Posted on: Sunday, December 19, 2004
HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Drug-trafficking program honored
Advertiser Staff
The state's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program has been honored by the White House for its work to battle illegal drugs.
The agency was presented the Outstanding Investigative Effort award Tuesday by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Hawai'i was cited for its work to disrupt drug-trafficking organizations and its arrest of more than 60 people and seizure of $585,000 in cash and assets.
The program is a joint effort of local, state and federal law-enforcement agencies in regions heavily affected by drug activity.
"This award honors the commitment and effectiveness of the law-enforcement professionals at the Hawai'i HIDTA," said John Walters, National Drug Control Policy director.
The state is seeking nominations for its first "Living Reef" environmental awards program.
The awards will honor organizations, groups or individuals that do the most to preserve Hawai'i's reef ecosystem. The program will recognize winners in five industry categories: fisheries, ocean recreation, travel/visitor industry, business and agriculture/land owners.
Two awards will be presented in the community division: nonprofit organizations and education.
To be eligible, individuals, groups or organizations must have implemented a reef program or activity between Jan. 1, 2003 and Dec. 31, 2004. Winners in each category will receive a crystal trophy and the community winners will receive $1,000. Nominations are due by Jan. 31.
For more information, go to www.hawaiireef.org.
In observance of Christmas Day and New Year's Day, all public libraries will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Some libraries, including the Hawai'i State Library, will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Visit the library's Web site at www.librarieshawaii.org for special holiday hours. Most libraries will reopen the following Mondays. Call your local library for their reopening date.
The Friends of the Waialua Bandstand will start the new year with a free public dance and music concert from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 2.
The rich and diverse performance will feature the Philippine Cultural Dance Group, and 'Ike Pono, a Hawaiian musical group that specializes in slack-key guitar, 'ukulele and singing.
The public is invited to share a picnic on the bandstand lawn and enjoy the nuances of this multiethnic community.
Potted plants and artificial flowers may be placed at Punchbowl graves at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific beginning tomorrow for the Christmas season. These items will be allowed to remain until Jan. 3.
Prohibited items include Christmas trees, permanent plantings, statues, vigil lights, glass objects and commemorative items such as toys, pinwheels, and stuffed toys.
Also, one may not attach floral items and other decorations to a columbarium wall.
HILO, Hawai'i — Big Island police are warning residents to be wary of scams by telephone, mail and e-mail after a Kona resident was bilked out of $58,030 in a telephone scam based in Canada.
The victim in the scam was told she had won $1 million, but before she could collect her "prize," she would have to send money to pay taxes and other costs.
Canadian police said the telephone scam was run out of Vancouver, British Columbia, and Quebec.
"We want to warn residents to be especially alert at this time of the year," said Detective Zack Houchin of the Criminal Investigation Section. "The number of scams tends to increase during the holiday season, and unscrupulous operators focus especially on elderly people because they tend to be more trusting."
'Aina Haina Public Library will host a "Christmas Time with Puppet Times" by Christy Lipps, at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Admission is free to the puppet show, which will include an appearance by Santa's wife, Mrs. Claus. Puppeteer Christy Lipps and her puppets will present Christmas carols and songs as well as some Christmas stories.
The 45-minute program is suitable for ages 3 and up. Call 377-2456.
Junior Achievement of Hawai'i has received a $10,000 donation from the Allstate (Insurance Co.) Foundation. Jim Moyan presented the check to Silayan Casino, Junior Achievement program manager, at a recent meeting of the 'Ewa Neighborhood Board. Casino said the money will be used to pay for Junior Achievement programs statewide.
In July, the Allstate Foundation donated $5,000 to the Boys & Girls Club in 'Ewa Beach.
'Living Reef' awards planned
Web site lists library hours
Bandstand group plans free event
Potted plants OK until Jan. 3
Telephone scam based in Canada
Library to host puppet show
Foundation gives program $10,000
