Ailing OHA budget chairman Aiona bows out
WAILUKU -- A physically ailing Abraham Aiona stepped down as an Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee yesterday, starting a search for a successor and raising questions again about the elected body's future leadership.Trustees unanimously agreed to select an interim trustee from a list of not less than five candidates.
The appointee could be chosen as early as the trustees' meeting on May 28, serving until a successor takes office after the Nov. 3 general election.
Political observers point out that six of the nine trustees must agree on a candidate -- a number they were unable to gather while attempting to select a replacement for trustee Billie Beamer, who died Jan. 25.
A faction led by OHA Chairwoman A. Frenchy DeSoto couldn't reach agreement with another faction led by trustee Clayton Hee.
The appointment power eventually shifted to Gov. Ben Cayetano, who selected Gladys Brandt on April 22.
Brandt has supported DeSoto as chairwoman.
The atmosphere yesterday was conciliatory, as trustees held a luau in Aiona's honor.
Aiona, a former Maui County police chief and council member, is undergoing dialysis treatment three times a week because of nonfunctioning kidneys.
HMSA will boost the price of some health plans July 1
Premiums on some plans offered by the Hawaii Medical Service Association will go up one-half to 2 percent in the fiscal year beginning July 1, while others remain the same.Fred Fortin, HMSA vice president of community relations, said the announcement of "little or no adjustments to our community-rated group health plans points to our serious commitment to keeping health care costs affordable for Hawaii's people."
The cost of the Preferred Provider Plan for community-rated groups will go up 2 percent in July, with dues of $148.36 for a single plan and $413.92 for a family plan.
Average monthly dues will remain at $133.82 for a single plan and $373.36 for a family plan for Health Plan Hawaii Plus, HMSA's most popular managed care plan for community-rated groups.
Choice Medical, where employees choose from several plans and a range of benefits, includes the Preferred Provider Plan and two HMO options -- Health Plan Hawaii Plus and the Queen's/HMSA Premier Plan. Health Plan Hawaii offers access to Hawaii's largest provider network, with 22 health centers and hundreds of physicians and select provider networks. Subscribers and family members may select their own health center, based on convenience and preference.
Dues for the Queen's/HMSA Premier Plan, combining experience of Queen's Medical Center, the Queen's Physician Group and HMSA, will increase one-half percent. Average monthly dues will be $123.02 for a single plan, $343.22 for a family plan.
HMSA last year provided health care coverage to more than 600,000 members.
Center for the deaf to mark 10th year
A center to help deaf people, located at Kapiolani Community College, will mark its 10th anniversary with a 9 a.m.-noon reception May 30 in the Ohia Building at Kapiolani.It is the Gallaudet University Regional Center. The reception will bring together friends of the center to enjoy a program featuring performances by deaf and hard-of-hearing groups.
I. King Jordan, president of Washington, D.C.-based Gallaudet University, will speak. He made headlines 10 years ago when he became Gallaudet's first deaf president after students had protested the earlier appointment of a hearing president.
'Bud' Smyser honored by literary group
Adam A. "Bud" Smyser, Honolulu Star-Bulletin contributing editor, was honored this week at the annual "Roselani" dinner of the Honolulu Chapter of the National Society of Arts and Letters.Smyser has held a number of editorial and management positions at the paper over the years. He has been billed as "Writer, Columnist, Editor, Philosopher and Commentator Par Excellence."
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Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffFire crews continue to battle brush fire
Fire crews this morning were battling a brush fire in Nanakuli which started yesterday afternoon near Lualualei Naval Road.The crews were called back out this morning at 4:47 a.m., fire officials said.
Meanwhile, the blaze that scorched nearly 300 acres of abandoned sugarcane land in Honokai Hale (photo at right) has been extinguished.
Wahiawa auto crash fatality is identified
The 43-year-old Wahiawa man who was killed in a Sunday car accident on Kunia Road has been identified by the medical examiner's office as Wilhelm Shaffer.Police said alcohol and speed are possible factors in the collision.
Kauai police searching for Kapaa store robber
KAPAA, Kauai -- Police are searching for a man who robbed the Island Hemp & Cotton store here yesterday.Police said the man was waving a knife and demanded cash from the clerk. The robber is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall with light blue eyes. He was reportedly wearing a long-sleeved dirty white T-shirt and trousers.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 808-241-6725.
In other news...
LIHUE -- A 28-year-old Kapaa man was arrested by Kauai police yesterday for threatening a man with a rifle near Kekaha County Park.
Police said the victim and the suspect appeared to know each other and the incident may be drug-related.
Firefighters quickly doused the flames of the 2:05 a.m. blaze, leaving the frame intact, police said. The lack of electricity in the structure led to suspicions about the fire's origins, they said.
The woman did not suffer serious injuries.
The blaze, believed caused by a cigarette, broke out Monday and was declared contained yesterday.
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