O'ahu briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
HONOLULU
Kalihi fires deliberately set
Two fires that broke out early yesterday in storage areas of a four-unit apartment building in Kalihi were deliberately set, fire officials said.
HFD Capt. Richard Soo said the arsons caused about $25,000 in damage.
One woman was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation but declined transportation to a hospital, fire officials said. A female tenant and her 3- and 11-year-old daughters — whose apartment sustained smoke damage — were given shelter and clothing vouchers by the American Red Cross.
The fire was reported at 993 McGregor Lane at 2:47 a.m. Firefighters discovered one blaze in a storage area on the bottom of the two-story building. A separate fire erupted on a lanai that contained a baby stroller and other items.
Group objects to firefighter guide
The group Hawaii Citizens for Separation of State and Church is demanding the recall of a Honolulu Fire Department safety guide that includes a prayer with the word "God."
In a letter to the Fire Department last week, organization president Mitchell Kahle said the prayer violates the constitutional principle of separation of church and state.
The prayer also is "sexist with respect to women firefighters and exclusionary for gay and single firefighters," he said. The prayer concludes with lines, "Please bless ... my wife and children."
The organization also called for removal of the prayer from any future printings of the safety guide, which is aimed at senior citizens, and other publications.
Fire Chief Attilio Leonardi said the department prepared the guide. He said no action will be taken until he receives an opinion from the city attorney.
Leonardi said the prayer is used by firefighters across the nation, and has long been part of the fire department's heritage.
The department's community relations office said 64,000 copies were printed, and 40,000 have been sent to fire stations and distribution points on O'ahu.
Trustees to design long-term care plan
Gov. Ben Cayetano has appointed a temporary board of trustees to design a state-run long-term care program.
The program's framework was contained in a bill Cayetano signed into law July 1.
The appointees have experience in government administration, health care, social services, finance and business law, said Marilyn Seely, director of the state Executive Office on Aging.
The appointees are Norman Baker of Child and Family Services, Dan Jessop of The Queen's Medical Center, consumer advocate Bruce McCullough, Mary Sellers of Bank of Hawaii and attorney Jeffrey Watanabe.
The board will review options for determining the amount of fees, the means collection and the nature and amount of benefits, Seely said. It will also recommend a third-party administrator, she said.
The board is to issue its findings and recommendations to next year's Legislature.
Supporters say a state-run program is needed as Hawai'i's population grows older and becomes unable to afford standard long-term insurance policies.
But opponents contend that private insurance policies are affordable and offer more care than the state's proposed program.
LEEWARD
Officer shoots dog in Nanakuli
A Honolulu police officer responding to a 911 call that had been disconnected Sunday night in Nanakuli shot and wounded a pit bull that approached officers, police said yesterday.
The 3-year-old pit bull suffered a bullet wound in its left paw and was taken to a veterinarian by its owner, police said. The bullet — one of three fired by the officer — went through the dog's paw, police said.
The unidentified officer was placed on standard administrative leave after the shooting.
He and another officer responded to a residence on Auyong Homestead Road after someone called 911 but hung up before the dispatcher answered the call.
The two officers entered the property and were confronted by the unleashed pit bull that "emerged from the rear of the property and barked violently" at the police officers," police said this morning.
The officers walked away from the home, but the dog kept approaching, police said.
The officer fired to keep the animal from attacking, police said.
WINDWARD
He'eia group needs help
The Friends of He'eia is seeking volunteers for upcoming community activities including the Halloween Carnival, Christmas in the Park with Santa and ongoing cleanup and restoration work.
Volunteers are needed on the mornings of Sept. 7 for coastal restoration, Sept. 21 for garden improvements and Sept. 28 for stream cleanup.
To volunteer, call Rochelle Smith at 247-3156.
