Millennium Moments
ON Nov. 9, 1870, Dr. Gerrit P. Judd started Hawaii's first medical school -- for Hawaiian students only -- with money from the 1868 and 1870 Legislatures. There were just 10 students, and they finished their work in October 1872, according to "Firsts and Almost Firsts in Hawaii" by Robert C. Schmitt. Medical schools few, far between
When Judd died, the school closed.
It wasn't until July 1962 that the Department of Public Health was created at the University of Hawaii; it became the School of Public Health in September 1965.
Also created that year: the UH's School of Medicine.
Today, the School of Public Health is battling for its life, the victim of accreditation loss and university budget woes. Amid the controversy to close the school is talk about absorbing some of the Public Health curriculum into the School of Medicine.
A local group is raising funds for Taiwan's indigenous people after a recent earthquake that killed 2,400. Masons raise funds for Taiwan
Many indigenous people need help after
a recent quake that killed thousandsFrom poor, isolated villages, the tribal people have been among the last to reach help.
The 2,000 members of the nonprofit Grand Lodge of Hawaii Free and Accepted Masons is sponsoring a fund-raiser for the victims. Money can be sent to the Hawaii Masonic Foundation at 1111 Bishop St., Suite 500, Honolulu 96813. Or call 531-9050.
Performers from the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau will also perform in Taiwan at a trade show and Hawaii food and cultural festival Thursday, as an expression of sympathy for the victims, the HVCB said.
Free hepatitis B shots offered to teachers, their spouses, kids
Hepatitis B vaccination clinics for school teachers are being sponsored by the Hawaii State Teachers Association and HSTA Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association Trust.HSTA says that since teachers are highly susceptible to hepatitis B through contacts with students, the free shots are offered for teachers who are part of the trust medical insurance program, their spouses and children 18 and older.
"Hepatitis B poses a serious health threat to us all because we come in close contact with many people during the course of our workday," said HSTA President Karen Ginoza. "Because Hawaii has the highest infection rate of hepatitis B in the nation, we must make a strong effort to get vaccinated against this disease."
A series of shots will be given over six months at various public schools in all districts.
Shots will be given Nov. 15-Dec. 15; Jan. 10-Feb. 11; and April 24-May 26.
Although appointments are not necessary for vaccinations at clinics, eligible teachers must present picture identification and their Hawaii Medical Service Association card.
Family Court's McNish plans to retire Dec. 31
Maui Family Court Judge Douglas S. McNish will retire on Dec. 31, the Judiciary announced today.McNish, 55, said he was retiring because he could no longer devote himself fully to his job. In a letter to Chief Justice Ronald Moon, he said, "The demanding job of moving cases swiftly through the court, of allocating court time, of improving procedures, and developing new resources requires the leadership of someone who is eager to give the task 100 percent effort."
McNish, a graduate of Willamette University, was appointed as a full-time family court judge in 1984. In 1988, the judge launched "They're Still Our Children," a divorce-education program to help minimize the negative effects of divorce on children. Family Court now has mandatory divorce-education programs on all islands.
McNish has made no plans for the future, but said that he will not return to private practice or serve as a part-time judge after a full-time judge is appointed in his place.
17 seek to fill vacancy on OHA trustee board
Seventeen applicants are vying to fill a vacancy on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees.In response to OHA ads, the applications came in to serve out the term of retiring trustee Moses Keale, representing Kauai and Niihau.
The applicants are Randolph F. Wichman, Hedy Leilani Sullivan, David E. Cutcher, Lena K. Palama, Sharon A. Pomroy, Derek I. Hosaka, Stephanie P. Ano, Llewella N. Zablam, Randy S.N. Rego, Belle Napuaala Kaiwi, Jeffrey T. Chandler, James P. Evans, Daisy LaFrance K. Arboleda, James K. Torio, Warren C.R. Perry, Paula Leimamo Wong and A. Puanani Rogers.
OHA trustees have 60 days from Nov. 1, the effective date of Keale's retirement, to choose his replacement. Six votes are required for selection. If no replacement has been selected at the end of 60 days, Gov. Ben Cayetano will appoint the interim trustee. The Kauai seat will be open to candidates interested in running for election in November 2000.
Blood bank needs donors of all types
Blood Bank of Hawaii continues to call for donors -- this time for all types of blood."We are currently at an operational level for Type O, the universal 'giver,' " said Dr. Robyn Yim, vice president and medical director. "However, if the trend in usage continues as it has over the past few weeks, we still need the help of Hawaii residents of all blood types to give the 'gift of life' so that we can meet patient needs."
Donation hours for this week at Dillingham Center, 2043 Dillingham Blvd., are 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, tomorrow and Friday, and 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Veterans Day.
Hours at the Downtown Donor Center are 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today and tomorrow -- closed Thursday.
Ceremony will mark 100 years of pumping
When it was built 100 years ago, the Kalihi Pumping Station on the corner of North King and Waiakamilo streets cost $35,000 to construct.An open house at the facility in commemoration of its centennial takes place Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Fred Ohrt Water Museum, part of the facility, also will be open.
The original Allis Triple Steam Pump, while no longer operational, remains on display at the station.
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply converted to electric power in 1971, replacing two steam pumps with more efficient motor-driven pumps.
Corrections
Max Cooper, vice president of the Hawaii Rifle Association, owns a gun, but does not carry a gun as was reported Thursday in the Star-Bulletin.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Bomb explodes in truck parked at Mililani home
Police are investigating a bomb that exploded yesterday inside of a pickup truck parked at a Mililani home.Residents heard a loud explosion at 11 a.m. and discovered an explosive device was detonated inside a pickup truck on Alaalaa Loop, police said. The 1987 Toyota truck was parked in a garage and sustained major damage.
Police have no suspects as of this morning.
Police hunting man who raped woman in Waialua
Police are searching for a man they say broke into a Waialua home and sexually assaulted a woman early Sunday morning.The woman woke up at 2 a.m. and found an unknown man lying next to her, police said. The man allegedly held her down and sexually assaulted her.
The suspect ran away when she screamed for help, police said.
Moanalua resident jailed for aiming gun at couple
A 39-year-old man was arrested yesterday for allegedly threatening a couple with a handgun at his Moanalua home.The woman, 33, and her husband went to her former boyfriend's Ala Waiopua Street home to collect some of her belongings at 6:15 p.m., police said. The suspect, who was not home, had put her belongings in the driveway.
The suspect ran out of a nearby home and allegedly aimed a handgun at his former girlfriend when she set off a car alarm, police said. He later aimed the handgun at the husband.
The suspect was booked for two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening and firearms offenses. Police seized a 9mm semi-automatic handgun.
Man returns with knife to rob woman at bus stop
Police are searching for a man who allegedly robbed a woman at knifepoint yesterday at a Nimitz Highway bus stop.The woman caught the bus in Ewa Beach and the suspect boarded in Pearl City, police said. They both got off the bus at Nimitz and Lagoon Drive at 10:10 p.m.
The man walked away, but the woman remained at the bus stop, waiting for another bus. The suspect returned with a knife and took her purse, police said.
The suspect is described as in his 20s, 5 feet 4 inches tall, with a tan complexion and a thin mustache. He was wearing a dark hat with a full brim and a brown flannel shirt.
Motorcyclist who died in crash was from Alabama
A 23-year-old Kaneohe Marine who died in a motorcycle accident Sunday night has been identified as Cpl. Coury T. Daniel of Marine Corps Base Hawaii.The native of Lafayette, Ala., crashed his westbound motorcycle on the H-3 freeway near Likelike Highway shortly after 10 p.m., police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Speed appears to be a factor in the crash, and the victim was not wearing a helmet, police said.
