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Talks continue on funding special ed

WAILUKU » Schools Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto met with key officials in Gov. Linda Lingle's administration yesterday to resolve differences over funding for special-education teachers.

Hamamoto told the state Board of Education Thursday that under Lingle's proposed budget, the Department of Education would not have funding for about 200 special-education teachers.

She said the cuts would put at risk compliance with federal laws and mandates.

State Budget Director Georgina Kawamura said discussions with Hamamoto are continuing, and the administration plans to submit a proposed budget to the state Legislature on Dec. 20.

State Attorney General Mark Bennett said he felt the meeting was "very productive."

Updated signs planned for airport

Signage at the terminals and parking structure at Honolulu Airport will be improved in a project scheduled for completion in July, the Governor's Office announced yesterday.

In addition to $661,000 in federal funding, the project is getting about $714,000 in state funds recently released by Gov. Linda Lingle.

As part of the project, directories will be installed throughout the airport and parking structures. Directional signs will point passengers to the ticket lobbies, gates, agriculture and security checkpoints, restaurants, airline lounges, baggage claim areas and ground transportation.

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» Sacred Hearts Academy has received $2,000 from State Farm Insurance as one of 25 schools across the United States to receive a Project Ignition service learning grant, established to help save the lives of teens. The school's public awareness campaign focused on safe driving habits in November.

» The YMCA of Honolulu has been awarded a four-year, $100,000 grant from First Hawaiian Foundation for its capital campaign, "Reaching for Tomorrow." The campaign's goal is $30 million for five projects: a new Kalihi YMCA, an expanded Leeward YMCA in Waipahu, a new Waianae Coast YMCA, an expanded Windward YMCA in Kailua and a renovated Central YMCA at Ala Moana.

» The state Department of Human Services has received a bonus award for the second consecutive year for achieving one of the nation's lowest error rates in administering the federal Food Stamp Program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The state department director is Lillian Koller.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Fire at power plant interrupts service in Hilo

An electrical fire struck the Hawaiian Electric Light Co.'s Shipman Power Plant in Hilo yesterday morning.

Upon arrival, firefighters found a smoldering fire in one of the plant's 13.8-kilovolt switch gears, according to the Hawaii County Fire Department.

The fire was reported at 10:24 a.m. Firefighters arrived at 10:36 a.m. and extinguished the fire by noon.

The building at 85 Lihiwai St. was evacuated. Firefighters ventilated and monitored the area before allowing workers to return.

The extent of damage was unknown yesterday.

Ambulance personnel checked an employee, who refused transport to the hospital.

The fire caused an interruption of service to the Banyan Drive area and parts of Keaukaha, according to the company.

CENTRAL OAHU
Kidnappers lock woman in car trunk

Police said they are investigating the alleged kidnapping of a 31-year-old Mililani woman who was locked in her car trunk in front of the Mililani Foodland on Thursday night.

Police said the woman reported that she was sitting in her vehicle in the Foodland parking lot at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday when two unknown male teenagers asked her for a ride.

The woman told police they forced her into the trunk and drove off. She said she later escaped from the trunk in Wahiawa and called police.

Both suspects are described as between 15 to 18 years old, 5 feet 4 inches tall and 120 pounds. One wore a gray flannel shirt and blue jeans. The other wore a blue shirt and tan pants.

WEST OAHU
Bicyclist without reflective gear dies

A 46-year-old man died yesterday morning after a pickup truck collided with the bicycle he was riding in the Kapolei Business Park area.

The man was taken by ambulance in critical condition to St. Francis Medical Center-West, where he died. The accident was reported at 6:13 a.m.

Police said the bicyclist was riding near the right edge of the road traveling north on Kalaeloa Boulevard, just north of Opakapaka Street. A 1988 Nissan pickup truck driven by a 40-year-old man was heading in the same direction on the right lane of Kalaeloa.

The truck driver was not injured. His 45-year-old male passenger had glass in his face and sought treatment on his own, police said.

Police noted the bicyclist was wearing a black jacket and trousers, and no reflectors or lights were mounted on his bicycle. The area was dark, and no street lights are in the area, police said.

Police said speed and alcohol on the truck driver's part did not appear to be factors in the collision.

The Medical Examiner's Office had not identified the man yesterday.

This was the year's 62nd traffic fatality for Oahu, compared with 78 the same time last year.