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Nobel winner to talk economics
Daniel L. McFadden, who received the Nobel Prize in economics in 2000, will discuss "Economic Choices" in a free public lecture at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the University of Hawaii-Manoa Art Auditorium.The University of California, Berkeley, College of Letters & Science professor was recognized by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for development of statistical methods relating to the economic theory of "discrete choice."
McFadden shares the Nobel Prize in economics with James Heckman, a friend at the University of Chicago. The award was for $915,000, which McFadden donated to the East Bay Community Foundation to promote arts and education.
He combines psychology with economics to develop tools used to determine how people and organizations make choices.
His models have been used in making decisions on energy, health, environmental, and transportation issues.
For example, official forecasts predicted before California's Bay Area Rapid Transit system was built that it would carry 15 percent of all work trips, noted Charles Hayes, interim dean of the UH-Manoa College of Arts and Sciences, which sponsors the annual Nobel Laureate Lecture Series.
In his talk tomorrow, McFadden will discuss how people make choices ranging from jobs and marriage to having one more cigarette.
He will discuss a range of examples of choice over alternative methods involved with transportation, restaurant wine-pricing and economic valuation of environmental resources.
Parking is available for the lecture for $3 on the upper campus (no restrictions to zones after 4 p.m.) and lower campus parking structure.
Forum to discuss Sacred Falls
The state Parks Division will hold an informational meeting on three proposals for a master plan for the closed Sacred Falls State Park at 6 p.m. Tuesday.An advisory group has come up with the three alternatives, which will be discussed in the courtyard and community room of Queen Liliuokalani Children's Center, 53-516 Kamehameha Highway in Punaluu.
The proposals include:
>> A picnic area in the valley bowl near the park entrance, an additional access located across the stream from the existing trail, wilderness camping, walking paths, a staffed interpretive center, opening an existing cane haul road and bridge to view the irrigation system, unlimited access to the falls, parking for 55 vehicles and a comfort station.Officials said the alternatives will be refined and a draft master plan will be available at a later date.>> The lands above the Kaliuwaa Falls would be designated a natural area reserve, picnic areas, no camping with an educational and interpretive kiosk. The level of access to the falls would be decided after a risk assessment part of the master plan is finished.
>> A picnic area near the park entrance and walking trails but no bridges.
Sacred Falls park has been closed since the Mother's Day rockslide in 1999 that killed eight people and injured 34 others.
For information contact Lauren Tanaka, Parks Division, 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 310, Honolulu, HI 96813 or 587-0293 or e-mail lauren_a_tanaka@hawaii.gov .
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffNEIGHBOR ISLAND
Driver critically hurt in car crash on Maui
A car accident on Waiehu Beach Road in Maui late Friday night left a 23-year-old man in critical condition.The Wailuku man was driving northwest on the road about 11:26 p.m. Friday when he tried to overtake vehicles traveling in the same direction, lost control and hit a hollow tile wall fronting 259 Waiehu Beach Road.
The car, a 1998 Toyota pickup, rolled over and the unrestrained driver suffered head injuries, police said. He was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center.
Police said the roads were wet at the time, but it's not clear if weather was a factor in the accident.
HONOLULU
Male suspect sought in attack on woman
Police are looking for a 38-year-old man who allegedly punched a woman, puncturing her lung and breaking a number of ribs, and then threatened to kill her at an Ala Moana apartment yesterday morning.The incident occurred about 2 a.m. yesterday at an apartment on Kanunu Street. Police say the man got drunk and pushed the 37-year-old victim to the floor, where he punched her several times.
He allegedly grabbed a kitchen knife, pressed it against her neck and face and threatened to kill her. Once he fell asleep, the woman left and called police. She was treated at an area hospital, police said.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
