O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
LEEWARD
200 attend balloon event
About 200 young people showed up at the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park yesterday with bobbing Mylar balloons, earning a $10 discount for an afternoon "Mylar Madness" concert designed to draw attention to the hazard the balloons can cause when airborne.
The water park and Hawaiian Electric Co. had teamed up in the community-wide effort. Last year more than a dozen power failures on O'ahu were attributed to Mylar balloons that became entangled in lines after graduates, their friends and family members released them, HECO said.
"We're making a positive civic appeal for young people to hang onto their memories," said HECO spokeswoman Kaiulani de Silva.
With 750 to 1,000 young people attending the concert, park assistant general manager Jerry Pupillo said the joint effort with HECO was a success.
The campaign appears to be having some success, even though the graduation season is still in full swing. So far this year only four power failures have been caused by the balloons, according to HECO.
Yesterday's concert featured the music of Cool Change, Sean Carillo, Mana 'Ohana and Baba B.
EAST HONOLULU
State to honor diner, worker
The State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation on Thursday will recognize Alvin Nakama as the Outstanding Rehabilitant of the Year, and his employer, Big City Diner in Kaimuki, as the Outstanding Employer of the Year.
The state is honoring Nakama for overcoming barriers and the Big City Diner for contributing to the community and economy by employing persons with disabilities. They were nominated by Pauline Arakaki of the Windward Section of the O'ahu Branch.
According to the nomination, Big City Diner owner and general manager Lane Muraoka encouraged Nakama to try a new job after 36 years as a janitor and maintenance worker at Woolworth Department Store, and provided training to help him succeed.
Nakama will receive a Legislative Certificate and Muraoka will receive a plaque during the 2 p.m. ceremony at the restaurant.
HONOLULU
Photo waste rules explained
The city plans five free workshops to explain changes in silver discharge regulations that will affect businesses that develop photographic and radiographic film and paper.
The changes are designed to reduce the amount of silver being discharged into wastewater treatment systems.
Three sessions will take place June 26: 9-11 a.m., 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Two additional sessions will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 27.
The sessions will be at McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Beach Park. To register call Kenny Drummond at the City and County Regulatory Control Branch at 523-4951.
Kalihi youth still critical after crash
A 17-year-old Kalihi youth remains in critical condition with head injuries at the Queen's Medical Center after the stolen Honda Civic two-door black sedan he was driving Sunday sideswiped another vehicle on Kalaniana'ole Highway near Kapa'a Quarry Road and hit a guardrail.
His 17-year-old passenger had a broken left arm and was in fair condition at Queen's.
The 17-year-old Kailua man driving the second vehicle, a blue four-door Honda Civic, was not injured.
The driver of the stolen was wearing a seat belt, but his passenger and the driver of the second car were not.
Police said the 4:10 a.m. collision was either the result of racing or road rage. The cause is under investigation.
The vehicles were traveling eastbound in adjacent lanes when the accident occurred. Both speed and alcohol were factors in the accident, according to police.
Names have not been released.
NORTH SHORE
Three injured in Waialua accident
A 74-year-old man was critically injured when his car struck another car in Waialua yesterday.
Police said the man was driving on Waialua Beach Road around 11:15 a.m. when his car crossed the center line and hit an oncoming car. The man was taken by Army medevac helicopter to the Queen's Medical Center where he was in critical condition yesterday.
A 25-year-old man and 4-year-old boy in the other car also were taken to Queen's where they were listed in serious condition.
Police traffic investigators last night were looking into the cause of the accident.
