UH unit receives funds to battle alien species
The Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit of the University of Hawaii at Manoa has received $400,000 to control alien invasive species such as coqui frogs and fire ants and to prevent invasions of species such as the brown tree snake and West Nile virus.The unit received $150,000 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and $250,000 from the Hawaii Community Foundation through the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species.
The money will be distributed to PCSU's Invasive Species Committees on Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Oahu and Big Island.
The Invasive Species Committees are among more than 180 projects run by the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, which is part of the Botany Department in the College of Natural Sciences at UH-Manoa.
Possible travel woes concern diabetes group
The American Diabetes Association Hawaii is seeking information from people with diabetes on whether they have had trouble trying to board airplanes with diabetes supplies."Being that the holiday season is the most traveled time of year, we want to make sure people with diabetes are treated fairly," said diabetes association Executive Director Wendy Sefo.
The association said it is concerned that new federal security checkpoint screeners may not be familiar with diabetes provisions because of the change in national airport security.
It wants to ensure that people with diabetes are treated according to the Air Carrier Access Law, a federal law requiring airplanes to be accessible to people with disabilities.
Residents with diabetes who have flown recently are asked to contact the ADAH at 947-5979 if they had any problems.
The diabetes association, founded in 1940, is the nation's leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy.
Civil Defense siren test rescheduled for today
The state Civil Defense has rescheduled its monthly siren test due to Gov. Linda Lingle's inauguration, which was held yesterday at the state Capitol.The siren test is expected to run today.
Normally, the monthly siren test runs on the first working day of the month at 11:45 a.m., said spokeswoman Barbara Hendrie.
2 companies fined for Harris contributions
The state Campaign Spending Commission has voted to fine two local engineering companies a total of $2,500 for making excessive contributions to Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris' 2000 re-election campaign.By a 3-0 vote, the commission approved a $2,000 fine against Leung & Pang Associates Inc. The commission also voted 3-0 to approve a $500 fine against PSC Associates.
Bob Watada, the commission's executive director, said Leung & Pang gave $4,100 in excessive contributions to the Harris campaign, while PSC exceeded the $4,000 legal limit by $1,000. Leung & Pang also made donations in false names, Watada said.
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[ TAKING NOTICE ]
>> University of Hawaii professor Eberhard Gruen has received the 2002 Kuiper Prize and a $1,000 cash award for outstanding contributions to planetary science and understanding of the solar system.
The Kuiper Prize is the highest professional honor awarded by the Division of Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society.
Gruen, faculty member in the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics, is recognized for discoveries of interstellar grains passing through the solar system, Jupiter dust streams in interplanetary space and greater understanding of micrometeorites in space.
He received his doctorate degree at the University of Heidelberg in 1970, and is senior scientist and leader of a cosmic-dust group at the Max Planck Institute of Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, Germany.
He has been a visiting researcher at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Ames Research Center and Jet Propulsion Laboratory and also the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston. He also has been principal investigator for dust experiments on many space flights.
Minor Planet 1981 EY20 was designated 4240 Gruen in honor of his spacecraft measurements of interplanetary dust.
He was elected a fellow of the American Geophysical Union in 2000.
>> Emma Yuen, a recent graduate of Hilo High School, is one of 10 seniors in the nation to receive a Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community.
The finalists each received $5,000 from the Hitachi Foundation, sponsor of the awards for 15 years. They were honored at a Washington, D.C., luncheon.
Yuen led efforts to clean up beaches, execute a recycling program and remove invasive species from the forests. She also published a newsletter, Honopue, and worked to restore taro fields, Hawaiian trails and historic sites.
Yuen said her father, Hilo lawyer Chris Yuen, has been a big influence. Since she was a young girl, he has taken her hiking and kayaking and educated her on environmental issues.
>> Stanley Shimada, Kawananakoa Middle School band teacher for 33 years, has been honored by his alma mater, the University of Northern Colorado, for being an "Inspiration to Youth."
Shimada, also chairman of the music department before he retired in 1996, always kept the band room open on Saturdays to give students a place to practice and hang out.
Shimada was one of six alumni to receive honors at the school's homecoming celebration in October. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in music education from the university.
Shimada's previous honors include Honolulu District Teacher of the Year in 2001.
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>> A story on Page C1 Nov. 23 incorrectly attributed the following quote to Bee Kooker, interim dean of the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene at the University of Hawaii: "The nurses realize the source of the problem is the financing of the health care system and that the hospitals are strapped for money. But nurses can't keep absorbing the problem (cash flow) for the industry." The statement should have been attributed to Linda Beechinor, assistant professor of nursing at Hawaii Pacific University. 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 staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Police arrest driver after 2-hour pursuit
KAILUA-KONA >> Police are investigating more than 40 traffic violations and other charges against a 36-year-old man who was arrested yesterday morning after a two-hour high-speed chase through Kona.Police said officers found the suspect passed out in his car at 1:04 a.m. in Kailua-Kona. His engine was in gear, but his foot was on the brake, police said.
When officers woke him, he drove away, police said. He was stopped in South Kona near Milolii and arrested.
HONOLULU
Knock on door brings robber with hatchet
Police are looking for a man who was armed with a hatchet and robbed two other men yesterday morning at a Kapiolani Boulevard apartment.A victim, 36, reported he and a friend were watching television about 12:45 a.m. when they heard a knock on the front door. When he went to answer it, the robber barged in and demanded money and jewelry. He received valuables and fled.
The robber was described as in his late 30s, 5 feet 8, clean-shaven, with a medium build.
WINDWARD OAHU
Sailboat runs aground near Coconut Island
A 59-foot sailboat heading for Kaneohe Bay Yacht Club from Lanai went aground yesterday west of Coconut Island, and attempts will be made today to free it when the tide changes.There were four people and two dogs aboard when the grounding occurred at 5 a.m. The Coast Guard and sailors stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii assisted in the rescue operation.
The Marine Corps said there was no danger of breakup or spillage.
LEEWARD OAHU
10-foot-deep sinkhole stops Nanakuli traffic
Honolulu police closed off a section of Nanakuli Avenue yesterday afternoon after a car nearly fell into a 10-foot-deep sinkhole.The sinkhole was located between Mano and Pua avenues and was caused by a broken water main, according to Board of Water Supply officials. Police rerouted traffic to Haleakala Avenue as the BWS worked to fix the main and the road. No one in the car was hurt.
