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Two literacy programs offered by Molokai Library have won awards, and now it is the Molokai librarian's turn. State to honor
Molokai librarianSri TenCate, who has managed the Kaunakakai library for 14 years, will be honored Thursday as the state's Public Librarian of the Year. The Hawaii Library Foundation will recognize TenCate and other nominees at a reception at the Hawaii State Library.
The programs offered at the only library on Molokai include a weekly Reading Partners program, in which volunteers read to elementary-school students on the library lawn. It received the Governor's Kilohana Award this year.
The Molokai Reads project, which provides adults with tutoring in reading, writing, computer-assisted learning and GED preparations, was given the First Lady's Outstanding Voluntary Service Award, as well as recognition from the Maui County Council.
"With no book stores available on the island, the need for a public library is significant," TenCate said in a release.
As the only reading resource, the library teams with the schools on the island. In the Readers on the Mend project, elementary-school children receive library coupons from their doctors, which their parents can redeem for a book bag of reading materials, toys and activity sheets.
TenCate came to Hawaii from her native Indonesia as an East-West Center grantee. She received a master's degree in library science from the University of Hawaii.
HILO -- The Kulani Correctional Facility may have to increase security, but not for prisoners. Prison looking outside
for thief who took pigsPrison officials say sometime Friday night or Saturday morning, someone broke into the minimum security prison and stole nine pigs.
Police are asking for the public's help in catching the thief or thieves who took the six piglets weighing up to 20 pounds and three older ones weighing up to 80 pounds.
Kulani Warden Peter MacDonald said the piggery, which has more than 120 animals, is located well away from the main secured prison compound so guards didn't hear the squealing pigs.
The piggery is surrounded by a fence, but no damage was done to the facility, suggesting that the thieves might have had a key.
The pigs are raised as part of the correctional industries program and to provide food for Kulani and the Hawaii Community Correctional Facility.
The 10,000-acre Kulani facility is located at the mile-high elevation on the east side of Mauna Kea.
Anyone with information should call 961-2213, or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300.
State labor chief to be chairman of land board
State Labor Director Gil Coloma-Agaran has been named the next chairman of the Board of Land and Natural Resources following the departure of Tim Johns.Johns will leave the department Dec. 15 to become chief operating officer for the Damon Estate. Gov. Ben Cayetano said yesterday that Johns worked hard to put the land department on firmer financial footing.
Johns had said the move allows him to spend more time with his family.
Cayetano said Coloma-Agaran is well-versed in the needs of the Department of Land and Natural Resources and has the skills to step in and continue the department's work.
Coloma-Agaran served four years as deputy of the Land Department from December 1994 to January 1999.
Replacing him as director of the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is Leonard Agor, currently the agency's deputy director.
Agor's replacement as deputy is Audrey Hidano, a building industry executive. Hidano, who lost a close race to state Sen. Rod Tam in 1998, will take on her new job on Dec. 18.
UH-Hilo gains new dean of agriculture in 2001
HILO -- A former researcher at the University of Hawaii-Hilo's school of agriculture is returning to head the institution, the university announced.Michael A. Collier has been appointed dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources Management, effective Jan. 2. He will replace Jack Fujii, who after 17 years as dean is returning to teach at the school.
Collier is presently an adjunct professor of pathology and orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. He received his degrees in veterinary medicine at Washington State University and has a national reputation as a veterinary orthopedic surgeon.
UH-Hilo chancellor Rose Tseng noted that Collier will arrive at a time when $50 million has been approved for a new U.S. Department of Agriculture facility at the university's research park, and forestry is gaining interest as a contributor to the Big Island economy.
Royal Mausoleum will get curator residence
The Department of Land and Natural Resources has awarded 57 Builders Ltd. a contract for $327,390 to work on a new curator's residence at Mauna Ala Royal Mausoleum State Monument in Nuuanu.The project calls for building a two-bedroom residence with office and carport, and the removal of the existing home. Work is expected to be completed by May 2001.
The Mauna Ala Royal Mausoleum is the burial place of Hawaiian royalty, including members of the Kamehameha and Kalakaua families.
Drive safely campaign pushed during holidays
A "Drive Safely and Arrive Alive" campaign for the holiday season is being promoted by the state Department of Transportation.A TV commercial to air this month stresses the importance of using a designated driver. In it, the clock is "turned back" after a drunken driving accident to give the driver a second chance to prevent the accident -- by letting a sober friend drive his car.
The message is drinking and driving are a deadly combination, and the state offers the reminder that police sobriety checkpoints will be up throughout December.
"Everyone knows that along with the holidays comes added traffic, which creates more stress," said Kazu Hayashida, DOT director. "But add just one drunk driver to the equation and our roadways become more than just stressful. They become life threatening.
"An important way to prevent a tragedy during this joyful time of year is to be patient when driving in traffic and by setting up a designated driver system with your family members and friends," Hayashida said.
There have been a substantial number of alcohol-related collisions in Hawaii this year, said Sgt. Robert Lung of the Honolulu Police Department. "We have also arrested more than 1,700 people statewide for driving under the influence. By appointing a designated driver, motorists can avoid embarrassment, keep their driver's license, avoid fines, jail time and more importantly, prevent unnecessary injuries or deaths on our roads," he said.
This month 7-Eleven Hawaii stores are handing out informational cards that remind people to take care with such tips as:
Don't drink and drive.
Don't let your friends drink and drive.
Coordinate with friends who will be the designated driver. Don't forget to offer to be the designated driver once in awhile.
Use taxi services, the bus or visit establishments within walking distance of home.
Groups who want to join the partnership of organizations, businesses and agencies working on the safety campaign may call the DOT public affairs office at 587-2160.
Passport agency opens new quarters
A new home for the Honolulu Passport Agency in the Kuhio Federal Building was officially dedicated yesterday.Ambassador Mary A. Ryan, assistant secretary of state for consular affairs, and U.S. District Judge David Ezra hosted state and community officials, consular corps members and other officials from the U.S. Department of State at the grand opening.
The office is in Suite 1-330 of the building at 300 Ala Moana; its telephone number is 522-8283.
Hawaii getting $700,000 in emergency funding
Hawaii will receive more than $700,000 from the Emergency Food and Shelter Program fund, according to officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The money will be distributed in three counties to help nonprofit and local government agencies feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and prevent hunger and homelessness during fiscal year 2001.Counties benefiting from this program are: Hawaii, Kauai and Honolulu. More than $140 million will be distributed under the program nationwide.
Goodsills and firm endow UH law school
Marshall and Ruth Caley Goodsill have joined with the Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel law firm to establish an endowment in the firm's name at the University of Hawaii Foundation to support academic excellence at the William S. Richardson School of Law.Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel traces its roots back to 1878 and remains one of the largest law firms in Hawaii. Goodsill admits he was among the senior members of the bar who opposed the idea of a law school at the University of Hawaii in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but has since become one of its leading advocates.
The Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel law firm has consistently supported the School of Law since its establishment in 1973 and has several notable UH alumni on its roster of partners and associates.
Tomorrow
Some events of interest6 p.m., Ala Wai Clubhouse: Vision meeting. For information, call 523-4385.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Thieves take videos, film from Agbayani TV show
A mainland half-hour Fox television show highlighting the career of New York Mets outfielder Benny Agbayani was hit by thieves.Major League Baseball Productions was in town last week to feature the former Hawaii Pacific University star for an upcoming "This Week in Baseball" show.
The half-hour production was scheduled to air early next year on the Fox network before the baseball season.
Producer Taylor Kurosaki told police someone broke into his rental car at the Aloha Tower Marketplace parking lot Sunday night.
The thief took two bags that contained a camera, a laptop computer, six rolls of unprocessed 16 mm film and eight Sony Betcam SP tapes.
The stolen footage included interviews with Agbayani, his family, his coaches and Gov. Ben Cayetano.
"We may have been robbed, but that kind of stuff can be replaced," said Steve Fortunato, senior managing producer of Major League Baseball Productions.
"However, Benny is the one being robbed of a national half-hour show that (was) going to pay tribute not only to him, but to his state."
Man, 47, arrested for shoplifting at JC Penny
A 47-year-old man was arrested Sunday for allegedly shoplifting from the Ala Moana JC Penny store.The store's security officer stopped the man as he tried to jump into a car.
Ewa man turns self in for Thanksgiving crime
An Ewa Beach man whom police said tried to ram a police car as he sped away from his home on Thanksgiving Day turned himself in to police yesterday afternoon.Police initially issued a CrimeStoppers alert to find out if the 27-year-old man kidnapped his 22-year-old girlfriend and baby.
The woman was interviewed at the time of the man's arrest, and charges of kidnapping, assault, attempted murder and terroristic threatening will not be pursued, according to Detective Letha DeCaires.
The man was arrested for criminal property damage.
