Talk explores hydrogen fuel research at UH
Rick Rocheleau, director of the University of Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, will discuss research on hydrogen production and fuel cell development from noon to 1 p.m. tomorrow in Room 20-B, Alii Place, 1099 Alakea St.
His talk is part of the University Connections "Meet the Researchers" series, a free, monthly brown-bag event focusing on UH research with commercial potential.
Joining Rocheleau will be Dustin Shindo, chief executive officer of Hoku Scientific, Inc., a Hawaii startup company developing fuel cells.
Those interested in the event should e-mail connects@hawaii.edu or call 547-5644. For more information, see: www.connections.hawaii.edu.
Maui Council OKs bill to stop dolphin exhibit
WAILUKU >> The Maui County Council unanimously passed a bill banning the exhibition of captive dolphins and whales.The Maui bill, introduced by Councilwoman Jo Anne Johnson, is aimed at blocking the Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory from building a research facility with an exhibition component.
The bill was passed on Friday and prompted hundreds of letters and petitions with more than 15,000 signatures.
"The will of the people is overwhelming on this issue," said Greg Kaufman, president of the Pacific Whale Foundation, which led the campaign against the proposed Dolphin Institute in North Kihei.
Maui's ordinance may be superseded by provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which allows captive dolphins for public display with a federal permit.
But Johnson said she contacted federal officials who said they had no interest in challenging the new law.
Tanonaka will visit Japan on goodwill tour
The Japanese government has selected former Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Dalton Tanonaka to participate in a goodwill tour of Japan next week.Tanonaka is in Tokyo today to begin five days of visits and tours with members of Japan's private and public sector, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NHK/Japan Broadcasting Corporation, the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Toyota Public Plant.
The program aims to identify active and prominent Americans of Japanese ancestry, who are expected to play a greater role in their communities and allow them to converse with Japanese government and business leaders.
Tanonaka, president of the Pacific Basin Economic Council, is one of three people invited to participate.
3 individuals convicted of welfare fraud
The state Department of the Attorney General has announced convictions in welfare fraud cases:>> On Dec. 4, Honolulu resident Un Suk Pak, 40, pleaded no contest to one count of theft in the first degree in Oahu Circuit Court.
Between 1997 and 2001, Pak fraudulently obtained more than $41,000 in food stamps, financial assistance, child-care assistance and medical benefits. Sentencing is set for Feb. 5, 2003.
>> On Nov. 20, Wahiawa resident Darnell C. Bolds, 40, pleaded no contest to one count of first-degree theft. Between 1995 and 2001, Bolds obtained more than $81,000 in food stamps, financial and child-care assistance, and medical benefits. Sentencing is set for Jan. 29, 2003.
>> On Nov. 20, Kaneohe resident Malissa K. Igafo, formerly known as Malissa K. Haili, 25, pleaded no contest to one count of first-degree theft. Between 1998 and 2002, Igafo obtained more than $37,000 in food stamps, financial assistance and medical benefits. Sentencing will take place on April 8, 2003.
In another case, an Oahu grand jury indicted former Honolulu resident Natasha Ewing, also known as Natasha Charles, Natasha Gantt, Tosha Gantt, Natasha Rombowa, and Natasha Ogunlade, on Oct. 9 on a charge of theft in the first degree. Ewing, 24, is accused of fraudulently obtaining more than $29,000 in public assistance between 1997 and 2001.
A warrant for Ewing's arrest is outstanding. Law enforcement officers are asking the public's help in locating her.
Anyone with information is asked to call special investigator Lono Ho at 586-1242 or the Welfare Fraud Hotline at 587-8444.
Bank of Hawaii grant helps cancer group
The American Cancer Society recently received $10,000 from the Bank of Hawaii Charitable Foundation for its Cancer Survivorship Programs.The society said the grant will help extend free services to cancer patients in Hawaii and Guam who are coping with life beyond cancer.
The society's West Hawaii unit also received $1,000 from the New Moon Fund through the Hawaii Community Foundation for its "Tell a Friend" program. The Bank of Hawaii foundation grant will help provide assistance to cancer survivors through the "Look Good ... Feel Better and Reach to Recovery" programs, the Asian-Pacific Islander Cancer Survivor Network, Cancer-Specific Support Groups run by survivors and the Childhood Cancer Programs.
The gift to the West Hawaii unit will be used to provide early detection information about breast and prostate cancer to North Kohala residents.
TV news stars to ring Salvation Army bells
Television news anchors and reporters will be helping the Salvation Army by ringing bells next to the red collection kettles beginning today at the Center Court of Windward Mall.The red kettle drive is a century-old holiday tradition that helps provide assistance to underprivileged families. There will be more than 140 kettles posted at stores and shopping malls statewide.
The "celebrity" bell ringers at Windward Mall are scheduled on the following dates and times:
Today: 2 to 3 p.m., Ramsay Wharton (KHON)
Saturday: 3 to 4 p.m., Jill Kuramoto (KITV) and Manolo Morales (KHON); 4 to 5 p.m., Jodi Leong, Howard Dashefsky and Lyle Galdeira (KHNL)
Sunday, Dec. 15: 3 to 4 p.m., Louise Kim McCoy (KGMB);
Saturday, Dec. 21: 2 to 3 p.m., Stacy Loe and Britt Riedl (KGMB); 3 to 4 p.m., Wally Amos.
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>> The "Big Bounce" film production on Oahu has promised to give several thousand dollars to a Pearl City Pee Wee football team so it can compete at next week's national championships in Orlando, Fla. A Page A3 article in Thursday's morning edition said the team had already received the money. 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 seek missing cruise ship passenger
Big Island police are asking for help in the investigation into the disappearance of a woman passenger from the cruise ship Norwegian Wind Friday.The passenger, identified as Danie N. Haili, 40, of Kahuku, was reported missing after the ship left Hilo harbor at 6 p.m. She was last seen near the ship at 4:30 p.m. at the Hilo pier.
The Coast Guard said yesterday that they have not been called in to search for Haili at sea.
The missing woman is described as being 5-feet-4 in height, weighing about 101 pounds with a slim build, having a tan complexion, long brown hair and brown eyes. She is also described as having a six-inch green, red and yellow tattoo of a dragon on her lower abdomen. She was last seen wearing white shorts, a copper-colored sweater and bright yellow slippers.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call Officer Jason N. Grouns of the South Hilo patrol at (808) 961-2213 or the police non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311 or Crimestoppers at (808) 961-8300.
HONOLULU
Driver flees on foot after hitting pedestrian
A 23-year-old male pedestrian was taken to Queen's Medical Center in critical condition yesterday after he was struck by a car on Kalanianaole Highway in Kailua.The accident occurred about 4:30 a.m. about 488 feet west of Kanapuu Drive, police reported. The victim was in the eastbound lane of Kalanianaole Highway, they said.
The car, a 1987 pickup, was driven by an unknown man traveling east on Kalanianaole Highway, police said.
The driver stopped the car and left on foot, police said.
The pedestrian was taken to Queen's in critical condition with multiple fractures but his condition was upgraded to serious, the report said.
