Posted on: Thursday, March 24, 2005
HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Police to conduct sobriety checks
Advertiser Staff
Police will run impaired-driver checkpoints at various locations around O'ahu during the Prince Kuhio Day and Good Friday holiday weekend to deter people from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
HPD says 18 people have died as a result of O'ahu traffic collisions this year, the same number tallied as of March 23, 2004. Four fatal collisions this year were found to be related to the use of alcohol or drugs, and speed has been cited as a factor in eight crashes.
The department has joined with the state Department of Transportation and other county police departments in the federal "52/12" sobriety checkpoint program, which requires checkpoints to be conducted at least weekly, through Sept. 30.
Wai'anae Intermediate School will receive $600,000 to install an updated electrical system, Gov. Linda Lingle's administration said yesterday.
The electrical wiring currently at the school poses a safety hazard to students and staff because of its aging condition and frequent power disruptions.
"They are going to be very happy about this," said State Comptroller Russ Saito. "It will allow them to do a lot more, such as add computers to certain classrooms, and it will eliminate a lot of problems."
Bidding opens today at the Department of Accounting and General Services, he said.
"Every public school should offer a safe and comfortable environment where our students can learn, and where our teachers can focus their full attention on their students," said Lingle in a statement.
"Specifically, we want to ensure that schools and communities like Wai'anae that may have been bypassed in the past when it came to maintenance and upkeep will now receive their fair share of resources."
The statement also said the total estimated cost of the electrical system upgrade is $1.12 million, and that the balance of money was released last November.
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Planning Director Ian Costa has named veteran county planner Myles Hironaka as his new deputy, replacing Gary Hennigh, who is leaving the post to serve as city manager in King Cove, Alaska.
Hironaka, a senior planner, has been with the department for more than 20 years. He takes the post Monday.
Prevent Child Abuse Hawai'i asks that Hawai'i residents "show they care ... share a bear."
The eighth annual Teddy Bear Round-Up will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 2 at Pearlridge Center Uptown Centerstage, and new or gently used teddy bears or other stuffed animals up to 6 feet in length are needed.
"Our goal is to collect 3,868 teddy bears — the same number of confirmed reports of child abuse in our islands last year," said Elsie Foster, Teddy Bear Round-Up co-chairperson. The bears will be distributed to family shelters, children's hospitals and other organizations that help families and children in crisis, said Foster.
The first 1,000 families to make a donation will receive a blue ribbon to promote child abuse prevention and child safety information.
Top local entertainers will perform at the event.
The event is sponsored by the Hawai'i chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America and Partners in Prevention. For more information call 951-0200.
The H-1 Freeway on-ramp westbound from the Likelike Highway was to reopen at 4:30 a.m. today, after being closed last night, according to the state Department of Transportation.
The work is part of the Moanalua Freeway resurfacing project.
Other daily lane closures in the area from 9 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. include: the two right lanes of the Moanalua Freeway westbound from the Kalihi Street overpass to the airport off-ramp; the Middle Street offramp westbound; and the airport off-ramp westbound.
There will be no lane closures tomorrow in observance of the Good Friday holiday.
Paliku Theatre will host a salute to longtime theater director Ron Bright featuring his students from the past performing music from some of his most successful hits.
The fund-raiser, to benefit Paliku, takes place at 7:30 p.m. May 7 at the theater and will showcase a dozen of Bright's brightest stars including Jade Stice, Jade Anguay, Tricia Marciel, Michael Bright, Jordan Shanahan, Johnson Enos, Alex Selma, Robert Orosco and Mahiai Kekumu.
Marcelo Pacleb, who has worked with Bright for years, will choreograph and his 24/VII Danceforce will perform. Some 40 youths with the Castle Performing Arts Center will also participate in the program.
The fund-raiser, Mr. B: A Salute to Ron Bright and His Students, will provide operating money for the Windward Community College theater, said Tom Holowach, theater manager.
The cost is $50 and tickets can be charged by calling the school at 235-7433. To purchase online, go to www.eTicketHawaii.com.
City Councilwoman Barbara Marshall will host three community meetings for constituents in District 3 (Kane'ohe, Kailua, Waimanalo).
The meetings, all at 7 p.m., are: Wednesday, Waimanalo Public and School Library, 41-1320 Kalaniana'ole Highway; April 19, Kane'ohe Community & Senior Center, 45-613 Puohala St.; and May 23, St. John Lutheran Church, 1004 Kailua Road.
A project to care for Hawaiian cultural sites in Halawa has received a $36,400 grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
The grant, awarded to the nonprofit organization Ike Aina, will assist with the work of the volunteer group Na Kupuna a me Na Kako'o O Halawa as stewards of the valley's cultural sites such as the heiau Hale O Papa.
Na Kupuna members also belong to the Halawa-Luluku Working Group, which is assisting with a federally financed project to plan a cultural learning center in the valley.
The group envisions the learning center as an outdoor classroom for learning about Hawaiian culture.
School gets new electrical system
Veteran planner gets promotion
Group seeks teddy bears
Lane closures near Likelike
Show to honor theater director
Councilwoman plans meetings
Hawaiian group receives grant
