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Dangerous coqui frog remedy raises alarm

Dangerous misinformation has been posted about how to apply hydrated lime to battle the infestation of coqui frogs, the state Department of Agriculture said recently.

An anonymous posting in Pahoa on the Big Island promotes the use of leaf blowers to distribute hydrated lime dust across a wide area, a practice that is illegal and extremely dangerous, the department said.

In fact, aside from agricultural applications, using the dust form of the chemical is illegal because it is hazardous to humans and animals, officials said. Residents are allowed to use only a 3 percent solution in a liquid form to spray on foliage or drench the soil.

"We cannot emphasize enough the proper use of hydrated lime," said Sandra Lee Kunimoto, chairwoman of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. "If misused, this chemical may cause irreversible eye damage and skin burns, and is harmful if swallowed or absorbed through the sin, and may be fatal if inhaled."

The department's Pesticides Branch has made it a priority to investigate reported misuse of hydrated lime, branch manager Robert Boesch said.

Free sessions offered on anxiety disorders

The Hawaii Clinical Research Center is offering two free presentations and panel discussions on anxiety disorders at 4 and 6 p.m. today in the Hibiscus Ballroom, Ala Moana Hotel. The sessions are open to the public and health care providers. Several specialists are expected to speak.

Farrington collecting containers for grads

Farrington High School's "Dollars for Scholars" recycling program kicks off Saturday, hoping to turn your unwanted cans and plastic bottles into college opportunities for graduates.

A recycling bin on the school campus will accept empty beverage containers from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The recycling bin will be located at the Ewa end of the North King Street campus. The program is organized by the Farrington Alumni and Community Foundation.

Northwestern islands topic of slide show

Wildlife of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands will feature in a slide show and talk tonight by renowned photographers Susan Middleton and David Liittschwager at Hanauma Bay.

The free program will feature photos and comments from the artistic duo, who spent two years at various locations in the wild islands that reach 1,200 miles northwest of Kauai.

The show begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Hanauma Bay Theater and will run about one hour.

Today also marks the first day of Middleton and Liittschwager's free exhibit "Archipelago: Portraits of Life in the World's Most Remote Island Sanctuary," which will be on display through Sept. 30 at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

More information on the exhibit can be found at www.honoluluacademy.org/exh/upcoming.htm.

Parking and entrance to Hanauma Bay are free after 4:30 p.m. No reservations required for tonight's event.

Kalihi Nature Park plan to be presented

A video about the proposed Kalihi Nature Park and a presentation about what was learned during its environmental assessment will open a public meeting Sept. 22.

The 7 p.m. meeting at Kalihi District Park, Kamehameha IV Road, will include a question-and-comment session about the park.

Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services, a health center that serves valley residents, is coordinating a grass-roots coalition of Kalihi residents and agencies that hope to convert 100 acres of unused state land into a nature park that will offer hiking, picnicking, camping, hula and cultural studies, a community garden and restoration of native forest plants.

An environmental assessment of the park plans will be submitted to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, which owns the land. When that report is filed with the state Office of Environmental Quality Control, it will be available on Kokua Kalihi Valley's Web site, www.kkv.net.

For more information, contact Gary Gill at 791-9469 or GGill@kkv.net.

KTA stores to donate to Big Island schools

HILO » Big Island supermarket chain KTA Super Stores and allied companies will donate $100,000 to the island's schools to help promote scientific knowledge, the company announced.

Since the Kokua i Na Kula program started in 1994, $960,000 has been donated to Big Island schools, KTA said.

The supermarket is joined in the effort by Kraft Foods Hawaii, Frito-Lay, Hawaiian Sun, Kimberly-Clark, Pepsi and United Natural Foods.

Store customers get points for buying certain products. They then designate a school to receive the points, which are later calculated as cash payments.

This year's program began Aug. 29 and goes to Nov. 15. Funds will be distributed in January.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

HONOLULU

Man held after key laceration

Police arrested a 45-year-old man after he allegedly used his keys to injure another man Tuesday night.

The incident took place about 9:45 p.m. near 1217 Hopaka St. The suspect had accused the victim, 40, of having an affair with his wife and then allegedly used his keys to punch the victim in the face, causing a deep laceration.

Police were called, and officers arrested the suspect for investigation of second-degree assault.