HAWAI'I BRIEFS
U.S. court clerk Chinn retiring
Advertiser Staff
Walter A. Y. H. Chinn, clerk of the U. S. District Court for Hawai'i for nearly four decades, has announced his retirement effective June 1.
Chinn was the youngest clerk of the court when he was appointed to the position by then Chief U. S. District Judge Martin Pence on Dec. 31, 1966. Chinn is now the most senior clerk of the court in the federal government.
He served under chief judges Pence, Sam King, Harold Fong, Alan Kay and now, David Ezra.
HONOLULU
Maritime Center burns mortgage
The Hawai'i Maritime Center held a mortgage-burning ceremony this week to mark the end of a campaign to eliminate the center's $1.4 million debt.
The center kicked off its Financial Freedom Campaign in 2004 to rid itself of a large debt that had plagued the center since its founding in 1982. The Maritime Center offers educational, historical and cultural exhibits and programs, and oversees the Falls of Clyde.
On Tuesday, the center recognized Honolulu Advertiser columnist Bob Krauss, who made a $100,000 pledge, and the Alexander & Baldwin Foundation, which contributed $100,000.
MANOA
Historic homes will be displayed
Malama O Manoa will celebrate National Historic Preservation Month with a walking tour of historic homes in Manoa Valley May 29.
The tour will cover a 1.5-mile walk past more than 60 historic homes, 23 of which are on the state Historic Register. Docent-guided tours will be available at seven of the the homes.
Participants will meet between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. at Kamanele Park, University Avenue and Ka'ala Street, to pick up entry name tags, tour maps and information packets.ÊParking is available at Mid Pacific Institute or on street.
The event will end with refreshments and entertainment at College Hill, the home of University of Hawai'i interim President David McClain.
Early registration is $25 and $30 after May 20.
Visit malamaomanoa.org or send a check to Malama O Manoa, P.O. Box 61961, Hono-lulu, HI 96829. Call 988-7622.
BIG ISLAND
Park accessibility will be improved
HILO, Hawai'i — The state Department of Land and Natural Resources next week will begin making Wailuku River State Park, Boiling Pots section, more accessible to the disabled.
Work will consist of upgrades to the walkways, parking area, observation area and restrooms. A special parking stall, a passenger loading area, new signs and ramp up to the observation area also will be constructed.
The park will remain open during construction, with the contractor putting up temporary barricades for public safety. Portable toilets will be provided when the restrooms are closed for renovations.
Isemoto Contracting Co. will begin work May 16. The project is expected to be completed by the end of September.
WAIPI'O
Free inspections of safety seats
State Farm Mutual automobile insurance company is hosting its fifth annual Child Safety Day Saturday at the Kaiser Permanente Waipi'o Clinic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free child safety seat inspections are being offered in addition to children's activities.
The Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition/SAFE Kids Hawaii and Kaiser Permanente are assisting.
HAWAI'I KAI
Repairs will not close library
The Hawai'i Kai Public Library will remain open while it undergoes repairs to make it more accessible to wheelchairs in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Work starts Monday and continue through August. Repair work includes repaving a portion of the parking lot, installation of emergency outside lighting and a handicapped-accessible restroom. Changes to the library's hours will be posted at the library, which is on Lunalilo Home Road.
KAUA'I
Workshops target first-time buyers
LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Residents planning to buy their first homes are invited to the "Prepare Fair," a free series of workshops Saturday at Kaua'i Community College.
There are talks on retrofitting homes and on self-help housing at 10 a.m., on the building permit process and other home ownership issues at 11 a.m., and new Schuler Homes Hawai'i affordable housing projects at noon. Speakers are from Honsador Lumber, Self-Help Housing Corp. of Hawai'i, the county Building Division, the Hawai'i Homeownership Center and Schuler Homes Hawai'i.
The program is sponsored by the A&B Foundation, Self-Help Housing Corp. of Hawai'i and Contractors Association of Kaua'i. Child care will be provided by Girl Scouts.
MOLOKA'I
Maunaloa School being upgraded
Gov. Linda Lingle has released $37,000 for upgrades at Maunaloa Elementary School on Moloka'i to allow physically challenged students to attend the school.
Maunaloa School is one of four elementary schools on the island, but it does not have the appropriate facilities to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. A physically challenged child who lives in Maunaloa and wishes to attend the school has to commute to another campus farther away.
Lt. Gov. James R. "Duke" Aiona, Jr. visited the school Tuesday to present a ceremonial check to Principal Joe Yamamoto.
The project is expected to be completed by April 2006.
MAUI
Wastewater project complete
KAHULUI, Maui — A dedication and blessing ceremony last week marked the completion of $12 million in upgrades to the Wailuku-Kahului Wastewater Reclamation Facility.
The project, which included construction of a new blower building, aeration basin, aeration piping and related items, increased the facility's processing efficiency and reduced its electrical cost by about $200,000 a year, officials said.
The lead design consultant was Brown and Caldwell, and the general contractor was Hawaiian Dredging.
The project was recently selected as the Project of the Year for 2004 by the Maui Chapter of the Hawai'i Society of Professional Engineers and awarded the 2005 Build Hawai'i Award by the General Contractors Association of Hawai'i.
