AN UPLIFTING TRIBUTE
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Papakolea power failure leaves 1,700 in the dark
A power outage affected about 1,700 customers in the Papakolea area and parts of Nuuanu last night, according to Hawaiian Electric spokesman Fred Kobashikawa.Officials at Hawaiian Electric Co. started getting calls around 8:14 p.m., Kobashikawa said, and power was restored at 9:20 p.m. Residents on Pacific Heights and Booth roads were also affected by the power failure.
"The problem was an underground cable on Kinau Street," Kobashikawa said.
Power was restored through an alternate circuit, and crew members are expected to make repairs this morning, he added.
Underground roadwork claims lanes through fall
One-lane sections of Kapiolani Boulevard and Kona Street will be coned off until October during an underground cable installation project.Affected areas include a mauka Ewa-bound lane on Kapiolani between Mahukona and Date streets. Also affected will be a mauka Ewa-bound lane on Kona Street between Kamakee and Mahukona streets.
The work is scheduled during daytime nonpeak periods, evenings and some weekends. Police officers will assist with traffic as required.
Government workers to simulate biohazard
Several state and federal agencies will take part in a hazardous-materials exercise at AES Hawaii in Campbell Industrial Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 22.The "Operation Kalaeloa" exercise will involve a simulated release of hazardous chemicals and resulting mass casualties to strengthen and reinforce procedures in response to hazardous-materials emergencies.
Participants include the Federal Emergency Management Agency, State Civil Defense, state departments of Health and Education, Oahu Civil Defense, Honolulu Fire and Police Departments, Honolulu Emergency Medical Services Division, AES Hawaii, Campbell Local Emergency Action Network and the Estate of James Campbell.
The exercise will also provide an opportunity for Barbers Point Elementary School to practice its shelter-in-place procedures.
State welfare worker faces fraud, theft charges
WAILUKU >> A state welfare worker is scheduled for arraignment May 23 in Maui Circuit Court on charges of welfare fraud and second-degree theft.Dorene Tanoue of Wailuku is charged with collecting $8,600 in welfare overpayments.
An indictment returned May 3 accused Tanoue, 32, of collecting the overpayments for child assistance over a five-year period ending in May 2001.
Linda Fukunaga, section administrator for the Maui County office of the Department of Human Services, said Tanoue is an income maintenance worker who determines the eligibility of applicants for public assistance programs.
Nurses offered education loan payment
The federal government has a deal for qualified nurses who have educational loans.It will help them repay the loans in exchange for commitments to work two or three years in areas across the country that need nurses.
State Rep. Barbara Marumoto (R, Waialae-Kahala), a commissioner on President Bush's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, said, "It's important that nurses and nursing students in Hawaii know about this opportunity for jobs and help to repay their nursing school loans."
She said funds were increased this year for the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program in the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Participants must enter into a contract agreeing to full-time employment in an eligible health facility for two or three years. In return, the program will pay 60 percent to 85 percent of the person's loan balance.
For application kits, call toll-free 866-813-3753 or visit bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/loanrepay.htm.
Free swimming lessons available
The American Red Cross is offering free swimming lessons at Ala Moana Beach Park.Swim sessions for children will be held on Saturdays from 8:45 to 10 a.m. from June 1 to 29, and from July 13 to Aug. 10.
Adult sessions will be held from 5:15 to 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from June 3 to 20, July 1 to 18, and July 29 to Aug. 15.
Registration is at the start of each session. Meet the Red Cross volunteers at Lifeguard Station 1E, near the Magic Island parking lot. Look for the Red Cross flag. For more information, call 734-2101.
Booklets detail low-cost drugs and health care
Information on how and where to get free and low-cost prescription drugs is available to consumers in a booklet published by the Cost Containment Research Institute in Washington, D.C.Institute Director Gary Nave said many major drug companies offer free or low-cost medication "but rarely, if ever, publicize the programs."
The booklet, "Free & Low Cost Prescription Drugs," contains an alphabetical list of medications available from the manufacturer through patient assistance programs.
The institute also publishes "Free & Low Cost Medical Care," listing facilities required to give free and low-cost medical care under the Hill-Burton Medical Act. It covers hospital, outpatient and nursing care facilities with more than 700 listings by state.
Either booklet can be obtained by sending $5 for each to cover cost of printing, postage and handling to Institute Fulfillment Center, P.O. Box 210, Dallas, PA 18612-0210.
More information is available on the institute's Web site, www.institutedc.org.
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>> The graduation ceremony for Hawaii Baptist Academy will be on June 1 at 4 p.m. at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. A Saturday list of graduation ceremonies said incorrectly that it would be held June 4. Corrections and clarifications
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.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffNEIGHBOR ISLANDS Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Crash into utility pole leaves man critically hurt
WAILUKU >> An 18-year-old Wailuku man was in critical condition last night at Maui Memorial Medical Center after the car he was driving struck a utility pole and he was thrown from the vehicle.Giovanni G. Cabbatt was traveling toward Wailuku on Kahe-kili Highway when the vehicle went off the road at 10:25 p.m. Sunday about a half-mile south of Waiehu Beach Road, police investigator Ericlee Correa said.
Desmond Pulgados, a front-seat passenger, was listed in guarded condition at the hospital.
Traffic slowed on Maui and Molokai due to rain
On Maui and Molokai, the rains washed water over several roads and slowed traffic.The back road between Wailuku and Lahaina was shut down from about 11:20 a.m. to 8 p.m. yesterday, as water rushed over Kahekili Highway at mile post marker 15.
Lightning struck an electrical transformer in Huelo and two transformers in Kanaio yesterday but caused no major disruptions in electricity, said Ron Vicens Jr., Maui Electric dispatch supervisor.
Vicens said damage estimates were unavailable at this time but workers replaced the transformer in Huelo and changed the fuse on transformers in Kanaio.
Drunken-driving arrests put Big Isle past '01 pace
Big Island police arrested 19 motorists on suspicion of drunken driving last week, bringing the number of such arrests to 285 so far this year, compared with 282 last year, police said.One of those arrested between May 6 and Sunday was involved in a traffic accident, and three others were under 21.
Deaths related to drunken driving dropped to three so far this year from four during the same period last year, while the total confirmed traffic fatalities increased to 14 from 12 last year.
Police also reported the number of major accidents decreased 8 percent to 791 this year from 856 last year.
Police said DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue islandwide.
HONOLULU
Probation office meeting leads to stolen car, arrest
Police were waiting for a Honolulu man when he reported to his probation officer yesterday after receiving a tip that he would be driving a stolen vehicle. The man, 44, was arrested on suspicion of auto theft when he showed up to the probation office at the Kamamalu Building on the corner of Richards and Merchant streets. Police confirmed the vehicle was stolen after checking its license plate and vehicle identification number.WINDWARD OAHU
Hauula man allegedly jumps in front of bus
A Hauula man fatally struck by a city bus last night may have jumped in front of the bus intentionally, police said.Witnesses reported that the man, 19, indicated he wanted to kill himself before he was struck on Kamehameha Highway near Waimea Bay about 7:55 p.m. He was taken to Wahiawa General Hospital where he later died.
Patient returns after fire forces hospital evacuation
A 30-year-old man was released back to the Hawaii State Hospital in Kaneohe yesterday after allegedly setting his mattress on fire Saturday, causing the evacuation of other residents and causing an estimated $2,000 damage.Police said no one was injured in the 12:30 a.m. incident, which was reported yesterday.
