Posted on: Sunday, April 24, 2005
HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Firefighters busy battling brushfire
Advertiser Staff
A Makaha Valley brushfire that started shortly after midnight kept firefighters busy well into the afternoon yesterday, but did not spread or threaten structures.
"It's not going anywhere," Capt. Emmit Kane, a spokesman for the Honolulu Fire Department, said yesterday afternoon. "It's just some big, stubborn stumps."
The fire was contained within five acres, he said, but because it was in a remote location and firefighters had to run water lines to fight it, five to seven fire companies, two or three tankers and the department's helicopter were kept busy throughout much of the day.
The fire was extinguished about 4:30 p.m., Kane said.
The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to appropriate nearly $40 million to help the University of Hawaii's Manoa campus recover from last October's flooding.
Sen. Dan Inouye, D-Hawai'i, said a portion of the money would be used to implement flood-prevention measures in Manoa Valley.
The Hawaii-related funding is included in an emergency supplemental funding measure that now goes to a House-Senate conference committee.
The legislation includes $23 million the university will need for replacement costs not covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and flood insurance.
It also provides $16.8 million for flood damage mitigation involving Manoa Stream.
Coupled with $30.6 million in FEMA aid, total federal funding to recover from the flooding would amount to $70.4 million, Inouye said.
"I am pleased that my fellow lawmakers have continued with their quick and compassionate response when communities are impacted by disasters," the senator said in a news release issued by his Washington office.
"Historically, our response has been twofold," he said. "We have appropriated FEMA funds to help impacted communities cope with the aftermath of natural disasters ... and we have allocated additional funds for long-term recovery."
Businessman Danny Auyoung has been appointed to the Honolulu Liquor Commission to fill the vacancy left by the death of former chairman John Sierling.
Auyoung, 57, is a partner with Spec Consultants and has a background in the food and beverage industry. His appointment, made on April 12, will expire at the end of 2006.
Auyoung served as vice president and general manager for Paradise Beverages from 1971 to 1978, and as president of the Hawai'i Beverage Brokers from 1978 to 1989. He also has owned and operated numerous licensed establishments on O'ahu, including Ryan's Express, Waikiki A-1 Liquor and Superette, Danny's at Manoa, and Cheerleaders Sportsbar and Grill.
Auyoung also opened and operated the first bottle and can recycling center on Kaua'i in 1975, according to a commission spokesman.
A graduate of Punahou School, Auyoung received a degree in travel industry management from the University of Hawai'i.
He also served in the Hawai'i Air National Guard.
The federal Office for Victims of Crime has awarded $1.9 million to help support crime victim assistance and $309,000 for crime victim compensation programs in Hawai'i, according to U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo.
The crime victims' office, an agency of the U.S. Department of Justice, is funded by fines and penalties, not taxes. The funds support victim assistance and compensation awards in every state and are used to cover medical costs, lost wages, counseling, funeral expenses and other costs resulting from violent crimes against innocent victims.
Kainalu Elementary School will celebrate its 50th anniversary with free morning and evening events on campus May 6.
Starting at 8:30 a.m., the morning celebration will include the unveiling of a mural, opening a time capsule and students performances. There will also be a Kainalu historical display.
From 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. there will be live entertainment, hula groups and food and craft booths.
A town meeting to discuss long-term traffic improvements for Kamehameha Highway through the 'Aiea/Pearl City corridor will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Waimalu Elementary School cafeteria at 98-825 Moanalua Road.
The state recently hired a planning consultant to look at the long-term future of the highway corridor.
The meeting is sponsored by the state Department of Transportation and area legislators.
For information, call the department at 587-2160 or Rep. Mark Takai's office at 586-8455.
HILO, Hawai'i — A 77-year-old visitor from Florida collapsed in waters off Kahalu'u Beach Park and died Thursday, police said.
Herman Haupt, of Viera, Fla., was standing in waist-deep waters off Kahalu'u Beach when he collapsed shortly before 10:55 a.m., police said.
Haupt was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he died at about 2:30 p.m.
Manoa flood aid gets Senate OK
Auyoung named to liquor panel
Aid awarded to crime victims
Kainalu school marks 50th year
Town meeting to discuss traffic
Visitor dies after collapse at beach
