O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
HONOLULU
Charter school sues for money
Voyager Charter School in Honolulu has sued the state, accusing the Department of Education of failing to provide enough per-pupil financial support.
The lawsuit, filed last week, accuses the state of providing $134,000 to the 140-student school — 20 percent less than the state auditor had told the campus it would receive.
The school's lawsuit says that not only did the state provide less money than it said it would, but that the method for figuring out per-pupil support is in violation of the state's charter school statute.
Voyager is the second charter school to sue the state this month; Connections New Century on the Big Island filed a suit against 21 state officials, including the entire state school board, over money problems.
Perhaps best described as independent public schools, charters aim to increase parent involvement, experiment with different learning styles and bring more choice to the public education system.
Charters are supported by the department and must comply with other requirements, such as academic standards and collective-bargaining rules.
UH president at YMCA event
University of Hawai'i President Evan Dobelle will discuss the importance of community-university partnerships at the Atherton YMCA's annual support campaign kickoff event at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 30 in the John Gilbert multipurpose room, 1810 University Ave.
Parking is available in the lot behind the building off Metcalf Street.
For more information, call 946-0253.
WINDWARD
Work to close H-3 Freeway
H-3 Freeway commuters will have to take a different route over the next week as state crews plan to close off the freeway to replace several overhead signs.
Crews will shut down all Honolulu-bound H-3 lanes on Monday and Wednesday from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. between the Halekou Interchange and Halawa Interchange to take down the overhead signs.
Crews will then close all H-3 lanes in both directions in the same vicinity on Tuesday and Thursday from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. to install the new signs.
To allow workers to continue with the sign work and other road construction, one H-3 Honolulu-bound lane will be shut Feb. 2 and 4 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. from the H-3 Hospital Walk to the Harano Tunnels.
On Tuesday and Feb. 5 and 6 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., one Kane'ohe-bound lane will be closed in the same vicinity.
Other daytime work projects are also scheduled along the H-3 from Monday to Thursday.
Motorists are advised to use caution around construction sites and/or take another route.
LEEWARD
Benefit to aid cancer victim
A benefit golf tournament for 12-year-old cancer victim Dennis Boy Keamo will be held Feb. 21 at the Makaha Golf Course.
The tax-deductible $130 donation includes green fees, prizes and lunch.
Keamo, a Wai'anae Intermediate School student, was diagnosed with leukemia in November. He has had chemotherapy treatments but needs a bone marrow transplant and will travel to California.
Entry fees are due by Feb. 15 and should be sent to Matilda Kahoonei, 89-416 Haleakala Ave., Nanakuli HI 96792.
Call Andy Kaawa at 256-8369 for information.
Donations can be sent to The Lone Hope Child, in care of First Hawaiian Bank, 590 Farrington Highway, Kapolei HI 96707. Send merchandise donations to The Lone Home Child, in care of Fanchon Keamo-Young, 87-174 Laiku St., Wai'anae HI 96792.
