Hawai'i briefs

Advertiser Staff

WINDWARD O'AHU

Rally to support drug programs

Organizers expect hundreds of people at the People's Rally against ice and addiction, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow at the State Capitol.

The rally is meant to show legislators public support for bills addressing drug abuse, said Andy Anderson, CEO of Hina Mauka, a drug and alcohol treatment provider.

Organizers believe the problem requires a comprehensive approach combining prevention, education, treatment, law enforcement and community-building.

Work to close Likelike lanes

The Kane'ohe-bound lanes of Likelike Highway will be closed tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for emergency highway repairs. Road crews will use a crane.

Also, the Honolulu-bound lanes will be closed from 8 p.m. tomorrow until 6 p.m. Saturday as contractors reconstruct both lanes. State officials say that if traffic becomes too congested on Pali Highway and H-3 Freeway, the contractor will open one Honolulu-bound lane on Likelike.

On Pali Highway, the Kailua-bound lanes will be closed from 7 p.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. Sunday for tunnel cleaning.

HONOLULU

Tripler adds family shelter

Tripler Army Medical Center has opened its second Fisher House, a home away from home for military families, retirees, veterans and Pacific Island families receiving medical care at Tripler.

The latest Fisher House, across the street from the other one on the Tripler grounds, is the 32nd built by the Fisher House Foundation. Together, they provide accommodations for 18 families.

Fisher Houses include two homes in Germany, 17 on military installations and six at Veterans Affairs medical centers.

Lawmakers to meet in Manoa

Manoa lawmakers will hold a legislative town meeting from 10 a.m to noon Saturday in the Noelani Elementary School Library to discuss bills under debate.

Sen. Brian Taniguchi, Rep. Kirk Caldwell and City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi will hear community concerns and update residents on issues affecting the neighborhood.

For more information, call Taniguchi at 586-6460, Caldwell at 586-8475 or Kobayashi at 547-7005.

MAUI

Prosecutor named as judge

Maui County deputy prosecutor Simone Polak has been appointed a district court judge for Maui's 2nd Circuit.

Polak, who received her law degree from McGeorge Law School at the University of the Pacific in Sacramento, Calif., has been with the prosecutor's office for 15 years. Her appointment is subject to state Senate confirmation.

She would fill a vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Eric Romanchak.