With three-fourths of the fiscal year completed, the state's tax revenue situation looks bleak. Hawaii's tax revenue
forecast loweredTax revenues deposited into the state's general fund during the first nine months of the fiscal year was only 0.6 percent, or $12.4 million, more than what was collected during the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year, state Tax Director Ray Kamikawa announced yesterday.
The Council on Revenues lowered its tax revenue forecast for this fiscal year, which ends June 30, from 1 percent to 0.5 percent.
Kamikawa also said tax collections for last month were down 2.2 percent, or $4.4 million, when compared with March 1998.
"As a result of reduced withholding rates that reflect the new lower individual income tax rates, taxes withheld on wages declined $3.4 million, which in turn caused March general fund deposits from the individual income tax to drop by $3.4 million," Kamikawa said. "As a result, cumulative fiscal year deposits from the individual income tax were only a marginal $0.4 million ahead of the pace set the previous year."
PAIA, Maui -- Paia merchants, fearing a reduction in visitor traffic, said they may not like the schedule of road closings to realign a portion of Hana Highway but they can live with it. Merchants can live with
Hana Highway workThe state wants to realign a section of road that is slipping seaward.
"None of the hours are really favorable for Paia but we can work with it," said Eileen Rockwell of Big Bugga Sportswear.
The state transportation schedule calls for the repairs at Honomanu, past Kaumahina State Wayside Park, to take place five days a week from 6 to 8:30 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Goodfellow Bros. Inc. is expected to begin the work on the $1.8 million road repair on May 3.
State transportation officials say it will take a year to finish.
Two senators honored for public service
U.S. Sens. Daniel Inouye and Ted Stevens of Alaska each will receive the Henry M. Jackson Award for Distinguished Public Service tomorrow at a dinner at the Rainier Club in Seattle.The award was established by the Henry M. Jackson Foundation to honor individuals who have made important contributions to the nation through public service and who share qualities of leadership personified by the late Sen. Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson.
Inouye and Stevens will be recognized for their leadership and nearly 70 combined years of public service, regionally and nationally. Their concern for native Americans, including native Hawaiians and Alaskan natives, and their World War II military service and leadership in national security matters are frequently noted.
3 trial presentations will mark Law Day
The Hawaii State Bar Association is celebrating its 100th anniversary and Law Day with presentations on how trial by jury works.The first two will be high school presentations at 9 a.m. April 29 and 30 in the second-floor Supreme Courtroom in the old Judiciary building at 417 S. King St.
The third will be for the general public at 10 a.m. May 1 at the same location. The project is sponsored by the Bar Association and the Hawaii State Judiciary.
Throughout a mock trial, a moderator will explain strategies used by attorneys, and the audience will actively take part as jurors.
Host families sought for foreign students
The American Institute for Foreign Study Foundation is looking for host families for students from Brazil, Germany, Poland, Hungary and China.International students with good English skills and motivation will arrive in Honolulu this August for an academic year in America, a program in effect for 17 years.
Students range in age from 15 to 18 and are from a number of countries.
They will attend local high schools while they are here, and they have their own medical insurance and spending money.
Potential hosts or Hawaii students who wish to participate in the program by studying abroad can call 1-800-322-4678, extension 6078.
Storytelling, music to celebrate Library Week
Celebrate National Library Week April 11-17 at the state's public libraries.That's the message being sent by the libraries, which will be offering educational and other programs during the week, including music and storytelling.
Their theme is "Read! Learn! Connect! @ the Library."
Call local libraries for more information on special programs.
Richard "Ike" Sutton was a former state representative, not a senator as stated in a photo caption Thursday. CORRECTION
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffCriminal mischief
By Jaymes K. Song, Star-Bulletin
mars band contestThree students from California were hospitalized after someone shot a fire extinguisher into the gymnasium of Kamehameha Schools last night.
Officers responded to a 911 call from the school's library at 10:12p.m., police said. Upon arrival, the officers were led to the Kekuhaupio Gymnasium where the "World of Pageantry Field Show" was taking place.
The show is a color guard and band competition with participants from the mainland.
Witnesses told police smoke was coming from inside the gym area. The smoke was first believed to be coming from tear gas cannister or a smoke bomb. Several people had skin and eye irritation and breathing problems, police said.
Four fire companies were called and the building was evacuated.
Three girls were taken to Kaiser and Kapiolani Hospitals with breathing problems but were reported to be in stable condition.
Investigators said the smoke came from someone who fired a fire extinguisher into the gymnasium's mauka window.
Police have classified the case as a "criminal use of a noxious substance" and have no suspects.
Collision with car kills man, 33, on motorcycle
A motorcyclist was killed this morning after a car slammed into him on Kalakaua Avenue in McCully, police said.The motorcyclist was driving mauka on Kalakaua Avenue when the car, heading the other way, attempted to make a left turn to Phillip Street at 12:02 a.m., police said.
The 33-year-old man was ejected from his motorcycle and was taken to Queen's Hospital in critical condition.
He later died.
The 72-year-old man driving the car was not injured.
Speed and alcohol are not contributing factors, police said.
The motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet.
The accident this morning is the 14th fatality of the year, compared to 13 at the same time last year, police said.
Foul play not suspected in death of passenger
Police have tentatively ruled out foul play in the death of a 59-year-old Waianae man found dead on an interisland airplane last night.The man was on an airplane from Maui to Honolulu, police said.
He was found unresponsive at about 9 p.m.
Man stabbed in fight; police hunting suspect
Police are searching for a man who stabbed a 34-year-old Waipahu man yesterday at the Pearl Kai Shopping Center.The two men were fighting when the Waipahu man was stabbed in the stomach at 11:20 p.m., police said.
After the stabbing, the suspect ran away, officers said.
The injured man was taken to Queen's Hospital, where he remains in guarded condition.
Dead driver may have suffered heart attack
A 47-year-old man died today after driving into the yard of a Nanakuli home.Police said the man might have suffered a heart attack while driving on Farrington Highway at 7 a.m.
He was taken to St. Francis-West Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
See our [Search] [Info] section for subscription information.
