O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff
CENTRAL
Waipahu event on Sunday
A "Taste of Waipahu" will be Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. along Waipahu Street and Waipahu Depot Road, near the former Waipahu Sugar Mill.
The schedule inclues a cultural parade at 9 a.m. at Hans L'Orange Park and a celebrity dunking booth with guests City Councilman Jon Yoshimura and TV journalists Stacy Loe, Donalyn Dela Cruz and Kathy Muneno.
Also planned are a "Taste of Lumpia" challenge, live entertainment, and food, games, crafts and information booths.
Those who bring a canned good will receive a free game coupon.
HONOLULU
Civil Defense testing sirens
Civil Defense tested two new sirens yesterday in Kalaeloa and Makakilo and will test two more today in Kailua and Hale'iwa.
The tests are required prior to acceptance of the new sirens from the state Civil Defense, said Paul Takamiya, acting administrator of O'ahu Civil Defense. The state provides the equipment and installation, and the city operates and maintains the sirens.
The test includes several short blasts.
The new equipment is in Kalaeloa near Coral Sea and Tripoli streets, at the Makakilo Board of Water Supply booster station, at Kainalu Elementary School in Kailua and near Cane Haul Road and Kamehameha Highway in Hale'iwa.
The test today will be at 9 a.m. at Kainalu Elementary and at 1:30 p.m. in Hale'iwa.
Volunteer tax preparers sought
Volunteers are being sought to provide free tax-preparation assistance during the next tax-return filing season for elderly, disabled and non-English-speaking people, as well as taxpayers on limited incomes.
The Internal Revenue Service, the state tax department and the AARP Tax-Aide program will provide free training on preparing basic individual state and federal income tax returns and, in some cases, how to file them electronically.
Organizations also are being sought to operate sites that will provide this volunteer service. Call 539-1503.
Toys being donated to new pet owners
The Hawaiian Humane Society is collecting unused pet toys through Nov. 30, items that will be given to families adopting pets in December.
Donors may bring the new toys to the society's shelter at 2700 Wai'alae Ave., noon-8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends. A special bin on the lanai has been established for the collection drive. Call 946-2187.
Senate approves millions for Hawai‘i
The U.S. Senate yesterday approved $22.8 million for various economic development, environmental and educational projects in Hawai‘i.
The money is included in the appropriations bill covering the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and independent agencies. The measure now goes to the White House for final approval.
The largest appropriation — $9.6 million — would go for a new initiative authorized by the Hawaiian Homelands Home Ownership Act of 2000. The Hawaiian Homelands Community Development Block Grant Program would pay for affordable housing initiatives.
“These monies will help jump-start ongoing efforts to place Native Hawaiians in homes, as well as empower community development in homestead areas,” Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawai‘i, said.
Other money includes $4 million for continuing efforts to establish the Mauna Kea Astronomy Education Center at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.
