Ships must give 96-hour notice to enter U.S. ports
Most ships entering U.S. ports now must give four days, or 96 hours, of advance notice to the Coast Guard, along with crew, passenger and cargo information.Previously, ships calling at U.S. ports were required to notify the Coast Guard 24 hours in advance.
The new rule took effect Thursday, in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.
"This is a nationwide effort of heightened security, but it's especially important in Hawaii due to our unique location and considering that 98 percent of our cargo comes in on ships," said Petty Officer Lauren Smith, a Guard spokeswoman.
Ship reports should continue to be sent to the Coast Guard Captain of the Port office where ships plan to arrive until Oct. 14.
Then, starting Oct. 15, most reports will be made to the Coast Guard's new National Vessel Movement Center.
The Coast Guard suggests that maritime businesses, ship operators and others in commercial vessel operations review the new rules, which are available online at www.uscg.mil/d14/.
In Hawaii, out-of-state vessels make approximately 1,100 port calls a year.
Nationwide, 10,000 ships make more than 68,000 port calls yearly.
Foodland, patrons raise $958,171 for NYC victims
Foodland and Sack 'n Save patrons opened up their wallets last month to help local nonprofit agencies and victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.Foodland Super Market Ltd. announced yesterday that its third annual Give Aloha program raised $958,171 in September. The funds, which will be distributed to 741 nonprofits statewide, include $246,636 in matching donations from Foodland Super Market Ltd.
Since Sept. 13 the supermarkets also collected $71,355 in donations and matching funds for the September 11th Fund to help the victims and their families affected by the attacks. In 18 days more than 3,000 community donations raised $52,623 for the fund.
The rest came from Foodland in the form of matching funds.
In three years the Give Aloha campaign, which was established to honor Maurice J. "Sully" Sullivan, the company's founder, has raised $2.78 million.
Native Hawaiian projects get funding
Ten Native Hawaiian programs focusing on family-based education and curriculum development have been awarded $3.7 million in grants from the federal Department of Education, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye said Thursday.The grants were awarded under the department's Native Hawaiian Education Initiative, which was established under the Native Hawaiian Education Act of 1988.
"The grant program is now in its 13th year, and the grants awarded will propel native Hawaiian education to new heights," Inouye, Hawaii's senior senator, said in a statement.
Among the programs receiving grants:
>> Partners in Development: $747,952 for Project Tutu and Me, which will provide elders or grandparents who are caring for young children with early-learning resources, training and materials.
>> Keiki O Ka Aina Preschool, Honolulu: $683,794 to expand its services for 4- and 5-year-olds to other communities, and to add classes for children age 3 and under.
>> Kanu O Ka Aina Learning Ohana, Kamuela: $520,000 for a pilot pre-kindergarten program for native Hawaiian children.
>> Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture: $369,875 for Keiki Steps project in Nanakuli, Waianae and Kealakehe to establish Play Morning sites with developmental and cultural activities.
>> Edith Kanakaole Foundation: $332,245 for the Papahulilani Project, which seeks to improve student and teacher achievement by focusing on traditional Hawaiian concepts and navigation projects in the Big Island's Keaukaha area.
Silent march set for victim of stabbing
A silent march planned in memory of a Kalihi woman who was stabbed to death at her home last month also aims to raise awareness about domestic abuse.The walk, in memory of Mercy Garperio, who died Sept. 29, is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Honolulu Hale and proceed around the block.
Garperio's was the state's fifth domestic violence-related death this year. Her husband has been charged with murder and is being held on $75,000 bail.
Nancy Kreidman of the Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline will speak at the event.
Catholic Charities Family Services and the city administration are co-sponsors of the march, which aims to educate the public about the scale of domestic abuse and its effects on the community.
October is recognized nationwide as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Lawyer penalized for not filing taxes
Honolulu attorney David Bettencourt has been placed on one year of probation and fined $25,000 after pleading no contest for failing to file his general excise tax returns from 1995 to 1999.District Judge Russell Nagata also ordered Bettencourt yesterday to perform 250 hours of community service under a plea agreement.
Bettencourt, 56, must pay at least $10,000 in the next 10 days and file all of his delinquent tax returns during the period of his probation. Failure to file a tax return is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.
Bettencourt could not be reached for comment.
Corrections and clarifications
>> Hiroshi Mori was one of the filmmakers featured in the 'Ohina Short Film Showcase story in yesterday's Star Weekend. He was incorrectly identified as Hiroshi Sato.>> George Yamamoto is chairman of the Makakilo/Kapolei/ Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board. A story on Page A7 Thursday said incorrectly that Maeda Timson was chair.
>> State Rep. Emily Auwae, who represents the Waianae-Makaha area, is a Republican. A story yesterday on Page A8 incorrectly labled her a Democrat.
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
HONOLULU
McCully man accused of sexual assault
Honolulu police arrested a McCully man yesterday after he allegedly sexually assaulted his neighbor.Police said the suspect knocked on the victim's door at 7 a.m. yesterday and asked if he could come in and use the phone.
Once inside, police said, the suspect sexually assaulted the victim, a woman in her mid-30s. Police later arrested the suspect for first-degree sex assault.
