Senator warns Lingle on suspending gas cap
Governor-elect Linda Lingle's intention to suspend the state's new law that caps gasoline prices may be illegal, a key state senator said yesterday.Sen. Ron Menor, chairman of the Senate Consumer Protection Committee, said that the bill passed by this year's Legislature has a provision allowing the governor to suspend it, but there are specific criteria that must be followed.
"It was the Legislature's intent that the governor must clearly demonstrate and document that there will be an adverse impact on the public before suspending the law, and the governor-elect has not made that showing," Menor said in a statement.
The bill would allow the state to set a maximum price on regular unleaded gasoline based on an average of prices in West Coast markets. The cap would not go into effect until January 2004, giving lawmakers time to fine-tune the bill or repeal it, if further research deems it necessary.
Supporters of the cap say evidence shows there is no economic reason why Hawaii's gas prices have traditionally been among the highest in the country. Oil companies say high taxes and other market factors contribute to the state's high gasoline prices.
Lingle did not immediately comment yesterday.
But she told the Star-Bulletin last week that she believes the bill is not in the public interest, and she wants to talk to legislative leaders "about why I have those feelings."
Groups to welcome new Japan consul
Local community organizations will welcome the new consul general of Japan to Hawaii with a dinner next Tuesday in the Manoa Grand ballroom at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii.Masatoshi Muto was appointed in October as consul general in Honolulu. Previously, Muto served as minister and deputy chief of mission embassy of Japan in Australia.
The cost of the dinner is $45. For reservations or more information, call the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce at 949-5531 or the Japan America Society of Hawaii at 524-4450.
Health official to meet with hepatitis group
A state Department of Health specialist on hepatitis will speak at a meeting of the HepCats support group at 7 p.m. today at Coffee Talk Cafe at Waialae and 12th avenues.Discussions will cover how patients with compromised immune systems can protect themselves, complications to watch for and fight against, and immunizations recommended for anyone with hepatitis C.
Learn how to talk to Alzheimer's patients
A free public lecture on how to communicate with a person with Alzheimer's disease will be held by the Honolulu Medical Group from noon to 1 p.m. tomorrow in the third-floor conference room at 550 S. Beretania St.Susan Van Gorder, educational outreach coordinator for the Aloha Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, will present new communication methods, involving choosing the right words, eliminating background noise, body language, the right approach and other techniques.
To reserve a seat, call 537-2211, ext. 581.
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[ TAKING NOTICE ]
Pigao-Cadiz is named isle
Nurse of the Year
Agnes Pigao-Cadiz, nursing supervisor for the Windward Public Health Section, has been named Nurse of the Year for taking "great ownership and responsibility related to the health of the community."She was one of seven nurses honored by the Hawaii Nurses Association at a recent awards luncheon for "leadership, unwavering excellence, dedication, compassion, service and vision." The theme was "From Passion to Practice."
Pigao-Cadiz is involved in the association's emergency preparedness committee and its Congress of Nursing Practice. She also is on American Nurses Association's constituent assembly executive committee, and is a Red Cross volunteer.
Other awards included:
>> Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year -- Shizu Kawai, nominated by One Kalakaua residents as "caring and compassionate to their community ... a motivating force affecting positive change that had impact on their entire organization," and who "stood up for her beliefs related to the operations of their assisted-living and wellness program."
>> Staff Nurse of the Year -- Patti Maxwell, a telemetry nurse at Kaiser Permanente. She was recognized for making a difference in the lives of patients and new graduate nurses, who said she "illuminated the best of the best."
>> Staff Nurse of the Year -- Patti Ertel, Kona Hospital charge nurse of the Outpatient Care Department, which she expanded from one to multiple functions, including intravenous antibiotic therapy.
"Patti tackled the role of an oncology specialist/chemotherapy nurse -- a field which has had an explosion of new knowledge within the last few years and ... had to do a lot of learning in a very short time frame," the association said.
>> Nurse Educator of the Year -- Dr. Charon Pierson, editor of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Journal and former editor of Nursing Forum. She previously received the Nurse Educator in Gerontological Nursing award and was recently inducted as a fellow in the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She was honored for increasing peer awareness of nursing research and encouraging its use.
>> Nurse Administrator of the Year -- Shelba Cortez, nurse manager of Kona Hospital's Medical Surgical Unit. The staff said she is a leader who has made "a marked difference to employee morale and unit efficiency, working with every member to help them be successful. She views each and every staff member as an equal partner in her department."
>> Ruth Kemble Award for Volunteer Service -- Ana Silva, in nursing education at Kona Hospital. She has served on nearly every association committee, teaches a medical-terminology course and donates proceeds to the association's District 7. She has served as a delegate to the state and national nurses associations. She was association president from 1996 to 1998.
"Ana's life is committed to the advancement of nursing in every breath that she takes," the association said.
Hina Mauka receives
$30,000 grantHina Mauka, a statewide drug and alcohol prevention and treatment program, has received a $30,000 Organizational Capacity Building grant to plan and conduct a fund-raising program.
The grant was awarded by the Gwenfread Elaine Allen Fund and Robert E. Black Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation.
M.P. "Andy" Anderson, chief executive officer of Hina Mauka, Hawaii's largest drug and alcohol treatment provider, said the grant comes at a pivotal time for the program. "With most of our revenues coming from contracts and insurance reimbursement and 98 percent of it restricted to program, we knew we had to diversify our income sources," he said. "This grant really gives a boost to this effort and to building this organization for the future."
Chuck Painter, Hina Mauka president, said: "We have over 30 years of alumni, people like me who owe their life to quality treatment, and we don't know where they are. A goal of this project is to reconnect with alumni to support those currently in treatment and many more who desperately need it."
Hina Mauka offers services in 19 locations on Oahu, Kauai, Lanai and Maui.
"Taking Notice" runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Listings also appear online at www.starbulletin.com. Please send items to City Desk, Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana, Suite 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. |
>> Charles Degala of Summit Lending was yesterday's "Hawaii at Work" feature on Page C1. His name was incorrectly given as Chris. Corrections and clarifications
>> Kamehameha quarterback/wide receiver Caleb Spencer is the son of Jody and Atu Spencer. An article on Page B3 on Sunday incorrectly indicated that he is the son of Kaipo Spencer.
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
6 people killed in weekend
traffic accidents are namedSix motorists who died in traffic accidents on Oahu and the Big Island during the Veteran's Day weekend -- one of Hawaii's deadliest holiday weekends in recent memory -- have been identified.
On Oahu, Raul Kawamoto, 23, of Kalihi, died after crashing his car into a guardrail on Nimitz Highway near the Dillingham Boulevard onramp. Police said Kawamoto was speeding when he lost control of his car at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday
Also on Oahu, 2-month-old Kaliko Makepa-Burrows, of Windward Oahu, died Sunday after he was thrown from a van that veered off Kamehameha Highway and flipped over. Police said the infant's father apparently fell asleep behind the wheel.
The infant's three siblings and parents also were injured in the 11:55 a.m. accident. One child, a 2-year-old girl, was taken to Queen's Medical Center in critical condition, police said. The hospital has declined to provide an updated condition because the victim is a minor.
The father, 29, and mother, 30, were in fair condition at Queen's. Two other children, a 5-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl, were released at Kahuku Hospital and released.
On the Big Island, police have identified a Norco, Calif., couple who died Saturday after a pickup truck crossed the centerline and collided with the couple's Jeep on the Belt Highway (Route 19) in North Hilo.
The victims were Paul Eugene Porterfield, 43, and his wife, Debra Sue Porterfield, 42, who was the driver. The Jeep veered off the road, skidded along the west bridge railing and fell to the ground below.
Michelle Kurtz, 36, of Ookala, the driver of the 1982 Chevy pickup truck, was injured, police said. Kurtz was treated and released from the North Hawaii Community Hospital.
Police said they believe alcohol may have been a reason for the collision and are investigating negligent homicide charges.
Anyone with information about the accident is asked to call Officer Robert Hatton at 961-2332.
Big Island police also have identified Raymond Kapono Shim, 19, of Honaunau, as the victim of a one-car collision on Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Route 19).
Police said Shim was a passenger in a 2003 Honda four-door sedan that ran off the road overtaking another vehicle. The Honda was traveling north on the highway just south of the 89-mile marker when it went out of control and overturned.
Police said Shim was ejected and pinned beneath the car, indicating he was not wearing his seat belt. Speed is believed to have been a factor in the accident.
The driver, a 23-year-old Kailua-Kona man, was injured and treated at Kona Community Hospital.
He also was arrested for negligent homicide investigation but was released without charges.
Police are seeking more information about the accident. Calls should be made to officer Bradley Freitas of the Traffic Enforcement Unit at 326-4277.
HONOLULU
McCully man subdued with beanbag round
A two-hour standoff at a McCully apartment this morning ended when police fired a beanbag round to subdue a 44-year-old man whose loud noise was annoying the neighbors.Officers responded to a noise complaint at 1743 Nanea St. about 3:30 a.m., police said. When they arrived, a neighbor reported that he was threatened when he asked the suspect to be quiet.
The suspect's roommate told police that he had been playing with his sword collection.
When officers went to his apartment, he refused to come out, causing police to call out the department's Specialized Services Division or swat team.
Police said the man holed up in the apartment with two women and a boy for about two hours before releasing the women and the child. He came out of the apartment about 5:45 a.m. and was struck by the beanbag round.
The man was taken to Queen's Medical Center for a check of injuries and then taken to the police cellblock for investigation.
Fisherman dies after fight with boat captain
A 42-year-old fisherman died aboard a long-line fishing boat in Kewalo Basin this morning after a fight with the boat's captain.Police said the fisherman was very intoxicated when he went aboard about 12:50 a.m. An altercation began after he argued with the captain, and both fell to the deck.
The fisherman became unconscious and was taken to Straub Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
The case has been classified as an unattended death and police have no plans to pursue charges against the captain.
Eatery fire disrupts traffic on Nuuanu
Honolulu police shut down a portion of downtown Honolulu during rush-hour traffic yesterday afternoon because of a grease fire at a restaurant.Police closed Nuuanu Avenue from Beretania Street to King Street for about 45 minutes after a fire was reported at the Garden of Saigon restaurant at 1041 Nuuanu Ave. Police reopened the street at 5 p.m.
Firefighters said the fire was confined to the stove area, but flames traveled upward, setting the grease in the air ducts on fire. Damage was estimated at $1,500.
WINDWARD OAHU
2 Kaneohe Marines help with fire rescue
Two Kaneohe Marines helped rescue residents at a Kailua home about 1:30 a.m. today when fire broke out, fire officials said.Fire destroyed the one-story home at 1314 Ulupuni St., which included an attached studio, but no one was seriously injured. A 19-year-old girl ,who was among eight people at the home, received a minor burn on her hand. She was treated at Castle Medical Center and released.
The two marines who happened to be driving by noticed the flames and went to the home to help with evacuations, officials said. The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes.
The cause and damage of the fire were under investigation.
NORTH SHORE
Man used own plates on stolen car, cops say
A 39-year-old Niu Valley man was charged yesterday with auto theft after police found him driving a 1998 BMW four-door sedan that was reported stolen.Bail for Scott Edward Becker is $15,000.
Police said the sedan had license plates registered to Becker's 2002 Mercedes-Benz coupe.
Police said officers on routine patrol spotted the sedan with its lights on at Haleiwa Beach Park about 8 a.m. Sunday.
A check of the license plates revealed they belonged to a car of a different make, model and color.
When the officers checked the vehicle identification number, they discovered the car was reported stolen from the Hawaii Prince Golf Club parking lot last month.
