State gets $50,000 to train more tutors
Hawaii will receive $50,000 to train more than 300 reading tutors as part of a national effort to ensure all children can read by the end of third grade.Hawaii Literacy Inc. will administer the funds for the state's America Reads partnership, which includes the Department of Education, Seniors Actively Volunteering in Education, University of Hawaii-Manoa Student Services and Kapiolani Community College.
Kapiolani will receive $13,000 to fund a one-credit course.
Pacific Resources for Education and Learning will distribute the taped course to schools and other literacy-based organizations.
Ed board candidates at community forums
Learn more about Oahu's Board of Education candidates at community forums this month.Voters in the general election will be choosing one candidate each in the Central and Windward districts and three for Oahu at-large seats.
Neighbor-island voters will choose one candidate in the Maui District.
Forums will be held:
Oct. 19: state Capitol Auditorium, 6 p.m., by the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and Hawaii Business Roundtable. 'Olelo will broadcast the forum live on ATTN, Channel 52; reruns will be on Channel 54 at 3 p.m. Oct. 21 and at 5 p.m. Oct. 24.
Also, Ewa Beach Public & School Library, 7 p.m., by the Ewa Beach Community Association.
Federal aid available to west Hawaii farmers
HILO -- The Farm Service Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is reminding drought-stricken farmers and ranchers in west Hawaii that it will pay a portion of measures such as irrigations systems and well-deepening installed to deal with the drought.Temporary measures are eligible for federal payments up to 64 percent of costs, the agency said. Permanent measures may receive up to 50 percent of costs.
Aid is limited to $200,000 per person.
People applying for the assistance must not start work on projects until their request is filed. Filing deadline with the Hilo office is Oct. 31. Call 933-6963.
Bank donates computers for state classrooms
Central Pacific Bank has donated more than 100 used computers to the Hawaii Computers for Schools Program, which converts older used computers for Hawaii's classrooms.AIG Insurance also has donated 185 to the effort this year.
The computers are headed to Halawa Correctional Facility where inmates test, refurbish and upgrade the equipment through the Department of Corrections' prisoner rehabilitation computer repair classes.
Hawaii is the first state to establish an A+ certification program for prison inmates who gain competency as computer repair technicians.
The refurbished computers are distributed statewide to schools that are networked and have computer-trained teachers.
The Detwiler Foundation, the largest supplier of donated computers for California schools, and Gov. Ben Cayetano began Hawaii Computers for Schools last year. Since then the foundation has placed 229 computers in at least 10 Hawaii schools.
Businesses wishing to donate computer equipment may call the foundation at (800) 939-6000, ext. 19.
Abercrombie hails bill to battle tree snake
U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie has hailed Friday's House passage of legislation that provides $400,000 in federal funds to help prevent the spread of brown tree snakes to Hawaii.The funds, earmarked in the fiscal 1999 Agriculture Appropriations conference report, passed the House in a 333-53 vote.
If brown tree snakes became established in Hawaii, it would be devastating, Abercrombie said. "We've seen the environmental damage they've done in Guam, where they've got 12,000 brown tree snakes per square mile. We sure don't want a repeat of that in Hawaii."
Meeting will reveal Lanai Airport plans
The Lanai Airport master plan and noise compatibility program will be aired at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 in the Lanai Public and School Library.The state Transportation Department public meeting will introduce the project planning process and solicit comments.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Search] [Info] section for subscription information.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffTeen dies from shot as he showed sister a gun
HILO -- A 15-year-old boy from the Puna District south of Hilo died of an accidental gunshot wound suffered yesterday while he was showing a revolver to his sister, police said.The identity of the boy, who lived in Paradise Park subdivision, was not released while detectives are continuing the investigation.
Police responding to the 5:55 p.m. call learned that the boy was showing a Smith & Wesson .41-caliber magnum revolver to his 17-year-old sister when the gun went off.
The bullet hit the boy in the neck. He was taken to Hilo Hospital where he died at 7:18 p.m. An autopsy has been ordered.
Waianae Valley blaze brings firefighters back
Firefighters were back in Waianae Valley early today battling another brush fire in the same area as one that threatened homes on either side of Paheehee Ridge last week.The fire, reported about 5:15 a.m., was not posing an immediate threat to property, fire officials said.
Two suspects in robbery at Sierra home arrested
Police yesterday arrested two men on Wilder Street in connection with a home robbery Friday on Sierra Drive in Kaimuki.The suspects, ages 28 and 33, are booked for first- and second-degree robbery, police said.
The younger man allegedly broke into the home and stole $500 after a physical confrontation with a 43-year-old female resident.
He then got into a blue two-door convertible with Maryland license plates, driven by the older suspect, and attempted to flee, police said.
The resident tried to stop the thieves and was thrown from the hood of the car as it sped off. She was not seriously injured.
Motorist who hit 2 men after a fight is sought
Police are looking for man who allegedly struck two men with a dark-colored car following an early-morning fight yesterday at the Eurasia Night Club on Kalakaua Avenue.The two men were standing near the parking lot exit at about 12:15 a.m. when the suspect allegedly drove his car at them.
One of the two men was taken to Kaiser Hospital, where he was reported to be in good condition, police said.
Police are investigating the case as an attempted murder.
Kauai man hurt trying to put out house fire
KILAUEA, Kauai -- A man received second-degree burns trying to extinguish a fire that engulfed his Kilauea home yesterday morning.Fire officials have not yet determined the cause of the fire.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Search] [Info] section for subscription information.
