Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff
WINDWARD
Waimanalo fire damages home
Two people escaped injury in a townhouse fire yesterday morning in Waimanalo that caused an estimated $230,000 in damage, the Honolulu Fire Department reported.
Thirty firefighters from seven companies responded to the fire at 41 664 Ka'aumana Place, according to HFD Capt. Emmit Kane.
"The fire broke out at just after 8 o'clock," he said. "The resident reported smelling smoke coming from one of their upstairs bedrooms."
Kane said a woman tried to control the fire herself before she called the Fire Department at 8:07 a.m.
Firefighters reported heavy smoke and flames coming from the upstairs of the three-bedroom townhouse but were able to extinguish the fire within 15 minutes of receiving the call. The fire was under control by 8:23, said Kane.
According to Kane, the fire did not spread beyond the townhouse.
Ha'iku Stairs on agenda
A Kane'ohe Neighborhood Board task force has approved a resolution calling for an access to Ha'iku Stairs that goes through Windward Community College and the State Hospital.
The task force, made up of residents living near the stairs and other interested people, voted on the resolution Thursday night. The resolution will be on the agenda for approval at the next board meeting at 7 p.m. March 18 at Windward Community College 'Akoakoa Hale, Room 103.
The popular hiking trail was renovated in 2002 but remains closed as the city tries to resolve access issues that have been exacerbated by hikers trespassing through residential properties to reach the 3,922-step metal stairway to the top of the Ko'olau Range.
EAST HONOLULU
School reforms to be discussed
Representatives from Citizens Achieving Reform in Education, the state Department of Education and the Hawai'i State Teacher's Association will discuss their proposals to improve public education at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Haha'ione Elementary School cafeteria.
The discussion will be during the monthly Hawai'i Kai Neighborhood Board.
LEEWARD
Career change program opens
The Hawai'i Technology Institute, in partnership with Alu Like Inc., has opened a Career Transition Program at 89-137 Nanakuli Ave.
The program offers a six-week course that combines Hawaiian values with job skills.
Students are first taught Hawaiian culture, life skills and values, and the role they play in the modern workforce. Then students take self-paced classes to upgrade their reading, math and computer skills.
The goal is to provide social and technical skills for today's workforce.
The program is free to eligible students. For more information, call 522-2700 or 668-0555.
OTHER
O'ahu Head Start seeks volunteers
The O'ahu Head Start program needs volunteers drivers for its bookmobile two mornings a week to visit various preschools on the island.
Drivers must have a clean traffic abstract and be available from 8 a.m. to noon.
The program brings free library services to economically disadvantaged children and their families.
For more information, call Joni at 843-2530.
Money released for playground
The governor has released $8,440 to complete a playground project at Na'alehu Elementary & Intermediate School on the Big Island.
The $72,300 project includes handicapped-accessible parking, a concrete walkway to the play area, renovations to the restroom, a new water fountain, a new gate for the play area and grass maintenance.
Work is expected to begin soon and should take about 75 days to complete.
Private operator sought for camp
The state will collect public input on its search for a private operator for camp facilities at Malaekahana State Recreation Area at a meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Kahuku High & Intermediate School cafeteria, 56-490 Kamehameha Highway.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is seeking bidders to develop, operate and maintain both sections of the campgrounds.
The criteria for evaluating proposals are experience, business plan and financial capability.
Additional criteria will be developed by a committee appointed by the DLNR chairman.
For more information call Lauren Tanaka, 587-0293, or e-mail her at lauren_a_tanaka@hawaii.gov.
