Agriculture award goes to isle scientists
The 2002 Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Award for Agriculture has been awarded for the first time to Hawaii scientists, who were selected for developing varieties of papaya resistant to the ringspot virus.The scientists are Dennis Gonsalves, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo; Richard Manshardt, horticulturist at the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; Maureen Masuda Fitch, an employee of the USDA; and Jerry Slightom, of Pharmacia-Upjohn Co.
The von Humboldt award, named for the 19th-century German naturalist and geographer, is given annually to the person or team deemed to have made the most significant contribution to American agriculture in the previous five years.
Two disease-resistant papaya varieties, Rainbow and SunUp, were developed during more than 20 years of research. Their release to growers in 1998 gave Hawaii's distressed $45 million papaya industry a chance of survival.
The scientists will receive $15,000, medallions and certificates. They will be honored Nov. 4 in a ceremony at Cornell University's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, N.Y.
>> The Oahu Retired Teachers Association has awarded scholarships for the 2002-2003 school year to Donald Queja, Adrienne Soong and Darcie Takemoto, who are attending the University of Hawaii-Manoa. Awards were also given to community college students Robert Richards, Kristen Po'omaihealani and Jolene Sellerquist.>> The University of Hawaii-Manoa's School of Travel Industry Management's Bachelor of Science Program recently received the Tourism Education and Quality Certification from the World Tourism Organization.
>> Jason Seidman, an engineering student at the University of Hawaii, has received the $6,500 Eric N. Jacobsen Memorial Scholarship, donated by the Bonded Materials Co. He also accepted a paid internship with Bonded for employment in the company's concrete quality control and testing laboratory next summer.
HFDC offers dental plan for collegians
Hawaii Family Dental Centers is offering a dental plan at reduced rates for college and university students.Coverage periods range from one semester to a full year to accommodate student school schedules, according to HFDC. Services are available at HFDC's 11 locations statewide.
The University Student Dental Plan has low fees, no deductibles, no waiting periods for pre-existing conditions, no claim forms and no maximum benefit amount, HFDC said.
Students enrolled at least half time in regular credit programs at any college or university in Hawaii, and their dependents, are eligible for the plan.
For more information, call Hawaii Family Dental Centers at 523-3103 or 888-542-4445 toll-free. The center's Web site is www.hawaiifamilydental.com.
Nurse assistant course fee cut by Red Cross
The American Red Cross is offering a reduced rate for its last two Nurse Assistant Training Courses this year.Students will receive $50 off the regular $675 tuition. A $200 nonrefundable deposit is required.
Day and evening classes are available at the Red Cross headquarters, 4155 Diamond Head Road.
Day classes are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Oct. 9 to Nov. 5.
The program includes three weeks of classroom training and one week of clinical training.
Evening classes cover five weeks from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. on varying days from Nov. 20 to Dec. 23. Four weeks of classroom training will be followed by one week of practical experience.
Applicants must be CPR-certified before acceptance in the nurse assistant course. Enrollment is limited to 12 students.
Graduates are prepared to take the state examination to become certified as nurse assistants.
For more information or to register, call 734-2101.
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>> Lisa-Katherine Otsuka was charged with one count of criminal contempt of court, and her bail was set at $10,000. A story on Page A3 yesterday incorrectly reported that she was charged with four counts and that bail was set at $40,000. Corrections and clarifications
>> Pam Witty-Oakland, a City Council candidate for District 1 (Leeward Coast-Ewa-Kapolei), moved from Makakilo, where she had lived since 1987, to Kapolei earlier this year. An article Tuesday on Page A5 said incorrectly that she lived in Mililani.
An article on Page D3 on Monday incorrectly listed the contact number for registration for the upcoming Bamboo Ridge Writers Institute in October. The correct number is 626-1481.
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 staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Fire officials are investigating a fire that damaged two abandoned Waikiki houses Tuesday night. Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada said the fire broke out about 7:36 p.m. at 432 Kalaimoku St. and was brought under control at 8 p.m. The fire mostly damaged a partially covered lanai.
LEEWARD OAHU
Kapolei woman killed by car is identified
The Honolulu Medical Examiner has identified Emiko Dillon, 61, of Kapolei, as the victim who died Saturday after she was struck by a car.Police said Dillon was not in a crosswalk while crossing Makakilo Drive when she was fatally struck.
Suspected driver in killing arrested
A woman was arrested as the suspected driver of a getaway car in the Aug. 21 fatal shooting near Waipahu High School.The 38-year-old woman is suspected of helping Totie Taualoa, 28, who was charged with murder, flee the scene of the fatal shooting.
Taualoa told police she shot 30-year-old Hayward Julio after he stole her belongings and threatened her.
CENTRAL OAHU
Kunia man picked up for bomb threat
A 24-year-old Kunia man was arrested at his home this morning for allegedly threatening his ex-girlfriend by telling her he put a bomb in her home.Police said the man called her on the telephone last night and said he was going to blow up her and her family. Police searched the 19-year-old woman's home and found no bomb.
The former boyfriend was arrested for investigation of terroristic threatening and violating a protective order.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
100-foot lava-tube fall injures firefighter
HILO >> A Big Island firefighter is in critical but stable condition at Queen's Medical Center after falling into a 100-foot-deep lava tube yesterday, the Fire Department said.The firefighter, whose name was not released, was in one of five search teams looking for three missing hunters. The search was in the area of "Captain's Trail," which leads to the Puu Oo eruption area from rural Fern Forest subdivision.
He fell though a crack and plummeted 100 feet in an unusually large prehistoric lava tube about 10 a.m.
His helmet and backpack probably helped saved his life, said Fire Capt. Quince Spencer said.
His injuries include broken ribs and vertebras, and damage to several internal organs, including blood in his lungs, Spencer said.
The hunters walked out uninjured yesterday at Eden Roc subdivision, about two miles from the trail where they started, the department said.
Missing kayaker found on rocks off Kohala
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a 56-year-old man off the Kohala Coast early yesterday morning after he was reported missing Tuesday night.Ronald Walker was recovered at 7:47 a.m. yesterday, unconscious and unresponsive with some possible broken bones, on some rocks with his kayak, the Coast Guard said.
Walker was reported overdue by his wife at 8:58 p.m. Tuesday when he failed to return home from a snorkeling trip.
The Coast Guard began searching at 9:28 p.m. Tuesday.
A Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter from Barbers Point, assisted by a Hawaii County Fire Department helicopter, found the kayaker about three miles north of Mahukona Harbor at 7:22 a.m. yesterday.
Walker was taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital on the Big Island. Last night he was listed in stable condition, officials said.
Search on for missing Big Island hunters
HILO >> The Hawaii County Fire Department was searching for three hunters who were reported missing at 1:21 p.m. Tuesday.The search was concentrated in the area of Captain's Drive, a street in the rural Fern Forest subdivision that leads to a forest trail that heads to the Puu Oo eruption site.
Kauai drowning victim was Taiwanese visitor
LIHUE >> Kauai police have identified the woman who drowned Tuesday morning in the swimming pool at the Kauai Radisson Beach Resort as Mei Hui Lin, 48, of Taiwan.A guest found her in the pool and attempted to revive her.
She was pronounced dead at Wilcox Memorial Hospital.
HONOLULU
Man, 70, held in child sex-assault inquiry
A 70-year-old man wanted for questioning in connection with a sexual assault of a 4-year-old girl was arrested yesterday at Queen's Medical Center.Lone Polk was trying to check himself in the hospital's psychiatric ward, said Det. Phillip Lavarias. Police arrested him at the hospital after receiving an anonymous tip.
Polk was last seen on Friday when he was confronted with the sexual assault allegations.
Seventh teen escapee is captured in Kaimuki
Police have arrested another of the 10 teenage girls who escaped from a Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility cottage Aug. 31.With yesterday arrest's arrest of a 15-year-old girl in Kaimuki, only three other escapees remain at large.
The 10 teens overpowered two guards employed by Child and Family Services. The girls stole keys to the facility and van and fled in the van, which was later recovered in Enchanted Lake.
