Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin Staff
MAKING A SPECIAL DELIVERY
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Postal carriers nationwide participated in a food drive yesterday to help the needy. Among them were Nadine Tonai, left, Lori Lopes, Lona Barnett, Claude Chung and Sherry Mizuuchi, who sorted through some of the food donations that they picked up along their routes and collected at the loading dock of the Makiki Post Office.
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Isle libraries begin shorter shifts May 18
Starting May 18, the Hawaii State Library and 30 other public libraries across the state will reduce their operating hours to just five days a week as a result of budget cuts.Under the new schedule, most libraries on Oahu and Maui will be open at least one weekend day, but most libraries on the other islands will be closed both Saturday and Sunday.
All libraries will stay open at least one evening a week, except Holualoa and Naalehu on the Big Island, where the latest shifts end at 6 p.m.
Each library determined which days and hours to open, based on usage statistics and community needs, according to State Librarian Virginia Lowell.
"Our strategy was designed so that we did not have to close libraries or lay off any staff," she said.
Bookmobile services on Oahu, Kailua-Kona and Wailuku will also end.
The Hawaii State Library, which has been open 53 hours per week, will cut back to 40 hours, operating Tuesday through Saturday, with an evening shift on Thursday.
The only library in the state that will be open six days a week is Waimanalo Public and School Library, which received an exemption from the state Board of Education to allow Saturday hours, funded by a private grant.
To check your library's hours, visit the Web site www.hcc.hawaii.edu/hspls/ or call your local branch. Bookmarks listing the new schedules will be available soon in all 50 public libraries.
Case urges renaming of post office for Mink
WASHINGTON >> U.S. Rep. Ed Case wants the Paia post office on Maui to be named for his predecessor, the late Patsy Mink.Case was joined by fellow Hawaii U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie as principal co-sponsor of the bill. About 100 other House members also have signed the bill as co-sponsors.
The Paia post office serves the area of Maui where Mink was born and raised.
She lived on Maui until her graduation in 1944 from Maui High School where she was class valedictorian and the school's first female student body president.
Case called Mink a "historic figure, not only in Hawaii but in our country."
Case was elected to replace Mink following her death late last year.
Bridge to Sand Island will be partially closed
Two lanes of the bridge to Sand Island will be closed for repairs at least through the end of today and traffic on Sand Island Road may experience delays, the state Department of Transportation said.A contractor is repairing holes in the metal grating of the bridge, some of which were as large as a foot wide, said Scott Ishikawa, DOT spokesman.
Until repairs are completed, one lane of traffic will be going each direction on the makai side of the bridge, while both mauka lanes will be closed.
It appears that the holes were caused by wear and tear on the bridge, Ishikawa said.
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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 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 HONOLULU
Car crash victim dies after 2 months in the hospital
A 78-year-old Kalihi man whose four-door Toyota Camry struck a city bus March 10 died of his injuries Friday at Queen's Medical Center, Honolulu police reported.This was Honolulu's 32nd traffic fatality this year to date, compared to 26 last year, police said.
The man was traveling eastbound on North School Street in the left lane about 8:35 a.m. when his car drifted across a double solid yellow line and collided with the bus, police said.
The bus had stopped in the opposite lane when the driver saw the Toyota coming, according to the report.
The man was taken to Queen's in critical condition and died of his injuries about 4:30 p.m. Friday.
Speed and alcohol were not factors in the accident, police said.
'Ice' suspect allegedly beats, robs partner
Honolulu police are investigating the alleged robbery of a woman's purse after she went with a man to his car to smoke crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," at 3:40 a.m. yesterday in the parking lot of 1605 Philip St.The man started beating the woman and when she refused his request for sex, he drove off with her purse, police reported. She suffered facial lacerations and abrasions.
LEEWARD OAHU
About 70 firefighters help in Nanakuli fire
A brush fire burned about 70 acres in Nanakuli Friday before firefighters were able to bring it under control at 7:30 p.m., said Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada.The fire stretched along about three-fourths of a mile mauka of Ulei Loop and Haleakala Avenue, but never endangered houses, Tejada said.
The cause of the fire, which was reported just before 2 p.m., is unknown, he said.
About 70 firefighters worked on the fire.
Pearl City boy arrested in alleged sex assault
Police arrested a Pearl City boy just after midnight yesterday on charges of first-degree sexual assault of his brother, also a juvenile, according to Honolulu police .The assault allegedly occurred in the home last December and wasn't reported until the victim informed his mother, police said.
