Newswatch
Honda and others yesterday testified against a City Council resolution that could result in non-Hawaiian names for new streets. Street names have been required to be Hawaiian since 1978.
Honda said eliminating the requirement for Hawaiian street names would send the wrong message and be a step backward.
The City Council adopted the resolution yesterday in a 6-3 vote. Council Chairman John DeSoto, the only native Hawaiian on the panel, was joined by members Duke Bainum and Steve Holmes in voting against the measure.
The resolution urges the Department of Land Utilization come up with a bill to change the street name ordinance.
Charles Rose of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs spoke of "the pain of being Hawaiian" when he goes to Waikiki to find all signs in English and Japanese.
"For those of us of Hawaiian ancestry, we have a special obligation and duty ... to protect and preserve Hawaiian culture," he said.
But not all native Hawaiians were opposed. Lucy Kekela Miller said neighborhoods should be given the opportunity to name their streets in honor of those who've contributed to Hawaii but don't have Hawaiian surnames.
"I love my culture, I love the language," Miller said. "But does that make us less Hawaiian that we don't have a Hawaiian name?"
Elvira Mapuana Aiu said that one day she would like to see a street named after Hawaiian activist and entertainer George Helm, who was lost at sea.
Meanwhile, non-Hawaii residents need to pay $3 to get to the beach area of the bay.
The City Council gave final approval for the fees yesterday.
Monies collected will be used exclusively for operations and improvements at the facility.
The city is projecting revenues of $1.6 million.
The trial burn will allow the Army to measure emissions from the incinerator to determine if they are safe.
The trial burn is scheduled for the second week of April.
The Army will use the results of emission tests in its Health Risk Assessment of the facility, according to an EPA press release.
Johnston Atoll is located about 800 miles southwest of Hawaii.
Leaders of the Campaign for Justice, which represents Higashide and the 2,200 other Japanese Latin Americans abducted and detained during World War II, arrived in Washington this week to press their case to Congress and President Clinton.
The campaign already has made a believer of Rep. Patsy Mink, D-rural Oahu/neighbor islands. Mink, saying the incident "casts shame on this country," agreed to deliver to Clinton 4,000 form letters urging the president to grant compensation.
Mink suggested the president should issue an executive order making the surviving internees eligible for compensation.
The letters also urge an executive order, stating: "This callous denial of redress is inexcusable when it is undisputed that it was the U.S. government who forced the Japanese Latin Americans to be brought here for incarceration in camps and forced prisoner exchange with Japan."
Leaders of the Campaign for Justice, including a few of the surviving internees, also plan to meet with several members of Congress, including Hawaii Sen. Daniel Akaka, during their stay here.
Higashide, 88, who has lived in Hawaii since 1973, did not make the trip to Washington. But he has been one of the leaders of the campaign for redress.
Killed were Lester Ramoran of Pukalani and Heidi Franco of Makawao. Both were 28 years old.
Police said a car driven by Franco crossed the double line going down Haleakala Highway and passed several cars before it collided with the car driven in the opposite direction by Ramoran at about 10 a.m. yesterday.
Ramoran's wife, La Perla S. Ramoran, was transferred to Queen's Hospital, where she was in guarded condition this morning.
The Ramorans' 8-month-old daughter has improved from guarded condition at Maui Memorial Hospital, a hospital spokeswoman said.
The two deaths were the second and third this year on Maui, compared to six for the same period last year.
Police were still investigating the accident.
Police did not immediately release the woman's name. The accident took place on the portion of Highway 130 that bypasses Pahoa, they said.
Firefighters found the driver trapped in the car, they said. She was removed but died on the way to Hilo Hospital.
They were Hector Camacho, 22, David Pina, 24, and Gerardo Castrejon, 24. The driver was listed as Edi Petrez, 19, whose name was previously given by friends as Eddie Petri.
The men were identified through fingerprint analysis and by family members and friends, police said.
Hilo resident Jesus Sanchez, who works closely with the Mexican community, said a service for the four men is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pahoa.
Because the men were all poor and funeral expenses are burdensome, contributions are being accepted for their families, Sanchez said.
Donations should be sent to the Mexican Memorial Fund at the Puna Federal Credit Union, 16-589 Old Volcano Road, Keaau, HI 96749.
Charges are pending against a 27-year-old man arrested in connection with the 8 p.m. incident.
The victim and suspect apparently got into an argument in a restroom at 1130 N. Nimitz and agreed to take it outside, police said.
The victim had the suspect in a headlock when the suspect allegedly pulled out a 6-inch dagger and stabbed the older man, police said.
The victim was taken to an area hospital in guarded condition, police said.
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