Posted on: Friday, November 22, 2002
Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff
Rockfall project briefing today
The state Department of Transportation will hold an informational meeting about the Makapu'u rockfall project at 6:30 p.m. today at Waimanalo School and Public Library.
The project, to remove loose material from the cliffs above Makapu'u Beach and install a safety net, began this month and required the closing of Kalaniana'ole Highway for eight hours a day at the site until Nov. 27.
Construction will break for the Thanksgiving weekend and is expected to resume the first week in December.
Federal building parking cut off
The parking lot at the Prince Kuhio Federal Building has been permanently closed to the public.
The lot had been restricted since Sept. 11, 2001, in response to the terrorist attacks in New York and at the Pentagon and will be used only by employees and law enforcement.
The closure will keep the federal building secure, according to an announcement from the Social Security Administration. The building remains open during regular business hours.
Public parking is available at the Makai Garage on Halekauwila Street at Punchbowl Street and at the state judiciary complex lot on Pohukaina Street. Both sites charge $1 for the first two hours and $1 for each additional 30 minutes.
Cultural center urges donations
Two informational meetings will be held, from 9 a.m. to noon tomorrow and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, to answer questions about the $9 million campaign to save the Japanese Cultural Center from foreclosure.
The meetings will be in the Manoa Grand Ballroom, on the fifth floor of the center at 2452 S. Beretania St.
The Committee to Save the Center started its fund-raising drive last week to try to prevent four banks from foreclosing Dec. 31 on the 8-year-old museum/dojo/tearoom/office/banquet complex in Mo'ili'ili.
More than $1.8 million has been donated to the campaign so far and 20,000 letters were sent yesterday to Hawai'i and Mainland resident seeking donations.
To donate, send checks to: Committee to Save the Center, 3660 Wai'alae Ave., Suite 301, Honolulu, HI 96816.
Shoebox drive by motorcyclists
Operation Christmas Child has asked motorcyclists in Hawai'i to join the Alliance of Christian Motorcyclists in a brief ride tomorrow to provide and deliver shoeboxes of Christmas gifts for needy children around the world.
Bikers will gather at Anna Miller's in Pearlridge at 9:30 a.m., bringing their prepared gifts, then ride to the collection center at Joy of Christ Lutheran Church.
Volunteers are also needed to man the collection site in two-hour shifts.
Information on the ride is available from alliance secretary Aprill Wilson at 265-2838; and information on the Operation Christmas Child program is available at 395-9698.
Big Isle advances tougher dog law
HILO, Hawai'i — The Hawai'i County Council gave first-reading approval Wednesday to a bill that would toughen penalties against the owners of dogs that attack people or other animals.
Councilwoman Nancy Pisicchio introduced the measure after a toddler was fatally mauled by a dog last year in Hawaiian Acres. Critics of the current law say it gives dogs one "free" bite, providing for monitoring of the animal after a first attack.
The proposed ordinance would subject dog owners to fines of $200 to $2,000, as many as 30 days in jail and restitution for a first offense. Owners would have to tell the Humane Society where the dog is kept and have a ID microchip implanted in the animal.
If dog is determined to be a continuing threat, it may be seized. Owners who refuse to surrender
vicious dogs are subject to arrest for a petty misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $1,000 and possible 30-day jail term.
The bill approved earlier this month by the Finance Committee included seven specific examples of justifiable provocation, including dog attacks in defense of the owner. Council members Wednesday agreed to an amendment that defines provocation as an attack "reasonably expected to evoke a vicious response from the dog, including but not limited to" the specific circumstances listed in the ordinance.
