Police have arrested a homeless man in connection with the strangulation death of a 58-year-old McCully man.

Ted Hiroshi Arifuku was found dead on Jan. 15 in his studio apartment at 2526 Kapi'olani Blvd. Authorities determined Arifuku had been strangled. He had his hands tied behind his back.

The 32-year-old suspect was being held in the Honolulu police cellblock, and police were seeking a warrant to search his car. Charges are pending against the suspect, police said.

BOY HIT BY CAR IN SERIOUS CONDITION

A 9-year-old boy was taken to Kapi'olani Medical Center in serious condition after being struck by a car yesterday while crossing the street near Pensacola Street and Wilder Avenue, officials said.

The boy was walking in a marked crosswalk when he was hit by a car at about 7:43 a.m., police said.

Witnesses told police the boy darted into traffic and that the car had the green light, police said.

MOTORCYCLIST HITS PICKUP TRUCK, DIES

A Kapa'a man riding a motorcycle died in a collision with a truck yesterday morning, police said.

A preliminary investigation indicates that Luke Ichiyama, 25, was traveling south toward Koloa on a motorcycle on Maluhia Road about 6:40 a.m. when he collided with a northbound pickup truck.

The driver of the pickup truck was not injured.

2 PEARL SHIPS TO SAIL FOR MIDEAST

The Pearl Harbor-based guided missile destroyers USS O'Kane and the USS Paul Hamilton are due to leave the Islands this week to accompany the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier to the Middle East.

The ships are due to deploy Friday to serve with the Stennis strike group, Navy Region Hawaii said Wednesday in a news release.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said the ships are being sent to show Iran the four-year war in Iraq hasn't made America vulnerable.

The ships' arrival in the Middle East will mark the first time since the U.S.-led Iraq invasion in 2003 that the United States has had two carrier battle groups in the region.

"The presence of two aircraft carriers, while not unprecedented, demonstrates U.S. resolve to bring security and stability in the region," the release said. The ships are expected to arrive in the Middle East in about a month.

WHALE COUNT BEGINS SATURDAY

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is conducting its annual humpback whale count on four islands Saturday. The shore-based survey counts whales from 65 sites on O'ahu, Kaua'i, the Big Island and Kaho'olawe.

The survey will be from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

The Pacific Whale Foundation conducts a whale count off Maui independently.

Last year more than 1,900 volunteers participated in the NOAA whale count. Volunteers may register by calling (888) 559-4253, ext. 253 on the Big Island; 397-2651, ext. 253 on O'ahu, and 246-2860 on Kaua'i.

For site locations see www.hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/volunteer_program/site_intro.html.

MAN CHARGED IN CAR-BASHING

A 42-year-old man who allegedly drove his car at eight police officers and damaged two HPD vehicles has been charged with second-degree criminal property damage and third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug.

Leonard Kealoha is being held on $75,000 bail. Kapolei Crime Reduction Unit officers arrested Kealoha on Monday at Lualualei Beach Park No. 2.

GLOBAL WARMING AND THE ISLANDS

David Korten, author of the best-seller "When Corporations Rule the World," will share his views on how global warming, oil prices and worldwide environmental issues affect Hawai'i.

Korten is a Harvard Business School professor and veteran of development work in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Events include: