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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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Cell phone donations requested for charity
Project Re-cell, a nationwide fundraising consultant group, is helping local charities by encouraging residents to recycle their cell phones, especially with many to be replaced this holiday season.
The project will recycle phones, PDAs, accessories and batteries. All net proceeds go to local charities. Collection boxes are located at all Mobi stores and most authorized Mobi dealers. The Honolulu Zoological Society has two collection boxes at the Honolulu Zoo.
"It's important because we don't have any recycling facilities in Hawaii," said project consultant Sabrina Clark, adding that the devices are shipped off to the mainland. "Fundraisers can average about $3 to $4 a phone."
Clark emphasized that there are no fees for running a cell phone fundraiser through Project Re-cell. For more information, call 808-358-9190 or visit www.projectrecell.com.
Petitioners oppose condo project in Kau
HILO » More than 3,000 people have signed a petition against a 1,500-unit condominium development on the Big Island.
The 434-acre project, Sea Mountain at Punaluu, would be the biggest single development ever undertaken on the east side of the island. It will mostly consist of condominiums but will also include a hotel and a resort. Critics of the $850 million plan delivered the petitions to the Hawaii County Planning Department on Friday.
It asks the county, state and federal governments to work with Kau residents to acquire the 434 acres proposed for development.
The group Kau Preservation wants the government to buy the land so it can be a protected resource.
The project has drawn vehement opposition from environmental groups that say it will harm threatened and endangered species like the hawksbill turtle. They also say it would ruin the cultural and aesthetic qualities of the area.
"This represents a turning point in our efforts to save Punaluu," said Earl Louis, vice president of Kau Preservation. "Now the mayor and the Planning Department will hear the many voices of the thousands of people in Kau and in Hawaii that love Punaluu and want these sacred lands protected."
Shining Stars
Opportunities for the Retarded Inc. (ORI) Anuenue Hale received $150,000 from the
McInerny Foundation to help with the construction of its Elder Care/Wellness Center infrastructure.
Friends of Hawaii Charities also donated $5,000 for the Elder Care project's Learning Center, and $1,000 for its Elder Care programs and services.
ORI also received $5,000 from the Friends of Hawaii Charities for furniture in its Adult Day program.
The McInerny Foundation donated $100,000 to implement the "Creative Curriculum" program to help teachers assess student progress with lessons.
The Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation awarded $75,000 to establish the Castle Training Institute to provide in-depth, on-the-job training for entry-level staff to become preschool teachers.
Honsador Lumber has awarded $2,500 to Hawaii Community Assets (HCA) and Nanakuli Housing Corp. through the Hawaiian Way Fund to provide expertise and professional assistance for affordable housing. HCA is dedicated to increasing homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income native Hawaiian families.
"Shining Stars" runs Monday through Thursday.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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BIG ISLAND
Firefighters unable to save drowning victim
A man drowned yesterday while swimming at the Pahoa community swimming pool on the Big Island.
Firefighters responding to the call at about 9:20 a.m. found a lifeguard already performing CPR, a Hawaii County fire officials said.
The man was transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
HONOLULU
Main break closes North School Street
A water main break Saturday on North School Street near Liliha Street lifted a 30-by-60-foot section of roadway, closing a portion of the roadway to traffic. The break occurred at about 7:10 p.m. in front of 414 N. School St. Board of Water Supply customers also were affected, police said.