Hawaii consumers spent 2.6 percent more during the 32-day holiday shopping season this year compared with last year, according to a national check-acceptance company. Isle holiday sales up
2.6 percent, index showsHawaii was the only state in TeleCheck Services Inc.'s six-state Western region to post more than a 2 percent gain in sales over last year.
The TeleCheck Retail Index is based on a year-over-year, same-store comparison of the dollar volume of checks written by consumers at more than 27,000 of TeleCheck's 272,000 subscribing locations.
A last-minute surge in Christmas shopping boosted holiday spending nationwide by 2.2 percent over last year, the company said.
"Consumers accelerated their purchasing pace during the final week before Christmas, and especially over the long four-day shopping weekend," said Ira Silver, TeleCheck senior retail advisor. "We anticipate that at least two of the five top shopping days will fall during that time."
TIME TO ROLL UP THE CUFFS
AND GET TO WORK
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Local diabetes group becomes a nonprofit
American Diabetes Association Hawaii has reorganized from an affiliate chapter of the national organization to a nonprofit corporation. More money raised through local fund raising will remain in Hawaii as a result, officials said."In the past we were similar to an independent affiliate," said Wendy Sefo, the group's executive director. "Now, along with the other 49 states, we are fully integrated with the American Diabetes Association as a national nonprofit corporation."
She said this means less paperwork and more education and community outreach because administrative tasks and overhead costs will not be duplicated. "Another advantage is that what we fund-raise remains in Hawaii," Sefo said.
For more information, call the association here at 947-5979.
Diet and health experts to study carotenoids
About 200 diet and health experts will meet at the Renaissance Ilikai Hotel Jan. 6-12 for a symposium on carotenoids, the substances that gives carrots color and help people to see, the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii announced.Carotenoids are green, yellow and red plant pigments, the most common being beta-carotene, which the body turns into vitamin A.
Three Hawaii companies produce a carotenoid called astaxanthin from microalgae. Two of the companies, Aquasearch on the Big Island and Micro Gaia on Maui, are among 15 corporate sponsors.
Speakers will discuss lycopene, the red pigment in tomatoes believed to help protect men from prostate cancer.
"Experimental studies indicate that lycopene causes cancer cells to commit a type of suicide," the research center said.
Other speakers will discuss the role of carotenoids in preventing degeneration of the most sensitive part of the eye, called the macula. The carotenoid symposium is held every three years by the International Carotenoid Society.
Medical career program applications due Feb. 28
College students interested in a career in medicine are invited to apply for Straub Foundation's 2002 Summer Student Research Program.Research scholars are assigned to foundation-sponsored projects during the eight-week program and given hands-on experience in clinical research. They also participate in a formal research/education curriculum.
Eight to 10 scholars will be selected on the basis of their overall qualifications, academic performance, interests and letter of recommendation. Hawaii students have priority.
Applicants are encouraged to request a personal interview to learn more about the program. The deadline for applications is Feb. 28. For more information, call 524-6755.
Researcher joins Hawaii cancer center
Patricia S. Lorenzo, a researcher who hopes to discover new anti-cancer drugs from natural sources in Hawaii and the Pacific, has joined the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii.Lorenzo previously was a Fogarty International Center Fellow at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. The fellowship was part of her postdoctoral training in the Laboratory of Cellular Carcinogenesis and Tumor Promotion.
She used natural products as tools to understand molecular pathways related to cancer, and she hopes to expand upon this work at the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii.
Dr. Carl-Wilhelm Vogel, director of the Hawaii center, said friends of the center have awarded Lorenzo $50,000 for equipment and supplies to help her establish her lab.
"We are very impressed with her background and are confident that she will make an important contribution toward discovering new anti-cancer drugs from local natural sources," he said.
Lorenzo was born in South America and graduated from the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina. She received master's degrees in biochemistry and pharmacy and a doctorate in pharmacology.
Puna Geothermal chosen to run research facility
Puna Geothermal Venture has been selected by the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority to operate the Noii O Puna geothermal research facility, officials announced yesterday.Puna Geothermal will refurbish and expand the visitor center at the site as well as solicit proposals from the public for the development, construction, operation and maintenance of a geothermal heat source on the property, NELHA said in a news release.
Puna Geothermal operates underground wells that take steam from Kilauea Volcano and convert it into energy for use by Big Island residents.
HECO to shut off power in lower Pauoa Valley
Power will be out for Hawaiian Electric Company customers on five streets in lower Pauoa Valley from 9 a.m. to noon tomorrow for an equipment upgrade.Customers on who live on Pauoa Road between Lae Street and Kapalu Street, Kanealii Avenue between Lae Street and Kapalu Street, Kapalu Street, Hiilawe Street and Koalele Street will be affected, the utility said.
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 staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Man critical after his car hits a utility pole
A man suffered critical injuries after crashing his vehicle into a utility pole about 9 this morning, police said.The accident, on Kamehameha Highway near Trout Farm Road, knocked out electricity to several hundred homes on Kamehameha Highway between Kualoa and Punaluu, said Fred Kobashikawa, spokesman for the Hawaiian Electric Co. Inc.
HECO crews were on scene trying to restore power, he said.
The man was taken via ambulance to Kahuku Hospital, an ambulance dispatcher said.
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CENTRAL OAHU
Fire damages classroom at Mililani High School
A Mililani High School classroom was damaged by fire over the Christmas Day holiday, according to police. Custodians said they had left the school on Tuesday, then returned yesterday and discovered fire damage to one of the classrooms. Police said it appeared that someone used a propellant to start the fire. The case is still pending investigation.HONOLULU
Biker injured on trail carried out by fire crew
Fire rescue crews carried out an injured biker yesterday evening from the Waahila Ridge Trail above St. Louis Heights. Fire officials said the biker, a male in his 40s, was attempting to "jump" a portion of the trail when he crashed.The victim was with two other bikers when the accident happened. A fourth biker who was not part of the victim's group but happened to be passing by called for help on his cell phone. Rescue crews carried the victim about 300 yards from where he was on the trail to be taken by ambulance to receive medical attention.
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Witnesses to fatal wreck in Mapunapuna sought
Police are looking for witnesses to a fatal traffic accident that killed a 17-year-old girl in Mapunapuna about 7:45 last night.Witnesses told police the girl was driving a Nissan pickup truck weaving between cars just before the crash.
Police said she entered the left turn lane which had a green arrow then attempted to get back into the west-bound lanes which had red lights at the Puuloa Road intersection. The pickup truck then struck the median and slammed into a concrete pillar supporting the H-1 Freeway Viaduct.
The victim was pronounced dead a the scene. She was not wearing a seat belt. Police said and speed and alcohol are possible factors in the crash.
