Two Hawaii students compete in national science talent search
Hawaii high school seniors Kelsie Takasaki, 17, and Lizhou Wang, 16, are among 300 semifinalists vying for $1.2 million in scholarships and awards in a national science talent-search competition.The competition for high school seniors is sponsored by Intel Corp. and Science Service.
Takasaki attends Waiakea High School in Hilo. She was selected for her botany project, "Autotrophic Anthurium Growth and Regeneration as Provided by Excel Fertilizer and Spirulina Algae."
Wang attends Iolani School. She submitted a chemistry project titled, "Grafting of Polymers Onto Gold by Surface-Initiated Polymerization: A Novel Approach in Sensor Technology."
The 40 finalists, to be named Jan. 24, will be invited to Washington, D.C., March 8-13. They will have an opportunity to present their research projects to prominent scientists, teachers and the media.
Each semifinalist receives a $1,000 scholarship, while $1,000 will also be awarded to their schools for science and math education programs.
United Airlines flight hits turbulence, injuring nine
Nine people, including an infant, suffered what appeared to be "relatively minor injuries" yesterday when a Honolulu-bound United Airlines flight encountered turbulence about one hour out of Tokyo.Flight 826 landed safely at Honolulu Airport yesterday morning, United spokesman Andy Plews said from Chicago.
Plews says five of 18 flight attendants aboard the Boeing 747, which was carrying 227 passengers, complained of injuries.
Three passengers and an infant also were affected.
Emergency Medical Services personnel treated the injured at Honolulu Airport. Three flight attendants and the infant were sent to hospitals.
The plane sustained no structural damage, Plews said.
Kurren reappointed as U.S. magistrate
Barry Kurren has been reappointed U.S. magistrate to a second eight-year term, effective March 2.Kurren graduated with highest honors from the University of Hawaii in 1973 and received his law degree from the UH Richardson School of Law in 1977.
After law school, he served as clerk to Senior U.S. District Judge Martin Pence. Following 12 years of private practice, Kurren served a year as a state District Court judge before becoming a federal judge. He also has been an adjunct professor at the Richardson School of Law since 1994.
Cayetano wants city in West to host debate
Gov. Ben Cayetano wants to know why no Western city has been picked to host any of the presidential and vice presidential debates set for this fall.Cayetano sent a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates yesterday asking whether steps need to be taken to ensure regional balance in the debate locations. The letter was sent on behalf of the Western Governors Association, which Cayetano chairs.
The commission has selected St. Louis, Boston and Winston-Salem, N.C., as sites of the three presidential debates and Danville, Ky., for the sole vice presidential debate.
16 nonprofit agencies receive federal funds
Sixteen nonprofit agencies have received a total of $1.2 million in federal funds from the city to assist homeless families and individuals.The agencies were selected by the city Department of Community Services' Emergency Shelter Grant Program staff in an effort to ensure continued operation of existing shelters and support services for Oahu's homeless.
Among the agencies receiving funding were the Institute for Human Services ($200,000), Mental Help Hawaii ($181,000) and Alternative Structures International ($120,000).
Philip Bossert named DBEDT deputy director
Philip Bossert becomes the new deputy director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism next Tuesday.Gov. Ben Cayetano said Bossert will replace Bradley Mossman, who will become a principal at Pacific Internet Exchange Corp.
Bossert's career includes the presidency of Hawaii Loa College. He also founded Strategic Information Solutions Inc.
Kauai boy selected MDA goodwill envoy
A 12-year-old Kauai boy has been named goodwill ambassador for the Hawaii chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.Scott Iida of Lihue, a sixth-grader at Wilcox Elementary, will make public appearances to encourage volunteers in MDA's year-round educational and fund-raising campaigns and participate in the chapter's special events.
Corrections
A graphic in one edition yesterday incorrectly located Kukui Plaza. It is at the corner of Beretania Street and Nuuanu Avenue.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Driver killed, passenger hurt in Hilo car crash
HILO -- A Hilo man was killed and his passenger seriously injured when the driver lost control of his car and hit a stone wall on Kalanianaole Avenue in the Keaukaha area of Hilo yesterday, police said.The victim of the 8:06 p.m. accident was identified as George Keanu III, 49, of Hilo.
Passenger Rudy Tabiolo, 23, of Hilo was taken to Hilo Hospital in serious condition.
Both men were believed to have been drinking and speed is thought to be a factor, police said. Neither was wearing a seat belt.
This was the second traffic fatality of the year, compared with none at the same time last year, police said.
Police seek suspect in Maili boat burning
Police are searching for an arsonist responsible for causing $16,000 damage to a boat in Maili this morning.An unknown suspect poured a flammable liquid inside the 22-foot boat and set it on fire at about 12:30 a.m., police said. The interior of the boat was gutted.
Prostitute and customer arrested in Waikiki
Police arrested a prostitute and her customer in Waikiki yesterday after she allegedly took $700 from him.A 25-year-old man solicited two prostitutes yesterday and took them to his hotel room on Kuhio Avenue, police said. While with one woman, the second woman rummaged through his bag and took $700.
After taking the money, she ran out of the room. The man grabbed the first woman's purse, struggled with her and then ran after the second woman.
Police arrived and arrested the second woman, 18, for theft. The "John" was arrested for robbery for taking the purse.
Big Island house burns in Fern Forest area
HILO -- A one-story house in rural Fern Forest subdivision burned to the ground yesterday afternoon when leaking gas caused a fire while the occupant was attempting to light a propane refrigerator, police and fire officials said.The occupant, John Barton, 63, was not injured.
Value of the house, owned by Beverly Chew, was put at $47,000.
Big Isle police ask help in locating assailant
HAWI, Hawaii -- Police are asking for the public's help in finding a man, wearing a ski mask at the time, who hit service station owner Harold Higa, 54, on the head with a hard object as he got out of his car at his home in North Kohala Dec. 18.Anyone with information is asked to call 326-4204 or Crime Stoppers at 329-8181.
