Posted on: Friday, August 6, 2004

HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Mineta to speak at convention

Advertiser Staff

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta will be keynote speaker at the national convention of a Japanese civil rights group in Honolulu next week.

The Japanese-American Citizens League will hold its 75th anniversary convention Tuesday through Saturday at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Hotel.

In addition to delivering the keynote speech at the Sayonara Banquet at the Hawaii Convention Center on Aug. 14, Mineta also will participate in a workshop Thursday marking the 150th anniversary of U.S.-Japan relations with Ryozo Kato, Japan's ambassador to the United States.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawai'i, will be keynote speaker at a special luncheon honoring World War II veterans next Friday.

A bon dance is scheduled that night at Kapi'olani Park.

Minnesota state Sen. Mee Moua, the first Hmong-American elected to a state legislature, will speak at a tribute to Asian and Pacific Islander Americans on Thursday at the Hale Koa Hotel.

Lieberman at Kane'ohe base

Former presidential candidate Sen. Joseph Lieberman plans to eat lunch with sailors and Marines and then talk to them along the flight line at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i in Kane'ohe today.

Base officials said Lieberman, D-Conn., will dine with representatives from Navy and Marine units stationed in Hawai'i this afternoon, then address them in a joint formation on the base.

Lieberman also plans to visit the U.S. Pacific Command at Camp H.M. Smith. No other details of his travel plans were available, officials there said.

Dance group seeks volunteers

The IONA Contemporary Dance Theatre needs volunteers to help with its upcoming interactive production of "La Madonna," which will be held Aug. 27-29 at Studio One, at 1 N. King St. downtown.

Volunteer duties range from promoting the event to costume production to helping backstage during the show.

To volunteer, call 262-0110.

Smoking blamed in house fire

HILO, Hawai'i — Smoking in bed is being blamed for a fire that did an estimated $300,000 damage to a single-family home in Captain Cook on Wednesday.

Fire officials said no one was home when they arrived at the home of John Emrick at 81-1065 Captain Cook Road at 11:19 a.m., and found flames and smoke venting from a back bedroom.

There were no injuries, and the fire took about 10 minutes to extinguish, fire officials said.

Trout season begins Saturday

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Rainbow trout fishing season opens Saturday at the Koke'e Public Fishing Area on Kaua'i.

Anglers need a state freshwater game fishing license, available from fishing supply stores, licensed agents or the offices of the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources.

The state stocks trout at the Pu'u Lua Reservoir and Koke'e ditch system. Fishing is available through Aug. 22 and then weekends and holidays through Sept. 26.