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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, June 5, 2003

Hawai'i briefs

Advertiser Staff

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Dolphin, whale die on Maui

MA'ALAEA, Maui — A dolphin and whale, stranded in separate incidents last week, died after being taken to the Maui Ocean Center for observation and testing. Both animals were taken to the aquarium following unsuccessful attempts to return them to sea. Reports on their autopsies will not be available for several weeks.

On Friday, the dolphin was taken to the aquarium after it beached itself in Wailea. The dolphin, a male, was monitored overnight but euthanized on Saturday after its health began to rapidly deteriorate. Two days later, the male pygmy sperm whale beached itself at Ma'alaea at 9 a.m. It died that night.


HONOLULU

Principal named for new school

Burton T. Tomita, principal of Saint Louis School, has been named head of Damien Memorial Middle School, expected to open in fall 2004.

The position involves hiring faculty and staff, and designing curriculum and programs for the new addition to the high school. He starts next month.

Tomita spent 12 years as principal of St. Louis' high school and middle school.


Urban park to be discussed

The plan to establish an urban park on Kalo Place will be discussed at the McCully/Mo'ili'ili Neighborhood Board meeting at 7 p.m. today in the Lunalilo School cafeteria.


Puppet troupe delayed again

The Saigon Water Puppet Theatre performance series, already postponed because governmental approvals had stalled in Vietnam, has been pushed back again and abbreviated to two shows. The performances are set for 5 and 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Waikiki Shell.

The series, originally set for last weekend, had been scheduled to begin a three-night run yesterday. The latest holdup is due to the unavailability of seats on connecting flights bringing the troupe to Honolulu, organizers said.

Those with tickets may use them for either show. The Shell box office will open at 3 p.m. tomorrow. Tickets are $12 adults, $8 students and seniors. Refunds are available from the Blaisdell Center box office; call 591-2211.


STATEWIDE

Federal spending rises in Hawai'i

Federal spending in Hawai'i grew about 7.7 percent last year to $10.474 billion, according to figures released yesterday by the U.S. Department of Commerce.

That was in line with an 8 percent rise in federal domestic spending in 2002.

Overall, Hawai'i ranked sixth among all states with $8,414 in federal per capita spending, behind Maryland ($9,076), New Mexico ($9,422), North Dakota ($10,151), Virginia ($10,220), and Alaska ($11,746). Hawai'i also ranked sixth in terms of per capita spending in 2001.

Federal spending gains in Hawai'i came in the form of increased salaries, retirement and disability benefits, and government procurement contracts.