The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for funding from farmers and ranchers with threats to soil, water and related natural resources. Money available to help
farmers protect soil, waterThe deadline to submit applications is Jan. 15.
The majority of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Quality Incentives Program financial assistance will go to the Hamakua Coast and Kau on the Big Island as well as Kalae and Molokai East on Molokai.
These areas have problems with erosion, sedimentation, animal waste and noxious weeds, a department spokeswoman said.
"We are focusing on farming areas and operations that have the most critical problems in order to protect Hawaiian's natural resources and water quality," state conservationist Ken Kaneshiro said.
Farmers and ranchers outside of these geographic areas may be eligible for funding if they have the same kinds of problems.
Financial assistance is available of up to 75 percent of eligible expenses for implementing a system of conservation practices that includes planting grasses, removing weeds and composting animal waste.
Applicants whose bids are accepted can receive up to $50,000 for a 5- to 10-year contract.
Interested farmers and ranchers are asked to call their local USDA Farm Service Agency or a Natural Resources Conservation Service field office to receive more information.
Repair work scheduled for Kailua sinkhole
A collapsed sewer line that caused a sinkhole on Hamakua Drive in Kailua Aug. 24 is slated for repair work starting Nov. 12.The city will continue to use a portable diesel pump and buried piping to bypass sewage around the collapsed line while repairs are made.
Hawaiian Dredging Construction will do the work -- replacing 600 feet of sewer line with a new line of the same 27-inch size.
Work will be carried out to have the least effect on residents and businesses, the city said.
The two center lanes along Hamakua Drive will be closed in 150-foot segments. Left turns there will not be permitted but will be allowed along the remaining stretch of Hamakua. Work on each segment should take 21/2 weeks.
Scenting agents will counteract occasional odors.
Work is scheduled to be completed by Jan 9, 1999.
Extended work hours and possible night work should speed things up, but no work will be done on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's weekends, the city said.
Hearings scheduled on homes commission
The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has begun discussions on whether the Hawaiian Homes Commission should be elected instead of appointed.The series if statewide community forums was requested in a resolution this year from the state Legislature. The first meeting was held yesterday in the State Capitol.
The remaining dates, times and locations are:
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. today, Paukukalo Community Center, Maui.
Maile Bay of Bay Pacific Consulting is conducting the forums. Call 947-1523 for more information.
Neighbor islanders can call toll free at (888) 558-1523.
The findings and recommendations will be reported to the 1999 Legislature.
Scholar-author to give free lecture series
Walter Brueggemann, a well-known scholar, author and lecturer on the Old Testament, will speak at a series of free public lectures beginning tomorrow at the Church of the Crossroads.The events are sponsored by the church in celebration of its 75th anniversary.
Brueggemann is the William Marcellus McPheeters professor of Old Testament at the Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga.
He will speak at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow on "The Either/Or of Faith," Saturday on "The Wonder of Sabbath Time," and Sunday on "Knowing the Right Time."
Brueggemann will also present a workshop for clergy and laity on preaching from the Old Testament. Reservations, at $25 per person, are required for the seminar from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Call 949-2220.
He has lectured widely and is the author of several books, including "Theology of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute, Advocacy," which was named book of the year for 1998 by the Academy of Parish Clergy.
Others include "Cadences of Home: Preaching Among Exiles" and "The Psalms and the Life of Faith." He has been honored by the Colgate University, DePauw University, Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, Calif., Eden Theological Seminary and the British Society for Old Testament Study.
Navy awards contract for Pearl Harbor work
A $7.79 million Navy contract to Nordic Construction will add a central receiving/container operations facility to Pearl Harbor's Fleet and Industrial Supply Center.Work is expected to be completed in April 2002.
Articles in some editions of yesterday's Hawaii Inc. and in the Oct. 24 Star-Bulletin had an incorrect name for Sukamto Sia, owner of Bank of Honolulu. CORRECTION
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffMoanalua firefighters aid dog, then the owner
Firefighters at Moanalua Fire Station jumped into action Tuesday when a woman brought her Maltese terrier there after the dog had stopped breathing at about 5:30 p.m.Firefighters began resuscitating the dog, and the owner asked to use the telephone to call her veterinarian. But she collapsed in full cardiac arrest on her way to the telephone, according to a news release from the city. Firefighters had to shock her with the defibrillator twice before reviving her.
When the ambulance arrived, she was talking and her dog was barking. The woman remains hospitalized.
Inmate dies after having breathing problems
A 22-year-old Halawa Prison inmate died last night after having problems breathing.Police have initially ruled out foul play.
However, homicide detectives will complete the investigation. At 10:40 p.m., the man was moved to the prison's hospital.
He later died at Pali Momi Hospital, police said.
Two swimmers rescued off Portlock shore
Firefighters rescued two male swimmers yesterday about 50 yards off shore from Lumahai Street at Portlock.Azroy Salim, 29, who had become exhausted in the heavy surf, went to Straub Hospital after he was picked up by the Fire Department helicopter. He was was confined at Straub and listed as stable.
An unnamed companion was picked up by a Fire Department rescue boat but did not require medical assistance.
Man held for threats with nail gun, stapler
Police yesterday arrested a man for allegedly threatening another man's life with a nail gun and a drywall stapler.The suspect, 37, insulted the man at a Victoria Street address on Monday, police said.
The suspect then reportedly aimed the nail gun and the stapler at the man's chest.
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