Posted on: Sunday, September 26, 2004
HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Gasoline alert clears building
Advertiser Staff
A building in Waikiki was evacuated Friday night after residents on the eighth floor noticed a strong smell of gasoline.
Police and firefighters were called to the Pacific International building at 2509 Ala Wai Blvd. about 8:30 p.m., said Fire Department Capt. Kenison Tejada.
Authorities tracked the odor to an eighth-floor apartment and evacuated about 100 residents while the bomb squad investigated. Red Cross workers opened nearby Jefferson School as a shelter.
No bomb was found, but authorities discovered that the occupant of the apartment had splashed gasoline on the floor, and had a can of gasoline with him. Police took the man to The Queen's Medical Center for observation.
The residents of the building returned to their homes at about 2 a.m. yesterday.
Hawai'i Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald Moon has appointed William Santos as the chief court administrator for the 1st Judicial Circuit on O'ahu.
Santos will assume that position on Jan. 3 when chief court administrator Kenneth Ling retires. Santos has been serving as deputy chief court administrator since April 2001.
Santos began his career in the state court system in 1976 as a Family Court probation officer. In his new job, he will be responsible for the administrative functions required to support all of the civil, criminal, family and probation matters handled in the 1st Circuit.
A brush fire and tire fire that flared up Friday behind Hawaii Raceway Park in Kapolei appeared to have been extinguished late yesterday morning.
Firefighters brought the flames under control late Friday. They returned yesterday morning to extinguish remaining "hot spots."
The blaze had moved through three acres of land and burned 500 tires, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the air.
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Five public libraries have modified their public service schedules starting today.
The Manoa branch will be open until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and has added Monday to its schedule.
Kailua and Thelma Parker Memorial libraries have added Saturday to their schedules. In addition, Thelma Parker will open an hour later Monday through Friday.
Kahului Public Library will open one hour earlier Tuesday through Saturday.
Holualoa Public Library will open from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday.
The Housing and Community Development Corp. of Hawai'i will be making applications for low-interest loans available on Oct. 8 to assist in the development of affordable rental projects.
Private or public developers may apply, provided that at least 10 percent of their proposed unit mix is affordable to persons making 30 percent or less of the area's median income and that at least 50 percent of their proposed unit mix is affordable to persons making 60 percent or less of the area's median income. The balance of units must be affordable to persons making 100 percent or less of the area's median income.
The loans, called Project Awards, come from the Rental Housing Trust Fund. They are for the development, construction, acquisition, preservation and substantial rehabilitation of rental housing units.
For information call 587-0880.
Nominations from the community are being solicited for the Jefferson Awards, a national program that honors everyday heroes who dedicate an abundance of their time and energy to making a difference through volunteering.
Nominations will be accepted until Oct. 20. Five recipients chosen will be recognized Nov. 19.
The award, which is given throughout the United States, is sponsored locally by The Honolulu Advertiser.
Those who wish to make a nomination are asked to write two paragraphs, 250 words or less, about the outstanding efforts the nominee has made and how those actions have helped hundreds in the community.
Nomination forms are available at The Honolulu Advertiser's front desk or from the newspaper's Web site, www.honoluluadvertiser.com. Completed forms may be faxed to 525-8198 or mailed to The Jefferson Awards, c/o The Honolulu Advertiser, 605 Kapi'olani Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96813 or dropped off at the front desk.
A historical tour of Maunawili Valley and Kawai Nui Marsh will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday beginning at Ulupo Heiau and including such places as former Maunawili town sites, the Queen Lili'uokalani retreat, Kukapoki Heiau and the Aloha 'Aina restored ancient taro terrace.
The tour will be limited to 30 people. A $5 donation is requested.
For information and reservations call Chuck Burrows at 595-3922 or e-mail him at chuckb@hawaii.rr.com.
As part of Kailua High School's 50th anniversary, the alumni association will kick off the celebration with a Be-Boppin' Surfrider Sock Hop from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 23 in the cafeteria of Kailua Intermediate School, the original campus site.
The dance includes a live band playing music from the '50s, '60s and '70s, a period costume contest, door prizes and a classic car display.
Admission is $5 and tickets are available at Hungry Ear Records & Tapes and at Kalapawai Market or by calling (808) 330-3170.
PUKALANI, Maui — Maui artist Ellen Bellerose recently presented five portraits of Hawaiian ali'i to Kamehameha Schools on Maui.
The portraits are of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, who established the Kamehameha School in her will, Princess Ka'iulani, Queen Lili'uokalani, Queen Emma and Princess Ruth Ke'elikolani.
Accepting the gift was headmaster Rod Chamberlain.
Santos named to 1st Circuit post
Kapolei tire, brush fire doused
Five libraries alter service schedules
Housing project loans available
Jefferson Award nominees sought
Historical tour offered Oct. 2
Kailua High set for 50th birthday
Maui artist gives portraits of ali'i
