"We're up and running," said vice principal DeeAnn Isobe. "Everything is operational. The air conditioners are on, the cafeteria is again serving hot lunches."

The school had no electricity May 6 and 7, but it had some power by May 8 from standby generators. Hawaiian Electric Co. said the problem appeared to stem from a malfunctioning transformer within the facility.

Some parents criticized the school's decision to continue to operate without air conditioning or hot lunches.

Pre-Plus starts Waikiki project

A groundbreaking ceremony for a Pre-Plus Preschool building will be held at 9 a.m. today at Jefferson School in Waikiki.

Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono will be host for the event, which is the fifth Pre-Plus groundbreaking this year at public elementary schools. There are plans for 13 preschools to begin construction this year, with an additional 13 sites planned for 2003.

Pre-Plus is a public-private partnership with the state that provides the buildings rent-free, as well as licensed and accredited private providers to operate the preschools. Legislators approved the $5 million program last year.

Head Start is the private provider for the Jefferson site, which is expected to open by Aug. 1.

Pre-Plus will accept 3- and 4-year-olds from low-income families to help prepare them for kindergarten. Although families of all income levels can apply to the Pre-Plus schools, preference will be given to children whose families are at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Index, which is classified as a family of four with an income under $36,000.

Kapi'olani work to limit traffic

Sections of traffic lanes on Kapi'olani Boulevard and Kona Street will be closed through October while Hawaiian Electric Co. crews install underground power cables.

The mauka 'ewa-bound lane of Kapi'olani between Mahukona and Date streets will be coned off around manholes as will the mauka 'ewa-bound lane of Kona Street between Kamake'e and Mahukona streets.

The work is scheduled during daytime nonpeak periods, evenings and some weekends.

The company said it will maintain access to all businesses in the area during the project.

Library to mark its 50th year

The Waipahu Public Library will celebrate its 50th anniversary from 3 to 5 p.m. May 29.

The event at the library at 94-275 Mokuola St. will have entertainment, historical displays, giveaways and refreshments.

For more information, call 675-0358. For a sign language interpreter, call one week in advance.

Pilot denies assault of security guard

A lawyer for an American Airlines pilot charged with assaulting a security guard at Honolulu International Airport pleaded innocent to the charges on his client's behalf in court yesterday.

Harry Hartsough, 51, of McKinney, Texas, did not appear in District Court for his arraignment.

"We look forward to a complete investigation in this case," his attorney, David Hayakawa, said.

On Wednesday, the security guard sued Hartsough and the airline in connection with an alleged altercation at an airport checkpoint last week.

In his civil lawsuit, Michael Botelho alleged Hartsough assaulted him and injured his eye after the security guard asked to examine his shoes.

Hartsough was charged with third-degree assault after the May 9 incident and was released on $100 bail.

According to Honolulu Airport manager Stanford Miyamoto, Hartsough tossed his shoes in the air after being asked to remove them when they set off a hand-held alarm at a security checkpoint. As the screener bent down to pick up one of the shoes, Hartsough's coat may have caught the screener in the eye, causing a minor injury, Miyamoto said earlier.

Cutter tours start Safe Boating Week

National Safe Boating Week begins tomorrow with tours of the Coast Guard cutter Kittiwake at the Waikiki Yacht Club, a search and rescue demonstration featuring a Coast Guard HH-65 rescue helicopter and other demonstrations.

The event begins at 10 a.m. At 11 a.m., Honolulu Harbor Pilots will demonstrate a "man overboard" situation. The helicopter rescue demonstration is scheduled for 1 p.m.

This year's campaign focuses on raising boats safety awareness, whether by ensuring VHFradios are on board, taking boat safety courses, or taking advantage of free vessel safety checks.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers free boating safety classes year-round.

Ex-NFL players at Army football clinic

The 25th Infantry Division (Light) and U.S. Army, Hawai'i will hold its fourth annual Athletes Helping Kids football clinic tomorrow.

The event, which features former Pro Bowl and Super Bowl players and is open to the public, will be held from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Wheeler Army Airfield.

Former NFL players scheduled to attend include: Christian Okoye, Derek Ramsey, Dokie Williams, Brad Booth, Mike Sherrard, Reggie Dos, Flipper Anderson, Lance Zeno and Dave Barr.

The clinic is free and open to boys and girls ages 9 to 17. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. Non-military participants are asked to use Kawamura Gate.

The event is sponsored by Athletes Helping Kids, a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles.

"For the fourth year in a row, the Army has helped us make a difference for our young people in Hawai'i," said Don Edwards, CEO of Athletes Helping Kids. "This is a wonderful opportunity to talk to the children in the community about the importance of staying in school and the dangers of drugs."