A new study shows the use of physical restraints in Hawai'i nursing homes has declined by 60 percent since 2002.

The data is part of an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality report.

It shows a decline of 40 percent nationwide in the use of restraints such as bed rails or wheelchair belts.

A 1987 law outlaws the use of restraints to discipline or restrict patients as a convenience for the nursing home. They can only be used for medical reasons, such as to prevent a patient from tearing out an intravenous feed.

The report compares two months in 2002 with two in 2006.

For Hawai'i, it shows 7.5 percent of nursing home patients were regularly put in some kind of restraint in 2002, with only 3 percent in 2006.

Nationwide, 5.9 percent of patients were physically restrained repeatedly in 2006. That's a drop from 9.7 percent in 2002.

BOY, 17, ARRESTED IN ASSAULT CASE

A 17-year-old boy was arrested early yesterday in Kalihi for questioning in an assault investigation involving two male victims.

The men, ages 22 and 20, told police they were hit with metal pipes after being confronted by a group of 10 males at an undisclosed location. Police arrested the juvenile at 12:30 a.m. for investigation of two counts of second-degree assault and one count of third-degree assault.

One of the victims also was punched in the right eye, police said.

DLNR WORKSHOP ON PLANTS, ANIMALS

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a workshop on Maui next week for landowners interested in conservation of native plants and animals.

DLNR, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is offering a free workshop titled "Landowner Assistance: Environmental Conservation and Restoration."

The workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 3 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, in the Alexa Higashi Meeting Room.

For more information, and to register, e-mail Charmian.C.Dang@hawaii.gov or call 587-4155. The registration deadline is March 28.

MAKIKI LIBRARY OBSERVES RENEWAL

Makiki Community Library yesterday celebrated the completion of renovations to the facility, which has been closed since September 2005.

Ron Paik, president of the library's board of directors, said it will take about two more months for volunteers to get the library ready for patrons. The library is run by volunteers and donations, and will have to hire a part-time librarian before it can have regular hours, he said.

The city paid for the renovations to the library, but ran into structural and other problems that caused delays. The library is the only community library in the state financed by donations. The library is at 1527 Ke'eaumoku St.

REP. OBERSTAR WILL VISIT MAUI TODAY

U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is scheduled to do a flyover tour today of the most critical infrastructure needs on Maui.

The flyover tour, which starts at 2:50 p.m., will cover Honoapi'ilani Highway from Ma'alaea to Lahaina; a section of Pi'ilani Highway between Kipahulu and Kaupo closed since being damaged by an October 2006 earthquake; the proposed location for the new Upcountry raw-water storage reservoirs; and Kahului Harbor.

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawai'i, and Maui County Mayor Charmaine Tavares are sponsoring the event.