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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, May 27, 2001

O'ahu briefs

Advertiser Staff and News Services

HONOLULU

Search reveals akamai pupils

The Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University recently recognized a group of Hawai'i students for their outstanding academic talents.

Every year, the center invites students across the nation who score in the 97th percentile or higher on school standardized tests to take additional exams that are considered above grade level. Seventh-graders, for example, take the College Board SAT, which many universities use as an entrance requirement.

The tests give parents a better assessment of their child's verbal and mathematical reasoning skills.

About 90,000 students from 19 states and the District of Columbia participated in this year's Talent Search.

The top scorers in Hawai'i were:

  • Fifth-grade verbal: David Jaress, Iolani School.
  • Fifth-grade math: Aaron Fong, Iolani School.
  • Sixth-grade verbal: Eugene So, Punahou School.
  • Sixth-grade math: Eugene So, Punahou School.
  • Seventh-grade verbal: Jonathan Chang, Kaimuki Middle School.
  • Seventh-grade math: Nolan Chung, Iolani School.
  • Seventh-grade combined: Li Li, Washington Intermediate School.
  • Eighth-grade verbal: Kimberly Reinhold, St. Joseph Jr.-Sr. High School.
  • Eighth-grade math: Melanie Bomke, Iolani School.
  • Eighth-grade combined: Melanie Bomke, Iolani School.


Mass murderer seeking new trial

Convicted Xerox killer Byran Uyesugi has asked the state Supreme Court for a new trial, claiming prosecutorial misconduct.

Uyesugi is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole after being convicted of murdering seven co-workers in 1999.

The public defender's office has told the high court that the prosecution was guilty of misconduct for presenting the testimony of six widows and a surviving son in a manner calculated to inflame the jury.

The office also said the prosecution's opening statement, which described the victims' families, hobbies and "endearing characteristics," violated Uyesugi's right to a fair trial.

Prosecutors have said Uyesugi did receive a fair trial.


Group objects to monkey display

Animal Rights Hawaii activists staged a demonstration outside the Blue Tropix Bar on Kapi'olani Boulevard Saturday night to protest the nightclub's display of three squirrel monkeys in a glass-enclosed tank .

About 20 demonstrators, including one wearing "convict's" stripes, gathered on the sidewalk outside the establishment.

The bar's management has defended the display, saying the animals are in a soundproofed enclosure.


Mercury spill cleaned up

A mercury spill at the Mayor Wright housing area was less extensive than earlier spills and was cleaned up by yesterday afternoon, officials said.

Honolulu Fire Department hazardous materials crews removed the carpeting from the one apartment that was contaminated. The residents were allowed to stay in the apartment.

Terry Corpus of the state's Hazardous Evaluation and Emergency Response Office said his office took over from the fire department and completed the cleanup yesterday.


WINDWARD

Traffic calming plan on track

The city has awarded a contract for a traffic calming project in the Olomana subdivision. Work on the project should begin this summer, said City Council member Steve Holmes.

The $140,000 project on Ulupi'i Street includes the installation of two speed tables between Ulukanu and Uluhala streets, and between Ululani and Kalaniana'ole Highway, Holmes said. The turning radius of two corners will be reduced at Ululani and Ulupuni streets, and at Ulupi'i and Ululani streets. The northwest corners of both intersections will be affected.

A second phase to the Olomana project is being designed, he said.

That phase includes a roundabout at Ulupuni and Uluhala and a reduction in the turning radius at Ulupi'i and Kalaniana'ole Highway.


Greenbelt plan to be discussed

Residents from around the island are invited to help plan a greenbelt that will extend from Makapu'u to the North Shore.

A meeting will be from 3 to 5 p.m. tomorrow at Olomana Gardens, 41-1160 Waikapunaha St., Waimanalo.

The meeting will be followed by a potluck barbecue from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Ko'olau Greenbelt will extend along the base of the Ko'olau range, with extensions to the coastline.

Communities along the way will identify their special places, natural and cultural, that will be connected to each other by a series of paths, linking parks, educational centers, lo'i, ranches, fishponds and campgrounds.

For more information call 259-0162 or 228-9391.


Cafes now in Kane'ohe, too

Zia's Caffe and Cinnamon's Restaurant, both of Kailua, have opened second locations in Kane'ohe.

Cinnamon's opened three weeks ago in the old Hana Hou restaurant at Bayview Golf Park, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner every day except Sunday, when it offers only a brunch and dinner menu.

Zia's, serving a family European menu, opened May 17. Located between VCA Animal Hospital and 7-Eleven across Kamehameha Highway from Windward City Shopping Center, the restaurant serves lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, and dinners only on Saturday and Sunday.


LEEWARD

UH president to address club

University of Hawai'i President Kenneth P. Mortimer will discuss the future of the higher education institution at the Kapolei Rotary Club meeting at 7:30 a.m. Thursday in the Kapolei High School faculty/staff lounge.

Mortimer will become a senior scholar at the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems after he retires from the university at the end of June.

Mortimer, 62, has been president at UH since 1993.

Evan Dobelle, the president of Trinity College and the former leader of City College of San Francisco, will take over as the 12th president of the university next month.

The cost of admission to the meeting is $7 and includes a buffet breakfast.

For more information, call Keola Lloyd at 674-3167.


CENTRAL

Child blamed for Waipahu fire

A child playing with a cigarette lighter started a fire yesterday that caused $32,000 in damage to a Waipahu apartment.

The fire was contained to the child's bedroom, Capt. Richard Soo of the fire department said. The child's family was forced to seek temporary shelter because of the smoke that permeated their home.

Soo said the fire department was called to the apartment at 94-238 Aniani Place at about 9:40 a.m. The woman who lived there called in the alarm. She, her 3- and 4-year old sons and her 14- and 16-year old nieces escaped the fire unharmed. The woman's husband was not home at the time.

More than a dozen firefighters responded and brought the blaze under control in just more than 10 minutes. The fire caused $30,000 damage to the building and $2,000 to the contents.