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One of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's first public appearances after the court's decisions in the presidential election will be in Honolulu. Justice Scalia will join
Jan. 27 isle conferenceHe will participate in the Davis Levin First Amendment Conference on Jan. 27, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii.
Scalia and national ACLU President Nadine Strossen will hold "A Conversation About Liberty: The First Amendment in America Today" from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii.
They have opposite political and philosophical views on the meaning of the Bill of Rights.
"This exchange of ideas will be a unique opportunity for residents of Hawaii to hear firsthand from individuals on the front line of the nation's historic decisions which affect American politics and society," said Vanessa Chong, ACLU of Hawaii executive director.
The Davis Levin First Amendment Conference is named for attorneys Mark S. Davis and Stanley E. Levin in recognition of their efforts on behalf of the First Amendment in Hawaii. The conference was created in 1997 with grants from the Robert M. Rees Trust.
Tax-deductible contributions may be made to the Davis Levin First Amendment Conference to help keep the ticket cost low and support student scholarships. For reservations, call the ACLU at 522-5900.
Punchbowl bans Christmas trees, balloons on graves
Families and friends may place potted plants, fresh or artificial flowers but no Christmas trees on gravesites at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punchbowl, during the holiday season. The decorations may be placed between Dec. 20 and Jan. 2.Department of Veterans Affairs regulations also prohibit toys or balloons, statues, vigil lights or any glass objects.
Doc to host Internet chat about surfing ailments
Dr. Alfonso Jimenez, former competitive surfer, will discuss chronic surfer's ailments in a live Internet chat hosted by the St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii at 7 p.m. Dec. 18.Jimenez will take questions from those logging on to http://www.AmericasDoctor.com or http://www.stfrancishawaii.org.
He is vice-president of the medical staff and chairman of credentials at St. Francis Medical Center-West. He also has a private practice in Ewa Beach. He surfed with the National Scholastic Surfing Association in his teens and early twenties and was ranked 28th in the early 1980s. For more on the chat, call 547-6337.
Lanakila Meals on Wheels needs volunteers, funds
Lanakila Rehabilitation Center's Meals on Wheels is gearing up for the Christmas season to provide holiday meals to more than 1,000 homebound seniors island-wide.Although the program receives state and federal funding for its regular weekday deliveries, it must rely on donations for non-funded holiday deliveries.
A nutritious holiday meal with the fixings costs $4.75. Donated dollars to the Lanakila "Adopt a Senior" program are the key.
The Vietnam Veterans Street Bikers Association is an "adopting" group. They also will deliver meals to seniors starting at 9:30 a.m. Christmas Day.
The 25-year-old Lanakila Meals on Wheels normally provides meals to more than 1,750 Oahu residents, age 60 or older.
For more information, or to volunteer as a deliverer, call 531-0555.
Zoning board to hear wedding chapel fuss
A dispute between Councilman John Henry Felix and the city Planning and Permitting Department over the wedding business in his Aina Haina home is now back in the hands of the city Zoning Board of Appeals.Felix's request to have the Hawaii Supreme Court hear the case was declined last month.
Planner Don Clegg, who is helping Felix with the case, said a hearing before the appeals board has been set tentatively for April 5, 2001.
In the meantime, weddings are continuing at the home despite the Planning and Permit Department's insistence that Felix be fined for the continued operation.
Felix contends a wedding facility is an allowable home occupation. The city argues that it is not.
New software coming for golf tee times
The city telephone reservation system for golf tee times shuts down from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday for installation of a state-of-the-art database and software.Golfers at municipal courses may still call 296-2000 Wednesday from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and from 8 p.m. to midnight.
The system upgrade is necessary to increase processing speed and database capacity, the city said.
Attorney Ayabe named to judicial commission
Attorney Sidney Ayabe, past president of the Hawaii State Bar Association, has been chosen for a six-year term on the Judicial Selection Commission.He was elected by members of the State Bar Association to replace David Fairbanks for one of two of their positions on the nine-member panel. By law, only four can be attorneys.
Judith Ann Pavey, Ralph LaFountaine and John Lacy were also considered for the spot. The commission screens applications for appointments to the State Supreme Court, Intermediate Court of Appeals, and district and circuit courts.
Flood victims can get federal funding help
HILO -- The federal government has begun offering money grants to victims of the Nov. 1-2 Big Island flooding who have been unable to get other relief, the Federal Emergency Management Administration announced."This grant program provides a safety net for people who have exhausted all other means of assistance and still have disaster-related losses," said Ed Teixeira of State Civil Defense.
Other financial programs, including low-interest loans, became available soon after the flooding. "This (grant program) takes a little while to kick in," said Civil Defense official Barbara Hendrie.
Eligibility will be determined on a case by case basis, she said. To apply, storm victims should call 1-800-462-7585.
Courts
Suspect in chef death pleads not guilty
The cook charged with killing the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel's executive sous chef pleaded not guilty today to second degree murder.Tam Van Huynh, 39, appeared in Circuit Court this morning for an arraignment. He is accused of stabbing 49-year-old Thomas Matsuda to death on Dec. 1 at the hotel. A trial date was set for Feb. 12.
Matsuda's ashes were to be scattered in the ocean off Waikiki in a private ceremony this afternoon.
Family, friends and Sheraton-Waikiki workers scheduled a program this morning to celebrate his life. Matsuda, who worked for the hotel for 22 years, had worked his way up from fry cook.
Moe Keala and Malani were to perform a special program of Kalapana music, Matsuda's favorite, said B.J. Whitman, director of public relations for Sheraton-Waikiki.
Refreshments and some of Matsuda's signature dishes -- crab cakes with Thai coconut sauce, grilled seafood with pineapple-avocado salsa and kukui nut-seared mahimahi on compote with brown garlic cream and chive essence were to be served -- accompanied by the recipes.
Wife accused of killing mate says not guilty
A woman accused of stabbing her husband to death as he slept pleaded not guilty today in Circuit Court to second degree murder.Sabrina Fiaai, 36, was indicted by an Oahu grand jury last month after prosecutors ruled out self-defense. Trial has been set for Feb. 12. She is being held on $100,000 bail.
Although Fiaai had filed restraining orders against her husband, Abe, in the last 10 years, prosecutors said there was no evidence of strife or marital discord leading up to and just before the Feb. 7 stabbing.
The family was visiting Abe Fiaai's brother in Makakilo when the stabbing occurred, in the early morning hours.
One of the couple's sons, who was sleeping next to his father in the living room, awoke to find a knife sticking out of his father's neck.
Tomorrow
Some events of interest
7 p.m., Kapiolani Community College, Kopiko Building, Room 104: Vision meeting. For information, call 523-4385.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
One-car accident puts man, 24, in hospital
An Ewa Beach man is in guarded condition this morning after a single-car accident on Kolowaka Drive in Ewa. Police said speed and alcohol were factors.The 24-year-old driver was heading northeast at about 4:30 a.m. when his 1988 Chevy Blazer ran over a curb, continued through the grass and struck a tree, police said. The victim was the only occupant, and he was not wearing a seat belt.
He was taken to St. Francis West Hospital and then transferred by helicopter to the Queen's Medical Center.
Police investigate report of sex assault on girl, 4
Police are investigating a reported sexual assault involving a 4-year-old girl.The girl's father, a Waipio resident, reported yesterday that she complained of vaginal pain and that she was touched by her mother's boyfriend, said police.
The alleged assault occurred Saturday at the Waipahu residence of the mother's boyfriend.
The girl was taken to Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children for observation.
Hilo man faces charges in knife-point robbery
HILO -- Charges were expected to be filed today against a man who allegedly broke into a Keaau Farm lots home Saturday and robbed a resident at knife point.The suspect took the victim's keys and drove away in the victim's van, police said.
He was arrested yesterday, police said, but no details on the arrest or the suspect were immediately available.
