State workers union to fight mayor's plans
The Hawaii Government Employees Association has started an all-out effort to stop Mayor Jeremy Harris' plans to lay off union members and reorganize city government.Fliers were distributed to city workers late yesterday urging them to fight both actions.
"We've determined that neither is justifiable both from the standpoint of the budget as well as the so-called savings," said Keith Ahue, HGEA deputy director.
The union estimates 117 of its employees are being laid off at a savings of no more than $2 million.
Layoff notices have gone to 94 city employees in different departments. An extra 23 to 38 workers are to be laid off at the end of the year. Additionally, up to 33 contractual hires won't return after June 30.
Ahue said there are alternatives to the layoffs, such as eliminating vacant positions.
The union will try to persuade Harris to change his mind, and then Council members', Ahue said. The union is also looking at whether there are contractual or legal grounds to stop the layoffs.
While the administration has insisted that the layoffs and reorganization are separate issues, Ahue said there's no denying the link.
The reorganization proposes to merge departments and reduce the number of agencies to make government more efficient.
"We haven't found justification in what they've proposed," he said.
HGEA members are being encouraged to join in a rally protesting the layoffs in front of Honolulu Hale on Tuesday.
The administration had no immediate comment.
Neighborhood board supports park artists
The Diamond Head-Kapahulu-St. Louis Heights Neighborhood Board last night asked the city not to abolish any commercial activity at Kapiolani Park.By a vote of 9-2, the board sided with Honolulu Zoo fence artists and craft fair organizers who have been using the park despite a ban against such activities under the trust provisions governing Kapiolani Park.
The city is the custodian of the park and has to enforce a 1991 court order banning the sale of art on park trust lands.
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Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffNanakuli brush fire keeps fire crews busy
Eight fire companies were battling a brush fire in Nanakuli today.The 10:15 a.m. blaze started in the area of Hakimo and Paakea roads, fire officials said.
No injuries were reported and no structures were threatened at mid-morning.
Girl's story of kidnap and rape spurs probe
Police are investigating the story of a girl who said a man allegedly kidnapped her from Washington state and sexually assaulted her for more than seven months.The girl, 14, told authorities the man had held her against her will and subjected her to sexual acts since September 1997, police said. She said he kidnapped her from her home in Yakima, Wash., and flew her to Honolulu.
Police said the girl reported the incident when she escaped and gave birth at a local hospital.
Detectives in Yakima said the girl has been missing for 13 months, but they have not yet classified the case as a kidnapping.
Police here said the girl has not given any substantial information about the suspect other than the man's name is Brian.
The girl and the baby are in the custody of Child Protective Services.
Man charged in fire at girlfriend's home
Police yesterday charged a Kalihi man accused of setting fire to his former girlfriend's Kaneohe home on Wednesday.Travis Tavares, 19, was charged with first-degree criminal property damage, police said. He is being held on $20,000 bail.
In other news...
The search for a fisherman missing aboard his 17-foot Glasspro boat was suspended yesterday after six days in which the Coast Guard covered an estimated 36,000 square miles.
The family of Glen Gold, 45, of Hawaii Kai, reported him missing after he failed to return from a fishing trip last Friday.
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