Kaneohe base to get $23 million upgrade
A $23 million contract has gone to Fletcher Pacific Construction Inc. for projects at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe.U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, in announcing the award this week, said the work includes building 204 bachelor enlisted living units, and administrative and other support structures.
The project is expected to be completed in July 2000.
"This is welcome news for Hawaii's economy," Abercrombie said.
The congressman said Hawaii projects are high on his priority list as the ranking member of the National Security Installation and Facilities Subcommittee.
The project will "boost our construction industry and help address the infrastructure needs for the military to remain here into the 21st century," he said.
DHHS names Fujii Pacific-West director
Sharon M. Fujii has been named director of the Pacific-West Regional Hub by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families.Fujii will work in collaboration with the administration's regional offices in San Francisco and Seattle. The hub includes Hawaii.
Fujii has more than 25 years of experience in social service and public administration.
'Books for Newborns' go to 20,000 families
Twenty thousand packets containing materials that encourage reading to children are being handed out to parents of newborn infants throughout the state.The "Books for Newborns" program is co-sponsored by the Hawaii State Public Library System, Rotary District 5000, Read to Me International, Pizza Hut Inc. and the Good Beginnings Alliance.
The packet contains read-aloud-to-baby books, a T-shirt, informational material and a keepsake.
The Hawaii State Library Foundation is also donating $3,500 to purchase a special collection of read-aloud books for 50 public libraries in the state.
For more information about the program, call Sue Berg at 831-6878.
Public schools entice UH medical students
Graduate students willing to work for three years in Hawaii's public schools are eligible for stipends and assistantships at the University of Hawaii's John A. Burns School of Medicine.The medical school's speech pathology and audiology division is offering stipends of $8,792 and a limited number of graduate assistantships of $11,000. The assistantships require 20 hours of work a week.
For more information, call Jim Yates at 956-8279, or send faxes to 956-5482 or e-mail to jyates@hawaii.edu.
Local computer experts discuss Y2K problems
The public is invited to hear a panel of local experts address the "Y2K bug," dispel myths and share their advice on the problem at a Public Relations Society of America meeting Jan. 20.Panelists include Peter Kay, president of Cybercom Inc. and co-host of KITV's "Computer Talk" morning program; Robert Carson Godbey, a computer law specialist and partner in the law firm of Jackson & Godbey; and Kitty Lagareta, president and chief executive officer of Communications Pacific.
The meeting will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel Lanai Room.
Cost is $20 for PRSA members, $25 for nonmembers and $15 for PRSA students.
Call 254-3286 before Jan. 15 for reservations.
UH scientist gives free talk on space odyssey
A University of Hawaii planetary scientist and space flight historian will discuss "2001: A Space Odyssey? NOT!" in a free public lecture Jan. 26.Jeff Bell's talk, part of the Hawaii Space Lecture Series, will be at 7:30 p.m. at the NASA Pacific Regional Planetary Data Center, Sinclair Library basement, Room 6.
The Institute of Geophysics and Planetology scientist will address such questions as: Where are the commercial space planes orbiting space ports and lunar bases? What went wrong?
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffPOLICE
Hauula man accused of threats to police
A 46-year-old Hauula man was arrested yesterday for allegedly threatening the lives of two police officers.The intoxicated man got into an argument with his family at their Kaipapau Loop home at 11:30 a.m., police said.
When officers arrived, the man reportedly threatened and challenged them with a knife, saying he was going to kill them, police said.
The man allegedly threw the knife at one officer, who jumped out of the way, avoiding the knife, police said.
The man then grabbed another knife and threatened the officers again.
Additional units were called and the man eventually surrendered.
The man was booked for two outstanding warrants and three counts of first-degree terroristic threatening.
Engine alert forces Hilo-bound jet to Maui
An Aloha Airlines jet from Honolulu to Hilo was diverted to Maui today because of possible oil-pressure problems.The pilots of Flight 404 shut down one of the jet's two engines as a precautionary measure when an oil-pressure warning light went on, said an Aloha Airlines spokesman.
The incident was not an emergency.
The plane, with 120 passengers aboard, landed safely in Kahului at about 7:10 a.m.
The passengers boarded another plane to reach their destination.
Maui police said no injuries were reported.
Woman reports rape last night in Wahiawa
Police are investigating a reported kidnapping and rape of a 39-year-old woman last night.The woman told police she was abducted by an acquaintance while walking on Wilikina Drive in Wahiawa at about 11:22 p.m.
The woman said she was dragged into an abandoned car where she was sexually assaulted by the 50-year-old man, who has not been arrested, police said.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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