Newswatch
CORRECTION
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003>> Scot Allen provided the photograph that appeared on Page A3 yesterday. His name was incorrectly spelled as Scott.
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.DOWN WITH THE OLD
PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTT ALLEN
Mid-Pacific Institute began demolishing 50-year-old Wilcox Hall yesterday, tearing down the dormitory after structural problems forced the Manoa private school to move 50 boarding students to a Waikiki hotel.
Oklahoma prison OKs makahiki observances
Acknowledging the rights of native Hawaiian inmates to practice their religion, the state has allowed prisoners in a state-contracted prison in Oklahoma to greet the makahiki season with traditional prayers, chants and dancing.The Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. said inmates incarcerated at the Diamondback Correctional Facility in Watonga, Okla., will be allowed to honor the makahiki season, which runs from Nov. 24 until Jan. 23, "as a critical tenet of their spiritual needs."
The NHLC said it negotiated several weeks with the state and the warden of the Diamondback facility on behalf of 10 Hawaiian inmates to get permission for the prisoners to meet together for chants, hula and other forms of prayer.
Schools chief defends spokesman's e-mails
Schools Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto said yesterday she believes department spokesman Greg Knudsen was within his free-speech rights when he sent two e-mails criticizing the work of UCLA professor William Ouchi.Ouchi, Gov. Linda Lingle's education consultant, demanded Friday that Knudsen be reprimanded for sending the messages to Ouchi's dean.
Knudsen sent the e-mail from his home but identified himself as director of communications at the Department of Education.
"Greg did it as an independent person, and we need to honor his First Amendment right," said Hamamoto, who is Knudsen's boss. "He did not intend to represent the department. They may not like it, but in a democracy I believe it is his First Amendment right."
Maui Catholic school seeks new principal
WAILUKU >> The only Catholic high school on Maui is searching for a new principal.The principal would serve St. Anthony High School and its junior high school.
The junior high and high schools have about 300 students from grades 7-12. The search committee is looking for applicants with a number of qualifications, including a master's in educational administration as well as being a practicing Catholic with a commitment to education in the Marianist tradition.
School Principal Diana Collins retired Oct. 17.
Interested individuals should contact Larry Joyo, chairman, Search Committee, St. Anthony Jr/Sr High School, 1618 Lower Main St., Wailuku, HI 96793; or fax to 808-242-8081.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHONOLULU
Waianae woman missing for 3 days returns home safe
Honolulu police have located a 24-year-old Waianae woman who was reported missing Friday.Police said Lovelee-May Kaleikini has returned home to her family.
She was last seen walking in Honolulu Airport's interisland terminal on Dec. 2.
HPD's Missing Persons Detail and CrimeStoppers thanked the public for their calls and assistance in finding Kaleikini.
Japanese fishing boat reports death at sea
The crew of a Japanese fishing vessel told Honolulu police that they stuck one of their crew members in their ship's freezer after he died on board.Police said the 51-year-old male was found dead in one of the ship's rooms on Nov. 30, as the crew made its way back to Japan.
Because of a typhoon, however, the crew decided to turn around and head back to Hawaii.
The ship arrived in Honolulu on Sunday night, and the crew reported the victim's death to police.
The case has been classified as an unattended death, but homicide investigators are looking into the case as a matter of procedure.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
