Queen's contract vote set for later this week
Nurses at the Queen's Medical Center will likely vote either Thursday or Friday on a new contract proposal by management, according to Queen's negotiator Bill Richter.Queen's and the Hawaii Nurses Association reached a tentative agreement on a new contract on Wednesday after a negotiating session that lasted almost 18 hours. Nurses met at the Laborer's International Union Headquarters Saturday and yesterday for informational meetings about the agreement, which calls for a 21 percent salary increase over three years.
The Queen's nurses, who walked off the job on Dec. 3, also are scheduled to vote on the details of a back-to-work agreement tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.
Nurses at Kuakini Medical Center ratified a new three-year contract on Friday.
No new talks are scheduled between the HNA and St. Francis Medical Center, where nurses walked off the job on Dec. 2.
Weed & Seed program to be discussed today
The public is invited to comment on plans to expand the Weed & Seed program to include Ala Moana, Sheridan, Kaheka and Kalihi neighborhoods.Organizers will hold a "Community Conversation" from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Capitol auditorium to discuss the program's successes and plans.
In 1998, the Kalihi-Palama-Chinatown site was designated as the first Weed & Seed site in Hawaii. The program also has been implemented in Waipahu and Ewa.
Canadian caucus urges official to keep his post
The British Columbia Liberal Party caucus urged Premier Gordon Campbell yesterday to continue serving as premier, despite being charged with impaired driving in Hawaii.The caucus issued a statement about three hours before Campbell addressed the incident at a news conference in Vancouver.
"British Columbia Liberal MLAs wish to express their strong support for Gordon Campbell and call on him to continue in his responsibilities to lead the province as premier," said the statement signed by caucus chairman John Les and caucus whip Kevin Krueger.
The caucus stated it does not take the offense of drinking and driving lightly, but that Campbell, 55, should not resign over the incident.
Campbell was arrested and charged with impaired driving Friday on Maui, where he was vacationing. Police said Campbell submitted to a breath test, which showed his blood-alcohol level was above the legal limit of .08 percent. Campbell posted bail, was released and was given a March 25 arraignment date. His mug shots were published across Canada, and entrepreneurs already have started marketing T-shirts, coffee mugs and tote bags emblazoned with the arrest pictures.
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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. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
CENTRAL OAHU
19-year-old man dies in Waipio car accident
The victim who died in a two-vehicle accident in Waipio Gentry Saturday has been identified as a 19-year-old man.Police said he was a passenger in a 2001 black Pontiac Trans Am that was broadsided by a blue 1994 Chevy pickup truck at the intersection of Waipio Uka and Lumikula streets about 5:52 p.m.
Police said the Trans Am driver, a 55-year-old man, crossed into oncoming traffic while making a left turn onto Waipio Uka from Lumikula. Police said the victim died instantly in the collision.
The Trans Am driver was in fair condition at Queen's Medical Center, a nursing supervisor said. The truck driver, a 19-year-old man, and his passenger, a 19-year-old woman, were in fair condition at Queen's.
WINDWARD OAHU
Man dies after falling while trimming tree
A 36-year-old man died this morning after he fell while trimming a tree in Kaneohe.City Emergency Medical Services officials said the man was trimming a palm tree when he fell 25 feet onto a concrete driveway on Heno Place.
The man apparently struck his head on the concrete driveway, officials said. An ambulance was called about 9:30 a.m. and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police were called to investigate the accident.
NEIGHBOR ISLAND
Fire raises concern for endangered plants
LAHAINA >> Firefighters are investigating the cause of a fire that burned 12 acres of brush mauka of Lahainaluna High School in west Maui yesterday.Fire official Mark Paranada said state forestry officials have been asked to assess the damage and see if any endangered plants were destroyed.
The fire began before 6:30 p.m. yesterday mauka of the "L" on Mt. Ball, fire officials said. Firefighters remained at the scene this morning.
HONOLULU
Bus driver aids search for missing 9-year-old
Honolulu police have found a missing 9-year-old boy thanks to a city bus driver.Police said the bus driver called 911 after he recognized Daniel Gilman, and his grandfather, 49-year-old Derick Gilman, from CrimeStoppers news alerts. The boy disappeared from a Wahiawa residence on Christmas Eve and was last seen with his grandfather, police said. Police found the boy yesterday and arrested Derick Gilman for investigation of custodial interference.
