Ambulance fire in Waialae Iki under investigation, patient unhurt
The Honolulu Fire Department received a 911 call at 10:59 a.m. for an ambulance on fire in the driveway of 2181 Okoa St. Read more
Leila Fujimori
Leila Fujimori is a reporter covering the courts beat for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
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She has been reporting professionally for more than 20 years beginning in October 1999 with the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. She was retained by its new owner in 2001 and again when the newspaper merged into the Honolulu Star-Advertiser in 2010.
Earlier in her career, a Feb. 10, 2001 article titled, "I want to tell my parents I am alive," got national and international attention with the first interview of anyone who had been aboard the Ehime Maru. The New York Times used quotes she obtained from a 16-year-old student who survived the sinking of the Japanese fishing vessel by a U.S. Navy submarine, and gave a nod to the Star-Bulletin. The Toronto Star ran the story. Fujimori also shared a 2004 Society of Professional Journalists award with two colleagues for a breaking news story, "1 dead/Cop Shot."
Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, volunteering to protect native forests, beekeeping, farming, traveling, singing and spending time with her "dogter."
Latest Stories by Leila Fujimori
Man charged with attempted murder in Nanakuli hit-and-run
Brandon R. Lindley allegedly struck the younger man at about 11:49 p.m. Wednesday with his vehicle, injuring his legs and lower abdomen. Read more
Bill passes allowing darker tints on vehicles
The state Legislature has passed a major reform bill for vehicle window tinting laws, which marks the most significant update since originally enacted in 1983, the House of Representatives announced Friday. Read more
Driver in Kakaako road rage case misses court date
A 38-year-old Tesla driver, charged with crimes related to an alleged road rage attack on a mother and daughter in Kakaako, failed to show up for his arraignment Thursday morning. Read more
Bail is denied in attempted murder case
Oahu Circuit Judge Paul Wong denied bail Tuesday for Maui anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig, who is charged with the attempted murder of his wife, Arielle Konig, on an Oahu hiking trail March 24. Read more
Maui doctor accused of trying to kill wife held without bail
Konig, an anesthesiologist on Maui, was indicted on the charge of second-degree murder for allegedly attempting to kill his wife, Arielle Konig, in multiple ways. Read more
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Oahu Babysitter sentenced to 20 years in overdose death of infant
A circuit court judge Wednesday sentenced Dixie Denise Villa to 20 years in prison for the Feb. 23, 2019, Benadryl overdose death of a 7-month-old infant girl. Read more
Maryknoll School teacher burned in acid attack offers public thanks
The now 26-year-old Mandarin-language teacher who suffered severe burns to 50% of her body and face in a Jan. 23, 2024, acid attack made her first public appearance Monday, to thank the public for their generous donations totaling more than $193,000. Read more
Judge declines to drop indictment in Isabella Kalua murder case
Lehua Kalua was indicted in 2021, along with her husband, Isaac “Sonny” Kalua III, for second-degree murder, abuse and other related charges in connection with Isabella Kalua’s death. Read more
Motion denied for new trial in baby’s Benadryl death
A circuit judge Monday denied babysitter Dixie Denise Villa’s motion for a new trial in the Benadryl overdose death of 7-month-old Abigail Lobisch. Read more
Driver in fatal crash sentenced for prior violation
The man charged with first-degree negligent homicide in the Feb. 15, 2023, hit-and-run death of a McKinley High School student was sentenced Monday to one year in jail for a traffic crime that occurred a month before the fatal crash. Read more
Supervised release denied for mom accused in adopted daughter’s death
Circuit Judge Rowena Somerville denied a motion Tuesday for the supervised release of Sina Pili, charged with manslaughter in the Dec. 22, 2023, child abuse death of her 11-year-old adopted daughter. Read more
Hawaii set to pay $750,000 in wrongful death settlement
The state Legislature is expected to approve a $750,000 settlement in the 2019 wrongful shooting death of an unarmed, disabled, homeless man by an on-duty state deputy sheriff, who was not criminally held responsible but since faces scrutiny in the deaths of two more people in 2021 and 2022 while a police officer in San Diego. Read more
Suspect, 33, in Kipapa Gulch fatal crash pleads not guilty
A 33-year-old driver who crashed a vehicle near the Kipaa Gulch Bridge, killing his 15-year-old female passenger on April 12, pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of negligent homicide and driving without a license. Read more
Keiki bond with imprisoned dads at Easter-themed event
While the Women’s Community Correctional Center and minimum-security Waiawa Correctional Facility have hosted Keiki Days, this was the first at Halawa Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison. Read more
Sister’s testimony offers clues to what happened to Isabella Kalua’s body
The transcript of the testimony was attached to a motion filed in February to dismiss the murder charge filed by Lehua Kalua, Isabella’s adoptive mother. Read more
Oahu residents turn in over 367 firearms in gun buyback program
Oahu residents turned in roughly 367 firearms of all types today in a gun buyback program at the Aloha Stadium, the Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) announced in a news release this afternoon. Read more
Police arrest girl, 15, for allegedly assaulting foster mother, 73
Police arrested a 15-year-old girl this morning for allegedly assaulting her 73-year-old foster mother in Wahiawa. Read more
Man released after murder conviction is overturned
A Circuit Court judge has ordered the supervised release of Oscar Cardona, who was convicted in 2022 of second-degree murder in the June 1, 2021, stabbing death of a visitor in Waikiki. Read more
Grand jury indicts Hilo man accused in fatal stabbing
A Hawaii County grand jury Wednesday indicted Keoni Peter Tosie Brown of Hilo on charges of second- degree murder in the stabbing death of his 81-year-old neighbor and first-degree terroristic threatening of a 38-year-old woman who confronted him. Read more
Grand jury indicts Hilo man accused of stabbing neighbor to death
His bail was confirmed at $2.02 million. Read more
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