Neighbor Island briefs
Advertiser Staff
Two at UH-Hilo win award
HILO, Hawai'i — Two University of Hawai'i-Hilo faculty members who pioneered astronomy education from Hawaiian and Western perspectives are the first Neighbor Island winners of the statewide Targeted Industries Growth Award.
They are Richard Crowe, a physicist, and Alice Kawakami, head of the education department.
The award, sponsored by City Bank and Hawai'i Business magazine, recognizes "individuals and companies in emerging growth industries."
Earlier in the year, the faculty pair won a $675,000 federal grant to introduce a program that exposes educators to Native Hawaiian and Western approaches to understanding celestial observations.
Puna man, 33, badly burned
PAHOA, Hawai'i — A Puna man suffered serious burns Monday night when his generator shed exploded into flames at the 'Ainaloa subdivision outside Pahoa.
Claude Dickenson, 33, was taken by air ambulance to the burn center at Straub Clinic and Hospital on O'ahu, where he was reported in stable condition.
Investigators said Dickenson jumped into a small water catchment tank after he was burned in the 9:35 p.m. fire. The shed and the gasoline-powered generator were destroyed.
Forum to deal with terrorism
HILO, Hawai'i — Global Hope and the Pacific and Asian Affairs Council will hold a public forum at noon tomorrow on "a measured response to the terrorist attack."
The free event, with a discussion by faculty, students and others on the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, will be held on the lanai of the Mo'okini Library at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo. Call (808) 974-7386 or (808) 974-7421.
Teen under evaluation
HILO, Hawai'i — A 16-year-old Hilo girl who threatened two police officers with a rifle Monday was admitted to Hilo Medical Center for psychological evaluation.
Dispatchers received a 911 call at 2:48 p.m. from someone who hung up the phone. Before the line was disconnected, dispatchers heard the sounds of a struggle in the background and sent police officers to a Makani Circle residence, where the distraught teenager was holed up in a washroom with a loaded .44-caliber rifle.
The girl's boyfriend talked her into surrendering her weapon at 4:10 p.m. after she allegedly threatened two officers.
Kona group wins grant
KEALAKEKUA, Hawai'i — The Kona Historical Society has won a $10,000 federal grant to help build its Kona Heritage Ranch, the group's latest historic re-creation project.
Plans call for reconstructing the previously dismantled Waihou House on a site near the historic Greenwell Store, which serves as the society's headquarters. The property was donated by the family of Big Island rancher Edwin Nobriga Sr., whose ancestors entertained such guests as Robert Louis Stevenson and Jack London.
The Kona Heritage Ranch project includes gathering oral histories from the area's ranching families.
