Posted on: Friday, August 30, 2002
Hawai'i briefs
Jellyfish may spoil weekend
The city Ocean Safety Division is warning beachgoers about an influx of box jellyfish expected tomorrow through Tuesday.
The influx is expected to peak on Sunday.
Periodic appearances of the jellyfish commonly affect Ala Moana, Waikiki, Hanauma Bay, Poka'i Bay and Makaha beaches.
Anyone who suffers a sting from a box jellyfish is advised to flush the area with white vinegar. Those who experience difficulty breathing, cramps, spasms or persistent pain are urged to seek medical attention. Lifeguard stations are equipped to provide first aid.
Firefighters join fund-raiser
Firefighters on O'ahu, Maui and the Big Island will volunteer their time for "Fill the Boot" fund-raisers to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at several locations over Labor Day weekend.
On O'ahu, firefighters will be at the corner of King and Bishop streets today; at the intersection of the Likelike and Kamehameha highways in Kane'ohe tomorrow; and in Pearl City at Waimano Home Road and Kamehameha Highway on Sunday.
Today through Sunday, Maui firefighters will be stationed at Maui Mall and Maui Marketplace in Kahului; Longs Drugs in Kihei and Lahaina; at the Safeway store in the Pi'ilani Shopping Center; Wal-Mart Kahului; and Costco Kahului.
On the Big Island, donations will be accepted at the Wal-Mart Kona on Sunday and the Wal-Mart Hilo on Monday.
Surfing event will help center
An event to celebrate more than 200 years of surfing in Hawai'i will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow at the King Kalakaua Plaza in Waikiki, bringing together surfers from the past and present.
The event is a benefit for the Waikiki Community Center and will feature Hawaiian music, arts and crafts and a silent auction.
Surf legends will be on hand to talk story and autograph posters. Works by local artist Mark N. Brown will be featured.
Parking is available in the plaza through the Kalaimoku Street garage entrance for $1 per hour.
Most libraries close for holiday
Most public libraries will be closed tomorrow through Monday for Labor Day weekend.
Several libraries will be open tomorrow, but will close Tuesday. They are Wai-alua, Kihei, Lahaina and Kailua, Kona.
Work to begin on bandstand
A blessing ceremony tomorrow will mark the start of construction on the long-awaited Waialua Bandstand, which will be in the park across from the Waialua public library.
The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. and will be officiated by Pastor Sam Saffery of Liliuokalani Church.
Parents file lawsuit in drowning of son
The parents of an 18-year-old man who drowned at the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park in September 2000 have filed a lawsuit against companies associated with the park, contending that negligence led to their son's death.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Harry R. Hoots Jr. and Peggy A. Hoots by Honolulu attorney Richard Fried Jr., is against Aquatic Design Group Inc., Western Water Features Inc., Horizon Amusement Group Inc., Harrington Investments LLC and Kauahikua and Chun. Neither the defendants nor their attorneys could be reached for comment last night.
The lawsuit says Harry R. Hoots III was in the "catch pool" of the Big Kahuna feature at the water park when he was sucked into or pinned against the intake pipe of the water circulation system, resulting in his death by drowning.
The lawsuit asks for general, special and punitive damages with the amount to be determined at trial.
Local 675 backing Anderson in race
The Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 675 have endorsed Democrat D.G. "Andy" Anderson for governor.
"Hawai'i in its current economic crisis needs a bold, decisive leader with solid business experience," Herbert S.K. Kaopua Sr., the union's business manager and financial secretary, said when the union announced its endorsement Wednesday. "The candidates in the race for governor are all worthy. Andy Anderson so far has shown the mettle, vision and political savvy we need for fresh, workable solutions."
The union represents more than 1,600 members.
Anderson, a businessman and former state senator, called the endorsement "a truly awesome gift of trust." "I pledge to them and to every person and organization that supports me — indeed to all the people of Hawai'i — that I will never do anything to dishonor that trust," he said.
Hilo graduate wins national honor
HILO, Hawai'i — Hilo High School 2002 graduate Emma Yuen has been named one of 10 national winners of the Yoshiyama Award that recognizes "social responsibility in a global society."
Yuen, a valedictorian at Hilo High School, will be receive $5,000 and be honored at an Oct. 15 ceremony in Washington, D.C. The Yoshiyama Award is named for a former president of Hitachi Corp.
Yuen was cited for work in cleaning up Big Island beaches, recycling and starting an environmental newsletter aimed at her classmates. She also was involved in efforts to remove invasive, non-native plant species such as miconia, impatiens and ginger from Big Island parks and helped lead a project that removed 2.5 tons of trash from beaches.
Although she was accepted to Stanford University, Yuen has decided to delay her first year of college in order to work on environmental projects at Hakalau on the Big Island and on Moloka'i.
Yuen is the daughter of Hawai'i County Planning Director Christopher Yuen and Hawai'i Community College faculty member Noelie Rodriguez.
Health center cites community workers
Two Waimanalo Health Center workers were recognized by the Breastfeeding Promotion Council of Hawai'i for their efforts in supporting breastfeeding mothers and babies.
Christina Shoemaker Simmons received The Breastfeeding Friendly Community Individual 2002 award for her work as a breastfeeding coordinator for the Women Infant Children program at the center.
Lisa Burns, breastfeeding coordinator at the center, received an honorable mention award for 2002.
