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A group of Maui residents participated in a lei-giving ceremony at the United Nations to memorialize the deaths of Big Island resident Lahe'ena'e Gay and two other Americans murdered in Colombia. Isle woman remembered at U.N.
Star-Bulletin staffThe group participated in the Millennium Peace Day observance Tuesday at the U.N. headquarters in New York.
Melinda Gohn of Maui presented a lei to U.N. General Assembly President Harri Holkeri, and Gay's husband, John Livingstone, gave a lei to Colombian first lady Nohora Pastrana, according to information from the group.
Copies of a scroll of poetry created in a Maui-based International Peace Poem Project were presented to the officials.
Gay and two others on a cultural education mission to Colombia were abducted on Feb. 25, 1999, and found shot to death a week later.
Thomas Freitas of California and Ingrid Washinawatok of Wisconsin were also killed.
Washinawatok's son, Maehkiw El-Issa, a member of the Menominee Indian tribe, also presented a lei and poem to Pastrana at the ceremony.
HFD issues pesticide warning
Wind conditions should be considered when using Malathion, a pesticide that can be purchased over the counter."People should reconsider using it on certain type of days when the vapors go downwind," Honolulu Fire Department Hazardous Materials Capt. Robert Butchart said.
Butchart was commenting after HazMat responded Tuesday to two separate Malathion-related incidents.
The first occurred at Makakilo Elementary School at about 11:30 a.m., and the second in Manoa, a short distance mauka of Punahou School at 5:30 p.m.
Eight people at Makakilo Elementary who were overcome by odors of the pesticide were treated at two hospitals and later released.
Officials traced the odor to a residence upwind from the school, at 92-551 Ualeheiu St. The homeowner had sprayed a solution of Malathion at 8:30 a.m. on his yard and plants.
The Fire Department's Hazardous Material Unit used water and "Simple Green" solution to mitigate the release of Malathion.
No one required medical attention in the Manoa case, Butchart said.
"We get a few calls because of the strong odor," added Butchart, noting that Malathion complaints are not unusual. "It usually causes watery eyes and sometimes difficulty breathing."
Aside from following directions and checking wind conditions, Butchart suggests Malathion be used moderately.
"Instead of dousing the lawn, they should apply it in smaller sections," he said.
Box jellyfish expected today, will leave by Monday, officials say
Box jellyfish are expected to begin their monthly invasion today.The influx will likely peak tomorrow and Saturday, and the jellyfish are expected to leave Monday, city ocean safety officials say.
Jellyfish commonly affect Ala Moana Beach Park swim channel, Waikiki Beach, Hanauma Bay, Pokai Bay and Makaha Surfing Beach.
Lifeguards will post warnings if they find any jellyfish.
Lifeguard stations are equipped to treat stings.
Goodwill agency helped 2,500 last year
Goodwill Industries of Hawaii served 2,004 people with disabilities and barriers to employment during the past fiscal year, a 17 percent increase in mission fulfillment over the previous year.The nonprofit agency also reported that it placed 515 people in community employment, 27 percent more than last year.
Participants include people with disabilities, the mentally ill and people who may have difficulty finding jobs because they receive public assistance or lack experience.
Goodwill has 15 occupational-skills training, job-placement and support-services programs on Oahu and in Hilo.
All revenue received from the sale of items donated to Goodwill help support the agency's mission.
Ola Pono Award nominees sought
Unsung heroes working to make Hawaii a healthy, drug-free place to live are sought for 2001 Ola Pono ("Live Right") Awards.Nominees may be individuals, groups or volunteers involved in the community, schools or workplace.
Year 2000 award winners included six individuals, three programs and one business.
Those wishing to make nominations must fill out a form and complete a 500-word essay describing the nominee's efforts.
Judging will be based on impact of the nominee's actions, accomplishments and longevity, or length of time the person or group was involved in the effort.
Sponsors are: The Hawaii Medical Service Association, Department of Education's Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program, Kamehameha Schools' Native Hawaiian Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program, Drug-Free Hawaii, Department of the Attorney General, News 8 and Landmark Entertainment.
Dec. 1 is the deadline for nominations. For information or nomination form, call HMSA, 948-6848. Forms also may be downloaded from www.hmsa.com.
Honorees will be notified by Jan. 15, and an awards luncheon will be held Feb. 23.
Maui's Head Start gets federal grant
Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. has received a $223,480 federal grant to improve the Head Start program on Maui.The federal program for children from 3 to 5 years old in low-income families aims to increase their readiness for school.
The Maui program currently serves 281 children.
The grant, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, was announced by U.S. Rep. Patsy T. Mink.
Hunting, fishing expo to benefit food bank
Hunting and Fishing Days take place this weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Koko Head Shooting Complex.The annual Department of Land and Natural Resources event is a Foodbank benefit. Admission is a canned food item or $1.
Shooting and fishing clubs will set up displays, conduct demonstrations and give attendees a chance to try new techniques.
Attractions will include fly casting, surf casting and a temporary archery range.
Forfeited property to be auctioned off Saturday
An auction of property -- including luxury cars -- forfeited in connection with criminal activities begins at noon Saturday at the Ala Wai Golf Course Club House.State Attorney General Earl Anzai said items for sale include a 1997 Jaguar XKB, 1992 Jaguar Sovereign, 1996 Volkswagen Jetta, 1993 Honda Civic, 1992 Dodge Dynasty, 1989 Jeep Cherokee, 1989 Honda Accord LX, 1986 Nissan pickup, other vehicles, jewelry, office chairs and portable air conditioners.
Items may be inspected from 11 a.m. Saturday. Proceeds will go to state and county law enforcement agencies.
Employees and immediate family members of each county police department, each prosecuting attorney's office and the state Attorney General's Office are barred from buying such forfeited property.
Waikiki library to close 3 weeks for renovation
The Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library is closing Sept. 30 for renovation.It will be closed through Oct. 21 for termite treatment and replacement of lighting fixtures. The book drop will be closed. Patrons may visit nearby Kaimuki Public Library.
Waikiki-Kapahulu patrons should not leave donations outside the library, as staff will be at other libraries.
For more information, call the library before Sept. 30, or the public libraries branch, 586-3620.
Tomorrow
Some events of interest
Noon-1 p.m., Tamarind Park: Free concert featuring Na Leo Pilimehana. Part of the "Pocket Full of Paradise" tour to deliver the message that women must make the fight against breast cancer a personal crusade.
Corrections
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Rapist charged with molesting 2-year-old
HILO -- Convicted rapist Michael Satoshi Hirata, charged with a new offense of sexually assaulting a 2-year-old girl, was ordered held in lieu of $1 million bail this week.Hirata, 40, was indicted yesterday for sexual assault in the first degree for molesting the girl and for failure to register a new address when he moved from Oahu to the Big Island this year.
Hirata molested the girl on June 8, sometime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., when she was left in his care, according to court documents.
The girl told investigators that Hirata "touch private" and she was sore. She also told police that two of her elementary school-aged brothers did it, but police learned both were away from the home all day.
In a lie detector exam, Hirata denied molesting the girl, but the examiner found "deception."
Hirata pleaded guilt to sexual assault in a 1979 attack in which he raped a woman and violated her with a sugar cane stalk. He served 15 years of a 20-year sentence.
Two Big Isle campers missing on Puna coast
HILO -- Police are asking for the public's help in locating two men last seen camping at a remote part of the Puna coast on the Big Island.Adatchie Kalehua Eaton, 28, and Jack Sapienza, 34, were last seen Sept. 12 at an old Hawaiian village site near Waawaa popularly known as Orr's Beach.
Friends told police they checked for the men on Sept. 14 and found their camping equipment but no sign of the men.
Eaton is described as part-Hawaiian, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Sapienza is described as part-Puerto Rican, also 5 feet 10 inches tall, and 175 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 966-5835 or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300.
Man stabbed in arm in big fight in Waipahu
Police arrested a 21-year-old man for reportedly stabbing another man during a fight this morning in Waipahu.A melee broke out with several individuals on the 94-000 block of Pupukahi Street when a man, 21, was stabbed in the arm about 4 a.m., police said. The suspect was arrested shortly after. A steak-knife-size blade was recovered from the scene, police said. Both men were intoxicated, police said.
Kailua man charged in knife attack of wife
Police arrested and charged an 86-year-old man yesterday for allegedly attacking his 78-year-old wife with a knife at their Kailua home last month.John D. Rasmusson was charged with second-degree assault, police said. His bail was set at $11,000.
He is accused of attacking his wife with a knife on Aug. 31 at their Paokano Place home and then injuring himself, police said.
