Research, extension and teaching functions of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources are being integrated for a stronger program, says Dean Charles Laughlin. UH integrating some
By Helen Altonn, Star-Bulletin
services at Tropical AgUntil now, he said, the programs have operated largely on their own and were "not necessarily working together." He said that caused "great confusion, both on campus, as well as in the state."
The Board of Regents today approved elimination of the Hawaii Institute of Tropical Agriculture as the first step toward reorganization. Later this year, the 11 departments will be consolidated and reduced.
The institute has handled research and extension in the agriculture college under its own director.
A more traditional arrangement is planned with extension and research on a level with teaching programs, and all will answer to the dean, Laughlin said.
He said the institute's director, Mike Harrington, will serve as interim associate dean and associate director for research. The college has about 230 research projects under way totaling about $15 million in grants.
Charlotte Nakamura will be interim associate dean and associate director for cooperative extension. Wayne Iwaoka will be interim associate dean for academic and student affairs.
HILO - A buoy that studies wind, waves and weather off the Big Island is no longer transmitting after vandals ripped off its antenna, federal officials said yesterday. Weather buoy vandalized
Associated Press
off Big IslandThe buoy is positioned about 200 miles southeast of Hilo.
There are four buoys positioned around the Hawaiian Islands to measure weather conditions.
Similar vandalism occurred in 1997 and 1998 at a buoy north of Kauai.
William A. Pearman has been appointed chancellor of the University of Hawaii West Oahu College. Pearman chancellor of
West Oahu CollegeHis appointment, approved today by the UH Board of Regents, will take effect June 1.
He is currently vice chancellor for academic affairs at UH Hilo. Pearman joined the Hilo campus in 1994 as chief academic officer and for 17 months he has served as interim UH Hilo campus chancellor and interim UH senior vice president.
Pearman had been campus executive officer at Pennsylvania State University, Wilkes-Barre campus; and provost and vice president for academic affairs at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut.
A family law clinic will be held from 9 a.m. to noon May 1 at Richards Street YWCA, courtesy of the Young Lawyers Division of the Hawaii State Bar Association. Free clinic among events
offered as part of Law WeekIt's part of the nationwide Law Week theme "Celebrate Your Freedom," in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of the Hawaii State Bar Association.
Hawaii Lawyers Care also will provide volunteer attorneys to income-qualified individuals at the family law clinic. Call 528-7046.
Other activities include a presentation on how trial by jury works in the second-floor Supreme Courtroom in the old judiciary building at 417 S. King St. at 10 a.m. May 1. Registration is required for this free event by calling 537-1868. Seating is limited to the first 40 people.
The project also is sponsored by Hawaii State Judiciary.
Additionally, there will be intellectual property clinics May 2 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Border's outlets at Ward Centre and Waikele Shopping Center - and an elder law clinic May 7 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Sears Ala Moana Conference Room. Call 537-1868.
Rounding out Law Week will be legal line clinics May 8 from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the following locations: Daiei Kaheka, Daiei Kailua, Sam's Club, Pali Safeway, Kamehameha Shopping Center, Pearlridge Shopping Center, Uptown and Windward Mall.
Event marks 204 years since Pali cliff battle
This year marks the 204th anniversary of the Battle of Nuuanu Pali, in which King Kamehameha drove many Oahu defenders over the cliff when he conquered the island in 1795.The battle anniversary will be commemorated at a ceremony at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow at the Pali summit to honor warriors of both sides. Before this battle, Hawaiian chiefs on each of the islands were in constant warfare for supremacy.
The battle ended this warfare, and eventually all of the islands were united under Kamehameha the Great.
Sponsor of tomorrow's ceremony, Na Papa Kanaka O Puukohole Heiau Kawaihai, Hawaii, said it wants to end this millennium in a spirit of hookuikahi (unification), welcoming the Hawaiian community and the general public to join in the observance.
There will be workshops and lectures at Nuuanu Valley Park and at Queen Emma Summer Palace starting at 8:30 a.m.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police, Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffEighteen-year-old Pierre Fetu Taifai, charged with stabbing a homeless man at Pearl City's Blaisdell Park in August, was convicted yesterday of reckless manslaughter. COURT
Teen guilty in fatal stabbing
The prosecutor had asked that Taifai, who was just 17 when the incident happened, be convicted of second-degree murder.
Family Court had waived jurisdiction of the case.
The defense had told jurors in Judge Richard Perkins' courtroom that the victim had made sexual gestures toward a group of men who were in the restroom.
A fight ensued, ending with Alton J. Anderson, 23, being stabbed to death.
Todd Eddins, Taifai's defense attorney, said the prosecutor had "overcharged" his client and he was only protecting himself.
Eddins said the homosexuality charge was not an issue in the killing.
During the trial Glenn Kim, deputy prosecuting attorney, said Taifai had brutally stabbed Anderson 11 times.
The defendant stabbed Anderson with a butterfly knife, which he later threw out of a car window, Kim said.
Taifai is scheduled to be sentenced June 25.
Lawyer Verdin debarred for impeding probe
The state Supreme Court has suspended attorney George A. Verdin from the practice of law for his failure to cooperate with an investigation of his professional conduct.The Office of Disciplinary Counsel said the suspension, effective Wednesday, will be in effect until further order of the Supreme Court.
The investigation of his professional conduct will continue, the office said.
Crew closes off street while patching gas line
An old, 4-inch gas main, weakened by corrosion, started leaking synthetic natural gas through a manhole yesterday at Victoria and South King streets.Fire Capt. Carter Davis of the Hazardous Materials Response Team said the first call of the incident was received at 11:24 a.m.
The Gas Company sent a crew that patched the line and stopped the leak immediately, he said.
Victoria was closed between King and Young streets.No buildings were evacuated, he said.
Davis said there was potential for fire if something were to ignite the gas, but because synthetic natural gas is not as combustible as propane, the danger area would have been somewhat limited.
13-year-old boy claims older teen raped him
A 17-year-old boy was arrested yesterday for allegedly raping a 13-year-old boy.The alleged incident happened on Wednesday at a Loulu Street address, police said.
The suspect was booked for first-degree sexual assault.
Smoke overcomes one in Waikiki condo fire
A trash-chute fire in a Waikiki high-rise left one person overcome with smoke last night.Three fire companies responded to the 9:28 p.m. alarm at the Waikiki Skyliner at 2415 Ala Wai.
Confined to the trash chute, the fire was under control at 9:38
Big Isle residents alerted to scam investment letter
HILO -- Police are warning Big Island residents about a scam offered in a letter by supposed officials of the Nigerian government.In a complicated offer, the letter promises to share $3.9 million out of $15.5 million in government funds supposedly trapped in the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Anyone receiving such a letter is asked to call police at 935-3311.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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