Newswatch
Municipal associations back Maui zoning suit
WAILUKU >> Several groups have joined Maui County in a lawsuit opposing a religious organization's effort to overturn a zoning decision in rural Maui.A legal brief supporting the county was filed by a number of groups, including the National League of Cities and the National Association of Towns and Townships, said county information officer Ellen Pelissero.
The religious organization, Hale O Kaula, has challenged the county's decision to forbid the building of a church on agriculturally zoned land mauka of Pukalani town.
Maui County has asked the federal court in Honolulu to dismiss a lawsuit based on the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. The brief supporting Maui County argues that Congress exceeded its constitutional authority when it passed the act.
U.S. Judge Samuel King is scheduled to rule Dec. 12 on a request to dismiss the case.
Grant to UH benefits Waimanalo school kids
The Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine has been awarded a $1.5 million grant over five years to expand a program aimed at fifth- and sixth-graders in Waimanalo.The program, Hui Malama o ke Kai, is a prevention and wellness program that provides services after school hours to prevent exposure to drugs, alcohol and violence. The program is based on native Hawaiian culture and values, and was started five years ago by Waimanalo community members as an alternative to drugs and illegal activity. It now serves more than 40 students a year with no charge to the participants or their families.
Medical school Dean Edwin Cadman said, "This is a wonderful opportunity for the medical school to form an enduring relationship with the Windward community in an area that needs everybody's attention."
Biologist offers tour of Kailua bird refuges
A wetlands bird tour of the Kailua ahupuaa will be conducted 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. next Saturday.Wildlife biologist Ron Walker will lead the tour to Na Pohaku of Hauwahine, the Kawai Nui Marsh Estuary and Kaelepulu Wetlands.
Donations of $5 will be accepted. There will be a limit of 25 persons. For reservations, contact Chuck Burrows at 595-3922 or chuckb@hawaii.rr.com.
New coalition aims to protect forest reserve
The sustainable harvest of native plants for hula performances, improved water quality and quantity, and better understanding of Hawaiian land management practices are goals of the recently formed Waianae-Kai Community Forest Project."This community-based partnership establishes a foundation to preserve, protect and develop stewardship of the 2,436-acre Waianae-Kai Forest Reserve," said Honolulu Board of Water Supply manager Clifford Jamile.
Participants include the state Department of Land & Natural Resources, the Water Board, the 'Ilio'ulaokalani Coalition, Ka'ala Farm Inc. and the Waianae grass-roots group Mohala I Ka Wai. Other interest groups include the University of Hawaii Botany Department, the Oahu Pighunters Association and the Nature Conservancy.
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GRANTS
>> The Hartwell and Rebecca Carter Fund has awarded $1,000 to the American Cancer Society to support expansion of the Generation Fit Youth leadership project in West Hawaii on the Big Island. The project engages students ages 11 to 18 to take part in community service projects that promote physical activity and healthier eating habits among friends, family members and classmates.>> Verizon Hawaii employees held a book drive, collecting more than 360 books that they donated to Parents and Children Together, headquartered at Kuhio Park Terrace.
>> The University of Hawaii has been awarded $377,125 to provide bioterrorism-related continuing education and training for health care professionals in Hawaii. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHONOLULU
Honolulu police have charged a 53-year-old Iwilei man with seven counts of sexual assault involving an 11-year-old girl.
Suspect held in sex assault of girl, 11Police arrested George K.A.Y. Wong earlier this week at an Akepo Lane address. Wong was charged yesterday with three counts of first-degree sexual assault and four counts of third-degree sexual assault.
Police said the victim told her teacher that she had been sexually assaulted by Wong over a 10-month period. Wong is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
WAIKIKI
Honolulu police arrested an 18-year-old female for knocking a woman down in Waikiki and then stealing her watch.
Woman is arrested in August muggingThe incident took place on Aug. 4 along Kuhio Avenue. Police said the 29-year-old female victim was walking down the sidewalk when she was bumped by the suspect.
Police said the suspect then shouted and punched the victim, causing her to fall on the pavement. A second unknown female suspect unfastened the victim's watch from her wrist, and both suspects fled on foot.
Tips led to the identification of one of the suspects, and police located and arrested her yesterday morning near Kuhio Avenue and Walina Street.
WINDWARD OAHU
Oahu Civil Defense officials are warning Windward motorists that high surf could again cause dangerous road conditions along Kamehameha Highway.
High surf and flooding are predicted againLast week, high surf closed a portion of Kamehameha Highway between Kualoa Beach Park and Hauula Homestead Road. National Weather Service officials issued another high-surf warning for north- and east-facing shores yesterday, expecting 16- to 22-foot waves last night and this morning.
Motorists driving along the same portions of Kamehameha Highway are asked to exercise caution and expect possible road closures.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
LIHUE >> A Kauai hunter was killed on Thanksgiving when he fell off a cliff near Kokee and dropped 600 to 1,000 feet.
Kauai hunter falls off cliff to his deathA Fire Department rescue helicopter recovered the body of Anthony Balocan, of Koloa, a county employee in the Public Works Department. Deputy County Engineer Ladye Martin said in a statement released by the Kauai County Mayor's Office that the county had lost "a valued employee and friend."
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
