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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
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What's inside your Star-Bulletin on Sunday:
The Family Tree(s)
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Wahiawa, home of Helemano Farms, the state's newest and largest holiday tree farm.
The majestic Norfolk Island pines, some of which stand as tall as 15 feet, are the real deal.
Delegation to mark Filipino immigration
Gov. Linda Lingle plans to lead a delegation of more than 200 people to the Philippines in January to mark the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Filipinos in Hawaii.
"It will be an honor to lead Hawaii's Filipino community on this historic mission to celebrate the strong ties between Hawaii and the Philippines," Lingle said this week.
The delegation is to include representatives from Filipino community organizations, some state lawmakers, Kauai County Mayor Bryan Baptiste and Hawaii County Council members Gary Safarik and Angel Pilago, the governor's office said.
During the Jan. 3-12 mission, Lingle is scheduled to meet with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and other dignitaries, including Ferdinand "Bong Bong" Marcos Jr., governor of the Philippine province of Ilocos Norte.
During a February trip to Hawaii, Marcos signed a sister state-province agreement with Lingle.
Ilocos Norte is the ancestral home of many workers who came to Hawaii in the early 1900s to work on sugar and pineapple plantations. The vast majority of Filipinos living in Hawaii still are Ilocanos.
The first Filipino arrived in Hawaii on the Big Island in 1906 to work on a sugar plantation south of Hilo.
The Filipino Centennial Celebration Commission has planned a year-long series of festivities, beginning Dec. 10.
Surf expected to drop; jellyfish influx to peak
Surf on the North Shore was expected to decrease today to about 6- to 8-foot faces from advisory levels of 10 to 16 feet yesterday. Lifeguards reported a couple of rescues but nothing serious enough to call an ambulance.
On Oahu's South Shore, lifeguards reported only one box jellyfish found in Waikiki yesterday and no stings.
The monthly influx of box jellyfish should peak today. Lifeguards assess beaches for box jellyfish during the period about 10 days after the full moon when the jellyfish tend to come ashore. If box jellyfish are discovered, warning signs are posted.
People stung by box jellyfish are advised to flush the sting area with copious amounts of white vinegar.
Anyone experiencing breathing difficulty, muscle cramps/spasms and/or persistent pain is advised to seek immediate medical attention.
Exchange program is taking applicants
Outstanding high school students interested in studying abroad should ask their schools to nominate them for scholarships through the AFS Awards for Excellence program.
More than $250,000 in scholarships is available through the exchange program, which selects students who show leadership, community service and academic achievement.
The nomination deadline is Dec. 6.
AFS, formerly the American Field Service, is a worldwide, nonprofit organization that has been leading international high school student exchanges for more than 50 years.
To be eligible, high school students must be nominated by their teacher, guidance counselor, honor society or principal and have at least a 3.5 grade-point average. Schools may nominate from five to 10 students depending on their student body.
AFS Awards for Excellence Scholars study abroad on a year, semester or summer program, departing in the summer of 2006 or winter of 2007.
There are more than 120 programs in more than 40 countries.
Nomination forms are available by calling 800-AFS-INFO or on the Web site afs.org/usa.
Mullet fishing to be closed for 4 months
Fishing for striped mullet, or amaama, will be closed from Dec. 1 until March 31.
"The annual winter closure is designed to allow the fish to reproduce successfully and protect the species from overfishing," said Department of Land and Natural Resources Director Peter Young.
During the open season, the minimum catch size for amaama is 11 inches, from nose to the fork of the tail, for spearing or commercial sale. Violation of the size or season restrictions can result in fines of up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail, plus up to $100 for each fish taken.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staff
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Pedestrian is killed by car at Kau lookout
A 52-year-old pedestrian was struck by a car and killed Tuesday, Big Island police said.
The victim was identified as Leonard Kainoa Sr. of Naalehu.
Police did not immediately release details on the crash, which happened at the Kahuku scenic lookout in Kau.
The driver of the car involved, a 41-year-old Waiohinu woman, was not injured.
Big Island police have opened a standard negligent-homicide investigation. An autopsy is being performed on Kainoa to determine his exact cause of death.
WEST OAHU
Sex assault reported at park in Kapolei
A 19-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in a public restroom in Kapolei Regional Park early Wednesday evening.
The victim told police that she entered the restroom and was struck from behind and sexually assaulted. Police have released few details and say the suspect is an unknown male.
An investigation is pending.