAAAAAAAAM8/Pfw9WZFvLDw/s320/CIMG3648.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062053982103393794" border="0" /></a>These fine young people had pulled over into what I consider the <span style="font-weight: bold;">most dangerous</span> area to stop. <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&om=1&t=h&hl=en&msa=0&msid=106325347811770824282.00000112468bacc6a28d5&ll=21.391175,-157.964108&spn=0.005734,0.009559&z=17">(Click here for a map)</a> The shoulder here is exactly 1 car width, so when you open the door you open it into traffic. The driver didn't quite get the tail of his car out of traffic either.<br /><br />When I approached, the young man told me he was trying to call somebody to bring them gas. He was really happy to hear that I had gas with me. It didn't take long to put the gallon in (that's all I carry) and the sweet girl in the back tried to offer me some money for the gas. I gave them one of the web cards and hopefully they will look it up and give their side of the story.<br /><br />When I was done the driver gave me a big handshake and then was able to drive on (hopefully to a gas station!) I didn't get any of their names and I don't know if they were friends or family.<br /><br />God bless!Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3597344675138634184.post-25033535798847294132007-04-30T20:42:00.000-10:002008-12-08T13:26:09.277-10:00Yuen Better Watch Out!Today I met <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Yuen</span></span>! He was driving this large white truck when his rear wheel blew out! When I drove by, he was by himself, pulled as far left as he could be, waving cars around his vehicle which was <u> still 25% in the fast lane!</u> It was a very dangerous situation!<br /><br /><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&om=1&amp;amp;amp;hl=en&z=19&ll=21.335222,-157.900623&spn=0.001359,0.00239&t=h&msid=106325347811770824282.00000112468bacc6a28d5&msa=0">Click here for a map.</a><br /><br />I was cruising the right side of the viaduct, "on patrol" if you will, when I noticed him on the far left, 7 lanes over! There was no way I was going to be able to get to him, so I pulled over to the right and turned on all my blinkers and flashers and started slowly backing up. When I got across from him I motioned I was calling police and he indicated he had a friend on the way. I continued slowly backing up until I thought I had enough room to cross given a large break in traffic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RjbpqIzptHI/AAAAAAAAAMs/YlpMhdoQ-zY/s1600-h/CIMG3638.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RjbpqIzptHI/AAAAAAAAAMs/YlpMhdoQ-zY/s320/CIMG3638.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059488141525234802" border="0" /></a>Well waiting for a large break in traffic on the viaduct at 6pm took a long time. I called 911 to try to get some traffic assistance and got my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fluorescent</span> vest out. Finally the break came and I was able to cross the 7 lanes and pull up behind him. I figured my flashers might be easier to see from a distance.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">He told me about the blow out and his friend who was coming and thanked me for stopping. I took over the flag waving chores while he was able to get on the phone and start trying to solve his predicament. Soon we were waving people over together. I got on top of the zipper lane divider to be easier seen when I saw something orange by the big planters <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">between</span> the highways. There, placed as if God himself wanted us to have them, were 3 old traffic cones stacked and ready for duty! <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Thank you Lord!</span><br /></div><br />I ran over and jumped the wall to the planter, which for all intents and purposes <span style="font-style: italic;">must have</span><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RjbpqYzptII/AAAAAAAAAM0/PlZMICwH6kg/s1600-h/CIMG3639.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qWbk9PthvfY/RjbpqYzptII/AAAAAAAAAM0/PlZMICwH6kg/s320/CIMG3639.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5059488145820202114" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">looked like I was jumping off a bridge!</span> I popped right back with the cones which we immediately set up upstream from our lane. I have to admit, I felt a lot safer with those 3 old cones out. and no one tried to <span style="font-style: italic;">squeeze</span> past us anymore!<br /><br />Soon his friend arrived and they set to work on the tire. I was experimenting with different styles of waving and settled on a very authoritative snapping point to the next lane, using my fluorescent vest as a flag. That seemed to get the most response the furthest away. I didn't want it to look like a hailing "help us" flag waving either. Just wanted them to see me early and give way. There were a couple of folks who just didn't get it. <span style="font-weight: bold;">They would roll to a stop right in front of us and then try to merge into the next lane of folks going 60mph!</span> That was probably the most dangerous thing I saw.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Yuen</span> ran up and asked me if I knew any tow truck companies. Turns out the spare the friend brought wasn't working out. I had a number in my phone for Humbug Towing. I gave them the number, but honestly don't know if they called or if Humbug could help them.<br /><br />By now the sun was directly behind us and I was sure the cars were having a hard time seeing us. The drivers had to see us while nearly looking directly into the sun! Our arms were actually getting fatigued too. Waving constantly for an hour does actually get to you. I don't know how the political sign wavers do it!<br /><br />The sun was getting low and the cars headlights came on. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Yuen</span> offered to wave for a while since they were just waiting for the tow truck at this point. "<span style="font-style: italic;">Where are the cops?</span>" I thought. It had been <span style="font-weight: bold;">nearly an hour since I called 911.<br /><br /></span><br />I went to the truck and set up my 1,000,000 candlepower spot light. When cars were approaching in our lane at nearly a half mile away, I would sweep the tight beam up and down the lane, creating a flashing effect to the cars approaching. When the lane was clear I would just point the beam down. It seemed to work well because the cars were moving over much farther away.<br /><br />FINALLY 2 police cruisers arrived with all their blue lights and flashing white strobes and blocked off our lane. They looked like the cavalry coming to our rescue, and I felt safe and a little silly there with my little orange flasher and my hand-held spotlight. There was really nothing else I could do at that point, so I gave <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Yuen</span> my blog card and shook his hand. He was very very grateful and he thanked me very much. I also gave a card to his friend and then got back in my truck.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">First thing I noticed was the gas light!</span> I had left the car idling for nearly an hour to operate the lights and I had forgotten that I was very low on fuel. Yikes! Fortunately, I had no problem getting to a station for a couple of gallons, and I did have a gallon in the back for a self rescue if I needed to use it.<br /><br />This was definitely the longest and most interesting roadside rescue so far, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">and I certainly hope that </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Yuen</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> and his friend check in here and tell a little of their side of the story!</span>Richhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04230796979645739366noreply@blogger.com0