Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff
Officer not guilty in brutality case
A Circuit Court jury deliberated for about half an hour yesterday before dismissing police brutality claims brought against Honolulu police officer Harry Coelho in a civil lawsuit by a former Roosevelt High School student.
Andrew Dupree II claimed Coelho beat him and dislocated his kneecap following a traffic stop Sept. 26, 1996, on Young Street.
The lawsuit filed by Dupree, now 22, accused Coelho of assault, battery and false imprisonment.
Gale Ching, who represented Coelho during the two-week trial, had told jurors that Dupree became "confrontational" and "verbally abusive" while the police officers were questioning him and other boys who were riding in the same van, and that Dupree "lunged forward" toward Coelho.
Flag to be lowered to mark deaths
Acting Gov. Mazie Hirono has ordered the state flag to be flown at half-staff today and Wednesday in observance of the recent deaths of two former legislators.
The flag will be lowered today to honor Minoru "Gabby" Inaba, a five-term state House member from Kona who died June 6.
On Wednesday, the flag will be lowered to honor John Hulten, a former senator from Windward O'ahu who died June 9.
Hirono is acting governor while Gov. Ben Cayetano is on a trade mission to South Korea and Vietnam.
Blood donors to get free ice cream
The Blood Bank of Hawai'i is teaming up with Baskin-Robbins Hawai'i to provide a pint of ice cream to anyone who donates blood from today to June 31 at any blood drive location in Hawai'i.
The "Give a Pint, Get a Pint" promotion takes place during a traditionally low turnout period, said Robyn Yim, president and medical director of the Blood Bank.
Donors will receive a coupon after their visit redeemable for one pint of any flavor ice cream at participating Baskin-Robbins Hawai'i locations until December 2003.
For information, call the Blood Bank of Hawai'i at 845-9966 or visit www.bbh.org. Neighborhood Islands residents call (800) 372-9966.
Hawaiian studies conference held
WAIMEA, Kaua'i — Hawaiian elders are meeting here in their fifth statewide Hawaiian Studies Kupuna Conference this weekend to help preserve Hawaiian culture. The meeting began yesterday and runs through Tuesday.
"A major purpose of this conference is to keep alive the Hawaiian place names, stories, chants, mele and hula of west Kaua'i," said Sabra Kauka, conference host and a state Department of Education Hawaiian studies leader.
The conference includes elders who teach Hawaiian studies in private and public schools across the state. They will study lauhala weaving, kapa making, traditional saltmaking, 'awa ceremonies, and will participate in workshops on place names and legends of the west side of the island.
Hazardous waste collection slated
HILO, Hawai'i — Hawai'i County and the Recycle Hawai'i program are conducting a hazardous waste collection program today in Hilo and June 29 in Kona.
Recycle Hawai'i spokesman Gregg Perry said the collection amounts to an "amnesty program to dispose of household hazards."
The collections will be 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today at the Hilo transfer station off Leilani Street and June 29 at the Kealakehe transfer site in Kona.
