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Community issues top conference agenda

Community development issues will be the focus of the annual Native Hawaiian Conference that begins Aug. 31.

The four-day event at the Hilton Hawaiian Village will bring together public policy-makers, cultural practitioners and various community organizations, according to the sponsoring Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. They will discuss issues ranging from cultural preservation, health and education to housing and economic development.

Plenary presentations and training workshops will cover topics in the areas of strategic community planning, grant resources, native Hawaiian agencies and programs, economic development, affordable housing and cultural activities, the council's announcement said.

The conference will include native Hawaiians living on the neighbor islands and on the mainland.

Among the speakers will be U.S. Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye, Congressmen Neil Abercrombie and Ed Case, Kamehameha Schools CEO Dee Jay Mailer, state Hawaiian Homes Chairman Micah Kane and Kamehameha Schools board Chairwoman Constance Lau.

Japanese art exhibit explores mortality

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii will host an exhibition of 27 Hawaii artists whose works examine the universal theme of life and death in "Spirit of the Dead Watching" at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

This is the first exhibition in a new art series at the center. The theme echoes the spirit of the Obon, the Buddhist festival during these summer months where families honor their ancestors, said Keiko Bonk, president of JCCH.

The exhibition will be open until Sept. 17. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Admission is free.

For more information, call 945-7633 or visit www.jcch.com.

Cancer patients need volunteer drivers

Drivers and trainers are needed for the American Cancer Society's Angels on Wheels program in Central/Leeward, Windward and Honolulu Unit offices.

The program provides free transportation for cancer patients needing rides to and from a doctor's office, hospital or treatment center.

"Our drivers report tremendous satisfaction in helping our cancer patients," said Arlene Koike, volunteer program training specialist. She said they arrive in their own cars at the patients' homes, "ready to help and make the trip less stressful" for patients.

Volunteers are needed to train the Angels on Wheels drivers, she said.

For more information, call Koike at 432-9158 or the offices: Central/Leeward, 486-8420; Windward, 262-5124; and Honolulu, 432-9154.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

HONOLULU
Toddler dies in fall from 14th-floor condo

A 2-year-old boy died yesterday afternoon after falling from the 14th floor of a University Avenue apartment building.

At about 12:32 p.m. the boy apparently fell while climbing on lanai railing of the Ala Wai Plaza building at 500 University Ave. He was found lifeless by his nanny, police said.

Police said there were no signs of foul play, but they would continue to investigate. The boy's name was withheld by police.

Pothole closes section of H-1 westbound lane

A section of the fast lane on H-1 freeway westbound near the Middle Street offramp was closed for about an hour yesterday afternoon because of a large pothole.

The pothole was reported at 12:25 p.m. and fixed a little over an hour later, said state Department of Transportation spokesman Scott Ishikawa.

The pothole, about 200 yards east of the offramp, was reported to be 2 feet by 2 feet. Police said it was at least 6 inches deep.

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Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers