Honolulu Star-Bulletin Hawaii News

Meetings to discuss schools, libraries

The Board of Education will be holding a series of community meetings to discuss efforts to improve the public schools and libraries.

Each meeting will include a presentation on the Reinventing Education Act and updates on progress toward a uniform school calendar and a comprehensive system to track school and student performance over time.

The locations and dates for the next meetings are:

» Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Kawananakoa Middle School Cafeteria (Honolulu district);
» Nov. 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Holomua Elementary School Cafeteria (Leeward district);
» Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-12 noon, Hana High & Elementary School Cafeteria, (Maui district).

Wahiawa, Whitmore asked to save water

Honolulu Board of Water Supply customers in Wahiawa and Whitmore Village are being asked to conserve their use of water today as the utility works to repair a pump.

A primary pump serving Wahiawa failed at noon yesterday, and the lack of pumping power is causing strain on the system, a Board of Water Supply spokesman said.

The utility doesn't expect a loss in pressure or anyone to run out of water, but asked that customers refrain from unnecessary uses of water today.

Former teacher gets 3 years in porn case

A former Maui teacher was sentenced Friday to three years in a federal prison for possessing child pornography.

Dane Kaneshina, 29, pleaded guilty in federal court in June to possessing tens of thousands of pornographic images of children downloaded over the Internet.

Two computers at Kaneshina's home contained about 34,000 images, with most showing children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, prosecutors said.

Federal agents also found about 100 images on two computers Kaneshina has used at Iao Intermediate School in Wailuku.

A search warrant on Kaneshina's home was executed Jan. 30. He resigned his teaching position in March.

Kaneshina is free on $50,000 bail and will begin serving his sentence Dec. 9.

State auditor unable to assess brain injury financial impact

State Auditor Marion Higa said her office has been unable to assess the social and financial impacts of mandating insurance coverage for cognitive rehabilitation services for people with traumatic brain injury.

The Legislature had asked for the assessment.

But Higa said Friday that the task was impossible to perform at the current time because of a lack of conclusive studies and conflicting survey results from consumers and insurance companies.

Island residents with traumatic brain injuries had received cognitive rehabilitation at the Hawaii State Hospital, but budget constraints eliminated the program in 2000, she said.

Broadly defined, traumatic brain injury is an injury to the brain from externally inflicted trauma. Cognitive rehabilitation refers to strategies and techniques that attempt to help patients reduce, manage or cope with cognitive defects caused by brain injury.

More conclusive information is needed before mandated health insurance requirements are enacted, Higa said.

The assessment found that current literature indicates scientific studies are ongoing, while existing studies have not definitely determined the success of cognitive rehabilitation for traumatic brain injuries, she said.

In addition, Higa quoted a state Department of Health official as saying there is currently no standard operational definition of cognitive rehabilitation.

Pre-term birth month declared for November

November has been declared March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness Month in Hawaii to recognize the importance of research and education in preventing premature births.

Nationally, Prematurity Awareness Day is Tuesday.

Carmella Hernandez, state director of the March of Dimes Hawaii Chapter, said "premature birth is now the most common, serious and costly infant health problem facing our state and nation ... (and) is the No. 1 cause of death in the first month of life."

To raise awareness of the rise in the occurrence of premature births, and to raise funds for research and education, the March of Dimes launched a five-year, $75 million campaign in 2003 to decrease the rate of pre-term birth by at least 15 percent by 2008.

Free lecture addresses obesity in kids

Free public lectures on preventing childhood obesity will be held Saturday and Dec. 2 at the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.

Registered dietitian Nicole Angelique Kerr, who has appeared on CNN, PBS, the Food Channel and other television news shows, will give the lectures.

Registration is required by calling 535-7000, as space is limited.

The lectures are scheduled from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2.

To address pediatric obesity, Kapiolani formed a Childhood Obesity Task Force, consisting of pediatric medical experts, university professors, community agencies and individuals, and members of the state Department of Health.

Childhood obesity in Hawaii is double the nationwide average of 11 percent.

Police, Fire, Courts

By Star-Bulletin staff

HONOLULU

Patient who wandered from home found OK

A mentally ill woman who wandered from a Kalihi care home last week was located Saturday morning in Waikiki.

Police said that Vea Tartanian, 45, was found in good condition and returned to the care home on Waikahe Place.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Maui car crash kills female passenger

A Maui woman was killed in a Friday car crash in Kahului, police reported yesterday.

Hatsuyo Nishiyama was a front-seat passenger in a 1991 Toyota sedan driven by her husband, Susumu Nishiyama. The Nishiyamas' sedan was leaving Maui Mall at 9:45 a.m. Friday, headed westbound toward Kahului Shopping Center. The car failed to yield to a southbound 2004 Toyota pickup that was southbound on Puunene Avenue, police said.

The truck struck the car on the front passenger-seat side, injuring both Nishiyamas. The couple was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center for treatment, where Hatsuyo Nishiyama died. Her husband remained in guarded condition.

The driver of the truck had minor injuries. Police said the Nishiyamas were wearing seat belts. Police haven't determined whether speed, alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash.

Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers

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Newswatch Star-Bulletin staff and wire Meetings to discuss schools, libraries The Board of Education will be holding a series of community meetings to discuss efforts to improve the public schools and libraries. Each meeting will include a presentation on the Reinventing Education Act and updates on progress toward a uniform school calendar and a comprehensive system to track school and student performance over time. The locations and dates for the next meetings are: » Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Kawananakoa Middle School Cafeteria (Honolulu district); » Nov. 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Holomua Elementary School Cafeteria (Leeward district); » Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-12 noon, Hana High & Elementary School Cafeteria, (Maui district). Wahiawa, Whitmore asked to save water Honolulu Board of Water Supply customers in Wahiawa and Whitmore Village are being asked to conserve their use of water today as the utility works to repair a pump. A primary pump serving Wahiawa failed at noon yesterday, and the lack of pumping power is causing strain on the system, a Board of Water Supply spokesman said. The utility doesn't expect a loss in pressure or anyone to run out of water, but asked that customers refrain from unnecessary uses of water today. Former teacher gets 3 years in porn case A former Maui teacher was sentenced Friday to three years in a federal prison for possessing child pornography. Dane Kaneshina, 29, pleaded guilty in federal court in June to possessing tens of thousands of pornographic images of children downloaded over the Internet. Two computers at Kaneshina's home contained about 34,000 images, with most showing children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, prosecutors said. Federal agents also found about 100 images on two computers Kaneshina has used at Iao Intermediate School in Wailuku. A search warrant on Kaneshina's home was executed Jan. 30. He resigned his teaching position in March. Kaneshina is free on $50,000 bail and will begin serving his sentence Dec. 9. State auditor unable to assess brain injury financial impact State Auditor Marion Higa said her office has been unable to assess the social and financial impacts of mandating insurance coverage for cognitive rehabilitation services for people with traumatic brain injury. The Legislature had asked for the assessment. But Higa said Friday that the task was impossible to perform at the current time because of a lack of conclusive studies and conflicting survey results from consumers and insurance companies. Island residents with traumatic brain injuries had received cognitive rehabilitation at the Hawaii State Hospital, but budget constraints eliminated the program in 2000, she said. Broadly defined, traumatic brain injury is an injury to the brain from externally inflicted trauma. Cognitive rehabilitation refers to strategies and techniques that attempt to help patients reduce, manage or cope with cognitive defects caused by brain injury. More conclusive information is needed before mandated health insurance requirements are enacted, Higa said. The assessment found that current literature indicates scientific studies are ongoing, while existing studies have not definitely determined the success of cognitive rehabilitation for traumatic brain injuries, she said. In addition, Higa quoted a state Department of Health official as saying there is currently no standard operational definition of cognitive rehabilitation. Pre-term birth month declared for November November has been declared March of Dimes Prematurity Awareness Month in Hawaii to recognize the importance of research and education in preventing premature births. Nationally, Prematurity Awareness Day is Tuesday. Carmella Hernandez, state director of the March of Dimes Hawaii Chapter, said "premature birth is now the most common, serious and costly infant health problem facing our state and nation ... (and) is the No. 1 cause of death in the first month of life." To raise awareness of the rise in the occurrence of premature births, and to raise funds for research and education, the March of Dimes launched a five-year, $75 million campaign in 2003 to decrease the rate of pre-term birth by at least 15 percent by 2008. Free lecture addresses obesity in kids Free public lectures on preventing childhood obesity will be held Saturday and Dec. 2 at the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children. Registered dietitian Nicole Angelique Kerr, who has appeared on CNN, PBS, the Food Channel and other television news shows, will give the lectures. Registration is required by calling 535-7000, as space is limited. The lectures are scheduled from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2. To address pediatric obesity, Kapiolani formed a Childhood Obesity Task Force, consisting of pediatric medical experts, university professors, community agencies and individuals, and members of the state Department of Health. Childhood obesity in Hawaii is double the nationwide average of 11 percent. Police, Fire, Courts By Star-Bulletin staff HONOLULU Patient who wandered from home found OK A mentally ill woman who wandered from a Kalihi care home last week was located Saturday morning in Waikiki. Police said that Vea Tartanian, 45, was found in good condition and returned to the care home on Waikahe Place. NEIGHBOR ISLANDS Maui car crash kills female passenger A Maui woman was killed in a Friday car crash in Kahului, police reported yesterday. Hatsuyo Nishiyama was a front-seat passenger in a 1991 Toyota sedan driven by her husband, Susumu Nishiyama. The Nishiyamas' sedan was leaving Maui Mall at 9:45 a.m. Friday, headed westbound toward Kahului Shopping Center. The car failed to yield to a southbound 2004 Toyota pickup that was southbound on Puunene Avenue, police said. The truck struck the car on the front passenger-seat side, injuring both Nishiyamas. The couple was taken to Maui Memorial Medical Center for treatment, where Hatsuyo Nishiyama died. Her husband remained in guarded condition. The driver of the truck had minor injuries. Police said the Nishiyamas were wearing seat belts. Police haven't determined whether speed, alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash. Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers	— ADVERTISEMENTS — — ADVERTISEMENTS —