O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
CENTRAL
Juveniles back in custody
Two boys from Benchmark Behavioral Health System's juvenile sex offender program in Pearl City, who fled while on a group outing in Honolulu three months ago, are back in custody, said the facility's director.
Both boys had completed treatment and were three weeks from being discharged when the incident occurred. The boys committed no known offenses while free, said program director James Bailey.
One boy, 15, is being held at the Pearl City facility, while the other youth, 16, has been sent to the Hawai'i Youth Correctional Facility.
"There has never been a breach of our security in Pearl City," Bailey said.
LEEWARD
Filipino forum touts schooling
The Philippine Studies Program at Leeward Community College is holding a workshop Oct. 20 designed to encourage students of Filipino ancestry in Leeward and Central O'ahu to pursue higher education.
Called Panayam sa Leeward, the event is being held in collaboration with the University of Hawaii's Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity (SEED) Program at the LCC Campus. The theme is "Higher Education and the Pursuit for Quality Life," and the Philippine Consulate General in Hawai'i and the O'ahu Filipino Community Council are participating in the event.
Enrollment of students of Filipino ancestry in the University of Hawai'i system has been declining for the past four years.
"There are reasons to believe that the same scenario is happening in other institutions of higher learning," said Raymund Liongson, Panayam sa Leeward chairman and coordinator of the Philippine Studies Program at Leeward Community College. "Many of our young people join the labor force after receiving a high school diploma and forego higher education. While they may find financial rewards on a short term, we can almost predict the long-term effect of such decisions, not only for themselves, but for the entire society as well."
Workshop titles include Economic Forecast and Employment Trends for the Next 10 Years; Scholarships and Grants: Where and How to Get Them; Community College: A Gateway to Higher Education; Beyond High School: Life in College and the University; and Higher Education & Filipinos in the U.S.: A Dialogue With Parents.
A free cultural presentation titled "Yaman ng Lahi" (Wealth of the Heritage) will also be featured in the LCC Theatre at 1 p.m.
For more information, visit www.alohatouch.com/panayam or call Liongson at 455-0224, or send e-mail to liongson@hawaii.edu.
WINDWARD
Benefit raises $1,000
A benefit featuring all-teen entertainment at Sea Life Park last weekend raised a little more than $1,000 for the September 11th Fund to benefit the victims of the attack on the United States last month.
Organized by Kailua High School student Jessica Swanson, the event was put together in about two weeks with the help of Extreme Radio and raised less than anticipated.
"Not as many people came as I thought would, and we didn't make quite as much money as I had hoped, but it's OK because we all had a really good time," Swanson said.
More contributions were promised, but hadn't been received, she said.
EAST HONOLULU
Foul odor disrupts school
Class at Holy Trinity School was disrupted for two hours yesterday by a "strong offensive odor" in the area of the school's office. Principal Monica DesJarlais said 150 students as well as faculty were evacuated to the gym from 10 a.m. to noon while a HazMat Unit checked the school.
Fifteen to 20 students were treated by Emergency Medical Services personnel. No one was hospitalized.
The Fire Department tested the air and found no problems.
The school is at 5919 Kalaniana'ole Highway.
HONOLULU
Mighty Mo airs free-entry plan
The Battleship Missouri Memorial will allow free access Saturday for visitors between the ages of 17 and 34.
Recruiters from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard will showcase their respective services from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the fantail of the Mighty Mo. Representatives will be available to answer questions and sign up any individuals interested in U.S. military service.
Trolley service to the Mighty Mo is available from the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum. For information, call 973-2494.
