Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
Maui continues run as world's top island
WAILUKU » Maui was voted "Best Island in the World" for the 11th consecutive year in the Conde Nast Traveler magazine's Reader's Choice Awards poll.The Valley Island was also named the world's "Top Travel Destination," beating out San Francisco, Florence, Italy and Sydney.
"Maui is magical for so many reasons, and I am proud to accept this honor on behalf of the people of Maui," said Terryl Vencl, executive director of the Maui Visitors Bureau.
Maui was the top pick for "Pacific Rim Islands," beating out Kauai, which came in second. The Big Island finished fourth, while Lanai was sixth and Oahu was No. 7.
The announcement was made Thursday night in New York City. Complete results are published in Conde Nast's November issue.
Gas prices reach record high in isles
Hawaii gasoline prices, which are highest in the nation, hit a new high yesterday.The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in the islands was a record $2.37, well above the national average of $1.954, according to AAA.
Maui motorists had the highest prices at the pump, paying an average of $2.649 a gallon. The average price was a record $2.27 a gallon in Honolulu and $2.363 in Hilo, according to the auto club.
California had the second-highest gas prices in the nation at $2.28 a gallon, followed by Nevada ($2.173), Alaska ($2.106) and Oregon ($2.079).
Kauai park closes after water system fails
LIHUE » Polihale State Park on the western tip of Kauai was closed yesterday by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources because the water system serving the restrooms failed.State officials believe a pump that is used to fill a water tank from a well is the cause of the failure.
Both day-use and camping areas have been closed. There is no estimate when the park will reopen.
» The University of Hawaii at Manoa has awarded three Chancellor's Awards for Outstanding Service to Richard Chock, a research support staffer at the Kewalo Marine Lab; Joanne Kurosawa, a secretary in the College of Tropical Agriculture Molecular Bioscience and Bioengineering department; and Stan Yogi, a buildings and grounds maintenance employee at the College of Business Administration.
» The American Heart Association has chosen six volunteers from Hawaii to receive awards for their service in the Pacific/Mountain Affiliate 10-state region.
Winners of the Impact Award, which honors those who have greatly affected volunteer recruitment, achievement in development or health initiative goals, include Dr. Djon Indra Lim of Hilo for his leadership of the Heart Walk in East Hawaii, raising more than $600,000 the last seven years; Mike and Nancy Fisch for co-chairing the 27th annual Heart Ball, which raised a record $650,000; and Carol Keale, in memory of her late husband, entertainer Moe Keale, for their work in promoting the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and heart defibrillators.
Dr. Joana Magno was named winner of the Outreach Award for her advocacy for women's health at the local, state and national levels, serving as Hawaii's "Go Red for Women" chairwoman.
Kamehameha Schools' Jump Rope for Heart Event raised $55,750 this year, ranking second in the nation to win the top Youth Market School Award. The school has participated in the program for 23 years.
Dr. William Dang Jr. received the Medical Volunteer of the Year Award for guiding the implementation of the heart association's statewide hospital quality improvement program.
» Robert S.J. Hu, an American civics teacher at Mililani High School, and William F. Ogle, a U.S. history teacher at Iao Middle School on Maui, attended a national seminar on politics and elections at the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pa. This was the fifth year the Honolulu Scottish Rite Bodies, a branch of the Masonic Fraternity, had sponsored local teachers to attend the seminar.
By Star-Bulletin staff
HONOLULU
Police tell residents to beware telemarketing scam
Police are warning residents of a scam in which telemarketers tell callers they have won a sweepstakes and then request an advance processing fee.The scam was reported most recently in Nevada, when an 82-year-old resident received a call on behalf of the "American Citizen's Sweepstakes."
The caller said she was in Oregon, though her phone number was Canadian, and that the woman had won $100,000. The caller said that to recover the sweepstakes, the woman would have to pay a $1,000 processing fee.
Police said a similar scam occurred in Honolulu last month, and victims were told to send their processing fee via Western Union.
The number of Honolulu victims of the scam and how much they lost were not disclosed.
But police did say that once a person sends money through Western Union, a recipient can have it sent anywhere in the world. They added that when money is sent outside the United States, it is difficult to recover.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Mentally impaired man, 87, is reported missing
Big Island police are looking for an 87-year-old man reported missing Wednesday.Anthony T. Miyose of Kailua-Kona is 5-foot-1, about 115 pounds, with thinning gray hair and eyeglasses.
Police said he suffers from dementia and is on medication that makes him sleepy.
Anyone with information on Miyose's whereabouts is asked to call the Kona Patrol at 326-4646 or the police nonemergency number at 935-3311.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers