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Chronic kidney disease is topic of forum

The public is invited to a free educational program on chronic kidney disease from 1 to 4 p.m. May 22 in the South Pacific Ballroom, Hilton Hawaiian Village.

"Kidney Care: Finding Your Strength" is sponsored by the American Association of Kidney Patients and will include a presentation on the importance of kidney care, the role of the kidneys and diet management.

Kidney disease affects an estimated eight million Americans, according to the association. The two leading causes are diabetes and high blood pressure.

Those interested in attending the program should contact Katharina Brierton at 800-749-2257 to register.

Lung association gets $50K for asthma program

The American Lung Association of Hawaii has received $50,000 from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for its Open Airways for Schools program for students ages 8 to 11 with mild to severe asthma.

The award, for the 2005-2006 school year, is one of 36 OHA community grants in February and March totaling $2.4 million.

Open Airways teaches students asthma management skills, gives them confidence about health decisions and leads to better school attendance and performance, the association says.

Hawaii has about 106,000 asthmatics, including about 29,900 under age 15, according to the association.

The high frequency of asthma is partly due to year-around vegetation, pollen, high humidity, dust mites, dust, cockroaches and outdoor living.

For more information, call Brenda Mahuka, program associate for asthma, at 537-5966, ext. 307, or Bertrand Kobayashi, director of advocacy and partnerships, ext. 306.

More information can be found on the association's Web site at www.ala-hawaii.org.

Open house Saturday at Arc in Hawaii

Arc in Hawaii, which serves people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, will celebrate Mental Health Month with an open house from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Department of Education special education teachers, Department of Health case managers and nurses, parents and community members and clients and staff are invited to tour the organization's Pearl City Center and apartments at 1174 Waimano Home Road and meet the staff.

Arc in Hawaii services and job opportunities will be described.

For more information, call 737-7995 or 456-8090.

Chamber invites nonprofits to apply for grants

Nonprofit organizations conducting public health-related activities on Oahu are invited by the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii to apply for project grants.

Grants are awarded for projects involving public health education and research for which no other funds are available.

Call the Chamber at 545-4300 to receive an application packet or e-mail phf@cochawaii.org. June 15 is the deadline to apply.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

LEEWARD OAHU

Beating leaves victim in critical condition

Police are looking for a 29-year-old man who allegedly left a 50-year-old man in critical condition after a fight in Waianae early yesterday.

The incident happened about 12:35 a.m. when the 29-year-old, of Waianae, allegedly returned to the man's home after a minor dispute the previous day, police said. The suspect allegedly punched the victim in the face, knocking him to the ground, and kicked him in the head. He then fled the scene on foot.

The 50-year-old was taken to the Queen's Medical Center, and police said his prognosis was grave.

The case is being investigated as a second-degree attempted murder.

Boy held in alleged attack with water hose

A 10-year-old boy was arrested for two counts of second-degree assault after allegedly hitting two people with a water hose at Iroquois Point Elementary School in Kapolei.

The incident happened about 8:10 a.m. on Friday when the boy was arguing with a 30-year-old woman over his school suspension.

Police said the boy hit the woman and then hit a 24-year-old man, who tried to intervene.

The boy was released pending an investigation.

HONOLULU

Coast Guard rescues kayaker off airport

The Coast Guard rescued a kayaker who apparently wasn't able to make it back to shore on his own yesterday.

Police closing down a boat ramp at Keehi Lagoon came across a free diver whose friend had not returned at about 7:30 p.m., the Coast Guard said.

A 25-foot patrol boat and crew began searching for the missing diver and his kayak.

He was located about a mile south east of the reef runway in good condition and brought to shore, a Coast Guard spokeswoman said.

Police seek 3 suspects in Marco Polo burglary

CRIMESTOPPERS Two men and a woman were caught on surveillance cameras burglarizing an apartment at the Marco Polo Condominium on Kapiolani Boulevard on April 22.

Police are asking for the public's help in identifying two men and a woman suspected of burglarizing an apartment at the Marco Polo condominium at 2333 Kapiolani Boulevard on April 22.

The suspects, pictured above, were videotaped at about 10 p.m. by surveillance cameras entering the building empty-handed, then leaving a few minutes later with luggage.

The resident returned home to find his apartment ransacked and designer suits and shoes, jewelry, computer and electronic equipment stolen.

The first suspect is described as a man in his late 20s to early 30s, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, with a medium build, shaved head, medium complexion, a mustache and goatee. The second suspect is described as a woman in her 30s, 5 feet 3 inches tall, 130 pounds with a medium build, brown mid-back-length hair, with a fair complexion. The third suspect is described as a man in his late 20s, 5 feet 10 inches, weighing 180 pounds with a muscular build.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Davin Futa at 733-8733 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300, *CRIME on a cell phone.

Alleged attack leaves boyfriend out on limb

Police arrested a 21-year-old man at his mother's home a few hours after he allegedly struck his 19-year-old girlfriend several times with a tree branch.

Police said the couple was arguing in the Costco Iwilei parking lot Friday around 3:40 p.m. when the suspect hit his girlfriend and fled the scene. The suspect was arrested for second-degree assault.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Fire destroys pasture near South Point

A fire that burned about 900 acres of grassland near South Point on the Big Island several days ago caused an estimated $90,000 loss for Hawaiian Homes Land since livestock will not be able to graze there anymore, the Big Island fire department said.

Firefighters have contained the fire, but do not have it under control.

Since the land was mostly open range with grass and brush, no evacuations were necessary. However, officials were forced to close roads in the area. No injuries or other property damage were reported.