McVeigh granted more time as court reviews his lawsuit
The Navy has granted a request by Senior Chief Petty Officer Timothy McVeigh to remain in the Navy until Tuesday while a federal judge reviews his lawsuit defying the Navy's plan to dismiss him over claims he is gay.McVeigh, no relation to the Oklahoma City bomber, filed suit in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., last week alleging the Navy violated his privacy and the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military.
McVeigh, a 17-year Navy veteran, until September was the senior enlisted sailor on the nuclear attack submarine USS Chicago homeported at Pearl Harbor.
He maintains that the Navy unlawfully obtained information from America On Line without a warrant or court order as required by the federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986.
AOL has said it regrets disclosing McVeigh's identity to a Navy paralegal.
Moanalua High School to start earlier, end later
Moanalua High School is extending its school day to offer students more choices.The Board of Education last night approved the school's request to implement a new schedule this fall that would have some students starting classes as early as 7 a.m. and ending as late as 4 p.m.
The school is also expanding its year to accommodate the extra classes. The school year will begin Aug. 7 for freshman orientation -- Aug. 10 for all other grades -- and end June 10.
School board members last night lauded the school for its creativity in extending the school day.
Moanalua's current instructional hours are 8:30 a.m. to anywhere between 1:40 to 2 p.m. With the new schedule, students can take "early bird" or "late bird" classes that in the past they could not fit into their schedule. Students had been locked into six periods and could take only one or two electives each year.
The new schedule would give students such as Chad Brownstein more options. "If I take Spanish and band, I won't have much choice for electives," he said. "If I can take Spanish after school, I can take another elective."
To ensure students were being offered relevant courses, teachers were asked to drop classes that were not aligned with Hawaii's Content and Performance Standards or were no longer relevant and to propose new courses that would not cost much or require extra personnel.
Students suggested courses such as personal finance, computer communications or television drama. With 23 new courses planned this school year, schedule changes had to be made.
"It's exciting, it's different, but most importantly it's driven by the curriculum," said Moanalua principal Jacqueline Heupel.
Water group files notice of appeal on Waiahole Ditch decision
After three years of hearings, fund-raising and protests, the Waiahole-Waikane Community Association is not about to let the Waiahole Ditch water controversy dry up without a final fight.Saying the 1997 Christmas Eve decision by the state Commission on Water Resource Management did not comply with laws that protect streams and the environment, the association yesterday filed a notice of appeal with the Hawaii Supreme Court.
"After shifting to our community the burdens of bringing experts from around the country to testify on the importance of restoring the streams and estuary, the state gave away the stream water to almost anyone who asked for it," said Waiahole farmer Charlie Reppun.
Attorney Paul Achitoff said the association, Hakipu'u Ohana and Ka Lahui Hawaii will ask justices to increase the guaranteed flow to Waiahole Stream, and restore flow to Waikane stream.
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Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffMan with gun robs Waipahu Subway shop
Police are searching for an armed man who robbed a Waipahu Subway restaurant last night.The man entered the establishment at 7:30 p.m. and reportedly gave the clerk a note demanding money, police said. The suspect displayed a handgun.
Police said the man fled with an undisclosed amount of money.
The suspect is described as a 5-foot-6-inch tall Polynesian man in his 20s, 160 pounds and wearing a black jacket.
Puna protester struck by car in Hilo dies
HILO -- A Puna man who was hit by a car Jan. 10 while crossing a Hilo street outside a crosswalk died yesterday in Hilo Hospital, police said.He was identified as Clair Eugene Fulks, 47, of Kurtistown.
Fulks was a protester in a number of causes including opposition to geothermal energy. The driver of the car that hit him was not injured. The case is under investigation.
Tree trimmer killed in fall is identified
WAILUKU -- The man who died while trimming a tree on Molokai this week has been identified as 55-year-old Saia Palu.Palu fell from the tree near Kamehameha V Highway in Kawela Wednesday morning.
Police said he was last seen about 40 feet off the ground before the fall.
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