Seventy-four Hawaii high school seniors are among 16,000 National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalists who are in the running for 7,600 scholarships worth more than $28 million. 74 isle seniors
vie for scholarshipsThe field of semifinalists will be whittled down to about 14,500 finalists. More than half of the finalists will be awarded scholarships in the spring.
The students entered the program by taking the 1998 preliminary scholastic aptitude test/national merit scholarship qualifying test as juniors.
Semifinalists from Hawaii are:
Hawaii Baptist Academy: Nichole K. Cadiente, Jared K. Oyama.
An interfaith organization that provides pastoral care to hospital patients and faith-based volunteer support for homebound sick and elderly people is seeking financial help with its annual fund-raising event. Health ministry seeks
fund-raising assistancePacific Health Ministry will present "A Taste of the Pacific Northwest" at the McCoy Pavilion next Saturday, featuring oysters, salmon and lamb on the menu. Two new automobiles are among items to be offered at a silent auction. Tickets at $80 are available by calling 843-8198.
The nonprofit agency formerly called Interfaith Ministry of Hawaii has provided chaplains and lay ministers for several Oahu hospitals for 13 years, said Penelope Hazzard, one of four staff nurses in the program. The organization conducts training in hospital ministry for ministers and seminary students.
It has expanded to offer home care service, which combines assessment visits by nurses and a spiritual outreach program.
"We see people in the gap, whose Medicare has run out, who don't qualify for adult protective service and can't be seen by health care agencies because they won't be paid," said Hazzard.
Although the program is a faith-based ministry, volunteers are not permitted to proselytize for their own belief system, Hazzard said.
Christian radio station KAIM-AM will be off the air for an undetermined period because of an electrical problem in its transmitter on Molokai. Transformer silences
KAIM-AM for nowThe station, which provides Christian talk shows and instruction and inspirational music, went silent Oct. 21. The company is seeking ways to replace or repair a high-voltage transformer that was damaged in the outage, according to a news release.
KAIM-FM, which offers contemporary Christian music, is still on the air.
The stations, owned by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, are in the process of being sold to Salem Communications, a Christian media company.
Insurance chief expects state rates to go down
Homeowners and motorists alike can look forward to lower insurance rates in coming months, according to the state's insurance commissioner."I expect the rates will go down," said commissioner Wayne Metcalf. "The only question is what that figure will be."
Metcalf said he's asked insurance companies to lower their rates because profit levels in Hawaii are among the highest in the nation. He said the new rate applications, requiring state approval, will be due in 120 days.
Metcalf noted that home insurance companies in Hawaii are making an average 48 percent profit. Auto insurance rates are similarly high, he said.
Insurance companies in June were asked to file new rates, due by mid-December.
"It should be good for Hawaii's consumers and good for Hawaii's economy because we currently export most insurance premiums out of the state," Metcalf said.
The Hawaii Insurance Bureau, an industry rating organization, has asked for a 10.7 percent reduction in home insurance rates.
But Metcalf said company profits will be evaluated individually, with reductions ordered accordingly.
Advertiser sports writer moving on to TV career
Honolulu Advertiser sports writer Dave Koga is moving to television.Koga has been named managing editor at KHNL News8, replacing Elisa Yadao, who resigned June 30.
Koga, 46, an Advertiser employee since 1981 who has served as the newspaper's sports editor, will oversee a news staff of 41, working under KHNL News Director Chuck Parker.
"We are thrilled to have someone with the experience, news judgment and credibility of Dave Koga," said John Fink, KHNL president and general manager.
"His abilities as a writer, manager and leader make him the prefect fit to our newsroom as we continue to grow."
Koga begins his new post Nov. 15.
H-1, Pali roadwork to begin next week
Work begins next week on the H-1 freeway and Pali Highway.The freeway's Koko Head Avenue offramp will be closed Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for roadwork and striping.
And the freeway's Honolulu-bound left lane will be closed at the Waiawa Interchange Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to replace light poles.
Work on Pali Highway is scheduled to begin Monday to extend the left-turn storage lane at Waokanaka Street. Also, existing drainage catch basins, under-drains and existing traffic signal conduits will be relocated.
Signs and pavement markers will be installed. Construction of asphalt and concrete pavement, curbs and gutters are also scheduled.
Abuse treatment center to honor its supporters
The Sex Abuse Treatment Center will honor its outstanding community supporters at a Nov. 21 awards dinner and silent auction at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.The deadline for reservations for the $50-per-person event is Nov. 5.
The function will benefit the center, a program of Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children.
Silent-auction items will include restaurant and shopping certificates, entertainment packages and holiday gifts.
Call 535-7613.
Correction
The University of Hawaii-Hilo now has 2,790 students. Another figure was listed in a graphic yesterday.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Waianae pupil accused of punching teacher
Police arrested a 13-year-old Waianae Intermediate student for allegedly punching her teacher on Thursday.The girl attempted to leave class without permission at 12:45 p.m., police said. The teacher, a 62-year-old man, blocked the door to prevent the girl from leaving.
The student then punched the teacher in the shoulder.
She was booked for second-degree assault and released to an adult.
Man in custody charged in naked assaults
A 37-year-old man who reportedly ran naked through his apartment complex on Wednesday and sexually assaulted a 60-year-old woman has been charged.Kang Fu Chen, 37, was charged yesterday with kidnapping, first-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree sexual assault, third-degree sexual assault and assaulting a police officer, police said.
He is being held on $100,000 bail.
Police said Chen ran nude through the hallways of his North Beretania Street apartment building, knocking on doors.
When a 60-year-old woman opened the door to see what was happening, he forced his way into her unit and sexually assaulted her, police said.
Chen later attacked a police officer, according to police.
Hilo man found dead at Wailoa River park
HILO -- Police and Fire Department rescue personnel recovered the body of a man found floating in Wailoa River State Park waters at 7:55 a.m. yesterday, police said.The man was identified as Clyde L. Cobb, 54, of Hilo.
There was no apparent sign of foul play, officials said. The case is classified as a coroner's inquest, and an autopsy has been ordered.
