Vote backs Teamsters at Young Laundry
Local 996 of the Hawaii Teamsters Union said a union decertification vote at Young Laundry has failed.The National Labor Relations Board vote taken at the Auiki Street plant resulted in a union victory by a 40 percent margin, a Teamsters announcement said.
"According to our head count, I believe some of the replacement workers voted for the union," said Local 996 President Mel Kahele.
"We still have to deal with some challenged ballots. The Labor Board should be holding a hearing to adjudicate the challenged ballots in a few weeks. We are confident that we will prevail."
Kahele said the local is again calling for the company to return to the bargaining table and try to reach a contract settlement.
"Without the skill and experience of the union work force, the company cannot provide the quality service its customers deserve," the union leader said.
Teamsters at Young Laundry have been on strike since Oct. 8.
Tourist kayakers have whale of a time off Maui
A whale gave a visiting couple from Gainesville, Ga., a turn this week at Sugar Beach in Maui. It splashed its tail, causing their kayaks to capsize.The couple escaped injury in the incident Thursday.
They were able to regain control of their kayak and return to shore, the Coast Guard said.
A National Marine Fisheries agent said the kayakers were not in violation of state and federal laws limiting proximity to protected species when the incident occurred.
Opinions on UH waivers for Hawaiians sought
Hearings on a proposal to give native Hawaiians tuition waivers to the University of Hawaii will begin next week at a number of locations throughout the state.Although they are not legislative hearings, they will give the public an opportunity to make their views on the proposal known, the university said.
Hearing times and places are:
Tuesday: 3 p.m. at Maui Community College, Skybridge Classroom 101 (in the library).
Big Island ranchers can still seek drought aid
HILO -- Ranchers who have lost livestock to prolonged drought in West Hawaii can still apply for funds to help offset their losses, the Hawaii County Farm Service Agency has announced.The sign-up, to have closed last month, has been extended to March 31.
Drought has plagued the Kau, North Kona, South Kona and South Kohala districts since October 1997, according to the agency.
Ranches that experienced at least a 40 percent loss of grazing during a 120-consecutive-day period may be eligible. For information, call 933-6963.
New women's program opens for 'ice' addicts
The Women's Addiction Treatment Center of Hawaii at St. Francis Medical Center will launch a free drug-treatment program for women at an open house 10 a.m. March 22.The program, called MATRIX, will begin April 1 at St. Francis, one of seven sites selected for a $3.1 million study to determine the effectiveness of treatments for methamphetamine, or "ice."
The treatment center received $371,795 for the first year. Applicants must be 18 or older, active methamphetamine users, able to participate in outpatient treatment, and willing to participate in data collection and follow-up interviews.
The open house will be in Suite 404 of St. Francis' outpatient building. Call 547-6801.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Search] [Info] section for subscription information.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffPOLICE/FIRE
Arizona tourist, 45, dies swimming near Ihilani Resort
A 45-year-old Arizona man died yesterday while swimming near the Ihilani Resort and Spa.The tourist was swimming in the lagoon near the hotel at about 6:30 p.m. and went past some buoys, police said.
One person reported seeing him hanging onto a rock, but he was dead when lifeguards arrived, according to police.
Waianae house fire points to arson, fire officials say
Fire investigators said a house fire in Waianae yesterday was maliciously set.The residents of 86-576 Wikolia Pl. were not home when the blaze started at about 6:15 a.m., fire officials said.
Five fire companies extinguished the blaze in 15 minutes.
Arson investigators said someone set the rear part of the house on fire. About $70,000 in damage was reported. Police have no suspects.
Waikiki high-rise fire causes $95,000 damage to one unit
Fire yesterday gutted a 16th-floor unit at a Waikiki high-rise, causing an estimated $95,000 in damage.Firefighters, responding to the 3:57 p.m. alarm at the Waipuna at 469 Ena Road, reported the blaze under control at 4:06 p.m.
The Waipuna's manager and an employee were fighting the fire in unit 1611 with a house line when firefighters arrived.
No injuries were reported.
Anonymous tip guides police to attempted-murder suspect
An anonymous tip Thursday led to the arrest of a 24-year-old man wanted for attempted murder.Jaylen Pedro Martin was arrested without incident on a $200,000 warrant at a Walea Uka Place residence near Leilehua High School. Martin is accused of shooting his former girlfriend on Feb. 19.
Public again asked to help find missing man on Big Isle
HILO - Police have renewed a request for the public's help in finding Bob Subaratnam, 62, of Puna, missing in the Saddle Road area since Nov. 27.After a minor accident with another car, Subaratnam got out of the car in which he was a passenger, walked away with his dog, and hasn't been seen since. His family reported him missing four days later.
Subaratnam suffers from memory loss, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 326-4275.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Search] [Info] section for subscription information.
