NW Hawaiian Islands sanctuary forums planned
Scoping meetings, where people can express their opinions about what they want from a proposed Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary, are all held at 6 p.m. at the following locations:
>> Today: Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Kahului. >> Tomorrow: Kulanaiwi Halau, Kaunakakai, Molokai. >> Monday: Japanese Cultural Center, 2454 S. Beretania St., Honolulu. >> Tuesday: Radisson Kauai Beach Resort, 4331 Kauai Beach Drive, Lihue. >> Wednesday: University of Hawaii-Hilo, Marine Science Building, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo. >> April 18: King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, 75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona. >> April 19: Lanai Public Library, Lanai City. Written comments can be submitted until May 17:
>> Via e-mail to nwhi@noaa.gov. >> Via mail to NWHI Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, 6700 Kalanianaole Hwy., No. 215, Honolulu, HI 96825. >> Via fax to 808-397-2662.
Man accused of digging to bank vault due in court
LAHAINA >> A 32-year-old man accused of trying to dig his way into a bank vault is scheduled to appear in Maui Circuit Court on April 23.Franklin W. Gonzales was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail after Lahaina District Judge Reinette Cooper determined yesterday there was enough evidence for him to stand trial on a number of charges, including second-degree burglary.
Police said they arrested Gonzales, a citizen of Belize, Friday night when they found him on the second floor of the Lahaina Branch of Bank of Hawaii, allegedly trying to use a sledgehammer and chisel to dig into the flooring and down into the steel vault.
Police detectives are still investigating how Gonzales allegedly entered the bank and whether others were involved in the burglary.
Kealakekua Public Library to close for re-carpeting
The Kealakekua Public Library in Kona will temporarily close for re-carpeting through April 27 and is scheduled to reopen April 29 at noon.The book drop will remain open except from Sunday to April 21.
Patrons may visit Holualoa Public Library during regular library hours from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays.
Holualoa will also be open for additional hours this Monday and April 22 from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, call Holualoa Public Library at 324-1233 during the hours listed above.
Government raises ceiling for children's insurance
Children of a four-member family earning up to $41,640 annually now can qualify for free health insurance.The federal government raised the ceiling this year on family income for children's health insurance through the state's QUEST and Medicaid programs, retroactive to Jan. 1.
"That's about $1,000 more than last year's limit," said Barbara Luksch, director of the Hawaii Covering Kids Project.
Parents and guardians whose children have been denied health insurance since January because income was slightly over the limit are encouraged to reapply, she said.
The new family gross monthly income limits for QUEST and Medicaid for kids per household size are as follows: one, 1,700; two, $2,290; three, $2,880; four, $3,470; five, $4,060; six, $4,650; seven, $5,240; eight, $5,830; nine, $6,420; and 10, $7,010. Each additional person, $590.
Expert will discuss laws affecting seniors
James H. Pietsch will discuss "Elder Law Hawaii ... protecting your health, wealth and personal wishes" from 10 to 11:30 a.m. tomorrow at the Boy Scouts of America-Aloha Council, Presidents Room, 42 Puiwa Road, near the Queen Emma Summer Palace.Pietsch has practiced law in Hawaii for more than 20 years and is co-author of the Elder Law Hawaii Handbook.
He teaches elder and health law courses at the University of Hawaii law and medical schools and supervises delivery of legal services to older persons at the UH Elder Law Program.
The Alzheimer's Association Aloha chapter is sponsoring his workshop to help people prepare for possible needs as they grow older.
Pietsch will help participants become familiar with wills, trusts, powers of attorney and an Advance Health Care Directive to ensure their wishes are followed in medical, financial and legal decisions.
His presentation is geared for seniors, family and professional caregivers and health care and social service professionals, including nurses, social workers, care managers, day-care facilities staff and the general public.
The event is free but donations are welcome. Certificates will be available if requested. For reservations or information, call 591-2771.
Kuakini to welcome students at open house
Kuakini Health System will hold open house for students from 8 a.m. to noon May 9 and 10 in the medical center's Hale Pulama Mau Auditorium.Preschoolers to high school students can learn about health care, careers and healthy living.
The free event will feature exhibits from many of Kuakini's medical departments, including emergency and imaging services, surgery and infection control.
Some activities will include testing sense of touch, learning the correct way to wash hands, and how to maneuver a wheelchair and use equipment to improve eye-hand coordination. There also will be displays featuring a city-county ambulance and a medevac helicopter.
Schools must call to register classes to attend the event. For information or to place a school on the invitation list, call 547-9168.
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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
California hula dancer, 16, found safe on Big Island
A 16-year-old California girl who had been missing since Saturday night was found safe and unharmed Monday afternoon at Hilo Airport.The missing girl, who is from Torrence, Calif., had danced at last week's Merrie Monarch Festival. She was last seen by her parents on Saturday evening as she performed onstage.
Police say that after the festival the girl went to a meeting of her hula halau at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel and had not been seen since. Repeated calls to her cellular phone went unanswered.
After she was located on Monday at the airport looking for her mother, the girl said she had gone sightseeing with others in her halau without telling her parents. She stated her cell phone battery went dead, and she had been unable to contact them.
LEEWARD OAHU
Pearl City woman, 72, hurt in bus-stop robbery
A 72-year-old Pearl City woman received injuries to her head, rib area and ankle yesterday when she was thrown to the ground by a robber who made off with her handbag.Police said the woman was waiting at a bus stop on Kamokila Boulevard in Kapolei about 3 p.m. when a teenage boy sat next to her and grabbed her handbag.
The woman was injured when she struggled to hold on to the bag. The boy eventually got the bag away from the woman and fled into a waiting van.
Witnesses provided police the license number of the van, which was later stopped in Nanakuli. Police arrested five boys, ages 15 through 17, for second-degree robbery. The woman was taken to St. Francis Medical Center-West for treatment of her injuries.
HONOLULU
Police nab fourth suspect in beating at bus stop
Police arrested a 17-year-old boy Tuesday night for attempted murder and robbery in connection with the beating of a man last month at a bus stop near downtown Honolulu.The teenager is the fourth suspect arrested in the case.
Police previously arrested an 18-year-old man and two 16-year-old boys, then released them pending further investigation.
The 17-year-old boy was also released without charges.
Police said the victim, a 59-year-old man, remains in a coma at Queen's Medical Center.
Investigators believe he was attacked on March 22 by four men at a bus stop on Vineyard Boulevard near the Liliha Street intersection.
