Big Isle 'school within school' fate uncertain
A decision has been delayed on whether to end a popular three-year program at a Big Island school that promotes smaller schools as a way of enhancing student performance.A Department of Education representative met last night with parents of Mountain View Elementary to discuss their concerns after principal Clifton Iwamoto announced this week that the program "Connections" would not be back for the 1998-99 school year.
Iwamoto, who joined the school in September, told his staff that the program was causing dissension among teachers and that he wanted to refocus his attention on meeting the needs of the entire school population.
The decision was made, however, without discussing it with parents, teachers, students and community members who have supported and have been with the program since it began.
Iwamoto could not be reached for comment.
The decision came just two days after Mountain View parents and representatives from two other schools appeared before lawmakers on Saturday to talk about their experiences in a smaller school.
"It was incredible to see the enthusiasm and energy of parents and teachers there," said Minority Leader Rep. Quentin Kawananakoa, who led the discussion.
Connections operates as a smaller school of 150 students on the Mountain View campus, which has a total enrollment of 825. The program is run by six teachers who plan a curriculum that builds on what students have learned the previous year.
The size helps students to build more solid relationships with their classmates and for teachers to get to know students and their parents.
"You're creating a smaller community for these children," said Sally Wilburn, a parent and president of the Mountain View parent/teacher/student association.
Taxi independents sue SIDA over airport access
More than 40 independent taxi drivers have filed a class-action suit against SIDA, alleging that the taxi company fails to give them equal access as they pick up customers at the Honolulu Airport.The suit alleges that SIDA, which has the state contract to manage the airport's taxi concession, has violated the "open-access taxi system" under state rules.
They have asked the court to force the company from engaging in unfair and deceptive practices.
Robert D. Kawamura, their attorney, said one SIDA practice requires the independents to buy tickets at $4 each if they want to pick up airport customers.
Kawamura said drivers can buy only four tickets at one time, making it inconvenient for them to operate.
"They're being forced to join a company they don't want to join just to survive," he said.
Kawamura added that SIDA was using the state contract as leverage.
Crystal meth dealer gets 14 years in jail
If Brandon Akana had cooperated with agents when he was arrested for dealing crystal methamphetamine in March 1996, he probably would have faced five years in prison, a federal judge says.But Akana, 26, didn't cooperate until 15 months later when he was charged with conspiring to move about 2-1/2 pounds of "ice."
U.S. District Judge David Ezra yesterday sentenced Akana to 170 months, or about 14 years, in federal prison for conspiring to distribute more than 100 grams of the drug in June 1997 and for distributing more than 10 grams on two occasions in March 1996.
Ezra said because Akana continued to deal drugs after he was released by police in 1996, that "shows a brazenness and lack of accountability that is almost mind-boggling."
He acknowledged Akana's cooperation after June 1997 by granting a government motion to go below his sentencing range of about 17-1/2 to 22 years.
But he also said Akana "didn't cooperate early enough" to drop it to 12-1/2 years, which the government recommended.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Brady said Akana moved large quantities of crystal methamphetamine. "But we believe he's accepted responsibility for his role," Brady said, adding: "We want to reward him for his assistance."
Akana stood and spoke through tears as several family members sat behind him.
"I owe an apology to the community and to Hawaii," he said, wiping his eyes.
First quarter's rainfall third lowest in history
Rain is relieving parched Honolulu.But there's no getting around that March was a dry month -- the third-driest March in recorded history -- since the recording began here in 1874.
The first quarter of this year -- January, February and March -- also checked in as the third-driest first quarter since Honolulu started measuring rainfall.
Only 0.03 of an inch of rain fell last month; only 1.01 inches for the first three months of 1998, the National Weather Service said.
The least Honolulu rainfall in March -- 0.01 of an inch -- fell in 1957; the three-month low -- 0.88 of an inch -- fell in 1878.
Big Isle Police Dept. invites more to apply
HILO -- When the Hawaii County Police Department says it is looking for a few good men and women, the emphasis belongs on the word "good."The department has lots of applicants, but it is also finding that a lot of them don't qualify, so it put out an invitation yesterday for more to come forward.
Applicants must first pass a written test and a physical agility test. They have to undergo background checks, interviews, polygraph testing and urinalysis.
Anyone in the state who is 21, has a drivers license and has good vision can apply by calling the department's 24-hour job hot line at (808) 961-8618.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffPrison inmate arrested for crimes on parole
Police last night arrested a 28-year-old inmate at Oahu Community Correctional Center in connection with five armed robberies and two kidnappings on Oahu.Poepoe Mika Jr., no local address, was being held for the March 25 armed robbery of a Waipahu 7-Eleven, police said. He was charged Sunday with first-degree robbery, felony in possession of a firearm, and other firearms violations; bail is $120,000.
Mika is also on parole in Maui for four counts of first-degree burglary, one count of first-degree robbery, one count of second-degree robbery, auto theft and kidnapping, said a Hawaii Paroling Authority official.
In other news...
Police and FBI agents are searching for a man who robbed the Bank of Hawaii in Ewa Beach yesterday. The man, masked with a red bandanna, entered the bank at 12:53 p.m. and pulled out a large dagger, police said. He took money from several tellers. No injuries were reported.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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