HAWAI'I BRIEFS
More people buckling up
Advertiser Staff
Hawai'i's seat-belt use ticked upward this year, according to the state Department of Transportation.
A University of Hawai'i survey conducted this month to monitor statewide seat-belt use showed 95.3 percent of drivers buckled up. That's up slightly from 95.1 percent last year, DOT said. Nationally, the average is about 80 percent.
It marked the sixth consecutive year that Hawai'i's seat-belt use has increased.
"For a state that already has an extremely high seat-belt rate, we're happy to have sustained this kind of momentum," state transportation Director Rod Haraga said.
Maui County led the way, with a 97.2 percent compliance rate, followed by O'ahu (95 percent), the Big Island (94.9 percent) and Kaua'i (94.7 percent), according to the survey.
2 schools to get relief from heat
Kea'au Public School and Library on the Big Island and Red Hill Elementary School on O'ahu will have upgrades to their unreliable air-conditioning systems.
Kea'au will see new exhaust fans, ceiling tiles and light fixtures by the end of the year. The project will cost $397,000.
Red Hill will have new air conditioning in the library by September. That project will cost $171,384.
Gov. Linda Lingle, who released the funds yesterday, said the air-conditioning improvements will give students and faculty a comfortable environment more conducive to learning, and will also protect books and other reference materials.
LANA'I
Redemption site to reopen July 6
LANA'I CITY — Lana'i's only bottle redemption center will reopen July 6, according to Maui County recycling coordinator Hana Steel.
The center closed May 27 because of operational problems, leaving the island's 3,300 residents with nowhere to get a refund of the 5-cent deposit they pay on each beverage container.
Lana'i Waste Removal Inc., which is operating the redemption site for state permit-holder Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development of Maui, had failed to turn in documents needed in order to get paid for running the service. Steel said those problems have been worked out.
BIG ISLAND
Forestry institute opens Hilo site
After years of anticipation, the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station will dedicate its new building for the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry in Hilo July 5. For the past 48 years, the state has provided space for forestry institute scientists in buildings across the islands, but with the dedication of this state-of-the-art facility, the institute's staff will be consolidated into one building.
Pacific Southwest Research station director, Jim Sedell, said, "We are very excited about this new facility because a good laboratory is crucial to our research efforts in the Pacific."
The new building will be within the University Park of the University of Hawai'i-Hilo.
The 9:30 a.m. dedication ceremony will include an address by Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawai'i, a reception and open house.
KANE'OHE
WCC soliciting journal stories
The Windward Community College literary and art journal Rain Bird is seeking campus stories to celebrate its 25th anniversary for which two editions will be published.
Anyone with a connection to the school can submit stories, memoirs and art (photographs) of people and places throughout the college's history. The writing may take the form of poetry prose or songs. If you have a story to share but don't write, send a tape recording of your story or an interview may be arranged.
The deadline for entries is Sept. 23. It may not be possible to print all entries, but all entries will be kept in the campus archives.
Rain Bird was first printed in 1980.
Entry forms are at the college's Hale 'Akoakoa 236 or may be downloaded at www.wcc.hawaii.edu/rainbird.
O'AHU
Kapolei court Web site opens
The state Judiciary has opened a Web site to update plans and gather comments on the new Kapolei Court Complex and the Juvenile Detention Facility now being planned.
The $95 million complex is in the design phase with construction expected to begin in 2007 and be completed by 2010.
The Web site will give an overview of the court complex and updates on progress including a photo gallery and timeline for the project.The site can be reached through the special project and events section of the Judiciary site at www.courts.state.hi.us.
DOWNTOWN
Police hunt man who stole safe
Police are looking for a man caught on a surveillance tape stealing a safe from Don Ho's Bar and Grill in the Aloha Tower Marketplace. On Saturday, between 5:15 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., a man broke into the bar and made off with the 18-inch by 24-inch metal safe, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300, *CRIME on your cellular phone.
