City Councilwoman Rene Mansho welcomes cruise liner Queen Elizabeth 2 to Honolulu Harbor. The luxury liner arrived from Los Angeles and will be docked here before departing for American Samoa this afternoon. See more photos.
Hawai'i educators see pluses, minuses in Bush plan
President Bush's education plan could deliver more money to Hawai'i's public schools for reading and math, but might also widen the gap between successful and struggling schools.
Visitor, 81, assaulted inside Waikiki hotel
An 81-year-old tourist from Canada was in critical condition at the Queen's Medical Center last night after he was bludgeoned and robbed inside a Waikiki hotel bathroom early yesterday morning.
Lion dancers take tradition to new heights
Lion dancing, a mix of mime and mythology often performed to bless and bring luck to weddings and store openings, was once the main event at celebrations for the Lunar New Year, such as today, the beginning of the Chinese Year of the Snake.
See video (2.8 Mb) of the Gee Yung International Martial Art & Lion Dance Association competing in Hong Kong. QuickTime plug-in is required.
OHA trustees awaiting auditor's report
OHA is bracing for the release of a state audit that is expected to raise tough questions about how some trustees used their personal allowances and how they may have lost track of money during an agency consolidation.
Effort to end food tax would run into veto
A proposal to eliminate the 4 percent excise tax on food, rent and medical services is likely to be one of the biggest issues at the Legislature this year, but already the plan appears to have little chance of passing.
State to control Ala Wai course
Gov. Ben Cayetano has notified city officials that the state will take back control of the Ala Wai Golf Course on July 27, but the course will continue to operate after that date, according to a Cayetano spokeswoman.
Native health bill to be revived
After reintroducing the Native Hawaiian recognition bill Monday, Hawai'i's senators proposed three other measures to authorize federal financing for Hawaiian health care and education programs, including aid for language schools.
Teachers, state pledge further contract effort
After reaching a dead end in contract negotiations last week, the teachers union and state officials will sit down today to explore options for resolving the dispute.
Special-education audit disputed at hearing
As Hawai'i school and health officials, along with the state attorney general' staff, debated a report that criticized their implementation of the Felix consent decree, the authors of the document stood by their findings.
Queen-size visitor arrives
The Queen Elizabeth 2 entered Honolulu Harbor yesterday. The luxury liner arrived from Los Angeles and will be docked at Pier 2 before departing for American Samoa today at 5 p.m.
Minor fire forces hotel evacuation
Guests at the Ala Moana Hotel got a scare last night when smoke began billowing out from the top floor of the high-rise building.
Bush puts coral reef reserve in limbo
President Bush's decision to suspend all of Bill Clinton's 11th-hour executive orders has left the new Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve in limbo.
Federal loan gives Filipino center a boost
Bolstered by a $5 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Program, the Hawaii Filipino Community Center in Waipahu is finally beginning to take shape.
Bay project foes vow to fight on
A group of residents yesterday vowed to pursue their opposition of the city's plans for an education center on the edge of Hanauma Bay, hoping for a compromise with Honolulu officials.
Judicial pay system needs reform, says chief justice
The state Judiciary will not ask the Legislature for pay raises for judges this biennium, but the system that determines judicial salaries must be improved, Chief Justice Ronald Moon said yesterday.
Eastsiders debate need for cemetery
East Honolulu is one of the areas on O'ahu with the highest concentration of people older than 65, planners say. Combined with their relative affluence, that makes the area prime for cemetery development, experts say.
Union's ex-leader sues to halt Verizon vote
The former head of the union that represents about 2,000 workers at Verizon Hawaii Inc. filed a lawsuit in federal court yesterday seeking to have his name added to the ballot for the election of new officers set to begin on Friday.
Social needs top Cayetano priority list
Of the many issues Gov. Ben Cayetano floated in Monday's State-of-the-State speech, he said yesterday that two of his top priorities for legislators would be the preschool program for needy children and lagging social needs.
O'ahu briefs
Fugitive sought after car crash; Child blamed in Nanakuli fire; Meeting set on Ko 'Olina; State hospital inmate caught; Tourists badly hurt at lookout; 'Iolani wins Science Bowl; Officers search Kalihi home; Library group to sell books
Fire left hundreds stranded on Maui
A Maui brush fire that forced authorities to close Honoapi'ilani Highway on Monday affected hundreds of tourists and residents, and it meant missed flights, broken appointments and lost business for merchants.
Water board delays action on rate hike
After hearing Big Island farmers oppose an increase in water rates, the Hawai'i County Water Board yesterday delayed a vote on such a plan.
Bob Krauss
Likelike table outlives old ship
The Likelike table doesn't belong in 'Iolani Palace although Likelike was a sister of King Kalakaua and the mother of Princess Ka'iulani. This table was once a ship's wheel, steering the Likelike, an interisland steamer.
Islands need new electricity strategy
The crisis in California's electrical grid has people at every position on the political spectrum pointing fingers. In the midst of it all, there is a lesson for Hawai'i.
Mike Leidemann
Perverse proverbs learned at home
You learn a lot of things when you stay home from work for a couple of days. Here are a few truths I learned around the homestead recently. Call them perverse proverbs.
