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State gets child-aid funds

The state Attorney General's Office will get a $325,200 federal grant to improve child support enforcement.

The grant is part of a three-year project and additional federal funding for the program could up the grant to $1.2 million, officials said.

"We are very pleased that Hawaii has been selected for this program," said Attorney General Mark Bennett. "This project will help improve child support enforcement in Hawaii, and help promote stable families for Hawaii's children."

The state Department of Human Services will be administering the bulk of the project's new services, which include "early intervention" for parents.

Beachgoers warned of jellyfish invasion

Officials of the Ocean Safety Division issued a box jellyfish advisory yesterday and today.

The influx of jellyfish is expected to dissipate by tomorrow. Beaches most commonly affected by jellyfish include Waikiki Beach, Hanauma Bay, Pokai Bay, Makaha Surfing Beach and Waimea Bay. Occasional sightings or stings have also occurred on other north and west shore beaches.

Persons stung by box jellyfish are advised to flush the sting area with copious amounts of white vinegar. Anyone experiencing breathing difficulties, muscle cramps/spasms, and or persistent pain are advised to seek immediate medical attention.

Lifeguard stations are supplied and equipped to treat jellyfish stings.

For more information, call Jim Howe, operations chief of the Ocean Safety Division, at 922-3888 extension 23.

Extra rainfall possible from weakening storm

Tropical Storm Kenneth is expected to gradually weaken before reaching Hawaiian waters.

"It will never hit the islands," said National Weather Service lead forecaster Jeff Powell.

Kenneth was 1,000 miles east-southeast of Hilo, moving west at 8 mph last night.

If the system affects the islands at all, Hawaii may experience some showers in five days to a week from now, Powell said yesterday.

Waianae Intermediate again misses targets

Waianae Intermediate and Aiea Intermediate schools did not meet state targets for academic progress, while tiny Linapuni Elementary did, the Department of Education said yesterday.

The schools had been the last three whose performance on the annual Hawaii State Assessment this past spring was still pending.

Barring an appeal, the results will add Waianae Intermediate to the list of schools bearing the federal No Child Left Behind law's "restructuring" label, which triggers state-directed reform for schools that miss the targets for several years.

There are currently 52 schools being targeted for such reform.

Aiea Intermediate remains in "good standing" pending the results of next year's tests. This was the first year the school missed the progress targets.

Results at the two schools were delayed because students had to retake portions of the test after some practice materials presented to students were deemed too similar to the actual tests.

More aloha extended to Katrina refugees

Financial professionals displaced by Hurricane Katrina can make securities transactions in the islands without registering first, under an emergency order issued last week by state Commissioner of Securities Corinna Wong.

The order is limited to transactions between professionals, including investors and stock brokers, who are temporarily in the islands because of the hurricane and their existing clients.

Regularly, Hawaii law would require the financial professionals register with the state Business Registration Division.

For more information, contact the state registration division at 586-2744.

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[ TAKING NOTICE ]

» Several students who are the first in their families to attend college have received Drive Your Future Scholarships from Mercedes-Benz USA, valued at $2,000. They are Peterson DelaCruz of Hanapepe, Kauai, now attending University of Southern California; David Johnson of Honolulu, Seattle University; Joanne Kim of Honolulu, Creighton University; Catherine Ly of Honolulu, Harvard College; Michael Pan of Honolulu, Yale University; and Aimee Shaw of Honolulu, Tulane University.

» Torey M. Kikukawa of Kaneohe has received a $600 Bernice-Jordan Memorial Scholarship. She is a sophomore at Washington State University in premedicine.

» Susan Hippensteele, an associate professor in the women's studies program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, was awarded the 2005 Robert W. Clopton Award for outstanding community service.

She has brought together UH faculty with lawyers in nonprofit groups to create Legal Services Providers Network to help women whose legal needs involve life-threatening circumstances of domestic violence and child abuse. Hippensteele also serves on numerous boards and legislative committees, as well as serving as a pro bono attorney to several community groups.

» The Institute of Internal Auditors, Hawaii Chapter, has selected the following officers for the 2005-2006 year: Peter Hanashiro, president; Lisa Okimoto, president-elect; Andrea Winter, vice president; Tanya Suapaia, secretary; Bonnie Lau, treasurer.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

NORTH SHORE

4 teens found safe after night in Koolaus

Four teenagers walked out on their own yesterday morning after spending the night on a hiking trail on the North Shore.

Honolulu Fire Department rescue personnel hiking in from Waimea Falls Park found them about 7:40 a.m. and walked the teens out to the park, said Capt. Kenison Tejada, HFD spokesman.

Honolulu police said one adult male, 19, and three boys, ages 17, 16 and 13, were dropped off at a trail head in Pupukea at 3 p.m. yesterday and were supposed to finish their hike at Waimea Falls Park by 6 p.m. One of their parents called police about 7 p.m. when the hikers failed to show.

Firefighters searched for the hikers Sunday night but suspended their efforts about 11 p.m. because of rain and darkness, Tejada said. They resumed their search at first light yesterday.

HONOLULU

Girl's male 'auntie' held for alleged abuse

Police arrested a 42-year-old man at 5:30 p.m. yesterday for allegedly burning and hitting a 4-year-old girl.

School authorities noticed a large blister and a bruise on the child yesterday, police said.

The child told authorities "auntie" punished her by burning her hand on the stove and hitting her with a belt on the arm, police said.

Police said the alleged assault occurred sometime Sunday in Kakaako.

The "auntie," actually a man, is the girl's legal guardian, police said.

When the suspect went to pick up the girl from school, police arrested him on two outstanding traffic warrants and on suspicion of second-degree assault.

Police release 2 men after stabbing at club

Police released yesterday two men who were arrested for allegedly stabbing a 24-year-old man at a nightclub 1 a.m. Sunday.

Police said the victim was stabbed in the chest multiple times and was taken to Queen's Medical Center in critical condition.

Witnesses told police the victim and the suspects, 24 and 20, were involved in a fight at the Blue Tropix nightclub, 1700 Kapiolani Blvd.

Police said other people got involved in the fight.

The suspects were arrested on suspicion of second-degree attempted murder at the nightclub.

They were released last night pending investigation.