Congressional panel OKs expanded Volcanoes Park
Expansion of Volcanoes National Park and federal funds to help cover costs of Pacific Islanders living in Hawaii are among 13 projects that have passed the first stage of approval for federal funding.A U.S. House-Senate Conference Committee approved $20.5 million in funding for a variety of initiatives, including $7 million for new programs, according to a release from U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii.
The initiatives are included in the fiscal year 2002 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill and must go before the Senate and House before going to the White House.
The measure includes $6 million to purchase Kahuku Ranch, adjacent to the current Volcanoes National Park, and $4 million to offset health and human services expenses that Hawaii incurs because of compacts the United States has with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau. Residents of those islands have liberal migration rules, and many choose to live in Hawaii.
Pidgin author Tonouchi will speak at 5 libraries
In concert with the fourth annual National Teen Read Week, local author Lee Tonouchi will be the featured speaker at five Oahu libraries.Author of "Da Word," a collection of short stories written entirely in pidgin English, Tonouchi is scheduled to speak at the following libraries:
>> Mililani, today, 6:30 p.m.
>> Salt Lake-Moanalua, tomorrow, 6:30 p.m.
>> Hawaii State, Young Adult Section, tomorrow, 6:30 p.m.
>> Ewa Beach, Thursday, 12:30 p.m.
>> Hawaii Kai, Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
The free program is designed for students in the seventh grade and up to encourage them to develop reading skills through pleasurable reading. To request a sign language interpreter, call the hosting library at least five days prior to the program.
Marines order weekend closure of Mokapu gate
The Mokapu gate to Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay will be closed every Friday from 10 p.m. through 5:30 a.m. every Monday. Access to the base on weekends will only be available through the H-3 gate, officials said.
Health official cautions isles on flu
Residents age 65 or older and others at high risk for flu and pneumonia are urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.Although attention is focused on the state's dengue fever outbreak, flu can be deadly for some people, said Judy Strait-Jones, a public health educator.
Besides seniors, others urged to get both flu and pneumonia shots this month or next are those with chronic health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, kidney, asthma, cancer, HIV, AIDS and other immune system problems.
Health care workers and women who will be three months pregnant during flu season also are encouraged to get vaccinated.
People who are 50 to 64 years old or who live in households with high-risk residents are encouraged to get flu shots next month, according to recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
People with Medicare Part B can get shots free from Medicare providers. The cost for those without Medicare is about $20, Strait-Jones said.
She said there is no shortage of the vaccine this year, although some places, such as Castle Community Care, which holds clinics with Longs Drug Stores, have not yet received their supply.
To find out where you can get a flu shot or for more information, call 586-8332.
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
LEEWARD OAHU
Nanakuli dad arrested for burglary, assault, abuse A 44-year-old Nanakuli man was arrested yesterday for burglary, assault, abuse of a household member and harassment for allegedly entering his son's home and hitting him on the head with a baseball bat.
Police said the 26-year-old son had previously evicted his father from his Pua Avenue home. The son told police his father returned to the home about 10:30 a.m. yesterday and hit him on the right side of his head with a baseball bat. The father left the residence but was later located.
Fire at Waianae Mall is declared intentional
A fire in a restroom was intentionally set yesterday, said a fire official.A Laundromat owner observed black smoke coming out of the men's restroom at Waianae Mall, 86-120 Farrington Hwy., at about 5:22 p.m. Firefighters extinguished the fire at 5:59 p.m. The restroom sustained smoke damage. Capt. Curtis Mayural of the Ladder Company in Waianae said someone had piled up some toilet paper in one of the stalls and lit it on fire.
WINDWARD OAHU
Kahuku man critically injured in car crash A 21-year-old Kahuku man remained in critical condition last night after crashing his car into utility poles and a sign near Malaekahana Regional State Park early yesterday morning.
Police said the man was traveling westbound on Kamehameha Highway at 4:28 a.m. when he veered onto the grassy shoulder and hit a wooden utility pole, a park sign and then another pole.
The man was taken by helicopter to Queen's Medical Center in critical condition. Police said speed may have been a factor in the crash.
