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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire
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Slowdown might have caused Kilauea slump
HILO » Internal pressure of magma under the summit of Kilauea Volcano could have just slacked off a little when the summit slumped a bit Tuesday, geologist Don Swanson said.
That is the best theory that scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory have, but a precise reason for the moderately unusual action might never be known, Swanson said.
The action, known technically as deflation, began at about 5:45 a.m. and continued to 11:45 p.m. The total slump would not have been noticed by a tourist visiting the Kilauea area in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, amounting to the thickness of 5.2 dimes.
Such deflation is commonplace and usually signals a blob of magma moving underground from the summit area to the east rift zone, where a long-term eruption is continuing.
But instruments showed no special movement to the rift, Swanson said, just some increased "harmonic tremor," something like underground jiggling.
The theory now is that magma rising from the deep in the earth, normally making the summit bulge slightly, slowed down on Tuesday, Swanson said. That left enough empty spaces between broken rocks underground for the magma to slosh around a bit and make a tremor.
Retired Navy captain to be Shriners leader
The Aloha Shriners will install its new leader Sunday in a meeting that is open to the public.
Bruce Holmberg, a retired Navy captain, will be installed as the group's new potentate.
The event, which includes dinner and dancing, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Shriners Beach Club in Waimanalo and is free to the public.
For more information, call Charles Comeau at 261-9969.
Events to block daily parking at Blaisdell
Daily or city parking will not be available at the Neal Blaisdell Center on Monday and Wednesday due to two separate events.
On Monday the Hawaii Market Merchandise Expo, a private event, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Two days later a job fair called Job Quest 2006 will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission for Job Quest 2006 at the Neal Blaisdell Center on Wednesday is $3 for the general public and $1 for students, seniors and military personnel with proper identification.*
Parking is $4 for both events.
Blaisdell Center officials advise those who regularly park at the center to make plans for alternate parking.
UH workshops focus on elder-care planning
The University of Hawaii at Manoa is offering two noncredit workshops on Jan. 21 and 28 to help individuals develop their elder-care plan.
Both workshops take place from 9 a.m. to noon at Krauss Building Room 012 for a cost of $60.
On Jan. 21, in a workshop called "Planning Ahead for Eldercare," people can learn how to create a personalized elder-care plan that includes health, housing and caregiver support.
On Jan. 28 the workshop will focus on caregiving in "The Caregiver's Journey."
Registration is required by calling 956-8400. Visit www.outreach.hawaii.edu and click on "Noncredit Programs," then on "Life Styles" for more information.
Taking Notice
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Alison Leake, a junior at the University of Hawaii's College of Engineering, was awarded the 2005-2007 Eric N. Jacobsen Memorial Scholarship from the
Bonded Materials Co. She also received a paid summer internship in the company's quality control and testing laboratory, worth about $15,000.
» The Office of Hawaiian Affairs awarded Papa Ola Lokahi $42,822 to support the Malama Kou Kino Cancer Care Program.
The program assists women who are diagnosed with breast, cervical, lung or colorectal cancer as well as those who report abnormal findings and require follow-up. Assistance will also be provided to eligible clients of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems. Papa Ola Lokahi is recognized by the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act to improve the health an well-being of native Hawaiians.
» Computer Science Corp. donated $10,000 to the USS Missouri Memorial Association to continue preservation efforts of the battleship.
» Catholic Charities Hawaii has received a $10,000 grant from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation to provide bilingual medical emergency cards for poor and elderly immigrants. The pocket-size emergency cards will be translated into 14 Asian, Polynesian, Micronesian and Hispanic languages. The card is designed to provide vital medical information about an individual which can be given to medical personnel.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staff
LEEWARD OAHU
Brush fire chars 150 acres above Makakilo
A brush fire above Makakilo burned more than 150 acres yesterday, the Honolulu Fire Department said.
The blaze started at about 11:45 a.m. near Camp Timberline.
There were about 30 people at the camp when firefighters responded, and they were asked to stay in their cabins.
Flames did not threaten the camp or nearby homes, but some residents in upper Makakilo were unable to get to their houses because fire equipment blocked the roadway, Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Kenison Tejada said.
About 50 Honolulu and federal firefighters helped fight the blaze. Tejada said the "biggest challenge" with the fire was getting water to fight flames without any access to hydrants.
Last night, crews were still at the scene working to wet down hot spots. Tejada said the fire would likely be monitored overnight.
WINDWARD OAHU
2 charged in abuse of special-ed student
Police charged two men with abusing an 11-year-old special-education student last month.
Gilbert Ah Quin, 50, and Alan Nagata, 60, were arrested Monday. Police said they placed duct tape on the child's mouth and punched him while taking him on a private school bus to Kaaawa Elementary School in December.
At the time, Ah Quin was employed as the bus driver and Nagata his aide for Kailua Local Taxi & Windward Bus Service, a bus company contracted by the state.
Police charged each man with three counts of misdemeanor assault. Bail for each was set at $750.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Collision on Big Isle leaves passenger dead
A 26-year-old man was speeding when his car collided head-on with a Chevrolet multipurpose vehicle early yesterday, killing his 33-year-old passenger, police said.
The victim was identified as Kimberly Bean-Tafolla of Kailua-Kona. She is the first person to be killed on the Big Island this year in a traffic accident, compared with none at the same time in 2005.
The crash happened at about 6 a.m. when the 26-year-old, who was driving a 1997 Honda sedan, crossed the center line on Kaiwi Street in Kailua-Kona. The driver was taken to Kona Community Hospital. The extent of his injuries was not immediately released.
The driver of the Chevrolet was treated at the hospital for minor injuries and released.
Police said Bean-Tafolla was not wearing a seat belt. It is still unclear whether alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash.
CORRECTION
Friday, January 13, 2006
» Admission for Job Quest 2006 at the Neal Blaisdell Center on Wednesday is $3 for the general public and $1 for students, seniors and military personnel with proper identification. A "Newswatch" item on Page A6 yesterday incorrectly reported that admission was free.
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