Airport safety job means a few noisier nights
Residents of West Oahu can expect nighttime aircraft noise next week.Flight patterns will be redirected over Ewa Beach, Makakilo, Kapolei and Iroquois Point while Runway 4R/221 is closed for installation of airfield lighting.
The work will be done from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Saturday, according to a state Department of Transportation announcement.
FAA awards $521,875 for Lihue Airport repairs
The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded the state of Hawaii $521,875 to improve the deteriorating apron area near the gates at Lihue Airport in Kauai."This improvement to the Lihue Airport is essential to serve the needs of the people of Kauai," said U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink (D, Hawaii).
Funding for repairs comes from the FAA Airport Improvement Program.
Waipahu market fair gets $748,350 federal grant
A $748,350 grant was awarded to the Waipahu Community Association this week by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grant will be used to renovate and establish the Waipahu festival market fair in the original Arakawa's at Waipahu Street and Waipahu Depot Road.The grant was included in the fiscal year 2001 Appropriations Act for HUD.
Upcoming Kunia Park construction explained
The master plan for improvements at Kunia Neighborhood Park will be the subject of an informational hearing 7 p.m. Wednesday at Hoaeae Community Park.The city appropriated $600,000 for tennis courts, basketball courts and comfort stations.
Construction is slated to begin within the next few weeks.
OCEAN PREPAREDNESS
>> Leonard K.P. Leong has been awarded the 2001 Citizenship Award by the Honolulu Police Department. The award is presented annually to a private citizen, business or civic organization that has contributed to the achievement of the goals and objectives of the department. Leong, vice president of Royal Contracting Company, has been a Honolulu police commissioner since 1996. He has served the past two years as chair of the commission. The award was presented to Leong during HPD's Police Week celebration. [TAKING NOTICE]
>> Fresh Start, Inc. has been awarded a $7,500 grant from the Atherton Family Foundation. The Waipahu-based supportive living skills program plans to use the money to purchase a copy machine.
>> The following high schools have been awarded Arts Excellence Awards by The Hawaii Alliance for Arts Education: Kahuku High & Intermediate, Roosevelt High, Waianae High, Honolulu Waldorf School, Mid-Pacific School of the Arts at Mid-Pacific Institute and Seabury Hall. Cash awards were presented to the public schools by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Private schools received cash awards from private donors. The schools will be officially recognized for their achievement at The Alliance Awards, scheduled for Sept. 22 at the Hawaii Theatre.
Do you have items about Hawaii residents earning academic or professional honors, winning scholarships, awards or elections to professional or civic groups? Please send them in writing for Taking Notice to City Desk, Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 210, Honolulu 96813.
CLEANING DIAMOND HEAD
[WINNERS & LOSERS]
[WINNERS]
Senior senator: Sen. Dan Inouye is one of the benefactors of Vermont Sen. James Jeffords' shift to independent from the Republican party. The switch gives Democrats the majority of the Senate and puts Hawaii's senior senator in charge of key committees and subcommittees.Two schools: Noelani Elementary School in Manoa and Holy Family Catholic Academy are both named "Blue Ribbon" schools by the U.S. Department of Education for excelling in leadership, teaching, curriculum, student achievement and parental involvement.
WW II veterans: The movie may be panned by critics, but the Hollywood hype surrounding the premiere of "Pearl Harbor" puts the spotlight on the heroism of the "greatest generation."
[LOSERS]
Lychee lovers: Unfavorable weather and a late flowering season mean there will be a lot less of the sweet, plump fruit.Hanauma Harris: Construction on the city's $10.6 million Hanauma Bay education center is halted after complaints that the project is too high and would take away from the scenic beauty of the popular site. Mayor Jeremy Harris says the city would lower the project by 5 feet.
QUEST program: The state's Med-QUEST insurance program for low-income families is slammed by state auditor Marion Higa, who says the division of the Department of Human Services overpaid more than $7 million in 2000.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Publisher and Editor in Chief John Flanagan at 529-4748 or email him at jflanagan@starbulletin.com. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Child with lighter sets bedroom on fire
A child playing with a lighter in his bedroom caused a fire in a Waipahu apartment yesterday morning, the fire department said.A woman in her 30s, her two sons, ages 3 and 4, and her two nieces, ages 14 and 16, escaped from the apartment. The woman's husband was not home at the time of the fire.
The fire was reported at 9:40 a.m. and was under control by 9:51 a.m.
Damage to the 2-story, 2-bedroom, 1-bath unit at 94-238 Aniani Place, was limited to the bedroom. The fire caused an estimated $32,000 damage.
The Red Cross is assisting the family with temporary shelter, food and clothing.
Mercury cleaned up at Mayor Wright Homes
A private contractor yesterday cleaned up all traces of mercury found at Mayor Wright Homes Friday night, the health department said.A man in his 20s and a teen-age boy had been playing with about half an ounce of mercury in their apartment last night, showing it off to several children, said Terence Corpus, a Health Department official.
Corpus said he was not aware that any children were actually playing with the toxic metal.
Health Department and hazardous materials crews, firefighters and police were called in after the mother of one of the children learned about the mercury and called 911 at 8:45 p.m. Friday.
The man threw an uncapped plastic bottle of mercury onto the roof of the apartment building before the crews arrived, Corpus said. He attempted to vacuum up the mercury because he was concerned for the safety of his 2-year-old son, Corpus said.
The rug and vacuum cleaner were bagged and disposed of and no further traces were found in the apartment. Traces of mercury were found on the sidewalk and in a grassy area.
Man accused of punching wife's car window
A 45-year-old Kaimuki man was arrested after he kicked his estranged wife and punched in her car windshield as she tried to flee, police said.The 45-year-old woman, who has been separated from her husband for a year, was helping him clean their house at 1633 9th Ave. before it is put up for sale when an argument broke out Thursday afternoon, police said.
The man kicked the woman as she and her son tried to flee, police said. While she was reversing the car, the man jumped onto the hood and punched the windshield in, shattering the glass.
The man drove off in his own car and the responding officer spotted the man and apprehended him.
Police searching for witnesses in Kalihi hit-and-run
Police are searching for witnesses to a hit-and-run accident involving a moped that occurred about 11 p.m. Thursday at Kamehameha IV Road and Keha Place.A 33-year-old man was riding his moped mauka-bound on Kamehameha IV Road when he was struck from behind by a dark van or sports utility vehicle that fled the scene, police said.
The vehicle may have suffered a damaged front bumper and grill. Garages and car repair shops are requested to assist in the investigation.
Anyone with information may call 529-3499 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
