Foodbank receives funds from Gov. Cayetano, state
The Hawaii Foodbank picked up a healthy deposit yesterday as Gov. Ben Cayetano gave the local charity a $950,000 state check to buy food for people economically hurt since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks."At a time like this, the state is honored to provide for our people's most basic needs, the need for food," Cayetano said.
The money for food comes from a $1 million appropriation passed by the Legislature in special session this month. About $50,000 will be used for a statewide campaign to make the public aware of available social services.
Since Sept. 11 about 30,000 people have filed initial claims for unemployment benefits. The unemployment rate jumped to 5.2 percent in October, the highest in two years, and up from 4.5 in September, according to state figures.
Cayetano said the attacks and the resulting drop in air travel "have changed forever how we live."
The money for the Foodbank will be given out on a county-by-county basis with Kauai getting $90,250, the Big Island getting $152,000, Maui getting $180,500 and the remaining $527,250 going to Honolulu.
Kona hospital starts work on new Imaging Center
KEALAKEKUA, Hawaii >> Kona Community Hospital has begun construction on a $2.5 million Imaging Center, the hospital announced.The 10,000-square-foot center will house an magnetic resonance imager, a CT scanner, ultrasound equipment and nuclear medicine equipment.
On completion, the Kona facility will be the third hospital on the island to have an MRI machine. The others are Hilo and North Hawaii hospitals.
Nuclear medicine refers to the use of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis and therapy, the hospital said.
The hospital expects 1,500 patients per year to use the MRI machine and another 1,500 to use nuclear therapy, they said.
Construction also includes a new laundry, workshop and storage space.
Construction started at the beginning of this month and is expected to conclude in six months.
UH medical school taking applications for program
The University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine is seeking applications for a 12-month post-baccalaureate program that prepares participants for medical school.The Imi Ho'ola Post-Baccalaureate Program admits candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds who are highly motivated and demonstrate strong potential and a commitment to serving areas in need in Hawaii and the Pacific.
Since 1973 more than 350 students from Hawaii, Guam, Micronesia and American Samoa have enrolled in the program.
Applications for the 2002-2003 class are due Dec. 31.
For more information, contact Roy Inouye or Dr. Nanette Judd at 956-3466 or write to University of Hawaii at Manoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Imi Ho'ola Post-Baccalaureate Program, 1960 East-West Rd., Biomed C-203, Honolulu, HI 96822.
Study on Maui midges to be reviewed at meeting
WAILUKU >> Federal wildlife officials will be holding an informational meeting tomorrow to review a study conducted about midges at Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge.The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Kihei Community Center along Lipoa Street. Federal officials have been conducting a study of the midges, following complaints by nearby condominium owners about infestations of the insect in the winter.
Officials are looking at ways to control the midge population while continuing to operate a safe wildlife refuge. Scientists have conducted tests using two larvicides.
A number of migratory birds nest at the refuge, including the endangered Hawaiian stilt and coot.
Man gets 24 months in jail on child porn charges
A 48-year-old electrician who pleaded guilty to ordering videotapes depicting young boys engaged in sexual conduct was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison.U.S. District Judge Susan Mollway ordered Brian Corpuz, 48, immediately into custody Tuesday to begin serving his term. He will be required to register as a sex offender in the state where he lives upon his release.
Corpuz's arrest stemmed from a nationwide undercover operation by the U.S. Customs Service that targeted individuals violating federal child pornography laws.
Corpuz responded in February 2000 to newspaper advertisements and e-mail sent by U.S. Customs across the nation. He filled out a questionnaire saying he was interested in boys engaged in all types of sexual activity, said assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Tong.
Based on his preferences, he was sent a catalog from which he ordered three videotapes. Corpuz was arrested after undercover agents delivered the videotapes to his home on Oct. 25, 2000.
Parade to honor military, Pearl Harbor survivors
This year's Waikiki Holiday Parade will pay tribute to America's military forces and honor survivors of Pearl Harbor.Scheduled for 7 p.m. tomorrow down Kalakaua Avenue, the parade, with the theme "Celebrating Santa and Pride in America," plans to feature 18 bands from mainland and local high schools and six bands from local and military groups.
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the parade has invited bands from states that bear the names of battleships or cruisers damaged or sunk in the attack, organizers said. Several Pearl Harbor survivors will be honored as they ride in front of each band procession.
"Honoring Pearl Harbor is a great way for us to show our patriotism and support for our armed forces, past and present," said Paul Murphy, the president of the USS Indianapolis Survivors Association, who is this year's grand marshal.
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 staffNEIGHBOR ISLANDS Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Police seeks public help on computer store heist
KAILUA-KONA >> Big Island police are asking for the public's help in solving the armed robbery of a Kona computer store.On Sept. 27 two men, one armed with a pistol and the other with a crowbar, demanded money at Island Tech Office Equipment in the Old Industrial Area of Kailua, police said.
The robbers escaped in a cream-colored Toyota SR-5 hatchback with no front license plate. Anyone with knowledge of the robbery is asked to call police at 326-4230 or CrimeStoppers at 329-8181.
HONOLULU
HPD begins checkpoints to detect impaired drivers
Honolulu police have begun conducting impaired-driver checkpoints at unannounced times and locations.The checkpoints will be in place every weekend through Jan. 2.
Seventy-two people have died on Oahu roadways so far this year compared with 66 in all of last year. According to Honolulu police records, 40 percent of the fatal traffic collisions this year were alcohol- and/or drug-related.
