Posted on: Sunday, May 22, 2005
HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Schools to end year a day early
Advertiser Staff
Public schools across the state have been informing parents that the school year will end a day earlier than scheduled this year.
The reason is that Good Friday and Kuhio Day both fell on March 25, which meant teachers had one less holiday this school year.
The adjustment was made in consultation with the union.
Parents who have not received notice should check with their school to find out whether their children are affected.
A 46-year-old Honolulu man was taken to the hospital in critical condition late Friday night after being involved in a crash with another motorcycle at the intersection of Pensacola and Hopaka streets, authorities said.
Police said a 42-year-old Kailua man driving a 2003 Harley-Davidson was on Hopaka stopped at a stop sign facing west at 9:55 p.m. The Honolulu man, driving a 2002 Harley, was westbound on Hopaka when he failed to stop, police said.
The moving bike sideswiped the first motorcycle, causing the moving bike to overturn, police said. The Honolulu man was thrown from the bike and suffered head injuries. He was taken to The Queen's Medical Center.
The Kailua man was not injured. Neither man was wearing a helmet. Alcohol may have been a factor in the accident, police said.
A new crosswalk on Young Street near Kaheka Street, installed to help senior citizens cross the busy road, will be dedicated at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
City Councilwoman Ann Kobayashi said the nearest crosswalks in the area were far apart and the seniors often had to avoid speeding cars while crossing the busy road.
"I was very concerned about the families' safety and wanted to make sure drivers were aware of them and slow down," said Kobayashi, who initiated the $600 project.
The crosswalk is near Pawa'a Neighborhood Park and the One Kalakaua Senior Living center.
Honolulu police and the Department of Human Services are asking for the public's help in locating a 15-year-old girl who has been missing since Feb. 4.
Jeanna Balzan was last seen at a Kailua home. She is 130 to 140 pounds, has a light complexion, dark brown shoulder-length hair, and likes to wear jeans, T-shirts and dark glasses.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call police.
KAPA'A, Kaua'i — The Sierra Club Kaua'i Group will present a program on how to make homes safer from toxins and pollutants. The program will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Kapa'a Library.
The group's Rachel Carson Evening will include a vegan potluck and an hourlong documentary titled "Exposure: Environmental Links to Breast Cancer." Carson was a writer, biologist and ecologist who is considered one of the founders of the environmental movement.
For information, call Karen Tilley at 826-0081.
LAHAINA, Maui — The state has released $821,000 to replace the fire alarm system at Lahainaluna High School.
Construction will be done during the summer break, and is expected to be completed in time for the start of the new school year in August.
Hawai'i's Plantation Village in Waipahu will host a bon dance celebration June 4 from 6 to 10 p.m. The village is at 94-695 Waipahu St.
Bon is an annual Japanese Buddhist tradition bringing families together to honor ancestral spirits. Among the foods being offered for sale will be plantation-style chicken hekka.
There is no admission charge; parking also is free.
Kaimuki residents and business owners will discuss the city's plan to improve parking in the area at 3 p.m. Wednesday on the third floor of Victoria Inn on 12th Avenue.
Earlier this month, the city proposed a plan to spend about $512,000 to make improvements to the municipal parking lot between 11th and 12th avenues and Wai'alae and Harding avenues. The lot would be converted from metered parking to attendant parking. It also would be resurfaced and restriped, have larger medians, new sidewalks and better lighting.
The smaller public parking lot between 12th and Koko Head avenues would remain metered.
Several people complained that the plan would not work and was not part of the recommendation developed by the city and the community.
The group is meeting again to decide whether to support the city's new plan or to seek changes.
For more information, call Naomi Masuno at 733-8160.
Motorcycle crash injures man, 46
New crosswalk for Young Street
Girl, 15, missing since February
Group to discuss pollutants, toxins
Alarm system to be replaced
Plantation Village to host bon dance
Parking problem on the agenda
