Senate passes bill to control copter flight over parks
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Senate today passed legislation aimed at controlling the noisy, ever-increasing air tours that for years have bothered visitors to national parks, including Haleakala and Hawaii Volcanoes.Crafted by Hawaii Sen. Daniel Akaka, D, and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the proposal calls for the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Park Service, with input from local park officials and nearby residents, to draw up a plan regulating the air tours at every affected park.
The plans could control routes, flight altitudes and paths, and the number of flights.
The legislation was hailed by environmentalists and park advocates for addressing a long-ignored problem, and for giving the park service - and not just the FAA - a say on flights.
"We've been pushing for this for years," said Jerome Uher of the National Parks and Conservation Association.
Akaka said air tours have a legitimate right to fly tourists over parks, but can pose a safety hazard and a nuisance.
"It is vital that we develop a clear, consistent national policy on this issue, one that equitably and rationally prioritizes the respective interests of the aviation and environmental communities," he said.
The proposal is part of the FAA reauthorization bill for next year. The House version includes a less comprehensive amendment on park overflights, and the differences will have to be worked out by a House-Senate conference committee before Congress adjourns next month.
Akaka said he was confident that flight restrictions will be included in the final FAA bill.
Surprise search at Big Isle prison
HILO -- A surprise search of Kulani Prison on Tuesday produced little evidence of irregularities but put inmates on notice that they are subject to search at any time, says state Public Safety Director Keith Kaneshiro.The shakedown was conducted because of reports Kaneshiro received of contraband at the prison and rules not being followed.
The 210-inmate facility sits at a mile-high elevation on the side of Mauna Loa, about 20 miles west of Hilo.
No drugs were found, although drug-sniffing dogs alerted on one area, Kaneshiro said. Inmates associated with that area were given drug tests with negative results.
Agents found one inmate with a prescription drug that had been improperly refilled under an old prescription, Kaneshiro said.
They also found a fork and a sharpened piece of glass wrapped in tissue paper which could be used as a knife.
The discoveries did not result in charges against any inmates.
Diesel fuel 'all cleaned up' at Barbers Point
A spill of an estimated 50 gallons of diesel fuel at Barbers Point has been cleaned up, says Gordon Smith, president of Smith Maritime.The company and Tesoro Hawaii were involved in the spill about 5 p.m. Wednesday in the harbor.
The spill is smaller than the Aug. 24 oil spill that killed and injured a number of seabirds.
Smith said a Coast Guard officer checking the scene gave assurances yesterday afternoon "that it looks like it's all cleaned up."
The Coast Guard continued checking yesterday to ensure there were no more problems, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Angel Deimler. "There hasn't been a report of any more spill."
Smith Maritime hired a contractor to do the cleanup.
Oil detectors left out yesterday picked up no signs of fuel still in the water, Smith said last night.
"What happened Wednesday night was, we were loading a barge when the spill occured," said Tesoro spokesman Nathan Hokama. "The product being transferred from the refinery to the barge was diesel fuel."
Classes being offered on how to raise kids
Being a parent is hard enough, but it's even more difficult if your child is an adolescent.Academy of the Pacific and Straub Hospital are sponsoring classes for parents, grandparents and guardians to help sharpen parenting skills.
The classes are offered tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Academy of the Pacific, 913 Alewa Drive.
Topics to be discussed include how to talk to your teen about sex, motivating the underachieving adolescent, parental stress, teen self-esteem and how to keep your teenagers safe.
Participants can sign up for three classes. Call 595-6359 for reservations. Space is limited. $45 includes continental breakfast and lunch.
State Library will teach you how to use Internet
The Hawaii State Library is offering free classes on how to use the Hawaii State Public Library System's Internet computers.Classes began this month at the Internet personal computers in the library's front lobby.
Sign up at the Information Desk or call 586-3617 to reserve a time.
A class will be held 9 a.m. tomorrow. Other classes are scheduled for noon on Tuesdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays on the following dates: Oct. 6, 10, 20 and 24; Nov. 10, 14, 24 and 28; and Dec. 1, 5, 15 and 19.
Health Dept., library garner annual awards
State Health Department personnel were named State Employee of the Year and State Manager of the Year, Gov. Ben Cayetano announced yesterday.Receiving the manager's award was Fay Nakamoto, manager of the department's Women, Infants and Children Services Branch.
During the past 21 months, Nakamoto has led her branch to stay within budget -- implementing the first major cost-containment strategy in two decades -- increase efficiency and achieve a significant caseload growth, according to the governor's office.
The employee's award was given to registered nurse Alejandra Ramos, who practices "tons of random acts of kindness" daily, the office said.
On her own time and at her own expense, Ramos buys groceries and appliances for her clients, and gives birthday cakes and Christmas gifts to children who otherwise wouldn't get them.
A panel of judges also chose the Hawaii State Library's "team maintenance" program as the State Team of the Year.
Program members kept the main library clean, friendly and safe for patrons, the judges said.
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffTeen threatened tutu kane with knife, police say
Police last night arrested an Aiea teen-ager for allegedly threatening his grandfather with a knife and metal pipe.The 18-year-old, who lives with his grandfather, was drinking at a neighbor's house, police said. When his grandfather, 61, tried to take him home, the teen ran away.
He then reportedly swung a metal pipe at his grandfather. When the grandfather took the pipe away, the teen threatened him with a knife, police said.
Police arrived and arrested the young man, who was booked for first-degree terroristic threatening.
Firefighters clean up chemical spill at airport
The Fire Department's hazardous-materials unit yesterday cleaned up a chemical spill at Delta Air Lines' cargo-loading area at Honolulu Airport.Unit Capt. Alex Beck said some chemical hardeners destined for Bangkok spilled in three different areas shortly after 3 p.m.
The cleanup effort was difficult because the unit's equipment truck was wrecked in an accident Sept. 10 on Pali Highway. A smaller truck has been temporarily assigned to the unit, but it cannot carry the full load of equipment, Beck said.
A trailer ordered for the truck has not yet arrived. The department is looking for a new vehicle to replace the damaged one, Beck said.
Three boys arrested in preschool burglaries
Three boys were arrested yesterday in connection with a series of burglaries at the Waianae Coast Preschool.The boys -- ages 11, 9 and 9 -- face second-degree burglary charges. Two of the boys are brothers. Police expect to arrest one more 11-year-old youth.
The school has been reporting burglaries since Sept. 11.
Armed-robbery suspect, 45, caught in Waianae
A 45-year-old man wanted by CrimeStoppers was arrested yesterday in Waianae.Police arrested Adonis Wilson in connection with a Sept. 7 armed robbery at the Sunflower Apartments in Waianae.
He also was arrested on a $50,000 warrant.
In February, Wilson was charged with felony assault for allegedly stabbing another person with a knife.
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