O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff
NORTH SHORE
Union seeks building permit
The Union of Operating Engineers Local 3 Hawai'i J.A.C. proposes to develop a training facility in Kahuku and is seeking a special-use permit from the city, which will hold a public hearing on the project at 1:30 p.m. today at the Human Resources Conference Room, City Hall Annex, 550 S. King St.
The project includes buildings and parking lots on state agricultural land. The property, now used for grazing, belongs to the Estate of James Campbell and is mauka of Turtle Bay Golf Course. About 108 acres would be used.
Jamoa Jam set to perform
Jamoa Jam will bring their Samoan style to the Polynesian Cultural Center when they perform at 10 p.m. tomorrow at the Pacific Theater.
Made up of four Samoan men, Jamoa Jam is from New Zealand, where they are known to apply a contemporary twist to their native music.
General admission to the concert is $5. Admission is free to Polynesian Cultural Center annual pass holders. Call 293-3333.
Annual drum circle planned
O'ahu's North Shore will reverberate to the sounds of drumming and percussion as hundreds of people participate in the Inter-Island Community Drum Circle from 2 to 5 p.m. Aug. 12 at Camp Mokuleia.
Arthur Hull, a renowned group drumming facilitator, will lead the activities, which are free.
Everyone is invited to bring drums and percussion instruments to join in.
Call 377-DRUM.
CENTRAL
New Home Depot opening
Home Depot will dedicate its Pearl City store in ceremonies beginning at 5 p.m. tomorrow.
A traditional Hawaiian blessing and "board-cutting" ceremony will highlight the dedication and store opening.
To mark the opening, the Pearl City Home Depot will donate $2,500 to the Hawai'i Chapter of the American Red Cross and $2,500 to D.A.R.E. Hawai'i.
The Pearl City Home Depot is at 1021 Kamehameha Highway.
Father sues state, teacher
The father of a 14-year-old Mililani High School student has filed a federal lawsuit against the state and a teacher at the school, alleging that his son was the target of repeated racial slurs and was assaulted by the teacher.
The lawsuit was filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Honolulu by attorney Venetia Carpenter-Asui on behalf of Matthew A. Hert Jr. and his son. Named as defendants were the state, Department of Education and Mililani High physical education teacher Hal K. Takahashi.
The suit alleges that the youth became the subject of racial slurs in September 2000. The boy reported the "racial hostility" to Takahashi, but the abuse continued, the suit stated.
Last November, the suit alleged that Takahashi threw a rake at Hert's son, hitting him in the leg. In February, Takahashi and the boy got into an argument and Takahashi challenged the youth to a fight, punched him in the chest and tore his T-shirt, the lawsuit alleged .
Department of Education spokesman Greg Knudsen declined to comment on the details of the case. But he said it appeared as though the school attempted to work things out with the plaintiff.
"The complaint details a history of face-to-face meetings where the school had reacted and hoped to settle the problems in a more personal manner," Knudsen said.
Group seeks volunteers
Volunteers are being sought to provide community service on all islands as part of the Learning Disabilities Association of Hawai'i's AmeriCorps "Parent Support Project."
The service is from Nov. 1 to Oct. 31, 2002.
Volunteers receive a modest living allowance and are eligible for an education award upon completion of 900 hours of service. Volunteers provide one-to-one assistance to families of children with disabilities in preparing for educational and treatment plan meetings, establish or maintain family support groups, arrange sites and presenters for community training sessions and participate in community events.
To receive an information and application packet, contact Learning Disabilities Association of Hawai'i's AmeriCorps coordinator, La Vernne Nakamura, at 536-9684, ext. 24. From the Neighbor Islands, call toll-free 1-800-533-9684.
