Honolulu police officers are unhappy about a new overtime-cutting plan affecting their work schedules. HPD overtime cuts irk officers
Rod Ohira, Star-BulletinThe new plan, implemented Sunday when the department rotated its three watches, utilizes temporary schedule adjustments to eliminate overtime costs incurred during rotation periods.
Chief Lee Donohue says the plan will save $300,000 annually.
When shifts are rotated every 6-7 weeks, personnel on two of the three watches must return to work with less than 12 hours rest. As compensation for the quick turnaround, on-duty officers were paid four hours overtime.
Under the new plan, the entire watch does not rotate together to a new time slot. To cut back overtime, schedules have been adjusted around days off so only rested officers are rotated.
What no one is willing to say publicly is that Monday's abnormally high number of absences due to illness in HPD's Windward Oahu District may be related to the new plan.
Thirteen of 19 officers called in sick Monday on their first scheduled workday following watch rotation. The officers were assigned to a quick turnaround shift.
HILO -- A bill to ban aggressive panhandling in downtown Hilo has been approved by the Finance Committee of the Hawaii County Council as a first step in making the measure a law. Big Isle council committee
By Rod Thompson, Star-Bulletin
passes panhandling billCouncilwoman Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, who introduced the bill, says it would ban activity such as a panhandler following a person to a car while demanding money, but would not prevent a simple request for money.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii called it "a mean-spirited attempt to stifle the First Amendment rights of the less fortunate."
Leithead-Todd said a panhandler followed her and her children, ages 7 and 9, from a movie to her car one night, and she feared for her safety. But the reason she introduced the bill was a request from police and merchants.
Officer Randy Apele told the council committee that the typical panhandler is 30 to 40 years old, has some form of housing and income, and gains $50-$75 per day extra which is frequently used to purchase drugs.
The Honolulu City Council is hoping to get it right the second time around in approving the "Block J" downtown housing project. Housing plan sent for
By Pat Omandam, Star-Bulletin
second Council OKTwo weeks ago, the Council approved a resolution supporting the $167 million twin-tower affordable-housing project. But Deputy Corporation Counsel David C. Laxson on Sept. 29 told the Council the measure was incomplete and inaccurate, necessitating a new resolution.
This morning, Council Policy Committee Chairman Jon Yoshimura cited the procedural problem: The entire development and lease agreement was not attached to a floor draft of the resolution.
The committee used today's second chance to re-question city officials and developers for nearly an hour on how much money the project will generate for the city's park dedication fund, and what checks and balances there are to avoid financial difficulties.
City planner Keith Ishida assured the panel the city, developer Block J and Associates and others will ensure its completion.
Block J's developers are proposing 913 housing units on a 103,000-square-foot site bounded by Pali Highway, South Beretania, Queen Emma and Kukui streets. There will also be commercial space and 1,896 parking stalls.
The new approved resolution now heads to the full Council.
More eligible for food stamps in November
Food stamps for some noncitizens will be restored Nov. 1, Gov. Ben Cayetano has announced.Among those who will again be eligible for food stamps are noncitizens who were legally in the United States on Aug. 22, 1996; are age 65 or older; are under age 18; or receive disability or blindness assistance. Also eligible are American Indians born in Canada and members of a Hmong or Highland Laotian tribe.
Eligibility of some groups -- such as refugees, Cubans, Haitians and Amerasians -- will be extended five to seven years.
"We welcome this action by the federal government to make good on its promise to help needy noncitizens who were dropped from the food stamp program by federal law two years ago," Cayetano said yesterday.
"Nevertheless, the state of Hawaii continued to aid low-income families with cash assistance even though Congress had revoked their welfare eligibility."
Hawaii welfare programs have reduced benefits while requiring people to work or look for work or undergo job training, Cayetano said.
"The federal extension is important because some would have become ineligible in the near future," said Susan Chandler, director of the state Department of Human Services.
For more information, call the Food Stamp Program Office at 586-5738.
Crews clean up Bellows
Workers cut vegetation and cleaned unexploded ordnance from the ground at Bellows Air Force Station yesterday in preparation for returning 139 acres to the state of Hawaii. Above, Brad Lasater looked at the business end of a piece of machinery used to trim haole koa bushes. Right, Lasater displayed blank ammunition and simulated booby trap caps found in the area.
Depression screenings offered free tomorrow
In recognition of National Depression Screening Day, free screenings are available to the public tomorrow at various Oahu and Big Island sites.The Mental Health Association is sponsoring the screenings with the Hawaii Psychological Association, University of Hawaii, Brigham Young University, Kahi Mohala, Hawaii State Hospital, Hawaii Black Nurses Association, Castle Counseling Services and mental health service providers.
The goal is to educate the public about the symptoms of depression and link people who need treatment to appropriate mental health services, the Mental Health Association said.
Sites include Borders at Ward Center, BYU campus in Laie, UH Manoa and UH West Oahu, Windward Mall, Pearlridge Center, Castle Counseling Services, Tripler Hospital and Kahi Mohala in Ewa Beach and in Hilo. For more information call the Mental Health Association in Hawaii, 521-1846.
Oahu elepaio suggested for endangered list
A small bird that lives only on Oahu mountain forests has been proposed for listing as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act.Biologists believe there may only be 200-500 of the Oahu elepaio left.
If it is listed as endangered, government agencies and private landowners would need to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service when projects might affect its habitat.
Comments, which will be accepted until Dec. 7, can be sent to Robert P. Smith, manager Pacific Islands Ecoregion, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Box 50088, Honolulu, HI 96850.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffCoffee machine causes fire at college
Fire investigators determined that yesterday morning's blaze at Kapiolani Community College was started by a coffee machine that was left on overnight.A fire investigator said it is important for people to unplug coffee machines at work. He said if the machines are left on, they can crack, melt and burn the coffee pot.
In other news . . .
Fire officials said a blaze that caused $180,000 damage to a Kaneohe home Monday night was caused by an electrical short in the refrigerator.
The 26-year-old suffered serious head injuries and was unconscious. He was taken to Queen's Hospital in critical condition where he underwent surgery. The 23-year-old was also taken to Queen's Hospital where he remains in good condition.
The suspect, 43, refused to pay the fare and reportedly punched the driver at Ward Avenue and Green Street at 5:15 a.m., police said. The suspect then put the vehicle in reverse, causing the car to strike a wall.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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