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Kahuku High in top 10 at national contest

Kahuku High School was one of the top 10 finishers as a national competition on the U.S. Constitution drew to a close yesterday in Washington, D.C.

The Hawaii school won an honorable mention after going up against 50 other classes in the competition, conducted by We the People.

The Kahuku students demonstrated their superior knowledge of the Constitution in three days of simulated congressional hearings, the group said.

Students were required to apply constitutional principles and historical facts to contemporary situations.

East Brunswick High School in New Jersey was the national winner, followed by Grant High School of Portland, Ore., and Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies in Richmond, Va.

Jellyfish influx likely to increase today

Lifeguards found 30 jellyfish at Kuhio Beach yesterday, and a heavier influx is expected today.

Warning signs have been posted in the Waikiki area, and lifeguards will closely monitor Ala Moana Beach Park this morning.

Other areas commonly affected by the monthly influx are Hanauma Bay, north- and west-shore beaches such as Waimea Bay, Ehukai and Sunset beaches, Pokai Bay, Maile beach and Makaha.

Lifeguards are equipped to treat stings. An effective treatment is usually applying copious amounts of vinegar to stings.

In cases of severe toxic reaction, a person should seek medical attention.

Comments sought on Makua kayak tours

A public meeting will be held Thursday to discuss whether commercial kayaking operations will continue after June at the Makua Beach section of Kaena State Park.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will hear comments on whether to continue a month-to-month interim concession permit that was issued to Makua Lani, a nonprofit company, to conduct kayaking and snorkeling activities.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room of Waianae District Park.

Written comments can be submitted through the end of May to Dan Quinn, State Parks Administrator, P.O. Box 621, Honolulu, HI 96809.

For more information, contact Lauren Tanaka at 587-0293.

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Taking Notice

» Alec Dinsmore, a third-grader at Na'au School on Oahu, is the grand-prize winner of the sixth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Poetry Award.

Dinsmore wrote the poem "Ocean of Peace," describing his vision of peace in the world and how it can cool "the waters of hatred." King was renowned for using nonviolent means to achieve civil rights for all people.

Competing among 900 students in the statewide contest, Dinsmore received the grand-prize certificate and an original acrylic painting of King, created and donated by pop expressionist artist Davo.

The contest was sponsored by the International Peace Poem Project, a statewide volunteer organization that encourages peace and nonviolence through literacy. Its Web site is peacepoem.org.

» Ho'okako'o Corp., a nonprofit conversion charter school board, has received $10,000 from the McInerny Foundation to be used to support community leadership efforts at Waimea Middle School on the Big Island. The corporation was created by the Legislature in 2002 to improve educational standards in areas of significant socio- economic need.

» The Korean University Club has elected Tai Hong its new president; Michael Kim, vice president; Evelyn Shon, treasurer; Greta Uyeki, recording secretary; and Carl Choy, auditor.

The club was formed in 1936 and provides scholarships to students.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

HONOLULU

Patrol officer tackles suspect in Kapiolani robbery

A patrol officer tackled a 27-year-old man who allegedly ran off with a woman's purse early yesterday.

Police said the victim, 56, was walking to a bus stop near Kapiolani Boulevard and Kaheka Street about 2:49 a.m. when the suspect ran up from behind and grabbed her purse. The victim ran after the suspect and was yelling at him to stop, police said.

A passing patrol officer heard the commotion and ran after the suspect and tackled him, police said. The suspect was arrested for investigation of second-degree theft.

WAIKIKI

Man allegedly shoves officer

Police arrested a 42-year-old man after he allegedly attacked an officer in Waikiki on Saturday night.

Police said about 11:50 p.m. the suspect was standing on the road near Liliuokalani and Koa avenues after being escorted off the property of a nearby hotel. Police asked the suspect to get off the road, and he allegedly rushed at the officer and knocked him to the ground.

The officer suffered some abrasions, according to police. The suspect was arrested for investigation of second-degree assault of a law enforcement officer.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Schoolgirl gets free of would-be captors

Big Island police are looking for two men who allegedly tried to kidnap a girl waiting at a school bus stop yesterday morning in the Honaunau area of South Kona.

Kona patrol officers said the girl was waiting alone for the bus when a black compact sedan with two males inside drove up to her. The front-seat passenger in the vehicle grabbed her wrist and attempted to pull her into the car. The girl was able to break free and run from the area. She sustained a minor injury to her head after falling to the ground as she fled.

The two suspects were described as being in their early to middle 20s and wearing baseball caps.

Police are asking that anyone with information call officer Walter Ah Mow at 326-4646, ext. 302, or the police nonemergency number at 935-3311.

Big Isle scooter crash results in rider's death

An unidentified man died of injuries he suffered late Sunday in a motor scooter crash on Honokohau Boat Ramp Road.

Kona patrol officers responded to an 11:26 p.m. call and determined that the man was riding his motor scooter east on the road when he lost control, fell over and hit his head on the pavement.

The victim, who was not wearing a helmet, was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:15 a.m.

Police have ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the accident.

Anyone who might have information is asked to call officer Marvin Troutman at 326-4646, ext. 229, or the police nonemergency number at 935-3311.

Sunday's death was the 15th traffic fatality on the Big Island so far this year, compared with 17 at the same time last year.