Millennium Moments
TWENTY-ONE hours, 20 minutes; average speed, 130 mph. Historic crossing
So it was on Nov. 23, 1935, when Pan American Airways' China Clipper became the first commercial aircraft to successfully cross the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii.
Commercial flight quickly soared. Within a year, Pan Am's amphibious aircraft were flying daily to Manila through Honolulu, say Carl Myatt and Deborah Uchida in "Hawaii the Electric Century." And the round-trip airfare from San Francisco to Oahu cost $500.
It would be on June 30, 1959, that the first commercial jet came here: a Qantas Imperial Airways Boeing 707 landed at Honolulu Airport, bound for London.
Two months later, the authors say, the first jet domestic carrier, Pan Am, arrived on Aug. 24: a demonstration flight from Seattle to Honolulu in a record-breaking five hours, 24 minutes. Regular commercial flights soon began, on Sept. 7.
At this time of year, it is traditional to ask members of the community to look into their hearts and pocketbooks to help those who are leading lives of quiet desperation. The Star-Bulletin's Good Neighbor Fund offers a way to make a difference. Less fortunate need community's help
Monetary gifts may be sent to the Good Neighbor Fund, c/o Honolulu Star-Bulletin, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, HI 96802, or dropped off at any of First Hawaiian Bank's 56 branches.
Clothing, household items and other gifts can be dropped off at the Community Clearinghouse, 914 Kapalama Military Reservation.
You also may participate in the Adopt-A-Family program, in which businesses, employee groups, social clubs, families or individuals can pick a specific family to help.
For more information, call 847-1362.
Damage will ground ferry temporarily
The state Department of Transportation says unexpected damage to one of the hydrofoil's engines will keep the Wiki Wiki ferry out of service this week. Ferry operators Pacific Marine & Supply Co. said the repairs are expected by the end of this week, with ferry service resuming again Monday.Eric Schiff, Pacific Marine vice president, said the company is expecting parts to arrive tomorrow. He said a technician from Seattle and a local mechanical crew will work through the holidays to repair the engine.
In the meantime, ferry commuters can ride the Wiki Wiki Ferry shuttle buses from Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor to Aloha Tower Marketplace during the morning and afternoon rush hour commute.
Commuters are urged to call the ferry hot line at 848-6360 for updates and status.
Thanksgiving fliers: Be security savvy
If you're flying this Thanksgiving, be aware many airports have increased security over the past year.A new device combines X-rays and modern scan technology, the Federal Aviation Administration says. It detects explosives in baggage but it also can leave a foggy half-inch streak on unprocessed film. Put film in carry-on bags and request hand inspection, the FAA says.
The FAA also advises:
Don't carry wrapped presents or packages. They will probably be opened and inspected.
Isle troops returning from duty in East Timor
About dozen soldiers are set to return from East Timor this week after spending two months supporting the United Nations Peacekeeping efforts.They are members of the 205th Military Intelligence Battalion from Fort Shafter.
Still in East Timor are members of the Army Reserve's 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade.
Mission seeks help for Thanksgiving food
The River of Life Mission is asking for donations of the following items for its annual Thanksgiving Day dinner for the poor and homeless: pre-cooked turkeys, preferably deboned, luau-style paper plates, plastic forks and knives, paper napkins, butter, margarine, instant mashed potatoes, Stove-Top stuffing, instant and evaporated milk, chicken broth, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pies, ready-made pie shells, prepared salad mix, large pitted olives.To make donations, call the mission at 524-7656.
Mauna Kea reserve will be reopened
HILO -- Public access at the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve and Ka'ohe Game Management Area on Mauna Kea will be reopened on Thanksgiving Day, the Department of Land and Natural Resources announced.The areas were closed last month due to drought, but recent rains have brought relief, the department said.
However, due to declines in the game bird population, the forest reserve below 10,000 feet and all of the game management area will be closed to bird hunting.
Hunting of sheep and goats will resume Nov. 29 on weekdays except state holidays, and will continue to Jan. 18.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Man arrested for assault following traffic incident
A 28-year-old man was arrested for allegedly breaking another man's nose following a traffic altercation, police said.The suspect went to the man's Mokiawe Street home in Nanakuli yesterday following the traffic incident and punched him in the face at 2:30 p.m., police said. The victim, 29, was transported to a nearby hospital where he had two metal pins placed in his nose.
The two men apparently know each other, police said. The suspect was arrested four hours later for second-degree assault.
Checkpoints will be set for remainder of the year
Police will post drunken-driving checkpoints around the island for every remaining weekend this year.The checkpoints will also be set up everyday from Christmas Eve to New Year's weekend, police said.
The roadblocks will be in random locations at unannounced times and locations.
Ferrari catches fire at Kapahulu gas station
A 1977 Ferrari caught fire at the Kapahulu Chevron station this morning causing an estimated $30,000 damage .Firefighters acted quickly to make sure the fire didn't engulf the gas station. Gas to the pumps was shut off when the car caught fire.
Fire Capt. Nick Akau said his crew responded at 1:14 a.m. and extinguished the blaze in minutes.
The Ferrari apparently had a gas leak somewhere in the engine which ignited the car, Akau said.
No injuries were reported.
Would-be robber leaves empty-handed
A would-be holdup man in his 60s or 70s fled empty-handed at about 10:52 a.m. yesterday at Territorial Savings and Loan at 1108 12th Ave., Kaimuki.The man seemed frightened when other customers entered and hurried out the front door, leaving in a late-model, pinkish-tan American-made four-door sedan, police said. The man informed a teller he had a gun and demanded money, police said.
It is believed the same suspect is responsible for at least two earlier bank robberies. The suspect was described as nearly 6 feet tall, 180-200 pounds, with average build and short gray hair.
He was said to be clean-shaved, with a fair-complexion and had prescription glasses.
He was wearing a colored T-shirt with floral print, shorts, baseball cap and slippers, investigators said.
Anyone with information on this suspect is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or the Honolulu FBI office at 521-1411.
