HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Woman from France missing
Advertiser Staff
Big Island police are asking the public's help in finding a woman from France missing since Friday.
Aileen De Toffoli was last seen on Banyan Drive at 8 p.m. Friday. She may have been driving a 2006 white Ford van, license number HGA 277, police said.
She was described as 5 feet 10 inches tall and 170 pounds, with a slim build, medium-length brown hair and a fair complexion. She is believed to be in her mid-40s.
Anyone with information is asked to call officer Gregory Ikeda at 961-2213 or the Police Department's non-emergency number: 935-3311.
DEAN CHOSEN FOR PHARMACY SCHOOL
Dr. John M. Pezzuto has been named by the University of Hawai'i Board of Regents to be the founding dean of the University of Hawai'i-Hilo's College of Pharmacy.
Pezzuto will begin his new duties on June 1, 2006. He now serves as dean of the College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Health Science at Purdue University, where he has been since 2002.
The UH-Hilo College of Pharmacy will offer a four-year program of study leading to the doctor-of-pharmacy degree. The school will become the first college of pharmacy at a public institution in Hawai'i and the Pacific Island region, and is designed to meet the comprehensive pharmacy education needs of Hawai'i.
KAUA'I
NEW HAMPSHIRE WOMAN DROWNS
A 41-year-old woman died Friday afternoon after lifeguards found her floating face-down in the ocean near Kealia Beach.
The woman was identified as Laurie Reola of New Hampshire.
Lifeguards and other beachgoers administered CPR to Reola until emergency medical technicians arrived, took over lifesaving efforts and rushed her to Wilcox Hospital.
Reola was pronounced dead at the hospital. She was the 11th drowning victim on Kaua'i this year.
HA'ENA PARK TO GET UPGRADES
LIHU'E — The county plans upgrades valued at $500,000 to the 5.5-acre Ha'ena Beach Park, to be done in 2007, after permits are acquired. The restroom would be replaced with a new one compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The dirt parking area would be improved, and pathways would be installed.
MILILANI
COUPLE HAILED FOR HOT-DOG DRIVE
The Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross and Central Pacific Bank have named Alan and Linda Muschek as the Red Cross True Blue Heroes for December.
The Muscheks set up a "Free Hot Dogs" fundraiser next to Mililani Wal-Mart that, in one weekend, raised $18,595.80 for Hurricane Katrina victims. Their company, Al's Commercial Service, donated the food.
HONOLULU
WATER EMPLOYEE HONORED FOR WORK
Thelma Kimura, a longtime Honolulu Board of Water Supply employee, was recently given the 2005 William Y. Thompson Award. Under her supervision, the customer service and records section has made strides in implementing new technology and streamlining business processes.
TEEN'S POSTER WINS NATIONALLY
Kids Voting Hawai'i has announced that Farrington High School sophomore Nicky Jo Thamdy is a national winner in the 2005 Kids Voting USA "My Vote Gives Me Power" poster contest. Thamdy's poster was chosen from among 75 finalists.
CANCER BOARD ACCREDITS KUAKINI
The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has commended Kuakini Health System's Cancer Program and granted it a three-year accreditation.
Kuakini, which treats more than 600 cancer patients a year, received the commendation following an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor in October.
