Roadwork to close lanes on H-1 freeway and ramps
The King Street onramp to the H-1 freeway eastbound will be closed today and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for guardrail work.Also, the two left lanes of the H-1 freeway westbound near the Liliha Street overpass will be closed Tuesday from 11 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Workers will be repairing and servicing signs.
Motorists are advised to allow for extra travel time, exercise caution while driving through the work area and take an alternate route.
Box jellyfish warning is issued for next week
The monthly invasion of box jellyfish is expected to hit Wednesday and peak next Thursday, the city Ocean Safety Division warns.The jellyfish will likely leave the affected areas on Oct. 13.
Waikiki Beach and the Ala Moana Beach Park swim channel are commonly affected areas.
Jellyfish invasions also have occurred at Hanauma Bay, Pokai Bay and Makaha Surfing Beach.
Lifeguards will patrol the beaches and post warning signs if necessary.
Box jellyfish stings should be treated by flushing the area with copious amounts of vinegar and seeking medical attention if pain persists.
Lifeguards stations are equipped to treat jellyfish stings.
Flower donations invited for Aloha Festivals event
The public is invited to donate loose flowers for the Aloha Festivals Celebration of Life event, which will be held tomorrow at 5 p.m. at the Sheraton-Waikiki.Employees at Watanabe Floral have started preparing thousands of flowers for delivery. Flowers will be scattered into the ocean near the Sheraton-Waikiki by helicopter, canoe and catamaran in a ceremony before the Waikiki Hoolaulea begins.
The public can drop loose flowers tomorrow from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Royal Hawaiian Avenue, makai of the Waikiki Trolley Stand in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. Volunteers will be at the center to accept the flowers.
Smoke-free singles night is scheduled at Zanzabar
A smoke-free night of entertainment and mixing is planned for singles from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Zanzabar Nightclub in Waikiki.The American Lung Association of Hawaii is sponsoring the event, "A Chance Encounter," for people 21 and older.
"Research has shown that more and more people in the ages of 25 to 45 are finding themselves single in today's fast-paced world, and they either don't have the time or don't know how to find a significant other," said Irene Okuda, with the association.
"We wanted an event that would appeal to them as an opportunity to meet eligible people of similar interests in a glamorous setting."
Kimo Kahoano will emcee the affair, which will feature "Shalaine's Eight-Minute Dating & Mixer," a dating game hosted by Shalaine Young of Shalaine Inc., The Matchmaker/international Educators of America.
Other activities will include a stage show and table-side magic by Markdavid, Steve Williams, Carlos Armando and Takeshi of Magic on the Rocks, wine tasting by Southern Wine & Spirits of Hawaii, food, refreshments, door prizes and dancing.
Tickets are $20.
Proceeds will be used for the Lung Association's programs and services in asthma management, tobacco control advocacy and air quality.
Tickets may be purchased at Zanzabar Nightclub in the Waikiki Trade Center, or interested persons can call Okuda at the American Lung Association of Hawaii, 537-5966, ext. 309. Residents also may call that number, ext. 311, to obtain the association's Hawaii edition of the Entertainment 2002 Book, which offers discounts on products and services.
Proceeds help support lung health programs in Hawaii.
About 200,000 residents suffer from chronic respiratory problems, according to the association, which has been fighting lung disease here since 1929.
Hana health center to get $1 million federal grant
The Hana Community Health Center on Maui will receive a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to go toward an initiative for children and adolescents.Funds will be used to develop and implement programs that will provide prenatal, pediatric, dental and behavioral health care services through the center, Hana High and Elementary School and community providers.
Based on a report, Hana has the highest infant mortality rate and the highest percentage of births with inadequate care in the state.
Also, Hana has a large native Hawaiian population, a group that has a high incidence of premature deaths compared with other ethnic groups in the state.
A $100,000 grant will also be awarded to the Center's Kupuna Caregiver Support Program.
Workshop to talk about layoff issues
Hawaii residents facing financial hardship because of job losses or reduced hours can get some help at a workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii office at 545 Queen St.The Consumer Credit Workshop is one of a series planned by VLSH to help people affected by layoffs since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Joining VLSH in sponsoring the workshops are the Hawaii State Judiciary, Hawaii State Bar Association, Hawaii Community Colleges, Aloha Credit Counseling, Consumer Credit Counseling of Hawaii, Hawaii Credit Union League, Sunrise Credit Consultants, volunteer attorneys, paralegals and legal secretaries.
To register for the workshop, call the VLSH at 528-7046 on Oahu or 800-839-5200 on the neighbor islands.
Other workshops are scheduled for next Thursday on Maui, Oct. 13 in Windward Oahu, Oct. 18 in Hilo, Oct. 23 on Kauai and Oct. 27 in Ewa.
"If we all take part in helping with Hawaii's economic crisis, we can definitely improve our communities and our way of life," said Judy Sobin, VLSH executive director.
Isles join online furry-friend finder
Three Hawaii animal welfare groups have joined Petfinder.com, a virtual animal shelter on the Internet.The Hawaiian Humane Society, Honolulu; 9th Life-Hawaii, Makawao; and Feline Foundation of Maui, Puunene, now are among the 2,500 members nationwide with descriptions and pictures of more than 45,000 pets awaiting adoption.
Potential owners can log on to http://www.petfinder.com and search for the specific kind and breed of animal.
A list comes back ranked in proximity to the person's zip code. Users then can contact the shelter or rescue group where the animal is housed.
A partnership between the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and sponsor Ralston Purina Co. makes the service free to potential adopters, shelters and rescue groups.
The SPCA estimates that 8 million to 12 million animals go to shelters each year.
Any group wishing to join may do so on the Web site, http://www.petfinder.com, or by contacting 908-810-1976.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Managing Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staff
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Waikiki workers treated
Two construction workers were hospitalized this morning after being exposed to an undetermined noxious odor at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort. The hotel was not evacuated and no streets were closed, according to fire Capt. Richard Soo. The two men, ages 50 and 32, walked out of the hotel and were decontaminated (see photo above) by the Fire Department's hazardous materials personnel before being transported to Queen's Hospital, said Donnie Gates, assistant chief of city emergency medical services. They were not identified. Gates said both men were complaining of irritation to their face and skin. The hotel is undergoing remodeling.
HONOLULU
Soldier in fatal crash tests under alcohol limit
The 23-year-old Schofield Barracks soldier who was arrested for manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol following a fatal traffic collision on Ala Moana last Thursday tested below the legal limit for alcohol.His driver's license, which he surrendered to police, will be returned, said Ronald Sakata, Administrative Driver's License Revocation Office chief adjudicator.
"There is no processing to be done. He blew below the legal limit," Sakata said.
The soldier was driving one of two cars involved in the collision. Police arrested him following the early morning crash, then released him later that afternoon.
Another Schofield Barracks soldier, James Giannos, 26, died at the scene. He was riding in the front passenger seat of the other car, driven by a 23-year-old woman. The driver and a 27-year-old man sitting in the back seat of the car were taken to Queen's Medical Center in critical condition but have since been released. Both are also soldiers at Schofield Barracks.
Police believe the two cars were racing on Ala Moana when they collided, sending the car in which Giannos was riding into a concrete wall near the Atkinson Drive intersection. Police said Giannos and the other occupants of the second car were not wearing seat belts.
Woman rams husband in golf cart after dispute
Honolulu police arrested a 48-year-old female yesterday for ramming her 43-year-old husband with her car while he was in a golf cart. Police said the couple had gotten into an argument the day before and that the suspect went yesterday to the victim's place of work at the Navy Marine Golf Course.Police said the suspect dumped the victim's belongings on the ground, then used her vehicle to ram the golf cart in which he was riding. Police said the suspect then reversed her vehicle and rammed the victim again.
Military police responding to the scene detained the suspect until HPD arrived. The victim sustained minor injuries, and the suspect was arrested for criminal property damage.
