WASHINGTON -- Women in Hawaii earn less than men, but the wage gap is smaller than in almost any other state. Wage gap lower in isles
than most other statesA survey by the AFL-CIO and the Institute for Women's Policy Research released here today found the average American woman earns 74 cents for every dollar earned by the average man.
In Hawaii, the average woman earns 82 cents for every dollar earned by the average man, more than any state accept California (84 cents) and Florida (83 cents).
Researchers did not explain Hawaii's comparatively small wage gap. But they said strong unions tend to close the gender pay gap, and Hawaii's unions are among the strongest in the nation.
The report said paying women in Hawaii the same as men would increase earnings for single mothers by an average of $5,410 a year, slashing poverty rates for their families from 21.1 percent to 4.1 percent.
The study also found minorities in Hawaii earn less than white males, but the difference again is among the smallest of any state.
East-West Center gets $2.3 million in grants
The East-West Center has received five grants worth $2.3 million for population and health research and training in Asia.The grants include $280,000 from Microsoft mogul Bill Gates' foundation for work on the future population of the area.
Projects also include studies in young adult sexuality, HIV prevalence and family planning.
The environmental play "Under the Hawaiian Sky" performed at the state Capitol was designed to educate children about protecting the environment, not to support any specific bills, as implied in a Friday caption. CLARIFICATION
The telephone number of the Pacific Business Center at the University of Hawaii is 956-6286. A list of business resources in the "Small Business Smarts" special section Monday had an incorrect number. CORRECTION
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Police, Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffPOLICE
Accidental shot fired as driver is stopped
An officer's gun accidentally discharged yesterday during an arrest at Ala Moana Center.A 32-year-old Kahala woman was seen driving recklessly in the mall level parking lot at about 3:50 p.m., police said. The woman nearly struck a pedestrian.
When an officer stopped her, she refused to provide identification and drove off. When the officer stopped her again, she refused the officer's orders, police said.
The woman then allegedly brandished a penknife, and another officer opened her passenger door and drew his gun.
The door closed on his arm, the officer dropped the gun, and one round accidentally fired into the ground, police said. No one was injured.
The woman was booked for reckless driving and first-degree terroristic threatening.
Home at Ewa torched; damage put at $1,000
Arson has been determined as the cause of a blaze that damaged an Ewa home this morning.The fire was started with flammable liquids in the porch area of the Paeheulu Street home at about 1:20 a.m., according to fire officials.
No one was in the newly rehabilitated home, officials said. About $1,000 damage was reported.
Portable toilets burn in Aloha Stadium lot
Police are searching for suspects who set 50 portable toilets on fire this morning in the parking lot of Aloha Stadium.Officers discovered the fire at about 1:07 a.m. A tree and several trash bins also caught on fire.
2nd person arrested on drug indictment
Federal agents have arrested Jolene Setterquist, 31, of Kailua on a warrant charging her with distributing more than 50 grams of crystal methamphetamine.Setterquist and codefendant Kevyn Chir were indicted last Wednesday by a federal grand jury, said Bob Corso, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Hawaii office.
Setterquist was arrested Monday. Chir was arrested earlier.
Heart attack killed Molokai fall victim
WAILUKU -- An autopsy has shown that an Oahu man who fell from a concrete walkway at a harbor in south Molokai died of a heart attack, Maui police said.Fitsmaurice H. Hewitt, 63, of Kailua lost consciousness after the fall at Hale O Lono Harbor Saturday night and died early Sunday at Molokai General Hospital.
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