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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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Hawaiians with HIV sought for conference
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is making it possible for native Hawaiians who are HIV-positive to attend a first-of-its-kind conference to discuss the impact of HIV and AIDS on native peoples of North America.
The Life Foundation, Hawaii's oldest and largest AIDS support organization, will be able to send 12 Hawaiians to the conference in Anchorage, Alaska, from May 3 to 6. Carol Makainai, a program director at the foundation, said OHA donated $10,000 to make their trip possible.
The conference "Embracing Our Traditions, Values, and Teachings: Native Peoples of North America HIV/AIDS" will include other indigenous groups such as American Indians, Alaska natives and Pacific Islanders.
Paul Groesbeck, executive director of the foundation, said in a release, "While Native Hawaiians are second only to Caucasians in Hawaii AIDS cases, we know that other Hawaiian people need our help but are unwilling to come forward due to shame. I am hopeful that the people coming back from meeting with native people from across the country will be able to reach out to other members of the community and urge them to seek HIV testing and assistance."
More than 300 native Hawaiians have been assisted by the Life Foundation over the years, according to the organization. Two-thirds of that number have been lost to the disease. For more information, call 521-2437.
34 police recruits graduate to join force
The Honolulu Police Department graduated 34 new recruits this week at a ceremony at the Hawaii Okinawa Center in Waipio Gentry.
Mayor Mufi Hannemann and Recruit Ronald Lombardi were scheduled to speak Wednesday night at the 152nd Police Recruit Class graduation ceremony.
The graduates, 29 men and five women, will be assigned to patrol duties with veteran officers in the field for hands-on training, police said. The class began Sept. 1.
Training required for voter registrars
The Office of the City Clerk is now holding training sessions for volunteers to become deputy voter registrars.
All those interested in sending completed voter registration forms to the city must attend the session. The training is not required for those who want to distribute the forms.
Sessions will be held in Room 205 at City Hall at 6:45 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month until June.
To reserve a seat or for more information, contact the City Clerk's Office at 523-4293.
Doctor to discuss dairy foods
"Truth or Dairy" will be the topic of discussion April 12 by national best-selling author and former Hawaii doctor John McDougall at the Ala Wai Golf Course Clubhouse.
McDougall will present his findings on the dangers of dairy products, according to a release by the sponsor, the Vegetarian Society of Hawaii. An internist, McDougall is the author of 10 books and the international online "McDougall Newsletter."
The former Castle Medical Center staff member also hosts a nationally syndicated television show, "McDougall M.D.," and is medical director of the McDougall Program in Santa Rosa, Calif.
His presentation will begin at 7 p.m. Admission is free and will include refreshments.
For more information, contact the Vegetarian Society at 944-8344 or www.VSH.org.
Taking Notice
Ten individuals and groups have been honored with 2006
Ola Pono Awards for efforts to help Hawaii become a safe, drug-free community.
Winners received an engraved award and $1,000 to donate to a school or charitable organization of their choice, the Hawaii Medical Service Association announced in a news release.
It lists these winners and the organizations they selected to receive their donation:
BIG ISLAND
» Douglass Bartlett of Kona, who counsels families at Family Support Services of West Hawaii, teaches parenting classes and provides a foster home for three teens. His donation goes to Friends of the Children's Justice Center of West Hawaii.
» Wendy Hamane, founder and director of Hilo High School's Pauhana Family Learning Center, who places at-risk students in a special program that includes anger management, problem-solving, power and control issues, and hands-on projects; Hospice of Hilo.
» Jeanne Yagi of Hilo, member of the national Positive Coaching Alliance who raises funds and organizes conferences to help coaches, parents and youth sports operators learn techniques to help kids' develop strong values; Positive Coaching Alliance, Big Island.
MAUI
» Diane Omura, Peer Education Program teacher-coordinator for Baldwin High School, who trains youths to become advocates and role models for good health and decision-making; H.P. Baldwin High School.
» Lt. Jon Morioka, recently retired from the Maui Police Department where he oversaw the Maui Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program for 10 years and founded a D.A.R.E. Summer Leadership Program. He leads a Boy Scout troop, coaches intramural sports and captains the Police Officers Volleyball Team; Hawaii D.A.R.E. Association, Maui Chapter.
OAHU
» Harry Kwon of Wahiawa, who helps the school and parents as volunteer adviser for Solomon Elementary School's Junior Police Officers; Solomon Elementary School.
» Linda Uehara of Mililani, 33-year educator who has dedicated her life to helping Hawaii families, preventing drug abuse and HIV/AIDS, and advocating for culturally sensitive health services; Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii.
» Sassy/G Magazine, Aiea, which grooms healthy role models as a free teen-targeted magazine, partners with community organizations to promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles and provides college scholarships for high school seniors with strong values; Om Charities.
» Daniel Suzuki, physical education teacher at Olomana Youth Center, Kailua, who helps troubled youths graduate from high school by organizing competitive high school-level weightlifting; Olomana School.
» Danielle Nakagawa of Waianae, who has organized fundraisers and events for Nanakuli High School's Project Graduation to help graduates arrive home safely, drug-free; Nanakuli High & Intermediate School.
The Ola Pono (meaning "live right") awards have been presented since 1997 to teachers, coaches and citizens who promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles through education, awareness or action.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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WINDWARD OAHU
Girl critically injured when car hits her
A female pedestrian was critically injured in Kailua last night when she was struck by a car, according to police dispatch and an Emergency Medical Services spokesman.
The girl was taken by ambulance to the Queen's Medical Center in critical condition.
The accident occurred at 7:50 p.m. at Oneawa and Olomana streets fronting 654 Oneawa St., police and EMS officials said.
Investigators with the police Vehicular Homicide Section of the Traffic Division were called to the scene and were still investigating at press time.
WAIKIKI
Sprinkler douses fire at DFS Galleria
A sprinkler at the DFS Galleria Waikiki building helped extinguish a fire quickly yesterday.
Fire officials said the sprinkler head was activated above a plastic advertising sign when a fire broke out at about 9:40 a.m. yesterday at the building, 330 Royal Hawaiian Ave.
The fire was brought under control by 9:56 a.m.
The plastic face of the 3-by-2-foot advertising panel was burning, explained fire Capt. Sigmund Oka.
The sprinkler helped to keep the fire from spreading, Oka said.
Staff and customers evacuated on their own, he said.
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Firefighters crowded the door at the DFS Galleria in Waikiki yesterday morning. A two-alarm fire caused by a burning advertising panel closed the store.
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