Military donates $288,000 to DOE for textbooks
The military has donated $288,000 to the state Department of Education for reading textbooks to 14,000 students at 50 public elementary schools in Hawaii.Adm. Dennis Blair, commander in chief of U.S. Pacific forces, presented a check yesterday to the Board of Education.
The donation came as a result of a partnership between the military and the public school system called the Joint Venture Education Forum.
State schools chief Paul LeMahieu said the money will help further the department's and board's literacy initiatives.
The department will provide matching funds of $148,000, for a total of $436,000 for the project aimed at students in kindergarten to third grade.
Schofield contract worth $65.9 million to isles
Honolulu-based Dick Pacific Construction Co. was awarded a $65.9 million contract for construction projects at Schofield Barracks.The contract is for work on Phase 2A of Schofield's Whole Barracks Renewal program.
The work includes construction of two multistory barracks for 400 soldiers, two battalion headquarters buildings and six company operations buildings.
The construction is expected to be completed by September 2004.
The contract includes options that, if exercised, would raise its value to $81.2 million.
"This contract represents a very significant influx of federal dollars into Hawaii's economy," U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, said Wednesday in a news release.
"The paychecks it generates will pay the bills for hundreds of island families," Abercrombie said. "Long-term investment in infrastructure projects like these also helps ensure that the military will remain a presence in Hawaii for many years to come."
Hawaii counties receive fire prevention funding
Each of Hawaii's four counties has been granted $50,000 in federal fire prevention funding that can be used by local fire departments for equipment and firefighter training and education programs, state Department of Land and Natural Resources officials said.The money also will be used to fund fire prevention public awareness programs in communities bordering on wild lands highly susceptible to brush fires, the department said.
Funding comes from the Volunteer Fire Assistance program, administered by the U.S. Forest Service through the Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
Dental foundation offers academic scholarships
The Hawaii Dental Service Foundation is accepting scholarship applications from students pursuing degrees in the dental sciences from an accredited institution.The scholarships will range from $500 to $1,000. The awards will be based on merit and financial need.
Hawaii residents and those who graduated from Hawaii secondary schools are eligible to apply.
The application deadline is Sept. 1.
To obtain an application for the 2001-2002 academic year, write to HDS Foundation Scholarships, 700 Bishop St., Suite 700, Honolulu 96813.
Class of 2005 celebrates White Coat Ceremony
Sixty-two students in the John A. Burns School of Medicine's Class of 2005 will slip into their first white coats tonight in a ceremony from 6 to 7:15 in Orvis Auditorium, at the corner of University Avenue and Dole Street.Physicians from the Class of 1980 will assist the students. They will celebrate their 25th reunion when the entering class graduates in 2005.
The White Coat Ceremony is called "the hallmark of physicians-to-be as they take their first steps toward their future careers in medicine."
Welcome addresses will be given by Evan Dobelle, University of Hawaii president, and Dr. Edwin Cadman, dean of the medical school.
Keynote speaker will be Dr. Kamal Masaki, associate professor of medicine and recipient of the 2001 Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey Humanism in Medicine Award.
The Alumni Association is sponsoring the ceremony with the Class of 1980.
Besides white coats, this year's class will receive a special gift of stethoscopes from the Hawaii Medical Association, Community Research Bureau and Pacific Cardiology.
Corrections and clarifications
>> The Tron event listed in the nightclub section of today's Weekend section will not take place. The deejay event was canceled after the magazine went to press.
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
CENTRAL OAHU
Mililani woman dies in Wahiawa crash
A 76-year-old Mililani woman died this morning from injuries she suffered in a traffic accident last night in Wahiawa.Police said the woman was a passenger in a vehicle that was making a left turn from the Leilehua Golf Course Road into the south-bound lanes of Kamehameha Highway about 9:20 p.m. when it was hit broadside by a car traveling northbound.
The woman and the driver of the car, her 53-year-old daughter, were taken to Queen's Medical Center.
The woman was pronounced dead at 12:19 this morning. Her daughter remains in guarded but serious condition. The driver of the other car, a 38-year-old Mililani man, was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Work is underway at the intersection to install traffic lights.
WINDWARD OAHU
Woman allegedly beats paralyzed ex-boyfriend
A 43-year-old Maunawili woman was arrested Wednesday after allegedly reaching into her quadriplegic ex-boyfriend's vehicle and punching him four times.Police said because of the man's disability, he could not defend himself.
The alleged incident occurred on Tuesday when police said the 41-year-old ex-boyfriend went to the woman's home to drop off their twin daughters.
Before punching her ex-boyfriend, the woman used the man's wheelchair to damage his vehicle, police said.
The woman was arrested for unauthorized entry into a vehicle, abuse of a household family member and criminal property damage.
WAIKIKI
Husband arrested in threat to his wife
Honolulu police arrested a Waikiki man yesterday for allegedly threatening his wife with a butcher knife.The incident took place at the couple's Hobron Street apartment at 5:45 a.m.
Police said according to the victim, her husband assaulted her, then threatened to kill her with the butcher knife.
HONOLULU
Teen takes 25-foot fall and suffers broken bones A 14-year-old boy broke his wrist, ankle and arm yesterday after falling 25 feet from a tree onto some boulders at the Jackass Ginger swimming pool off Nuuanu Pali Drive.Fire and Emergency Medical Services crews carried the boy out on a stretcher after putting splints on his arm and leg.
The accident happened just before 4 p.m.
5 men rob Queen Street gambling operation
Police are looking for five male suspects, who robbed an illegal gambling operation in Kakaako early this morning.Police said the robbers, armed with guns, entered the gambling room at 916 Queen St. about midnight, forced their way into the office and took an undetermined amount of cash.
Police said there were about 30 patrons in the gambling room at the time. They had all left the scene when police arrived.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
74-year-old man arrested in marijuana production KAILUA-KONA >> Police are holding a 74-year-old man pending charges for commercial promotion of marijuana following his arrest Wednesday at an Ocean View home, they said.Police found 756 marijuana plants, 5.25 pounds of dried marijuana, 9.28 ounces of marijuana seeds and a chemical laboratory at the man's home.
