O'ahu briefs

Advertiser Staff and News Services

LEEWARD

Kapolei Rotary Club honored

The Rotary Club of Kapolei was recognized as the fastest-growing club in Hawai'i during the statewide rotary club conference held at the Ihilani Resort last month.

The Kapolei club has grown from 20 members last year to 43 members.

The club was also named Hawai'i's small club of the year and club with the best promotion. The Kapolei club sponsors several fund-raisers including the Taste of Kapolei.

The group also received national recognition winning a 21st Century Membership Challenge award. Club president Keola Lloyd will travel to San Antonio, Texas, in two weeks to accept the award.

HONOLULU

Arrest made in stabbing

Police yesterday arrested a suspect in the stabbing of another man in a Waikiki alley fight at 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

Investigators said the complainant was in an alleyway near 2270 Kuhio Ave. with friends when they got into an argument with a slim black-haired man who challenged him to fight and then rushed forward and pulled a knife.

The wounded man was taken to the Queen's Medical Center, but his condition was not life-threatening, police said.

DHHL slates plan review

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will hold a series of meetings statewide to review a proposed planning system for the department.

The DHHL is in the process of developing a system to help ensure a coordinated, integrated and orderly use of Hawaiian homelands for social, physical and economic use, according to a statement released by Kenneth H. Toguchi of the community relations office.

A draft of an update to a general plan created in 1976 will be reviewed at the meetings, which are to be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. as follows:

• Today — East Hawai'i, Hilo High School cafeteria.
• Tomorrow — West Hawai'i, Waimea Elementary School cafeteria and Kealakehe High School.
• Wednesday — Honolulu, Washington Middle School cafeteria.
• Thursday — Kaua'i, Anahola Clubhouse; Eleele Elementary School cafeteria.
• June 26 — Moloka'i, Kulana Oiwi Meeting Room.
• June 27 — Leeward O'ahu, Nanakuli High School cafeteria.
• June 28 — Windward O'ahu, Blanche Pope Elementary School cafeteria.
• July 2 — Maui, Queen Liliuokalani Children's Center and Kamehameha III Elementary School cafeteria.
• July 9 — Lana'i, Lana'i Public Library.
  
  
  

Workshops on tap for census

The Census Bureau will hold a series of free workshops to share updated information from Census 2000.

The workshops will give residents an opportunity to examine the changing demographics of where they live and learn how to find data to incorporate in proposals for grants to their communities.

The workshop schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday — Kona Community Hospital, Conference Room 3, 9-11:30 a.m. For information, call 322-4850.
• Tuesday — Hawai'i Community College cafeteria, 5-7:30 p.m. For information, call 974-7531.
• Wednesday — Kaua'i Community College, computer lab, 9:30 a.m.-noon. For information, call 241-6390.
• Thursday — Housing and Urban Development conference room, Restaurant Row, 9-11 a.m. For information, call 541-2570.
• Thursday — Windward Community College, Hale Kuhina Room 114, 1-2:30 p.m. For information, call 235-7433.
• Thursday — Leeward Community College, Room GT-105, 6-8 p.m. For information, call 677-6939.
  
  
  

Dentists launch free care program

A group of Hawai'i dentists will hit the road to provide free care to residents not covered by insurance for basic dental services.

The Hawai'i Dental Association has formed the Dental Samaritans, made up of dentists who will provide free service at clinics and mobile care centers. The goal is to treat the state's indigent and low-income residents, which account for a third of the state's population, the HDA said.

The Dental Samaritan program was launched at the Institute for Human Services. The homeless shelter cares for nearly 400 people each day.

Anyone wishing to help can send tax-deductible contributions to: HDA Dental Samaritans, 1345 S. Beretania St., Suite 301, Honolulu, HI 96814.

For more information on the program, call 593-7956, or toll-free from the Neighbor Islands at (800) 359-6725.

NORTH SHORE

Rare flower species bloom

Three species of Kokia — two that are critically endangered and one that is officially extinct — are in bloom at the Waimea Arboretum and Botanical Garden.

Kokia, part of the cotton-hibiscus family, are the most flamboyant of native Hawaiian flora. Kokia flowers are bright red, with gracefully twisted petals.

One of the species of Kokia, brought to Waimea from Moloka'i and grafted onto the root stock of the other species, is officially extinct and can be seen only at Waimea.

David Orr, botanical garden director, said this is the first time that all three species have bloomed at the same time.

Pictures of the Kokia can be viewed at this Web site.