HAWAII BRIEFS
MS Society holds annual meeting

Advertiser Staff and News Services

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society will hold its annual meeting at 8:30 a.m. today at the Ala Moana Hotel. Dr. Norman J. Kachuck, associate professor of neurology at the USC School of Medicine and director of the MS Comprehensive Care Center, will give an update on recent research.

The cost to attend meeting, with continental breakfast, is $5. Waivers are available. For information, call (800) 344-4867.

Sand Island plan to be discussed

The Sand Island Business Association will hold a meeting at 9:30 a.m. today in the Pu'uhale Elementary School cafeteria to discuss health and safety concerns raised by plans to build a sludge conversion system at the wastewater treatment plant.

Synagro would build the proposed bioconversion plant next to about 100 tenants in Sand Island Industrial Park.

Final City Council consideration of the project was postponed until Dec. 3 to allow the association and other concerned Kalihi organizations to investigate health and safety claims involving Synagro's Mainland sites.

For more information, call 842-1359.

Japan fall festival event planned

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i celebrates the traditional Japanese harvest festival aki matsuri from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 26. Admission is free.

O'ahu Japanese restaurants will prepare foods for sale, and a small market will offer organic produce and fresh flowers.

Taiko drummers and other entertainers will perform. Visitors can take part in cultural activities such as calligraphy and ikebana flower arrangements to keep.

Emmie Shigezawa will autograph copies of her recent book, "Pake Patch," a nostalgic look at the lives of island Japanese families during World War II.

The center is at 2454 S. Beretania St. For information, call 945-7633, e-mail info@jcch.com or visit www.jcch.com.