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HMSA to sell discount equipment to doctors
Medical equipment will be available at discounted prices to participating physicians of the Hawaii Medical Service Association.HMSA said it will be able to purchase new and reconditioned capital medical equipment under an agreement with U.S. Medical Inc., which supplies such equipment to hospitals, physicians, dentists and other medical professionals.
Providers will benefit from savings when buying the equipment for their offices, HMSA said.
"We're very pleased to be able to offer this additional support service to our participating providers," said Jim Walsh, HMSA vice president of provider services. "We believe that this and other such programs will make a positive economic impact in our local provider community."
C. David Kikumoto, chairman of U.S. Medical's board, said the company hopes the agreement "will relieve some of the economic pressures on health care providers."
Retired teachers meet on Big Isle in March
The Hawaii State Retired Teachers Association's annual convention will be held at the Hawaii Naniloa Resort in Hilo March 6 and 7. The theme is "Opening Our Doors to New Opportunities and Challenges."Guest speakers at the convention will include Mary Matayoshi, director of state volunteerism; Jim Martin, superintendent of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; Ron Kohler, Mauna Kea Support Services; Derek Kurisu, vice president of KTA Supermarket in Hilo and creator of Mountain Apple products; and Manulani Meyer, assistant professor at the University of Hawaii-Hilo.
The convention is open to members and other retired teachers. For more information, call Lily Kojima at 968-6932.
Preservation award needs nominations
Nominations for Historic Preservation Honor Awards are sought until March 30."This exciting program is our opportunity to share with the public those preservation projects and dedicated individuals that speak to the importance of historic preservation in Hawaii," said David Scott, executive director, Historic Hawaii Foundation.
Forms are available in the January/February Historic Hawaii Newsletter or by request from the Historic Hawaii office. For further information or to request forms, call Lisa Oshiro at 523-2900 or email hhfd@lava.net
The three award categories are Preservation Awards for a specific building, site, project or structure; Preservation Commendation for a government agency or organization; and Preservation Certificate for an individual.
"Last year, two Preservation Honor Award recipients, the USS Missouri Memorial Association and the Kona Coffee Living History Farm, went on to receive National recognition from the National Trust for Historic Preservation," Scott said.
There is a $25 processing fee for each nomination.
Diamond Head to close some days for repairs
Diamond Head State Monument will be closed Mondays through Thursdays, March 19-April 12 to allow the state to work on improvements and maintenance.The area will remain open Fridays-Sundays, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. during this period. A $1 entrance fee will still be required.
Construction at the crater summit lookout, a fire control station and improvements along the summit trail will cost $323,000, according to that state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Improvements will include new stairs, a new railing along the perimeter of the lookout, a new coat of paint for the fire control station and removal of fountain grass along the trail.
UH prof gets funds to study elderly care
Charon Pierson, a University of Hawaii nursing professor, has been awarded $100,000 to study nursing and long-term care with a sample group of Japanese Americans in Hawaii.The elderly population in Hawaii is growing about 2.5 times above the national average, while the nursing-home bed supply is below the national average of 53 beds per 1,000 people.
Pierson is one of seven recipients in the nation awarded fellowships from the Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity Program.
Immigrants, needy may get free help with taxes
Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii will offer tax clinics at 13 shelters on Oahu through April. The clinics, co-sponsored by Catholic Charities and Immigrant Services, are for people who have low income and who speak English as a second language.Chaminade University and University of Hawaii-West Oahu students, supervised by professors Wayne Tanna and Jeannie Collison, will provide the pro bono assistance.
School foundation inviting donations
The Jarrett Middle School Foundation is inviting tax-deductible donations to support school academic activities, to purchase library books and to build the foundation's endowment fund.For information about the foundation or the alumni dinner March 10, call Joanne Swearingen at 733-9895.
Grants aim to boost Hawaiian community
Community project grants totaling $230,000 from the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands are available to nonprofit organizations working to benefit native Hawaiians."We want to help build strong native Hawaiian groups successful in securing public and private resources and in managing and implementing projects which have long-term widespread benefit for native Hawaiians," said Ray Soon, chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission.
The commission expects to award eight to 10 grants. The smallest grant to date is $2,500, and the largest is $78,914.
For information, call Christine Valles at 587-6424.
Tomorrow
Some events of interest
7 p.m., Kapalama School Cafeteria: Kalihi-Palama No. 15 Neighborhood Board meeting, 1601 N. School St. For information, call 527-5749.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Teen held in Big Island death of Japanese man
HILO -- Police are holding a 16-year-old suspect in connection with the death of a man whose body was found Sunday by the side of a road at Keaau, south of Hilo.The suspect was arrested shortly after 4 p.m. yesterday after an informant told police the youth might try to leave the island, police said.
The teen-ager initially eluded airport security guards, but police found him hiding in brush near the airport parking lot.
Police also said they had identified the victim as a 20-year-old man from Japan.
Police were working through the Japanese Consulate to notify his relatives, after which his name would be made public, police said.
Man sought in possible kidnapping of girlfriend
Police are looking for a 20-year-old man who allegedly kidnapped his girlfriend last night.At around 11:10 p.m., the suspect and his girlfriend, 17, were driving in separate cars toward Kahuamo Street and Kahuamo Place in Waipahu.
The suspect, who was driving ahead of the woman, got out of the car and stood in the roadway. The suspect told his girlfriend to get out of the car. When she refused, he allegedly jumped onto the hood of the car, reached inside the passenger-side door and opened it, police said.
The suspect then pulled the girl out of the car and dragged her away. The victim was struggling and yelling for help, police said.
Witnesses called 911. Police said it is unknown where the suspect has taken the girl.
Knife threat at restaurant; employee is arrested
A 27-year-old man was arrested after threatening his co-worker with a knife, police said.The incident occurred Sunday at Matteo's Italian Restaurant, 364 Seaside Avenue in Waikiki, at 7 p.m. The suspect and a 40-year-old waiter got into an argument in the kitchen when the suspect threatened the waiter with a knife, police said.
The suspect was fired and the waiter filed a police report last night. Officers located the suspect and arrested him for suspicion of terroristic threatening and three outstanding warrants.
Kaena Point drowning victim identified
A man who drowned off Kaena Point Sunday has been identified as Rolando Guiala, 47, of Whitmore Village near Wahiawa.Guiala had been shoreline fishing and was swept out to sea shortly before 4 p.m. as he tried to retrieve part of a pole.
Fire rescuers recovered the man's body about 30 yards off shore.
He was pronounced dead a short time later.
Man sought in Pearl City sexual assault incident
Police are searching for a man in his 20s who sexually assaulted a Pearl City woman yesterday afternoon.The woman, 27, arrived home around noon and heard a noise coming from her bedroom. When she entered the room, she was confronted by the suspect who was brandishing a knife, police said.
The man sexually assaulted her and fled 45 minutes later, police said.
The suspect is described as 5-foot-8, 180 pounds with a medium build. He has dark short hair and a medium complexion.
