Millennium Moments
A century ago, Steamer Days stirred hearts and excitement as people anxiously watched and waited for the big vessels to pull in to port. Steamer Days
As noted in "Hawaii: The Electric Century" by Carl Myatt and Deborah Uchida:
"The sweet scent of ginger and jasmine wafted through Honolulu Harbor's piers.
"More than 100 horse-drawn buggies lined up on Honolulu's Esplanade to greet disembarking passengers, or to bid aloha to departing ones. Ladies came decked out in their finest. Bands played. Dancers swayed."
"Six miles from the cleft in the Pali the lei women sit on Hotel Street and sell their wreaths," Katherine Fullerton wrote in her 1916 "Hawaii Scenes and Impressions." "If you are a departing traveler -- and sooner or later alas, you must be -- your friends stock themselves heavily. You are bowed down with the weight of flowers as you steam away from Honolulu."
And as the vessel pulled away, leis were tossed into the water, say Myatt and Uchida, in hopes that if the flowers drifted back to shore, so too would loved ones return to Hawaii.
UH, Oregon study to eye health issues
A $1 million grant is going to the Oregon Research Institute to work with the University of Hawaii on crosscultural studies of lifestyle, health beliefs and health behaviors in Hawaii.Anthony J. Marsella, a UH psychology professor, is principal investigator.
Researchers are seeking participants from 1965 studies who were primary school students at the time at a number of elementary schools on Oahu.
Additionally, 1967 participants on Kauai also were part of earlier studies. Those who agree to take part in this new study will be paid for participating.
Prospective participants will receive mailed-out invitations to join the study.
Those who do not receive invitations may get in touch with the project office, 956-8179, to add their names to the mailing list to receive a Lifestyle, Culture and Health survey next month.
Kaneohe school hosts blood-donation drive
The annual Windward community blood drive, sponsored by the Honolulu Police Department and area businesses, will be held Nov. 13 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ben Parker School.Last year, a one-day state record of 290 pints was collected by the Windward drive.
Hiroshima cops study crime-fighting here
Two police officers from Hiroshima, Japan, are here to observe the operations of the Honolulu Police Department and the state and federal criminal justice systems.Assistant Inspectors Norihisa Ikeda and Toshihiko Nakagami are the sixth pair of Japanese officers to visit Hawaii as part of an information exchange program.
When their three-week tour here is completed, two Honolulu police officers will return with them to Japan.
Abuse survivors unveil their story at main library
During October, survivors of domestic violence created T-shirts in Oahu shelters to express their experiences and spirit.The shirts will be displayed throughout November at the Hawaii State Library.
The 1999 Clothesline Project Hawaii will open 2 p.m. Monday in the lobby of the state library.
The theme is "Let's Unveil Domestic Violence."
Speakers at the opening will include State Librarian Virginia Lowell; Nanci Kriedman, director of the Domestic Violence Clearinghouse & Legal Hotline, who brought the project here in 1994; and Lynn McCluskey, Rita Martin, Tammy Weidknecht and Ann Banglos, who are directors of Oahu shelters.
Corrections
The statewide public library system has 50 libraries, with the latest one opening April 14 at Princeville on Kauai. A "Millennium Moments" report Monday said incorrectly that there were 49 libraries.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Search to resume for missing soldier
Federal and Honolulu rescue units were to resume searching today for a Schofield Barracks soldier reported overdue from a hike.The search at Kolekole Pass was begun just before nightfall yesterday but was suspended because of rain and fog in the Waianae mountain range.
The Honolulu Fire Department helicopter and Wahiawa engine company joined military units in the search.
Fire department crews succeeded in an earlier search and rescue operation at sea offshore of Kualoa Point on Windward Oahu.
Three people were brought ashore from an 18-foot catamaran that lost its mast about two miles from shore.
The stranded sailors used a cellular telephone to call for help about 4 p.m. and were brought to shore two hours later.
A fire department spokesman said the boat was left at sea and the owner intended to reclaim it today.
Teller spots suspect; police make an arrest
Police yesterday charged Elena Kaolelopono, 22, on three counts of second-degree forgery after a Bank of Hawaii teller recognized her as a person who had previously cashed stolen checks.Kaolelopono, who has no permanent local address, is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.
The alleged incidents occurred between Sept. 23 and Oct. 5, police said.
Forgery and theft charges are also pending against a 32-year-old woman who allegedly cashed a check stolen from the mail on Oct. 1 at a Makiki-area bank.
The woman allegedly cashed two other stolen checks on July 9 at banks in Kaimuki and McCully.
California man dies swimming off Big Isle
HILO -- A 49-year-old California man apparently drowned while swimming at Kehena Beach 25 miles south of Hilo yesterday, authorities said.The victim's name was being held pending notification of his next of kin.
Bystanders said the victim was found floating unconscious in the water about 11 a.m., Fire Department rescue personnel said.
Someone brought the man ashore, but people there were unable to revive him.
An autopsy will be done to determine the cause of death, police said.
Fire officials probe blaze at Hilo home
HILO -- An explosion and fire caused $100,000 damage to a two-story house in the Kaumana City area of Hilo yesterday, the Fire Department said.A neighbor reported hearing an explosion and seeing the fire but it wasn't clear which came first. The cause was under investigation.
No one was home at the house, owned by Eric Rodrigues.
