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The state Legislature opened an 11-day joint special session this morning to consider two bills and a gubernatorial nomination. Legislators back to eye
two bills, one nomineeHearings are scheduled for today before the Senate and House judiciary committees on two bills -- one on staggered Senate terms and the other on alleviating confusion over a law relating to release of private medical information.
One bill seeks to correct a constitutional problem that would result in some incumbent senators' getting a longer term than winning challengers in the 2002 election because legislative districts will be reapportioned next year.
The bill would fix the problem by having the state reapportionment committee determine the length of senators' terms based on voters in each Senate district.
Meanwhile, lawmakers are proposing to delay putting into effect the medical privacy law, which has stiff penalties and jail times for disclosing medical information, until they take up the matter next year.
On Wednesday, the Senate will hold a confirmation hearing for the appointment of Gilbert Coloma-Agaran, nominated by Gov. Ben Cayetano to head the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
Maui parrotbill chick hatched on Big Isle
Conservationists have hailed the hatching of an endangered Maui parrotbill chick at the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center on the Big Island.The July 21 hatching was the first time a Maui parrotbill has been bred in captivity.
"This is really a quantum leap," said Alan Lieberman, co-director of the Zoological Society of San Diego's programs in Hawaii. "It's a big step to have captive adult birds healthy and content enough to breed."
The chick's parents were hatched in captivity, but the eggs were collected in the wild.
Until now, little has been observed of parrotbill breeding since the birds live in such a rugged, remote habitat.
The species is found only on Maui's mid- to high-elevation eastern rain forests in the Hawaii Natural Area Reserve and the Nature Conservancy's Waikamoi Preserve. It has been a federally listed endangered species since 1967.
Misunderstanding law slows critical reports
Misunderstanding of Hawaii's new medical privacy law by health-care providers, physicians and clinics has caused delays in reporting and investigation of communicable diseases, the Department of Health reports.However, the law doesn't change the rules and procedures for disease reporting, according to the department.
"While delays have not had any serious consequences yet, timeliness is a great concern," said health director Bruce Anderson. A delay of even a few hours for some diseases can result in people being exposed to serious or life-threatening illnesses, he noted.
The law exempts health information disclosed to the Health Department for disease reports and public health investigations from patient consent requirements. It also exempts from civil and criminal liability the providing of information in response to a disease investigation.
Firefighters endorse Harris in mayoral race
The Hawaii State Fire Fighters Association has endorsed Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris in his re-election bid.It's the first public employees union to throw its support behind Harris. The Hawaii Government Employees Association, the United Public Workers, and the Hawaii Teamsters and Allied Workers Local 996, which represents city bus drivers, have endorsed Harris' opponent, Mufi Hannemann.
The firefighters praised Harris for opening two fire stations and establishing five new fire companies and for supporting the use of new technologies.
Drug dealer sentenced to 12 years in prison
U.S. District Judge Alan Kay has sentenced a man to 151 months, or about 12 years, in prison without the possibility of parole for attempting to possess crystal methamphetamine with intent to distribute.Jeffrey Joseph, 44, pleaded guilty March 6. Court documents say on Sept. 15, 1995, he paid $25,000 in a Kapolei parking lot to a cooperating witness to buy three kilograms of "ice."
Tomorrow
Some events of interest
7 p.m., Kapiolani Community College: Kaimuki/Palolo/ Waialae-Kahala Vision Community meeting, 4303 Diamond Head Road, Iliahi Building, Room 104. Call Ross Sasamura at 523-4341 for information.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Arson is believed to be the cause of a $1.6 million fire last night at the World Gym in Kakaako. Arson blamed for $1.6
million World Gym fireSix engine companies, two ladder companies, one rescue company and the fire department's hazard materials unit responded to the blaze at 670 Auahi St. in the Coral Complex Center that was formerly the Amfac Distribution Center.
Fire investigators determined that the fire in the one-story structure was set in 10 different places and ignitable liquids used. The sprinkler system appeared to have been tampered with and did not work during the fire.
Firefighters had to cut through a metal sliding door to the gym.
It took nearly two hours to extinguish the blaze, which was called at 10:30 p.m.
Damage to the building was estimated at $1.1 million with another $500,000 to its contents.
The department's hazards materials team was called in because it was believed that lead-based paint may have been used extensively in the building.
Forty-eight firefighters were involved in extinguishing the fire.
No injuries were reported.
Tourist finds missile in Waimanalo waters
A tourist found a missile bobbing in the water in the Waimanalo Bay recreation area Friday and reported it to a lifeguard, who then notified police.The missile, a 3-1/2-foot projectile with yellow aluminum casing, was a leftover from a Marine exercise conducted Thursday, police said.
Police checking death of 7-day-old infant
Police are investigating the death of 7-day-old infant who appears to have suffocated early yesterday morning because a hat slipped over the infant's face.The baby's mother woke up at 5:30 a.m. to find her child not breathing. She rushed the baby to the Nanakuli fire station. From there, the baby was taken to St. Francis Medical-West Hospital and pronounced dead on arrival.
Police said a doctor who examined the baby found no signs of trauma or injuries.
