Laurie gets all choked up whenever she thinks about last Christmas. Single mom works hard to
By Pat Gee, Star Bulletin
provide for kids, hopes for
Christmas gifts
"It was a very sad day," says Laurie, a single mother, because she couldn't afford to give her four daughters any presents.
"All my girls did was cry. But I kissed each one and told them I loved them."
Laurie works hard taking care of people with disabilities in their homes to support her family, which includes her elderly mother who is debilitated with arthritis.
The girls receive no financial support from their father.
Laurie realizes the most important thing she can give her children is her love and care, but she is still hoping to celebrate Christmas with gift-giving like everyone else. They would appreciate a tree, bicycle, clothes and shoes. Their fondest wish is to have a home of their own, and that's why Laurie keeps praying and plugging away.
If you would like to 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 on the left of Sand Island Access Road, about a half-mile beyond Kilgo's. Call 845-1669 for information.
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Associate Judge Walter S. Kirimitsu will resign his position on the Intermediate Court of Appeals to become University of Hawaii general counsel. University hires appeals
By Mary Adamski, Star-Bulletin
judge for new postHe will be the first to hold the position of UH legal officer, which was created in the wake of legislation giving the university administration greater authority, including the hiring of its own attorney. Previously, the state attorney general's office provided legal representation.
Kirimitsu, who was in private practice before a 1995 appointment to the court, will take the position in late January, pending formal approval by the UH Board of Regents. The salary was not revealed in a UH announcement yesterday.
But state Chief Justice Ronald T.Y. Moon said the resignation underscores the need for better judges' pay. "The loss of yet another judge to a higher-paying position or opportunity is indeed a travesty. Becoming a good judge, like Judge Kirimitsu, does not happen overnight. It takes time to learn, develop and attain a high level of competence."
UH President Kenneth Mortimer said Kirimitsu's "proven legal expertise, familiarity with educational concerns and commitment to serving the people of Hawaii make him a valuable addition to the UH team."
He said the counsel will manage litigation involving the university, research legal problems and represent the UH sys-tem in state and federal court and before administrative boards and commissions.
WASHINGTON -- The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, a high-level federal appellate court that includes Hawaii in its jurisdiction, should be divided into three divisions but not formally split, a congressional commission recommended today. Federal panel recommends
By Pete Pichaske, Phillips News Service
3 divisions for 9th CircuitIn a 100-page report, the five-member panel formally recommended to Congress that the sprawling 9th Circuit, the largest of the federal appeals courts, should be divided.
But the panel rejected the option favored by mountain state lawmakers that the court should be formally split into two separate circuits.
The circuit now encompasses nine states and the Pacific Islands.
Under the commission's plan, Hawaii would be included in a Middle Division with northern California, Nevada and the Pacific Islands.
A "Circuit Division" would be set up to resolve any conflicts among the divisions.
Hawaii's legal community consistently has opposed splitting the ninth into two circuits, but also has expressed some skepticism over the panel's compromise, which, lawyers say, could leave Hawaii dominated by California within the division.
Differences in how Asian Americans and Caucasians regard organ donations after death aren't as great as generally believed, a University of Hawaii study shows. No ethnic gap for organ donors
Hawaii ranks among the worst states for organ donations, a situation largely attributed to a reluctance of minority groups, stemming from cultural or religious factors. But the study indicates concerns about removing organs after death cross ethnic lines.
"This issue is of critical importance because Hawaii suffers from an acute shortage of available organs for transplantation," said transplant surgeon Alan Cheung, John A. Burns School of Medicine professor and study project member.
Differences on organ donation were less than expected among a random sample of more than 400 Asian Americans and Caucasians on Oahu, said Dr. Dana Alden, UH marketing department chairwoman and lead investigator for the study.
She said Asian Americans were somewhat more negative about organ donation and less likely to have a donation card than Caucasians were. But the differences were not substantial, she said.
Also, she said cultural beliefs about the body's sanctity at death didn't affect attitudes and behaviors about organ donation any more strongly for Asian Americans than Caucasians.
Nishiki apologizes for drunken driving
WAILUKU -- Maui County Councilman Wayne Nishiki says he feels the sentence meted out to him for drunken driving was "fair and just.""I accept full responsibility," Nishiki said. "I will never drink and drive again. I'm sorry. I'm embarrassed, and I apologize to the people of Maui County."
District Judge Douglas Ige fined Nishiki $332 and ordered him to perform 72 hours of community service and undergo 14 hours of alcohol abuse counseling, after Nishiki pleaded no contest to the charge Wednesday.
Nishiki, 54, had his license revoked administratively for 90 days after his June 16 arrest, including 30 days when he was unable to drive and 60 days when he could only drive to and from work.
He is now driving, after reapplying and obtaining a driver's license.
Nishiki was pulled over by a police officer while driving on Honoapiilani Highway near Wailuku Heights at 1 a.m.
His blood-alcohol level was 0.125 percent, the prosecution said. The legal standard is 0.08.
Diamond Head hiker will lead 'clean' team
The public is invited to take a hike with the Clean Air Team on its annual six-mile Kilauea Volcano Summit Stroll on Dec. 23.Scott Burlington will guide the hike. Burlington has been the senior leader of the Diamond Head Hike on Saturdays since 1982.
To join, call 948-3299. Reservations are required.
State workers get holiday eves off
As has been his custom for the past two years, Gov. Ben Cayetano is giving state employees a half day off on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.State offices will remain open all day on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Public invited to visit Washington Place
The public is invited to an open house at Washington Place from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight and tomorrow.Performing this evening will be the Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus and the Honolulu Boy Choir. Tomorrow, Halau O Kia -- Makiki Park Senior Citizens and Christie Adams will perform.
Visitors are encouraged to make a canned good donation to Hawaii Food Bank.
Honolulu attorney Jerrold K. Guben is representing businessman Sukamto Sia in his personal bankruptcy. Guben's last name was misspelled in a story yesterday in Hawaii Inc. CORRECTION
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Police, Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffPOLICE/FIRE
Police yesterday arrested a 30-year-old Pearl City woman for second-degree murder in connection with last year's death of an infant girl left in her care. Baby sitter, 30, arrested in
By Rod Ohira, Star-Bulletin
1997 death of infant girlThe woman was booked and later released pending further investigation for possible indictment at a later date.
The 5-month-old child died 14 months ago after being taken to Kapiolani Hospital.
An autopsy determined the child died of hemorrhage to the brain as a result of child abuse, police said.
The child's father dropped her off at the baby sitter's then-residence on Salt Lake Boulevard in Aliamanu near Radford High School about 5:30 a.m. Oct. 21, 1997.
Police said the sitter called the girl's mother at work several hours later and told her the child was having difficulty breathing, police said.
The girl's parents took her to Kapiolani Hospital, where she died several days later.
The baby sitter, whose license has been suspended by the state, was caring for several other children at the time of the incident. There is no indication any of the other children were abused, police said.
The woman has no prior felony arrests.
Robber who dragged tourist sought
Police are searching for a man who grabbed a visitor's purse at Makapuu Lookout and dragged her 200 feet with his stolen car. The woman, 46, from Korea, was part of a tour group.
In other news...
Police said they charged Craig Domingo, 33, of Vineyard Boulevard in connection with a home-invasion robbery on Dec. 5.
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