O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
LEEWARD
Billabong says thank you
Surf wear manufacturer Billabong is giving a new Apple iBook laptop computer to the Wai'anae High School mass media program as a way of saying thank you to the community for allowing the Australian-based company to hold surf meets at Makaha Beach.
Keoni Watson, who was born and raised on the Wai'anae Coast, is now a sales and marketing representative for Billabong and will present the computer to the school this week.
"We wanted to find a way to give something back to the community for allowing us to use the site for our tournament," said Watson, 28, a former professional surfer. "I know a couple of students in the Searider mass-media program and they said they could use a laptop for their reporting work. I think a lot of kids will benefit from it."
The Billabong Junior World Championship was held in November at Makaha Beach. The event is considered the world championship for surfers under 21, amateur or professional.
Each of the 48 contestants had to qualify through regional heats held throughout the year.
Mass-media teacher Candy Suiso said students will use the computer for field work on video, photo and news writing projects.
"This will really save us a lot of time and give them real-world experience," Suiso said.
EAST HONOLULU
Park's courts to be repaired
The tennis, volley and basketball courts at Koko Head District Park will be resurfaced in August, and the city will replace the lights at the Pony baseball field starting in July.
The lights cost $880,000 to replace, and the project should be completed by fall.
The contractor has started work at two other parks for the outdoor court replacement.
Ka Iwi plans denied support
The Hawai'i Kai Neighborhood Board voted 12-1 not to support the state's plans for parking lots and lookouts along the Ka Iwi Shoreline.
After much debate, the community board said they didn't support the plan as presented. Al Kirchner was the only dissenting vote. The Ka Iwi Action Coalition also does not support the state's plan.
The state has been pushing to build parking lots in the interest of safety for hikers and visitors to the lookout since 1996 when it drafted a master plan environmental impact statement.
The area has been the focus of much community interest and is the site of a condemnation battle between the state and Kamehameha Schools.
Kalani High donates $500
The Kalani High School Interact Club will give the American Cancer Society of Hawai'i a $500 check from money it raised throughout the year.
The service organization, which is sponsored by the Rotary Club of East Honolulu, does community service, including staffing a water station during the annual Honolulu Marathon.
