Beth used to try to drown her anxieties in alcohol. For a while she was only hurting herself. But then she became pregnant and her self-destruction left its mark on the child she was carrying. Recovering alcoholic wants gifts
for son with disabilitiesHer son, Eddie, suffers the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome. At age 6, he needs constant help in learning normal childhood skills.
For the past few years, Beth has been a recovering alcoholic and works part time. She had a little girl two years ago who was born normal. Her husband works full time. They are a close-knit family which has overcome Beth's problems and stuck together in spite of the daily struggles with Eddie's developmental disabilities.
Beth would like Eddie to have a tricycle for Christmas. The family could also use toys and books for the children, twin size bedding, and a small TV/VCR.
If you can help, send a check to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin's Good Neighbor Fund, P.O. Box 2019, Aiea 96701. Or you can donate items to the Community Clearing House in Building 914 at the Kapalama Military Reservation. Call 845-1669.
Dept. of Human Services sued over aid reduction
A Supreme Court decision that invalidated the rules used by the state Department of Human Services to determine cash assistance to disabled people has led to a lawsuit filed against the department, the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii said.Legal Aid filed the lawsuit on behalf of four disabled adults who have been receiving reduced general assistance benefits since July 1995, when the rules went into effect.
General assistance benefits are cash paid to disabled Hawaii residents who have no other means of support. The cash benefits are currently $340 a month.
The lawsuit asks a Circuit Court judge to raise the monthly benefits to $418, the amount disabled people received before the rules were implemented.
"A difference of $78 may not sound like a lot to many people, but for our clients it can mean the difference between a roof over their head and being homeless," Legal Aid lawyer Barbara Fabrey said.
The state Supreme Court in September struck down the rules in a lawsuit brought by Big Island welfare recipient Carl Foytik.
Kennedy to speak on psychology of epilepsy
Psychologist Reneau Kennedy will be a guest speaker at the Epilepsy Support Group at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Paki Hale, 3840 Paki Ave.She will speak on "Psychology and Epilepsy," covering the psychological impact of epilepsy on people with epilepsy; the relationships with family, fellow workers and in society in general; the long-term effects of epilepsy on people, learning to master the disorder and helping children manage it. The group meets each first Wednesday of the month.
Kennedy received her doctorate at Boston University and also was a fellow at Harvard. She is in independent private practice.
The public is invited. For more information, call 735-4000 or 737-5736.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffOffice trailer burns at industrial park
An early morning fire today at an office trailer at Campbell Industrial Park caused an estimated $150,000 in damage, according to the Honolulu Fire Department.Firefighters from four stations responded to the 3:05 a.m. alarm, which was under control in 10 minutes and extinguished at 3:55 a.m.
The fire was located at 91-125 Koami Loop, which is the home of Unitek Corp. in Kapolei.
Pair of 19-year-olds charged in stabbing
Police yesterday charged two 19-year-old men with attempted murder after one of the men allegedly stabbed a third man while the three were drinking Friday night.Arnel Lacar of Koele Way in Wahiawa and Phillip Espina of Kihi Street in Ewa Beach face charges of second-degree attempted murder. Bail was set at $100,000 each.
The two men were allegedly drinking with another 19-year-old man at Lacar's house in Wahiawa between 6 and 9:15 p.m. Friday when one of the suspects and the victim got into an argument. Police said the victim was stabbed several times before he ran to a neighbor's house and collapsed on the front lawn.
Man missing 3 weeks found dead on Big Isle
HILO -- The body of John Lindsey, 84, of Waimea, missing since he went to the Saddle Road area to pick kookoolau for medicinal tea on Nov. 8, was found Saturday by two hunters, police said.Lindsey's body was found nine-tenths of a mile off Saddle Road near the 41-mile marker.
The case is now classified as a coroner's inquest, meaning that foul play is not suspected.
Man who allegedly hit bar manager is wanted
Police are looking for a 30-year-old man who allegedly punched the manager of a Waikiki bar last night after the suspect did not pay his bar tab.Police say the man was drinking with a 24-year-old Hauula man at a bar at 2375 Ala Wai Boulevard at 10:30 p.m. when the older suspect's credit card was declined as payment for the bar bill.
Both suspects then ran out of the bar, with the manager in pursuit. The manager caught up with the pair and stopped them.
Police said the older man punched the manager in the face and ran away.
Schofield soldier riding motorcycle dies in crash
A 24-year-old Schofield Barracks soldier died Saturday after his motorcycle collided with a car that was making a U-turn on Kamananaui Road near Wilikina Drive in Wahiawa.Police said the 20-year-old male driver of the rental car, also a soldier from Schofield, was traveling south on the road around 1:35 p.m. when he attempted to make a U-turn about 150 yards north of Wilikina Drive.
Police said the motorcycle broadsided the vehicle as it turned north, killing its operator. Police said the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet.
In other news...
HILO -- A three-bedroom home in the Hawaiian Beaches subdivision south of Hilo was destroyed by fire about 9 p.m. Saturday, police and fire officials said. The fire may have had a suspicious cause, they said.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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