O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
HONOLULU
Governor picks new PUC chief
Gov. Ben Cayetano has appointed Janet Kawelo to replace Greg Pai as the state's new Public Utilities Commissioner.
Pai resigned on Dec. 31.
Kawelo, a former special assistant, has been deputy director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources for two years. She begins work tomorrow as interim commissioner pending confirmation of her appointment by the state Senate.
Absentee polling open
People who have registered to vote in the City Council District that includes Manoa, Mo'ili'ili, McCully, Tantalus, Makiki, Pawa'a, Ala Moana and Kewalo can now vote by absentee ballot at City Hall.
Some 44,868 people are registered to vote for the City Council seat vacated by convicted felon Andy Mirikitani. Absentee poll-
ing will be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, except Sundays, until Jan. 24.
The special election takes place Jan. 26 with 14 candidates.
For more information, visit the City and County's special council vacancy election Web page.
Tenant groups recognized
Three public housing residents associations have been recognized by the Housing and Community Development Corp. of Hawai'i for creating a positive living environment for their residents.
The Kuhio Park Terrace Resident Association and the Hauiki Homes Residents Association were "duly recognized resident associations" Dec. 20, and the Mayor Wright Tenant Association on Oct. 18.
All three have complied with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's regulations for elected resident councils.
Formal recognition helps ensure that the communities are effectively represented at discussions and provides residents with committed leaders.
Lei Queen being sought
Applications for the city's annual Lei Queen contest are available at all Satellite City Halls and recreation centers on O'ahu.
The contest, titled "Na Kupuna," is open to women 55 years old and older who have a knowledge of Hawaiian lei making and can perform hula.
Contestants must attend an orientation at McCoy Pavilion at 6 p.m. Feb. 20 and submit their applications on or before the meeting.
For more information, call Naomi Carter at 547-7393, or Sandi Rosso at 523-4820.
Event to focus on civil rights
The Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa will hold a civil rights seminar from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday in honor of the Martin Luther King holiday.
Featured speakers include Judge David Ezra and R. Samuel Paz, a civil rights lawyer who has fought against police brutality, unlawful seizures and assaults in Los Angles.
Panels of experts will discuss legal trends in discrimination and harassment.
The cost to attend is $30. For information, contact Daphne Barbee-Wooten at 533-0275, or Harry Yee at 531-9779.
