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The immigration process has become a bit easier for low-income families in Hawaii. Center offers free legal aid
for immigrationThe United Chinese Society Immigration Center opened yesterday to provide free legal assistance for citizenship, petition for alien relatives and application of replacement and renewal of green cards.
Although the center is being offered by the United Chinese Society, its programs are not exclusive to the Chinese community.
Kendall Wong, an immigration attorney and society trustee, said the center is a nonprofit organization and therefore cannot discriminate against its clientele. "The center is open to anyone who meets federal poverty guidelines for low income families," he said.
The United Chinese Society is an umbrella organization that coordinates cultural and education programs among the approximately 100 Chinese organizations in the state, said society President Danny Young.
Assistance from the center will include helping the petitioner fill out the proper forms and to track the application process. Wong said the cost of hiring an attorney to process the paperwork can run between $500 for citizenship to more than $1,000 to petition for a relative.
Immigration Center Director Yan Zhang said the groundwork for the Center began in 1988 when Society volunteers helped 647 people study for their citizenship exams. "With the year 2000 we wanted to do something bigger that would help many more people," she said.
Wong said immigration process can be very intimidating for those without a command of the English language.
"It is very complicated. Unlike five years ago, you have to go through three federal agencies and the embassy in your home country," he said.
The center will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on a by-appointment basis. For help on an immigration matter or to volunteer, call 536-4621 or 536-4055.
A merger between University of Hawaii departments of journalism and communications will produce a new school of communications. UH journalism, communications
merger will benefit both
programs, official says"Creating this school will allow both programs to grow at an accelerated pace that would not be possible as separate units," said Tom Brislin, school chairman.
"For example, we will be able to develop coursework in online journalism and strengthen broadcast curriculum by combining the production enterprise of communication and the news-based content of journalism.
The school will continue to offer separate bachelor's degrees in journalism and communication, as well as a master's in communications and Ph.D. in communication and information sciences.
"We will also be in a much better position to create future programs that anticipate changes in technology and subsequent changes to society rather than just react to them," Brislin said.
"With the expertise of our combined faculty, and the energy and talents of our more than 400 majors, we will truly be the center for the study of communication and for professional preparation for careers in journalism and mass communication."
UH regents approved the change in Hilo last week, and it became effective upon approval.
Attorney says Big Isle can get federal funds
HILO -- A federal attorney says Hawaii County can apply for federal marijuana-eradication funds, despite Police Chief Wayne Carvalho losing a lawsuit last year involving a fraud charge.County attorney Ted Hong released a copy of an email from U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration attorney Ellen Harrison.
"Of course the county can continue to apply for and receive DOJ (Department of Justice) and DEA funds," Harrison said in the email to DEA Special Agent Thomas Aiu.
Critics of Carvalho had argued that the lawsuit judgment, finding he participated in fraud by his involvement in a departmental promotion-cheating scandal, meant that he was acting illegally in applying for federal funds.
Harrison's email said, "The DOJ regulations requiring reporting of certain civil judgments are directed toward findings of fraud, etc., in financial matters, not toward all alleged fraud."
Hong said he takes the email as an official statement that Carvalho can sign applications for $265,000 in federal grants, but he will seek further confirmation.
Researchers urge more protection of coral reefs
Federal funds to protect coral reefs should target problems and not just monitor them, a University of Hawaii oceanography researcher told those attending the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting last week."Let's build on existing knowledge," said Rick Grigg, council chairman of the precious coral plan team and researcher with the UH Department of Oceanography.
The meeting focused on the use of $20 million U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye and Sen. Dan Akaka have proposed in separate bills for coral reef protection.
The council also continued work on plans to manage and conserve coral reefs in all the U.S. Pacific Islands, five years before President Clinton announced a 90-day deadline to develop a plan to protect the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands' coral reefs on May 26.
The grounding of a fishing vessel at Pearl and Hermes Atoll should be put into perspective, citing a similar grounding at the French Frigate Shoals, which damaged a 10-by-100-meter reef, Grigg said. The damage provided fish with more habitat, he said.
Other scientists, environmentalists and indigenous representatives advocated more marine-protected areas and no-take zones. They argued that extractive scientific research should be prohibited as well as fishing in such zones.
One management measure would require pollution and wreck-removal insurance for fishing vessels. But some fishermen argue that would unfairly target them since other larger vessels do not have the requirement.
DOT allows left turns from Mokapu Saddle to H3
The state Department of Transportation has revised an announcement about left turns onto H-3 from Mokapu Saddle Road.An earlier announcement said no left turns would be allowed from the Mokapu Saddle Road in the Kaneohe direction onto the H-3 freeway on ramp through June.
The Transportation Department said it is closing the left lane on Mokapu Saddle Road in the Kailua-bound direction through July to allow left turns onto the H-3 freeway on-ramp.
The lane has been closed because of limited sight distance from the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection.
GRAFFITI GETS THE BRUSH-OFF
USS Missouri will host Independence Day fete
Fun, food, fireworks and music will highlight a July 1-2 "Independence Day Weekend" aboard the USS Missouri.Food will include barbecue-grilled chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans, corn-on-the-cob and apple pie -- in a manner similar to traditional Navy "Steel Beach" picnics sailors held to celebrate special occasions.
The weekend bash will anticipate America's 224th birthday of independence.
Guests may tour the ship, climb five decks to the flying bridge and explore the "Life at Sea" exhibit that opened in January.
Berthed on Pearl Harbor's Battleship Row - 300 yards from the USS Arizona Memorial - the Missouri opened Jan. 29, 1999, exactly 55 years after its launching. The 887-foot battleship served in three wars over a five-decade span.
The Mighty Mo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is charged.
Blood Bank of Hawaii searching for donors
The Blood Bank of Hawaii is looking for donors 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Town Center of Mililani and 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Kapolei Shopping Center.The blood bank needs 250 donors daily to meet the state's needs, especially donors with type O blood, which is compatible with all other types.
To make an appointment, or for information, call the blood bank at 1-800-372-9966 or visit their web site at www.bbh.org.
Next month, blood drives will be held 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 22 at the Town Center of Mililani 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 23 at Kapolei Shopping Center.
In The Courts
Woman gets five years on welfare-fraud charges
Circuit Judge Wilfred Watanabe has sentenced Roxanne Y.K. Koanui-White to five years incarceration with a mandatory minimum of six months for welfare fraud.Watanabe sentenced her Wednesday for three counts of second-degree theft. She was indicted in June 1999 for fraudulently obtaining $16,436 in public assistance money, food stamps and medical assistance over a time of six years.
Corrections
Misao Horimoto was incorrectly identified in a photo of her performing a traditional Obon dance in Saturday's edition.
Police, Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Condo manager fights fire until help arrives
Fire damaged an upper-level unit in a high-rise at the end of Kalakaua Avenue's "Gold Coast" yesterday.Fast action by a civilian wielding fire extinguishers kept damage down to an estimated $10,000-worth to the building and $5,000 to contents.
The fire alarm system sounded, and residents evacuated. There were no injuries.
Seven fire companies responded to the 9:38 a.m. alarm in the 12-story condo at 3033 Kalakaua.
Upon entering the three-bedroom apartment, firefighters found Jeff Park, building manager, in the kitchen battling flames near the stove. He later said he used four fire extinguishers to control the fire, which was completely extinguished by firefighters shortly afterward.
The owner of the affected unit, an 82-year-old man, was in the bedroom when the fire started. He heard popping noises and got out as smoke poured from the kitchen. He said his wife, 74, was out shopping at the time. The couple's pets - a Labrador retriever and two parrots - survived unharmed.
Firefighters said they appreciated the help from manager Park. The fire's cause remained under investigation this morning.
Man apparently drowns snorkeling off Big Isle
CAPTAIN COOK -- A man who was part of a snorkeling tour of Kealakekua Bay in South Kona apparently drowned yesterday, the Hawaii Fire Department said.The victim, who was in his 60s, was discovered face down in the water and unconscious about 11:18 a.m.
Police said a coroner's inquest is being conducted,which will probably include an autopsy.
He was described by fire officials only as a 61-year-old man. Police gave his age as 60.
Big Isle teen dies in one-car crash
HILO -- A 16-year-old girl died Sunday in a one-car accident in Hilo, police said.The victim, Kailani Ishibashi, is believed to have been speeding when she lost control on Ainako Street and drove into a ditch about 2 a.m., police said.
Ishibashi was taken to Queen's Hospital where she died at 10:09 p.m.
Ishibashi's sister, Kauai, 14, was a passenger in the car. She is listed in satisfactory condition at Hilo Hospital.
Ishibashi's death is the 18th Big Island traffic fatality of the year compared to ten at the same time last year.
40-year-old man arrested in Kalihi Valley robbery
Police arrested a 40-year-old man for robbing a Kalihi Valley couple at their home last night.Two men reportedly entered the couple's Noe Street home by removing window louvers at 11:15 p.m., police said.
The suspects confronted the sleeping couple in their bedroom and tied them up.
The men searched the home and ran away with various items.
The couple were able to break free and call police.
One man was arrested three blocks away, hiding in a garage, police said. The second man was not apprehended.
Haleiwa woman arrested as result of police chase
The 44-year-old woman who led police on a chase on the North Shore last week was taken into police custody yesterday.The Haleiwa woman was arrested after being discharged from the Kekala Ward at Queen's Hospital.
She was arrested on two counts of attempted murder of a police officer and for first-degree criminal property damage.
Police attempted to stop the woman at a traffic stop in Haleiwa on Wednesday when she banged into a police car, nearly ran into an officer and drove off.
She led police on a chase and nearly ran over another officer before being apprehended.
1 arrested, 2 at large in Burger King robbery
An 18-year-old man was arrested in connection with an armed robbery at the Kaneohe Burger King.The suspect was located and arrested yesterday on the 1800 block of Kalakaua Avenue at 3:52 p.m., police said.
He is accused of robbing the Kaneohe Bay Drive restaurant with two other men, who are still at large.
The teen-age suspect was identified through the investigation of detectives.
