Posted on: Friday, October 11, 2002

Hawai'i Briefs

Tax collections up for first quarter

State tax collections for the first three months of the 2002-03 fiscal year were up 4 percent from last year's collections, tax officials announced.

Tax revenue from July 1 through Sept. 30 totaled $820 million, or about $31 million more than was collected in the same period last year.

The state Council on Revenues has predicted the state will collect 6.1 percent, or about $185 million, more in taxes this year than last year.

Tax collections for September were about $300 million, an increase of 19.5 percent from September 2001.

Collections of the state excise tax, which is considered a good indicator of the overall health of the economy, increased $57.3 million compared with collections for last September.

Waikiki workshop on political reform

The Hawaii Pro-Democracy Initiative will hold a workshop in Waikiki today to try to spark discussion about "citizen-friendly" political reforms that are meant to encourage voter participation in elections and politics.

The workshop will be led by Peter Block, author of "Stewardship: Choosing Service Over Self-Interest" and "The Answer to How is Yes."

The workshop at the Waikiki Ballroom of the Hale Koa Hotel is sponsored by the initiative and the League of Women Voters of Honolulu Education Fund. It begins at 10 a.m., and lunch will be provided for $10.

For more information or to reserve a spot, call 528-6888 or contact the group via e-mail at HPDInitiative@hotmail.com.

Book sale set for Oct. 19

The Friends of Waipahu Public Library will hold a book sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 19 at the Waipahu Public Library, 94-275 Mokuola St.

Donated used books, cassettes, compact discs and videos will be sold, with proceeds benefiting the library.

Donations of items can be dropped off before the sale during library hours.

For for information, call 675-0358.

HPD presents slide show

In celebration of the 5th annual Teen Read Week, the Honolulu Police Department's Forensic Science Laboratory will conduct a presentation at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Pearl City Public Library, 1138 Waimano Home Road.

A slide presentation on "How Science is Used to Solve Crimes" will be presented, followed by a question-and-answer session.

For more information, call 453-6566.

Keiki Asthma Fair tomorrow

Waimanalo Elementary & Intermediate School will host the 4th Keiki Asthma Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow on the school's campus, 41-1330 Kalanianaole Highway.

The free program includes events for children with asthma, their siblings without asthma and parents. Guests include Olympic gold medal weightlifter Tommy Kono and decathlete Rob Muzzio. The day will feature free food, entertainment, awards and prizes. To register or for more information, call The Straub Foundation at 524-6755. Registration at the school begins at 8 a.m.

Mauian to head commission

Lawrence N.C. Ing of Maui has been elected chairman of the state Land Use Commission, replacing Merle Kelai.

Ing is currently serving his second term which expires June 30, 2004.

Hotels to offer post-race events

Hale Koa Hotel and Hilton Hawaiian Village will host free entertainment, crafts and cultural displays at the finish line of the men's Hinano Moloka'i Hoe from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The first canoe is expected to cross the finish line at Duke Kahanamoku Beach between 12:30 and 1 p.m. Entertainment will begin at noon.

The event also includes food and a beer garden.

Candidates debate on 'Olelo

Stan Koki and Barbara Marshall, candidates for City Council District 3 (Kane'ohe, Kailua, Waimanalo) will participate in a live TV debate tonight as part of the "Vote! 2002: Candidates Debate" series sponsored by 'Olelo Community Television.

The debate will air from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oceanic Channel 54 and Oceanic Digital Control.