O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff
HONOLULU
City OKs payment in harassment case
The City Council yesterday approved a $100,000 settlement of a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by a former Honolulu police officer against other police officers.
In 1998, Sharon Chun — then a 10-year veteran of the force — filed a lawsuit seeking $2.5 million in damages in state Circuit Court. Chun charged that the harassment began three years prior with other officers circulating a computer image of her face superimposed onto a nude photograph of another woman.
After she complained, she said, she faced retaliation that included a transfer and finding that her colleagues didn't respond as backup when she went out on calls.
The same year she filed the lawsuit, Chun went on stress leave and moved to Nevada to be with her parents. A Honolulu police spokeswoman said Chun remains on leave from the department.
Debt forgiven on Royal Kunia course
The City Council yesterday forgave a debt that kept the Royal Kunia Golf Course closed despite being ready for play since 1994.
The Central O'ahu course could not open because the Japanese developer that built the course promised to pay the city $25 million as a "community impact fee," but only paid $10 million to the city and $2 million to the Waipahu Community foundation.
That left the city looking for the rest of the money and not allowing the course to open until the debt was resolved. Under the new agreement, JAC Hawai'i, a major lender for landowner Liongain Hawai'i, will pay $2.5 million as well as $1 for each round of golf played on the course "in perpetuity."
Officials from JAC Hawai'i said the course should open by December. Council chairman Jon Yoshimura praised the agreement, which resolved what he felt was an "unreasonable impact fee."
The new agreement passed 8-1, with Councilman Steve Holmes opposed.
"I thought it was too much of a sweetheart deal," he said.
NORTH SHORE
Art sale today in Waialua
Three artists will display and sell some of their pieces at the Waialua library, starting with a reception for them from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at the library, 67-068 Kealohanui St. The artists will donate a portion of the sales to the facility
Artists Patrice Federspiel, Nikki Johnston and Cheryl Ruddach will appearat the event.
The Friends of Waialua Library use its portion of the sale to purchase books, tapes and miscellaneous supplies for the library.
WINDWARD
Lawsuit filed in loss of eye to sparklers
The family of a Waimanalo girl who lost an eye when sparklers blew up in her face in 1999 has filed a lawsuit against the store that sold the sparklers.
Sherri-Lyn Kalama was celebrating her 14th birthday on Dec. 26, 1999, when she bundled about 15 sparklers with duct tape and lit them. The sparklers exploded in her face, destroying her right eye.
The community rallied around the Kailua High School student and donated money for her surgery and a glass eye. The lawsuit filed in Circuit Court yesterday claims that Sherri-Lyn continues to suffer "mental, physical and nervous pain."
The lawsuit was filed by attorney William Jarrett on behalf of Sherri-Lyn and her father, Boyd Kalama. Named as the defendant was Daiei (USA) Inc., owner of the Kailua Daiei store where the sparklers were purchased, the lawsuit stated.
Daiei was negligent and breached its duty to the plaintiff because it failed to place a warning of the potential explosiveness of the sparklers, the lawsuit stated.
"There were no warnings that lighting more than one sparkler at a time could cause an explosion or severe personal injury. The sparklers were too explosive," the lawsuit stated.
School supplies being gathered
The Giving Bus Program is again accepting school supplies for needy children in Windward O'ahu.
The Salvation Army's Giving Bus will be at Windward Mall's Center Court from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Sundays until July 21. Those who want to help a student can select a card from the display, which will have the student's name and what they need. The items can then be purchased and returned to a Giving Bus representative.
Program seeks seniors' help
The Foster Grandparent Program is looking for seniors in Kane'ohe and Kailua who like children and want to make a difference in someone's life.
Seniors must be 60 or older with limited income and be willing to serve 20 hours a week.
The benefits include a nontaxable hourly stipend and a daily free meal. Call Ron Mata at 453-6357.
CENTRAL
Waipahu group awards grants
The Waipahu Community Foundation recently awarded more than $50,000 to seven Waipahu service organizations.
Summer quarter (July-September) grants were awarded to Friends of Waipahu Public Library for $500; Waipahu Intermediate School for $4,100; and Boy Scout Troop 32 for $4,250.
Annual grants for 2001-02 were awarded to Leeward YMCA for $5,500; Village Park Athletic Association for $5,500; Waipahu Jackrabbits for $5,500; and Waipahu High School for $27,500.
The next deadline to apply for grants is Sept. 7.
Call Cal Kawamoto at 677-9455.
