HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Water safety officer honored
Advertiser Staff
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Kaua'i water safety officer Kalani Vierra was named Hawaiian Lifeguard Association Waterman of the Year.
The award was presented to Vierra during the recent annual Ocean Safety Conference, organized by Vierra and held this year on Kaua'i.
Officials said Vierra has helped the county's Ocean Safety Bureau grow into a more effective agency and played an important role in the building of the rescue-craft facility in Koloa. He also worked with others to develop KauaiExplorer.com, a Web site focused on promoting ocean safety and awareness.
HONOLULU
Woman admits childcare fraud
A woman has admitted embezzling about $93,000 of federal and state money intended for monthly childcare benefit payments.
Tracy Rodrigues, 33, took the money from the "First to Work" program while working for Maximus Inc., which is contracted by the state Department of Human Services to provide a variety of social welfare services, U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo Jr. said yesterday.
Rodrigues pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to three welfare fraud charges involving bank fraud, wire fraud and theft from the state. She faces a possible maximum sentence of 70 years in prison when she is sentenced Aug. 1.
As a case manager for Maximus, Rodrigues helped unemployed clients obtain job training and employment. She was also responsible for issuing monthly childcare benefit payments to cover such expenses as baby-sitting and preschool care.
Rodrigues admitted that from April 2001 to July 2002 she obtained clients' checks, forged endorsements and deposited the checks into a bank account for her personal benefit, Kubo said.
She also allowed excess money to be deposited into her clients' Electronic Benefits Transfer accounts from June 2002 to April 2003, and then used a variety of fraudulent methods to obtain the excess amounts for herself, he said.
JS&B Catering, officer charged
An O'ahu grand jury has indicted a catering business and its president on charges of theft and failing to file tax returns.
JS&B Catering Inc. was charged with three counts of failing to file withholding tax returns for 1999, 2000 and 2001, according to the attorney general's office. John D. Miura, the firm's president, was charged with theft and accused of failing to deposit state taxes withheld from company employees for the 2001 tax year, and filing false and fraudulent individual state income taxes for 1999, 2000 and 2001, the attorney general's office said.
Miura also was charged with second-degree theft and accused of falsely claiming on his 2001 individual tax return that he paid withholding taxes of $2,792, the attorney general said.
Miura could not be reached for comment.
BIG ISLAND
Big Island 'Meth Summit' Friday
HILO, Hawai'i — More than 300 residents are expected at the Big Island's Meth Summit III, which will offer workshops to address the problems caused by crystal methamphetamine, or "ice."
The summit will be Friday at the Outrigger Waikoloa.
The workshops will include advocacy training for parents and caregivers; domestic violence and the maltreatment of children; kids' perspectives —efforts that work; and why is the drug dealer still on my street — and how can I stop it?
U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye will present the first Healing Our Island Awards to members of the community who made contributions over the past two years to the Big Island in the areas of enforcement, treatment and prevention.
The luncheon speaker will be Dr. Manulani Meyer, who will speak on the cultural perspective on substance abuse addiction and its effect upon the Big Island community.
For more information, contact Mayor Harry Kim's executive assistant, Billy Kenoi, at 961-8316.
AROUND O'AHU
Libraries ready for scary stories
The Hawai'i State Library will host a series of free spooky stories around the island at neighborhood public libraries.
At the Kapolei Public Library Dave Del Rocco will present "Halloween Stories" at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 27. There will be a keiki costume contest and parade as well.
At the Kailua Public Library, there will be a "Spooky Stories" program at 7 p.m. Oct. 28. Stories will be suitable for children grades three and up. Children are encouraged to wear costumes.
On Oct. 30, "Chilling Stories from Hawai'i's Past," spooky Hawaiian stories will be presented by storyteller Brenda Freitas-Obregon at 11 a.m.
This event is recommended for children ages 10 and older. The event will be held in the library's Hawai'i & Pacific Reading Room.
WINDWARD
Kailua ahupua'a tour set Nov. 6
Floyd McCoy, a University of Hawai'i geologist, will lead a geology tour of the Kailua ahupua'a from 8:30 a.m. to noon Nov.6 beginning at the Windward YMCA, 1200 Kailua Road.
The tour, sponsored by 'Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi, is limited to 25. A donation of $5 is requested, $3 for 'Ahahui members.
For more information or to reserve a space, call Ron Walker at 235-1681 or e-mail him at ronwalker@hawaii.rr.com.
Ko'olau 'Ohana Festival Saturday
KEY Project will host the Ko'olau 'Ohana Festival featuring a homegrown feast, top entertainment and a silent auction from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the center, 47-200 Waihee Road in Kahalu'u.
The event, to raise money for KEY's operations and endowment fund, includes entertainment by Brother Noland, Jerry Santos & Friends, Believe, Vaihi, Kauha'a, the Squirrel Hunters bluegrass band, Kuhai Halau O Kahealani Pa Olapa Kahiko; Ho'omaika'i Hula Halau and Au's Shaolin Arts Society.
Admission is $25 which includes a catered meal. For ticket information call 239-5777.
ELECTION NOTES
Debate features House Dist. 46
Tonight's live political debate on 'Olelo Community Television's Channel 54 features the two candidates competing to represent House District 46 (Kahuku, North Shore, Schofield), Republican Carol Anne Philips and Democratic incumbent Michael Magaoay. Coming up tomorrow is House District 44 (Nanakuli, Honokai Hale).
