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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
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Isles to get $73 million for various projects
Congress approved about $73 million for crime-fighting and marine-resource protection programs in Hawaii, according to Sen. Daniel Inouye.
The initiatives, approved yesterday, include measures to consolidate National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration operations, promote astronomy education, aid rural youth outreach and fight crystal methamphetamine.
They were part of the final version of a fiscal year 2006 appropriations bill involving the U.S. Justice and Commerce departments. The 94-5 Senate vote sent the bill to President Bush for his signature.
"These initiatives are vital for the well-being of Hawaii and its residents, and several have a positive impact that go far beyond our island shores," Inouye said in a news release.
The approved funding includes $20 million for the next construction phase of a regional NOAA facility at Pearl Harbor and $7.8 million for research and management of endangered and threatened sea turtles.
Some $3 million will go to the Boys & Girls Clubs and the YMCA of Honolulu to continue their presence in rural or disadvantaged communities throughout the state. An additional $2 million will go toward a statewide program to combat crystal methamphetamine use.
The Mauna Kea Discovery Center will receive $3 million to continue its education program and exhibits.
Castle Medical bans all smoking on grounds
Castle Medical Center will be the first hospital on Oahu to prohibit smoking inside and outside its facilities, including the parking lots and behavioral health unit.
Castle officials chose today -- the day of the Great American Smokeout -- to initiate the new policy.
"As a health care organization, we believe that we have a responsibility to take a leadership role on this major health issue," said Kevin Roberts, Castle president and chief executive officer.
Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona was to attend a Tobacco-Free Campus Celebration and Reception this morning in Castle's parking lot. The smoking lanai of the behavioral health unit, a lock-down psychiatric unit, will be rededicated in a private ceremony as "a place of peace and beauty" with a new mural, skylights and furnishings, hospital officials said.
UH physics department to present open house
Faculty and students of the University of Hawaii Department of Physics and Astronomy will describe their research and the applications of physics during the department's open house Saturday.
The event is from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Watanabe Hall and Krauss Annex. High school students and teachers have been invited, but university students and the public are welcome.
The schedule can be seen in the News & Events section of the Physics & Astronomy Web site at www.phys.hawaii.edu.
Current cancer care topic of talks
A free public seminar titled "Cancer Care: Current Issues" will be held from 8:30 a.m. until noon Saturday at the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel.
Straub Clinic & Hospital and the Straub Foundation are sponsoring the event "to improve the quality of life for all who are affected by cancer," said Dr. George McPheeters, program chairman, general surgeon and Straub chief of staff. "Through advances in early detection, prevention and education, we can reduce cancer rates and increase the likelihood of survival."
Speakers will include Dr. Patrick Borgen, breast cancer specialist from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and Dr. Thomas Bradley, nationally recognized oncologist of Cancer Associates, Monterey Peninsula.
Reservations are suggested because of limited seating. For more information or to register, call the Straub Foundation, 524-6755.
[ TAKING NOTICE ]
American Savings Bank's 2005 United Way campaign has raised $191,820 through employee pledges and fund-raising activities.
Nearly 1,000 bank employees took part in the campaign, pledging an average of $140 and bringing in $135,535. The balance came through several fund-raisers, including two raffle giveaways and the sale of the bank's secondhand computer equipment. Unsold equipment was donated to local charities.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staff
HONOLULU
Theft suspect arrested for fleeing accident
Police arrested a man Tuesday who tried to flee after he got into a traffic accident while allegedly driving a stolen vehicle.
The suspect was found hiding near 1011 Palm Drive between South King and Young streets in Pawaa about 7 p.m.
Witnesses told police that the suspect fled on foot after the car he was driving struck another car. Officers responding to the accident discovered that the vehicle had been reported stolen.
Police said the suspect also matched the description of a man wanted in a separate theft case nearby.
A witness identified the suspect as the person who had driven the stolen vehicle from the scene of the theft, police said.
They arrested the man for investigation of auto theft, fleeing the scene of a motor vehicle collision and fourth-degree theft.
WEST OAHU
Camera theft suspect held at Waikele store
Police arrested a 24-year-old man after he allegedly tried to buy some accessories at a Waikele store for a camera that had been stolen earlier this month.
Police said the digital camera was stolen form the display area of a store in Waikele Shopping Center last Thursday.
On Tuesday, police said, a man walked into the store with the stolen camera and tried to buy accessories.
He was arrested for investigation of second-degree theft.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Pedestrian, 83, dies from collision injuries
An 83-year-old Big Island woman died Tuesday from injuries she suffered when she was hit by a van earlier this month.
Police said that Dolores Bartolome of Halaula, North Kohala, was hit by a car as she crossed Akoni Pule Highway about 8:50 p.m. Nov. 7. Police said she was not in a crosswalk. Bartolome died at 2:50 a.m. yesterday at the Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu.
The driver of the van, a 48-year-old North Kohala woman, was not injured.
Police have opened a negligent-homicide case.