HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Moped crashes into pedestrian
Advertiser Staff
A 57-year-old pedestrian was critically injured about 8:45 last night when she was hit by a moped in Pawa'a. The two people on the moped also were hurt.
Police said the pedestrian stepped off the sidewalk on Young Street between two parked cars and was not in a crosswalk as she tried to cross the street at Pawa'a Neighborhood Park, near the site of the old police headquarters.
A 48-year-old man driving a moped tried to stop, but the brakes locked, causing the moped to tip over and hit the pedestrian, police said. The moped was traveling west and the pedestrian had stepped off the mauka sidewalk.
The woman was taken to The Queen's Medical Center. The moped driver also was taken to Queen's and was in stable condition. His female passenger was treated at the scene and released.
No one injured in home fire
A fire early yesterday morning damaged portions of a home near the top of Wai'alae Iki, but there were no injuries.
The two-alarm blaze at 1925 Laukahi St. was reported about 3 a.m. Eight fire units responded.
"The fire was pretty much contained to a family room and kitchen area," HFD Capt. Kenison Tejada said.
He said a woman was home, but got out safely with the help of police officers.
"We understand she refused treatment offered by EMS and left the scene with family members," Tejada said.
A damage estimate and cause of the fire were not immediately available.
CENTRAL
Highway work this weekend
A section of Kamehameha Highway between Lanikuhana Avenue in Mililani and Ka Uka Boulevard in Waipi'o Gentry will be closed from 12:01 a.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Monday because of construction. Motorists are advised to use the H-2 Freeway as a detour this weekend. Only local traffic will be allowed in the Kipapa Gulch area.
O'AHU
5 teachers among national finalists
Five O'ahu teachers are among 239 finalists for the 2004 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the nation's highest honor for teaching in those fields in kindergarten through Grade 12.
The Hawai'i finalists are:
• Kelley Fitzgerald, a science teacher at Sacred Hearts Academy;
• Shari Higashi, a science teacher at Salt Lake Elementary School;
• Stacie Kaichi, a math teacher at Salt Lake Elementary School;
• Joanna Meza, a math teacher at Mililani Uka Elementary School;
• Lena Sumiye, a math teacher at Waipahu Elementary School.
Winners will be announced in mid-April.
LEEWARD
Library programs on tap in April
Kapolei Public Library's free one-hour programs in April will include a presentation by "clutterbuster" Marilyn Nagel, performances by the University of Hawai'i dance ensemble and a preview of Honolulu Theatre's "Musubi Man."
Nagel will speak April 5 at 6:30 p.m. on the topic "Clutter Free for Life," an address to "pack rats" on how to unclutter their lives.
The UH ensemble's 6:30 p.m. performance on April 6 will include an African dance, Brazilian capoeira, Indian Bhara-tanatyam and modern dance.
The "Musubi Man" play is an adaptation by Lee Cataluna from Sandi Takayama's best-selling children's book.
The preview performance is scheduled at the library April 8 at 7 p.m. and is suitable for all ages.
The play is directed by BullDog. Copies of the book will be available for purchase from Friends of the Library, Kapolei.
STATEWIDE
Contest prizes: $1,000, bank tour
Public- and private-school classes across the state could win $1,000 and a bank tour from American Savings Bank during Financial Literacy Month in April.
Contest entry packets are available at American Savings Bank branches, by calling A.J. Oxley at 529-7275, e-mailing aoxley@asbhawaii.com or visiting www.asbhawaii.com.
American Savings Bank branch managers will give "Careers in Banking" presentations in schools around the state. Teachers may call 539-7131 or (800) 272-2566, ext. 7129, to schedule a presentation or tour.
HICKAM
Vietnam War remains identified
The remains of a U.S. Navy pilot, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for military burial, the Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office said. Lt. Cmdr. J. Forrest G. Tremblay of Spokane, Wash., will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Friday.
Scientists with the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command at Hickam Air Force Base and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used DNA testing to help identify Tremblay.
