Hawai'i briefs
Advertiser Staff
BIG ISLAND
Panel's leader to leave office
House Judiciary Chairman Eric Hamakawa will not seek re-election, House Majority Leader Scott Saiki said yesterday.
Saiki said Hamakawa, D-3rd (Hilo, Kea'au, Mt. View), who has served 10 years in the state House, told him his plans during a discussion in the days after the Democratic Party Convention two weekends ago.
Hamakawa did not attend the convention, fueling rumors that he was considering bowing out of the political scene. He could not be reached for comment yesterday.
"He is one of the last true liberals," Saiki said. "Eric is a person of great conviction and we'll miss his presence in the House."
As Judiciary chairman, Hamakawa has taken some controversial positions. Last session he backed measures to legalize physician-assisted suicide and allow gay couples to form civil unions that give them the same benefits and obligations as married people. He also initially resisted an effort to make sex offender registration information more readily available to the public.
CENTRAL
Filipino council to elect officers
The Oahu Filipino Community Council will have its annual convention Monday at the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu.
More than 60 organizations will be represented. Delegates are expected to elect new council officers and discuss various resolutions as well as plans for the Filipino Centennial Celebration.
HONOLULU
Seized property to be auctioned
Cars, motorcycles, tools and other property seized by law enforcement in connection with criminal investigations will be auctioned to the public tomorrow at the Blaisdell Center exhibition hall's Pikake Room.
Prospective bidders may view the items beginning at 11 a.m.; the auction begins at noon. The items are the result of state and county law enforcement officers seizing assets used or acquired in connection with criminal activities.
Book-fair sales to aid preschool
A book fair at the Waikiki Community Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 14-18 will benefit the center's preschool.
The book fair will feature specially priced book and educational materials including new releases, award winners, children's classics and computer software from more than 150 publishers.
There will also be a farmer's market until 1 p.m. June 15 and June 18. Proceeds will be used to buy school supplies and support projects.
The center is at 310 Paoakalani Ave.
Lifetime fitness subject of talk
A free talk on maintaining mental and physical fitness for a lifetime will be at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday at the Waikiki Community Center, 310 Paoakalani Ave.
Joannie Dobbs and Alan Titchenal, nutrition scientists at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, will give the talk, and answer questions from the audience. For reservations, call 923-1802.
