5 private schools move to utilize state bonds
Several private schools made their first push yesterday at the Legislature to take advantage of a new state law allowing the use of special-purpose revenue bonds for construction projects on their campuses.They received a good reception from both the House and Senate Education Committees, which approved several bills for bond issues ranging from $5 million to $15 million. The schools involved are Hanahau'oli, Ho'ala, St. Patrick, Mid-Pacific Institute and Chaminade University. The bills go to the Ways and Means and Finance committees.
Voters approved a constitutional amendment in November allowing the state to issue special-purpose revenue bonds for private school construction and renovation. The schools are responsible for paying off the bondholders as well as the cost of initiating the bond offer.
Bill would raise age for kindergarten entry
A bill to raise the kindergarten entry age for Hawaii's public schools passed its first hurdle in the Senate yesterday.The measure was amended by the Senate Education Committee to allow for pre-kindergarten classes on campus, "within available personnel and facilities," for the younger children who otherwise would be kept out of school.
Children now must turn 5 by Dec. 31 of the year they start school. Senate Bill 17 moves that date to Oct. 16 for the 2005-2006 school year, and to Aug. 1 for 2006-2007.
The bill now goes to the Senate Ways and Means Committee. A similar bill to raise the kindergarten age is being considered in the House.
Kapalua golf course workers file grievance
WAILUKU >> The union representing 102 landscaping workers at the Kapalua Land Co. has filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, charging the resort failed to bargain in good faith.The workers maintain the Plantation Golf Course, Village Golf Course and Bay Golf Course, along with portions of the Kapalua resort.
ILWU 142 official Leonard Nakoa III said the union showed good faith by agreeing to negotiate after the end of the Mercedes Classic golf tournament at Kapalua but that the company has not responded in the same way. At the time the complaint was filed Friday, the resort had not agreed to extend the union's labor contact, which was scheduled to expire on Jan. 30, Nakoa said. He said the resort has since agreed to extend the contract during negotiations until Feb. 15.
The Hawaii Employers Council, representing Kapalua, was unavailable for comment.
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>> Laura Quek, a senior at Hawaii Baptist Academy, has been named one of more than 2,600 candidates in the 2003 Presidential Scholars Program. She will attend a ceremony in June in Washington, D.C. [ Taking Notice ]
>> The Hawaii Council for the Humanities has re-elected Eileen Tamura, professor of educational foundations at the University of Hawaii-Manoa, as chairwoman. Also re-elected are attorney Larry Myers, vice chairman; and Alfred Castle, executive director of the Samuel N. and Mary Castle Foundation, secretary-treasurer.
The council also elected two new members to serve three-year terms, including Kenneth Kipnis, professor of philosophy at UH-Manoa, and Elisa Yadao, a communications consultant.
>> The Hawaii Alliance for Arts Education has received $20,000 from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for the 2003 fiscal year.
>> The Arc of Hilo has been awarded $10,000 by First Hawaiian Foundation for its groundskeeping and landscaping vocational training program. The funds will be allotted over two years.
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>> Star-Bulletin photographer Ken Ige took the photo of Rubellite "Ruby" Johnson, who was featured on Page D1 in yesterday's "First Sunday Conversation" column. The photo was incorrectly credited to Gary Kubota. 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
HONOLULU
Man hurt after chasing down purse-snatcher
Police are looking for a robbery suspect who stole a tourist's purse and then assaulted the victim's 63-year-old boyfriend while he was trying to get the purse back.
Robbery suspect
He is described to be in his
late 20s to early 30s and
has a long black ponytail.
Police said the robbery happened at 1:40 p.m. Friday at Puowaina and Tantalus drives. A 68-year-old female tourist and her male companion were sitting at the bus stop just outside the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl when the man grabbed her purse.
Police said the suspect then ran on Puowaina Drive and was chased by the friend, who caught up to him and struggled with him for the purse. The man struck and kicked the friend repeatedly, then ran down Auwaiolimu Street.
The suspect was described as in his late 20s to early 30s, 5 feet 8, about 140 pounds, with a slim build, thick black hair in a long ponytail, and a brown complexion. He was last seen wearing what appeared to be a blue-and-yellow Honolulu Fire Department T-shirt with the word "RESCUE" on the back, blue denim shorts and dirty gray athletic shoes.
A spokesman said official HFD rescue shirts are red with the word "RESCUE" in white lettering in the front with the HFD emblem in the back.
Anyone with information may contact Detective Taro Nakamura at 529-3382 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.
Man arrested in theft of canned goods
Police arrested a 39-year-old Makakilo man for investigation of theft Sunday after he allegedly walked out of the Kmart at 4561 Salt Lake Blvd. with 10 cases of canned goods without paying for them. Police said store employees stopped the man and called authorities.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Snorkeling victim ID'd as visitor from Calif.
WAILUKU >> The visitor who died Sunday while diving on Maui has been identified as Alan Ha, 25, of Saratoga, Calif.Ha was snorkeling with members of the religious group Youth with a Mission in waters off Paia when they noticed him missing, acting Assistant Fire Chief Alan Pascua said.
His body was found in the ocean. Fire rescue workers were called at 3:37 p.m. but were unable to revive him, Pascua said.
