WWII vets get medal

President Barack Obama plans to sign a bill today awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Japanese-American veterans of World War II, U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka says. The medal will be collectively awarded to those who served in the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service.

Tech CEO pleads not guilty to 6-year sex assault of girl

The 75-year-old head of a local high-tech company pleaded not guilty in state court yesterday morning to charges that he sexually assaulted a girl over a six-year period. The girl is now 15.

William Eugene Clisham, chief executive officer of CORESystems Hawaii, a data storage company, is facing multiple first-degree and third-degree sexual assault charges.

He remains free on $500,000 bail pending trial in December.

According to the company’s website, CORESystems’ clients include the U.S. Department of Defense and state and city agencies including the state Department of Education, University of Hawaii, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaiian Airlines, Kamehameha Schools and Punahou School.

1,600 homes lose power after city truck hits pole

About 1,600 Kailua homes lost power yesterday morning when a city refuse truck hit a utility pole, knocking out a transformer, officials said.

The accident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. yesterday at Makawao Street and Kalaheo Avenue near St. Anthony School.

A Hawaiian Electric Co. spokesman said crews restored power to all customers by the afternoon.

State awarded $89,000 to fight Medicare fraud

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced Hawaii’s Executive Office on Aging has been awarded $89,000 to help fight Medicare fraud.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in a San Francisco news release that the grant will help the office’s Senior Medicare Patrol program.

Assistant U.S. Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee says scam artists are using the new health care provisions of the Affordable Care Act as an opportunity to steal from seniors.

She says the added funding for the Senior Medicare Patrol will help increase the department’s outreach to people with Medicare.

The Executive Office on Aging is the state’s lead agency in the coordination of a statewide system of aging and caregiver support services.