Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Marines dedicate enlisted barracks

The Marines dedicated an $18.3 million new barracks complex for junior enlisted personnel Tuesday in Kaneohe.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii's three-building, 150-room complex was built by Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co.

Three hundred Marines from the 1st Radio Battalion and the 3rd Marine Regiment will occupy the rooms. Each two-man room is air-conditioned and has its own bathroom.

Cayetano joins push for cheaper medicine

Gov. Ben Cayetano is among 14 governors petitioning the Energy and Commerce Committee chairman in the U.S. House to conduct an immediate vote on legislation to improve access to lower-cost prescription drugs.

The bipartisan group said in a letter to Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-La., that loopholes in the 1984 Hatch-Waxman drug price act prevent pharmaceutical competition and cost states, the federal government and other purchasers billions of dollars each year.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated that eliminating the loopholes would cut pharmaceutical costs by $60 billion over the next 10 years, reported Business for Affordable Medicine, a nonpartisan coalition of governors, employers and labor leaders dedicated to improving pharmaceutical competition.

"Governors are finding their budgets and patience wearing thin," said Republican Gov. William Janklow of South Dakota. "All pharmaceutical purchasers need relief now, not next year or the year after that."

Scholarships offered to single mothers

The Soroptimist Women's Opportunity Awards program is offering women who are the heads of their households cash and scholarships to further their education.

Applicants can receive up to $500 from the Oahu Soroptimist clubs.

Awardees will be eligible for the regional and federation competitions to contend for larger awards.

Applications are available at Oahu college and university financial aid offices and must be submitted by Dec. 15.

Soroptimist International of Waikiki is a volunteer service organization for business executives and professionals.

Call Judy Lee at 536-1015 for more information.

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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.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

HONOLULU

Brush fires scorch land in Kalihi, Kahuku

Firefighters responded to two brush fires in Kahuku and Kalihi yesterday.

Four to five acres of brush burned behind Kahuku Hospital on Pualalea Street around 11:02 a.m., said Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada. The fire was under control about two hours later, and no homes were threatened.

Another brush fire was reported at 3:30 p.m. mauka of Kalihi Elementary School, 2471 Kula Kolea Drive. Ten to 15 acres of brush burned and attempts to douse the blaze with helicopter-born water buckets failed.

Because of the rough terrain, firefighters had a difficult time reaching the fire and active firefighting was stopped at 6:30 p.m. Several firefighters were posted to watch the fire overnight, in case of a flare-up. Firefighters planned to return to the site this morning.

Police open probe of tot with skull injury

Police have opened an assault investigation after a 16-month-old girl was taken to the hospital with a skull fracture.

The girl, bleeding from both ears, was taken to Kaiser Moanalua Medical Center emergency room Saturday. X-rays showed the girl had a fracture to the back of her head, police said.

3 men allegedly steal boy's car at knifepoint

Police are looking for three men who allegedly stole a car at knifepoint in Kalihi yesterday.

The robbery occurred at about 12:40 a.m. on the top level of the Kamehameha Shopping Center. Police said one man brandished two pocket knives and demanded that a teenage boy hand over his car keys. Police said the men drove off in the victim's white Chevrolet Blazer.

WAIKIKI

4 people hurt after catamarans collide

At least four people were injured slightly when two catamarans collided yesterday evening off Waikiki Beach.

The catamaran Hoku was heading to shore and the catamaran Kepoikai was outbound when they crashed, said Fire Department Capt. Kenison Tejada.

Injured passengers were treated by firefighters at the scene or taken to Straub Clinic and Hospital for treatment.