Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Whale carcass brought sharks to Kaneohe Bay
State and federal researchers say swimmers should avoid Kaneohe Bay through the weekend, as sharks attracted by a 45-foot sperm whale carcass may be lingering.The whale drifted into the bay Wednesday. Crews took two days to remove the animal from the bay's shallow, sandy areas and tow it into deeper seas yesterday.
Brad Ryon, a resource manager with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service, said there's no way of knowing how the whale died. The animal was decomposed, he said, and probably had been dead about a month.
Though no sharks were spotted in the area around the carcass, "over the past two morning we noted fresh shark bites on the animal," Ryon said, adding that "sharks have a tendency to stay around."
State crews searched the bay and found no pieces of the whale that would also attract sharks.
Sperm whales are the largest toothed marine mammals, weighing more than 35 tons and stretching more than 50 feet long -- longer than a city bus and three times as heavy. Their body is about 40 percent head.
Seat belt campaign starts later this month
A statewide "Click It or Ticket" campaign aimed at increasing the use of seat belts among Hawaii's motorists will kick off May 24 and run until June 6.During a similar campaign last May, the state's seat belt usage rate rose from 90.4 percent to 91.8 percent, the second highest in the nation. The state hopes to see a 95 percent usage rate by 2005.
"The 'Click It or Ticket' program has been highly successful in increasing people's awareness of the importance of wearing their seat belts," said state Transportation Director Rod Haraga.
Hawaii law requires front seat motorists to be buckled up as well as back seat passengers under 18 years old. Children under 4 are also required to ride in a child safety seat. Violators of state seat belt laws face a $77 fine.
For more information about the campaign, call the Safe Community Office at 587-6300 or visit the Transportation Department's Web site at www.state.hi.us/dot/publicaffairs.
[ BRIEFLY ]
Nominations open for ACLU Youth Award
Nominations are being taken for an American Civil Liberties Union Youth Award that recognizes a high school student who has raised awareness of the Bill of Rights. The deadline is May 31.Nominees for the award are eligible for a $1,000 or two $500 cash awards.
This is the second year the ACLU is giving out the award. The first place winner last year created the first Gay Straight Alliance club in public schools.
Actions to promote civil liberties may range from setting up public forums and legislative action to organizing protests around an issue.
The annual award is underwritten by a donation from Dr. Les Wilbur, professor emeritus from the University of Southern California.
Anyone may nominate a candidate, who should be no older than a senior in public or private school. Action to promote civil liberties should have been taken between Dec. 15, 2002, and Dec. 15, 2003.
Nominations may be made by calling 522-5900 or visit the ACLU Web site at acluhawaii.org.
Weekend expo focuses on healing body, soul
Massage therapy, nutrition, tai chi, yoga and feng shui are a few highlights planned at a Body, Mind and Spirit Expo 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow at the Hawaii Convention Center.More than 40 lectures will be featured on a wide variety of topics, including healing and rejuvenation, reincarnation and looking and feeling great naturally.
Booths will include hands-on spiritual healers, massage therapists, chiropractors, astrologers, angelic counseling, guides and psychics, among others.
The admission fee is $8 for the weekend, including access to more than 60 exhibits. For more information, call (541) 482-3722 or e-mail laura@bmse.net.
The Estate of James Campbell honored aspiring artists at the 10th Annual Leeward Young Artist Awards on Nov. 18. Pictured from left, back row, are Joel Fernando, Rhea May Marcelino, Marilyn Joyce Mose, Chelsea Villanueva, Elliot Chen, Jasmine Kelekolio, Jessica Fabrigas and Jennifer Suwa. In the front row are Jazlyn Cook, left, and Alaka'i Mashima. Not pictured is Brittany Reis.
[ TAKING NOTICE ]
» Kapolei Elementary School fifth-graders raised $1,005.33 participating in the "Pennies for Pearl Harbor" fund-raising drive for the USS Arizona Memorial Museum.
» The University of Hawaii Foundation has received $100,000 from the family foundation of UH alumni and local businessman Jay Shidler to support the university's Academy for Creative Media. The gift will fund the academy's Master Class series, a program that brings in a variety of local, national and international distinguished speakers from the entertainment industry.
» The Alexander & Baldwin Foundation gave $5,000 to Chaminade University for its communications department. The money will be used to upgrade computer software.
» Kamehameha Schools Ho'olako Like program has awarded more than $1.2 million to 11 charter schools in Hawaii, serving 893 students, 93 percent of whom are Hawaiian. The program offers financial, technical and resource support. It also renewed more than $900,000 to eight start-up charter schools in the state.
» The Waimanalo Health Center's Keiki Car Safety Program received $5,000 from the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii's Public Health Fund. The funds will enable the center to continue working with families in need to provide education and information on the proper use and installation of car seats.
» The Hawaii State Chapter of the American Red Cross has received $50,000 from the Harry and Jeanette Foundation for disaster and emergency services. The Red Cross provides food, clothing, shelter and support to families affected by tragic events.
» The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation established an endowment fund in 1991 to provide an annual revenue base that pays for a portion of the daily operating expenses of the Institute for Human Services, Oahu's only 24-hour homeless shelter. Last year, the fund generated $47,075 for utilities, food, clothing, shelter and case management.
» The American Heart Association raised a record $650,000 at its 27th Annual Heart Ball in February to fund heart disease and stroke research, and educational programs.
» The Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii has been awarded $32,350 from Macy's West as part of the store's Thanks for Sharing Campaign.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
