It's off-season for political campaigning, but there will be people wearing red-white-and-blue badges canvassing the residential areas on all islands throughout this month. Census-takers will be making
By Mary Adamski, Star-Bulletin
the rounds this monthThey are the first wave of U.S. Census Bureau workers preparing for the nationwide head count next year, and the badges are identification buttons.
Some 250 people are in training this week for the task of traveling through congested urban enclaves and remote rural roadways to verify addresses of houses and apartments against the current bureau list. The operation is intended to ensure the thoroughness and accuracy of the mailing of Census 2000 forms next year.
"They will not be talking to people in their homes, not until next year," said Robert Asato, head of the Honolulu Census office.
He said the bureau, an office of the U.S. Department of Commerce, worked with the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations work force development division in recruiting people for the temporary jobs which include about 40 office positions.
Nearly 500,000 census questionnaires will be mailed out to Hawaii households next March. After April 2000, the bureau will send out "enumerators" to speak with residents who have not returned the forms.
Asato said the address list is confidential and not provided to any marketing campaigns.
Applicants are sought for Miss Chinatown
Contestants are sought for the 22nd annual Miss Chinatown Hawaii Scholarship Pageant.The Chinatown Merchants Association, a sponsor of the pageant, will select the winner through its Queen Search Committee.
Contestants must be of Chinese ancestry, ages 18 to 26, with Chinese surname, and be single (never married) with no children. They must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of Hawaii.
This year's pageant will be Sept. 18 at Hawaii Theatre. Applicants, who have until May 31 to apply, should call Lori Young, 383-5674.
Goodwill raised goodly sum at benefit auction
The 1999 Goodwill Industries of Hawaii Fund-raising Auction in February earned more than $30,000.The money will be used for vocational training, job placement and support services for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment.
The agency, which has helped people with disabilities since 1959, served more than 1,350 people last year through its 16 job training, placement and support services. More than 300 people found jobs.
Fight asthma, get tax break by donating a vehicle
Donate a car, van, truck, motorcycle or boat to the American Lung Association of Hawaii to fight asthma and write the donation off on your income tax.For more information, call 537-5966, extension 303.
UPDATE
Mayor Jeremy Harris has signed a law restricting merchants from selling laser pointers to minors, but it seems they have begun clearing shelves on their own. Laser pointers
Clerks at Daiei, Longs and Toys-R-Us said they sold out of laser pointers and have not been bringing in new one for weeks, if not months.
"We're just closing out what we have," said Alex Lee, owner of Toys N Joys. The store stopped bringing in more laser pointers "being it's a hazard and the instances of it being dangerous."
He noted that sales had dropped dramatically in recent months in light of recent negative publicity and bans placed on them in schools. The store has been restricting sales to those 18 and older since the beginning of the year, Lee said.
Under the new law, no one under 18 is allowed to purchase laser pointers. The law also prohibits the sale or transfer of the devices to minors. Parents are held responsible for damages caused by minors in possession.
By Gordon Y.K. Pang,Star-Bulletin
The most direct way to get to the Web site of Kama'aina Careers, an online service tar- geting students from Hawaii at mainland colleges, is via www.kamaaina-careers.com. A report Friday in Hawaii Inc. included the Web address www.kamaainanetwork.com, which is also correct. CLARIFICATION
CORRECTIONS
The last significant tsunami occurred in Hawaii in 1964. There have been tsunami warnings here since, though, contrary to a report in Thursday's Star-Bulletin.
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Police, Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffPolice seek two men in carjacking case
Police are searching for two men who carjacked a man on Kapahulu Avenue this morning.The man, 37, turned into a parking lot at 1023 Kapahulu Avenue at about 1:25 a.m., police said.
When he attempted to turn around, he was blocked in by a red or maroon Chevrolet Blazer with two men inside.
The two suspects attempted force the man into their Blazer by gunpoint. However, the man was able to break free and run away.
The man's car was gone when he later returned.
Son arrested in father's beating
Police last night arrested a 40-year-old man for breaking his 73-year-old father's nose and ribs.The older man called police because his son was getting violent during an argument at their Kumukumu Street home in Hawaii Kai, police said.
When officers arrived at 9:18 p.m., they heard the father screaming for help.
When they looked in, the son was allegedly kicking and punching the father, police said.
Maui man burns self trying to douse fire
WAILUKU -- A Maui man sustained second-degree burns to his left hand and foot after trying to put out a fire in the closet of his residence at Kiawe Terrace in Kihei.Kanoa Dena was treated and released from Maui Memorial Hospital yesterday, following a fire that caused an estimated $2,500 in damages to the structure and contents of the apartment, Assistant Fire Chief Donald Moniz said..
Big Island police seize pakalolo plants
HILO -- Police seized 4,769 marijuana plants in various parts of the Puna District yesterday, they said.They also arrested a 27-year-old Hilo man found with 58 plants, a half-ounce of dried marijuana, and items to grow marijuana.
He was released pending investigation.
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