Substitute teachers get relief

Gov. Linda Lingle has signed into law a bill that allots $800,000 to increase the daily pay of substitute teachers.

The substitute teachers filed a lawsuit against the state, alleging they were underpaid. Last year a circuit judge ruled that the substitutes were entitled to the same daily rate as certain teachers.

Lawmakers said they passed the measure to give "relief" to the substitute teachers while the attorney general appeals the ruling.

TAKING NOTICE

Arc in Hawaii awarded $100,000

» The Arc in Hawaii, an organization that serves people with developmental disabilities, was awarded a grant of $100,000 from the Strong Foundation to purchase a van to accommodate wheelchairs and new computer equipment.

» Dick Pratt, professor and director of the Public Administration Program at the University of Hawaii-Manoa, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for lecture and research in Japan. He has concurrently been awarded a second Fulbright Senior Specialist Award to continue his work on institutional reform in post-Communist Mongolia.

» Jose Carlos Tomé, a Kapiolani Community College student majoring in education, is one of 20 students selected to First Team of the All-USA Academic Team by USA Today, the American Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa. He received a $2,500 stipend. He also was named a New Century Scholar, presented to the highest-scoring student in each state, and received an additional $2,000.

» Big Brothers Big Sisters has selected Scott Shigeoka, Aiea High School junior, and Karen Murphy, a junior at Campbell High, as outstanding "High School Bigs of the Year" in Honolulu.

» City Auditor Leslie Tanaka won the prestigious Silver Knighton Award for medium-sized audit offices from the National Association of Local Government Auditors for his 2005 performance report.

"Taking Notice" runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Please send items to City Desk, Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Police, Fire, Courts

Star-Bulletin staff

EAST OAHU

Swimmer hospitalized after rescue off Sandy Beach

A 35-year-old swimmer nearly drowned at Sandy Beach, a city Emergency Services Department spokesman said.

The incident happened about 1:15 p.m. in an area called Gas Chambers.

The man was taken to Straub Hospital in critical condition.

Escaped convict found sleeping in park

While on routine patrol early Friday, police found an escaped convict sleeping in a broken trash compactor at Ala Moana Park.

Police said 37-year-old Edwin Allomong, who was serving time for a felony and was two weeks away from his parole board hearing, had been missing for a week.

Police said Allomong left for work June 22 from the Oahu Community Correctional Center's Laumaka work outreach program, and did not return.

Allomong was charged with second-degree escape. He was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail.

LEEWARD OAHU

Makua brush fire burns 10 acres

About 30 firefighters and two helicopters contained a brush fire near Makua Range in three hours.

The fire began just before 2 p.m. yesterday and burned about 10 acres of brush.

The fire was contained just before 5 p.m.

It continued to smolder near the ridge, so a fire helicopter and a private helicopter rented by the Department of Land and Natural Resources made water drops until 6:30 p.m., said fire Capt. Kenison Tejada.

WINDWARD OAHU

Laie teen arrested in home assault

Police arrested a 19-year-old Laie man who allegedly walked into his neighbor's home and kissed a woman who was sleeping on the couch.

Police said that about 2 a.m. Sunday, the man walked into the house on Naniloa Loop through an unlocked front door, went to a woman sleeping on the couch and kissed her.

Police said a man who lives in the house confronted the intruder.

They later arrested the neighbor for investigation of first-degree burglary.

WINDWARD OAHU

Salesman arrested in theft from home

Police arrested a door-to-door salesman in Kailua on Sunday morning after his supervisors reported he had stolen an item from the house of a 51-year-old woman.

The supervisor said he notified his boss of a possible crime after the employee got into his car and displayed "suspicious behavior."

Police found the suspect in possession of the missing item and arrested 20-year-old Kalani Asuncion on charges of first-degree burglary at about 10:30 a.m.