Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff
HONOLULU
Librarian of the year named
Richard Burns has been named public librarian of the year by the Hawai'i Library Foundation.
Burns, now serving as the first branch manager for the Kapolei Public Library, was recognized for his work as branch manager of the Waimanalo Public and School Library. Earlier this year, he obtained a donation from Verizon to keep the library open on Saturdays after budget cuts forced the library to reduce hours.
Burns has worked 20 years in the state library system.
Burns, president of the Librarian's Association of Hawai'i, will receive the award from Gov. Linda Lingle at a ceremony and reception Tuesday at the Hawai'i State Library. He also will receive a crystal plate from Tiffany & Co. Borders Books, Music and Cafe, a corporate sponsor of the award, will donate $1,000 to the Waimanalo library, and the foundation will give the library $500.
Lingle to serve on committee
The National Governors Association has invited Gov. Linda Lingle to serve on its education, early childhood and workforce committee.
Thirteen other governors will serve on the committee, which is being chaired by Gov. Mark Warner of Virginia. The committee will look into legislative and regulatory issues related to education and the workplace.
Lingle has said education reform will be her priority with the Legislature next session.
Lingle has also been named to the NGA's committee on long-term healthcare, and is expected to go to Washington, D.C., in December to meet with the committee and attend a conference on long-term care.
LEEWARD O'AHU
Group plans sign waving
Residents who want a moratorium on residential construction in Makakilo will be sign waving for their cause from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. today on Farrington Highway and Makakilo Drive.
Calling themselves the Friends of Makakilo, the residents have started a petition drive to halt all residential construction until the infrastructure to support it has been provided. The group says schools are crowded and traffic jams are common.
The petition drive will end Dec. 1 if 10,000 or more signatures are collected and copies will be given to the City Council, the mayor, the state Legislature and the governor.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Maui airport to hold exercise
KAHULUI, Maui — The state Department of Transportation will conduct an aircraft emergency exercise from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Kahului Airport.
The disaster exercise is required by the Federal Aviation Administration for certified airports.
National Guard and 5th Army troops will participate in the drill along with the Maui fire and police departments.
The airport will remain open during the exercise.
