The order, which went into effect Tuesday, was issued as a result of his federal felony convictions on theft, bribery and related charges. Mirikitani was sentenced to 4? years in prison.

Mirikitani will be restrained from practicing law until disciplinary proceedings against him are concluded, or until further order of the high court.

Students offer imu service

Kailua students will provide an imu for the public to roast its New Year's food with drop-off from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec 30 at Kailua High School.

The Marine Science, Boating and Voyaging students are conducting the fund-raiser at a cost of $10 per 13-inch by 21-inch tray of food. Pork butts, turkey or other foods will be accepted. All food must be pre-seasoned and fully wrapped in foil when dropped off.

Pick up is the following day, New Year's eve, from 8 to 9 a.m.

Pre-sale tickets are limited to 100 and must be purchased by Dec. 27.

To purchase a ticket page Todd Hendricks, marine science program coordinator, at 299-5347.

Home buyers offered course

Free home-buyer education courses for first-time purchasers in the low- and moderate-income bracket are available throughout O'ahu beginning Jan. 5.

The course, Realizing the American Dream, offers a road map to owning a first home. It is also applicable for residents on the Hawaiian Home Lands waiting list who are interested in self-help housing.

This month nine Waimanalo families purchased their first home after attending the course.

The course is certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Neighborhood reinvestment Corporation. It is presented by the Waimanalo Community Development Corp. and is sponsored by the Bank of Hawai'i and the city.

Some 16 courses are offered throughout the year. A course is 16 hours long and two persons per household are advised to attend to help reinforce lessons at home.

The course is available at Honolulu Community College, Leeward Community College, Leeward Community College at Wai'anae, Brigham Young University Hawai'i and Waimanalo library.

Youths to train on new ship

A Kane'ohe youth service organization will welcome a new training ship for its program at 10 a.m. Dec. 29 at the Aloha Tower pier 11.

The Marimed Foundation, which operates the Kailana Program, has replaced the Tole Mour, a 156-foot tall-ship with a 96-foot, three-masted, staysail schooner. Students from the program will chant and dance the hula in welcoming the new addition to the organization.

Parking placards to be issued Jan. 1

Newly designed placards that allow people with disabilities to park in designated parking stalls will begin being issued Jan. 1. The placards will prominently show an expiration date as part of a continuing statewide crackdown on motorists who illegally park in those spaces.

Current placards will be honored until they expire and then users will need to apply for the updated version.

Francine Wai, executive director of the state Disability and Communication Access Board, said when people renew their placards after Jan. 1 they will be required to submit a new physicians certification form that details their disability.

Placards can be renewed 60 days before they expire at any Satellite City Hall.

For information, call 586-8121.

Women sought for cancer study

The Cancer Research Center of Hawai'i is looking for women to participate in a study comparing the effectiveness of drugs in reducing breast cancer.

Researchers in the STAR project are trying to find out if the drug raloxifene, which is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis, is as effective as tamoxifen in reducing breast cancer in women who are the greatest risk for the disease.

"Recruitment of women from Hawai'i is critical in this important study," said program coordinator Ann Kelminsky. "We believe our ethnically diverse populations here in Hawai'i helps us to be sure that the prevention strategies we learn in STAR will apply to all women."

The STAR project will enroll 22,000 women nationwide, making it one of the largest studies looking for ways to prevent cancer. Nearly 100 Hawai'i women already have been recruited.

"Many of my friends and their families have been affected by breast cancer," said participant Sandra Dawson. "I feel that it is necessary that I do anything I can to help prevent this from happening to other women."

To be eligible for STAR, a woman must be postmenopausal, without history of breast cancer and not have taken either of the drugs for three months. For more information call Kelminsky or Faith Inoshita at 586-2979.

2 Hana cases boosts dengue total to 95

The number of dengue cases in Hawai'i has reached 95, with the Department of Health identifying two more people in Hana with the mosquito-borne virus.

The two people contracted the disease in late November. A total of 60 people have been found with dengue in the Hana area, where the outbreak was first detected. There are 70 cases overall on Maui.

The department also has found 21 incidents on O'ahu and four on Kaua'i.

The department is trying to stop the spread of the disease by encouraging residents to get rid of standing water around their homes, which is where mosquitoes lay their eggs.