A public hearing about the amendments to the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District will take place at 6 tonight at Sunset Beach Elementary School, 59-360 Kamehameha Highway in Pupukea.

Amendments include expanding the no-fishing zone 100 yards seaward and into Waimea Bay and to only allow pole and line fishing from shore in Waimea Bay.

The amendments will also have an impact on the commercial operations for scuba and snorkeling within the ocean recreation management areas at Sharks Cove, Three Tables and Waimea Bay. Fees for commercial activities also will be discussed.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold the hearing. People who cannot attend but want to comment should send their remarks about the no-fishing zone to DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources, 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 330, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Comments about commercial activities should be sent to DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, 333 Queen St., Suite 300, Honolulu HI 96813. Testimony must be received by Nov. 29.

HONOLULU

Angel Tree helps needy

With many families' Christmases threatened by job layoffs in the ripple effect of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Salvation Army is inviting families to apply for its Angel Tree program to receive gifts for their children this holiday season.

Families have until Friday to submit applications, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., at Salvation Army locations at 296 N. Vineyard Boulevard (521-6551); 45-175 Waikalua Road, Kane'ohe (235-1408); and 98-612 Moanalua Loop (487-1636).

The program provides a way for people to help others in need by adopting children or senior citizens, who are represented by angel-shaped tags on special Christmas trees placed in shopping malls throughout Hawai'i.

Efficiency forum to be held tomorrow

Government Efficiency Teams will play host to civic leaders at a forum on “Meeting the Economic Crisis Head-On” tomorrow at the state Capitol.

Speakers will include Senate Vice President Colleen Hanabusa, who will discuss the Felix consent decree; and Oswald K. Stender, former Bishop Estate trustee and now a trustee with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, who will discuss “Legislative Inefficiencies.”

Also speaking will be Bruce Coppa, director of the Pacific Resource Partnership, on the local construction industry; and Randy Hitz, dean of the University of Hawai‘i College of Education, on efforts to improve Hawai‘i’s public schools; Manuel C. Menendez III, executive director of the city’s Office of Economic Development; Richard Reed, president of Inter-Island Solar Supply; and retired U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Dick Vercauteren, now president of Strategic Concepts and Associates.
The presentations will be from 4 to 6 p.m. The Government Efficiency Teams Inc. is a non-profit organization of volunteers who encourage greater efficiency in government, business and citizens’ personal lives.

Women’s group offering grants

The Hawai‘i Women’s Legal Foundation is accepting applications through Monday for grant requests from organizations and projects that help improve the legal status and welfare of women and children in Hawai‘i.

Bernice Littman, who heads the grant distribution committee, said the organization has made grants in the past to such organizations as the Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline, and Family Planning Centers of Hawaii, among many others. Grant criteria may be obtained by mail or in person by contacting Littman at 521-9219.

Reapportionment hearings slated

The state Reapportionment Commission is planning a series of hearings to allow the public to study the proposed new boundaries for the 25 state Senate districts and the 51 state House districts.

The commission’s O‘ahu Advisory Council will meet to discuss the maps, hear a presentation from commission staff and take testimony from the public in the state Capitol auditorium at 7 p.m. tomorrow.

Additional hearings will be held on Kaua‘i Monday; on Maui Nov. 20; on the Big Island Nov. 26; and on Oahu Nov. 27 at locations to be announced later.

The commission is scheduled to adopt the final plan Nov. 30.

LEEWARD

Harris plans Kapolei talk

Mayor Jeremy Harris will be the guest speaker at the next Kapolei Rotary Club breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

Harris will discuss security issues on O'ahu at the breakfast in the Kapolei High School faculty lounge, said Keola Lloyd, acting president of the Kapolei Rotarians.

Nonmembers will be charged $7 for breakfast.

The Rotarians meet every Thursday, except on holidays. Scheduled to speak on Nov. 29 is Michael E. O'Neill, chairman and chief executive officer of Pacific Century, parent company of Bank of Hawai'i.

For more information, call Lloyd at 674-3167.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Service Center work begins

KAHULUI, Maui — Maui County has launched $1.3 million in renovations for a new Countywide Service Center.

The center, expected to open in the Maui Mall early next summer, will house motor vehicle licensing and registration offices and the Real Property Tax Division.

A&B Properties Inc., which owns and manages the mall, already has begun work on the exterior portion of the building under a lease agreement with the county.

Mayor James "Kimo'' Apana said "miniservice centers'' in other districts may be established in the future.

Victim named in auto wreck

A 26-year old woman who died in a car crash Saturday night on the Big Island's Saddle Road has been identified as Savaliatoa Ape, a student at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo.