OPEN WIDE
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State library gets approval for new literacy program
The Hawaii State Library has received approval to create a Center for the Book, a program affiliated with the Library of Congress to promote interest in reading.The program will involve authors, publishers, illustrators, individuals and groups on a "much larger scale than any other" effort by the library to generate enthusiasm for the written word, said Caroline Spencer, coordinator for the Hawaii affiliate. Businesses will be asked to sponsor the events, she said.
State Librarian Virginia Lowell applied to become the 43rd state to take part in the national program.
Lowell said, "Hawaii's Center for the Book will preserve and celebrate our different ethnicities, cultural values, religious and political structures. (It) will be the focus of many local and regional programs which encourage and promote the practice of reading as a lifetime habit."
Activities being planned include increasing awareness of Hawaiian authors through the creation of an award for a children's book and the development of a Web site that will include a calendar of book, library and reading events throughout Hawaii.
The national program was established in 1977 and the first state became an affiliate in 1984.
Each state is required to apply for renewal every three years, Spencer said.
For more information, visit the national web site at www.loc.gov/cfbook
New education leaders for Maui and Big Island
New complex-area superintendents for Maui and the Big Island assumed their duties last week as part of a restructuring in the Department of Education.In Hilo, Valerie Takata is overseeing Laupahoehoe, Hilo and Waiakea complexes, which comprise high schools and the schools that feed into them; and Judith Saranchock is in charge of Keaau, Pahoa and Kau. In Kona, Alvin Rho has been named complex-area superintendent for Kona, Kohala, Kealakehe and Hamakua.
On Maui, Donna Whitford is in charge of Baldwin, Maui and Kekaulike; and Allen Ashitomi is overseeing Molokai, Hana, Lanai and Lahaina.
Appointments for Oahu and Kauai were approved in January.
The appointments are part of a restructuring by Schools Superintendent Pat Hamamoto to divvy up districts into smaller, more manageable units and to create more continuity in curriculum from pre-kindergarten through high school.
Forensic science course available to educators
Twelve middle and high school science teachers will have the chance to learn forensic science from the pros.In a five-day course starting June 24, the selected teachers will work alongside Honolulu Police Department forensic scientists specializing in evidence collection, drug analyses, firearms, trace evidence and DNA/Serology. Projects suitable for classroom instruction will be provided.
As part of the new "Forensics for Teachers" course, teachers will hear from renowned forensic entomologist Dr. Lee Goff, who is a forensic sciences professor at Chaminade University in Honolulu, as well as from speakers representing the Honolulu Medical Examiner's Office, Honolulu Prosecutor's Office and the Army's Central Identification Laboratory.
Teachers from public and private schools statewide are encouraged to apply.
Applications, which are due by March 1, are available online at www.honolulupd.org, or by calling HPD's Scientific Investigation Section at 529-3281.
Shots required to enter seventh grade as of July 1
A state law taking effect July 1 will require about 15,000 students entering seventh grade to have up-to-date vaccinations for MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), hepatitis B and varicella (chickenpox).Students without documentation of those immunizations will not be allowed to attend school, the Hawaii Immunization Coalition points out.
Parents of students entering seventh grade this fall are urged to check with their child's doctor to make sure the shots are current and get proper forms completed.
For more information on the legal requirements and immunizations, contact the Hawaii Immunization Coalition via e-mail at HIC@Hawaii.rr.com, go to www.immunize.org or call the National Immunization Hotline, 800-232-2552.
Humane Society will do 500 sterilizations for free
The Hawaiian Humane Society will give away 500 sterilization surgeries for dogs and cats Wednesday, designated as Spay Day 2002.Cat and dog owners can contact the Humane Society by phone, e-mail or in person to get an appointment for their pet's free surgery.
For a free surgery appointment:
>> Visit the Humane Society between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday.Pre- and post-surgery guidelines will be supplied to pet owners.>> Send an e-mail to spayday@hawaiianhumane.org between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday to request an appointment, including your name, address, phone number, pet's name, age, approximate weight and whether it is a cat or dog, male or female. Your appointment will be mailed back to you within 48 hours.
>> Or call 216-FREE (3733), 216-SPAY (7729), 216-IFIX (4349) or 216-PETS (7387) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday.
There is a limit of two free surgeries per household.
Citizens Police Academy applications encouraged
The Honolulu Police Department is accepting applications for the next adult and youth Citizens Police Academy classes.The deadline for the next adult class is Friday. The class is scheduled to begin on March 28.
The deadline to apply for the next youth class is May 10. The class will start on June 15. Applicants must be 15 through 17 years old.
Adults meet for three hours on Thursday nights and on two Saturday mornings for 11 weeks.
The youth class is an eight-week program that meets for four hours on Saturday mornings.
The Citizens Police Academy is designed to educate the public about Police Department policies and procedures, the criminal justice system and ways to reduce crime. More than 360 people have graduated since the program began in 1994.
>> Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink has announced her nominations for students entering the various military academies in 2002. Mink's U.S. Air Force Academy first principal nominee is Andrew S. Janiszewski, a student at Baldwin High School. Alternates include Steven A. Gilbert, Kailua High School; Joshua P. Huberty, Makua Lani Christian School; Kimo C. Yamashiro, Iolani School; Christopher O. Johnson, Kauai High School; Summer Bardsley-Marcial, Kalaheo High School; Rorey A.K. Faraon, Wentworth Military Academy; Carly A. Omizo, Iolani; and Michael G. Garcia, Kalaheo High. Reyn M. Yamashiro, a senior at Waiakea High School, was named second principal nominee. Alternates include Ian D. Taylor, Punahou School; Nicole E.K. Ortogero, University of Hawaii Lab School; Phillip S. Mendel, Iolani; Vaughn K. McCallum, Castle High School; Hayden T. Stevens, Hilo High School; Kaulana C. Kama, Kamehameha Schools; Jarett T. Hamamoto, Waiakea High School; and William J. Sullivan IV, U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School. Mink's first and second principal nominees for the U.S. Military Academy are Kimo C. Yamashiro and Summer Bardsley-Marcial, respectively. Alternates include Andrew Janiszewski, Baldwin High; Vaughn K. McCallum, Castle High; Hayden T. Stevens, Hilo High; and Kaulana C. Kama, Kamehameha. Kenan J. Knieriem Jr., a senior at Punahou, was selected as the U.S. Naval Academy principal nominee. Alternates include Juliann C. Jordan, Iolani; Phillip S. Mendel, Iolani; Vaughn K. McCallum, Castle High; Kimo C. Yamashiro, Iolani; Summer Bardsley-Marcial, Kalaheo High; Hayden T. Stevens, Hilo High; Richard T. Duncan, St. Anthony High School; Rorey A.K. Faraon, Wentworth Military Academy; and Kaulana C. Kama, Kamehameha. And Summer Bardsley-Marcial, Rorey A.K. Faraon and Ian D. Taylor were nominated for admission to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. [Taking Notice]
>> M.C. Blasdell, Nona Hasegawa and Jake Mizuno have been named to the board of governors at Hawaii Preparatory Academy. The three were named to the board after a recent meeting on the Big Island.
Do you have items about Hawaii residents earning academic or professional honors, winning scholarships, awards or elections to professional or civic groups? Please send them in writing for "Taking Notice" to City Desk, Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813.
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
SHARK SIGHTING
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NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Speed proves fatal in Big Island car accident
Excessive speed was a "major factor" in a three-car crash Friday night that left one man dead and two others injured, Big Island police said.Logan Aolaolagi of Paradise Park was overtaking cars on the shoulder area as he drove south on the Keaau-Pahoa Highway (Route 130) at around 6:40 p.m. when he suddenly cut back into traffic and rear-ended a 1990 Jeep Cherokee traveling in the same direction, police said.
The collision caused Aolaolagi's 1990 Acura to slide sideways across the centerline and into the path of an oncoming 1995 Nissan pick-up truck, which broadsided his car.
Aolaolagi, 20, was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 9:07 p.m.
The driver of the truck, Francisco Albana, 36, and passenger Roseanna Kanoa, 52, were also taken to Hilo Medical Center. Albana was treated and released.
Kanoa, the only one involved in the accident who was not wearing a seat belt, was flown to Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu with head, abdominal and leg injuries. She was listed in critical condition yesterday.
The driver of the Jeep, 31-year-old Alex Germain of Paradise Park, was not injured.
The accident forced the closure of part of the highway for about three hours.
Kailua-Kona man dies after motorcycle accident
A Kailua-Kona man died Wednesday morning at the Queen's Medical Center of injuries received in a motorcycle accident two months ago in Kohala.Big Island police identified the man as Malcom Hulsey, 50.
Police said Hulsey was wearing a helmet when the crash occurred Dec. 23 on Kohala Mountain Road. Hulsey had crossed the centerline at a bend in the road, struck an embankment and fell onto the pavement. Police said Hulsey may not have been familiar with the roadway.
LEEWARD OAHU
Tourists' view of Makaha ruined by robbery
Police were looking for a man and a woman who robbed two tourists from Alaska in Makaha Friday afternoon.A 29-year-old man and 26-year-old woman stopped at Lahilahi Point at about 2 p.m. to enjoy the view when they were threatened by the suspects, police said.
The male suspect allegedly hit the 29-year-old man in the back with a pipe while the female suspect grabbed the woman's beach bag.
WINDWARD OAHU
Sleepy driver gets a jolt after crash near Kualoa
Both lanes of Kamehameha Highway were closed for several hours Saturday morning after a woman who apparently fell asleep at the wheel hit a utility pole about three miles north of Kualoa Regional Park, police said.Phone, cable and electric company crews worked through much of the morning to restore service.
The crash happened at about 11:20 p.m. Friday night. The highway was not reopened until noon yesterday. Motorists were turned back at Kaaawa Elementary School and Kualoa Regional Park. One lane of the highway was reopened at 9:30 a.m. Traffic was also diverted through Kualoa Ranch.
Police said a 38-year-old woman driving the car was taken to Castle Medical Center in good condition.
A spokesman for Hawaiian Electric Co. Inc. said the accident knocked out power to about 100 customers, but most were restored by 6 a.m.
