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Research ship is back at sea after repairs

The research ship Hi'ialakai returned to sea last week, after two weeks in port to repair damage from a fire in its control room Aug. 29 near French Frigate Shoals.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ship will be conducting a shortened version of its original 35-day scientific voyage that was cut short by the fire, said Cmdr. Scott Kuester.

Kuester said a circuit breaker malfunctioned and caused the fire, which then shut down the ship's port propellor, forcing it to return to Honolulu.

The ship is headed to French Frigate Shoals, Maro Reef, Pearl & Hermes Reef, Midway, Kure and Mokumanamana islands.

Students invited to consider medicine

Hawaii physicians will describe the joys and challenges of their medical specialty at a symposium for students from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Waialae Building, 3660 Waialae Ave., first floor.

EyeSight Hawaii is working with high schools on the "Hawaii Future Physicians Symposium and Scholarship" to encourage students interested in a medical career.

Student essays describing why they want to be doctors will be reviewed by a panel of judges and $500 presented to the student with the best one on Saturday.

Dr. John Olkowski and EyeSight Hawaii Vision Institute are sponsoring the symposium and scholarship. Olkowski decided to become an ophthalmologist after attending a "Future Physicians Symposium" in high school in New Jersey.

For more information, call EyeSight Hawaii, 735-1935 or toll-free from the neighbor islands, 877-735-1935.

Eye surgery the topic of free talk for seniors

"New Eye Surgeries for Old Eye Problems" will be the topic of a talk by Dr. John Olkowski, EyeSight Hawaii chief surgeon and medical director, at 11 a.m. Sept. 23 at the free Hawaii Seniors Fair in Meeting Room 6 of the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.

Residents also are asked to donate used eye glasses at EyeSight Hawaii Vision Institute's booth, 123 and 124. The institute has joined with the Lions Club Foundation to help increase donations of eyeglasses for the needy.

The institute accepts used eyeglasses all year at 3660 Waialae Ave., Suite 304.

Oncologist to discuss lung cancer treatment

Dr. John Lederer, radiation oncologist at the Queen's Medical Center, will discuss "Lung Cancer: Myths, Facts and Choices," at 6 p.m. Sept. 28 in the Queen's Conference Center Auditorium, 510 S. Beretania St.

The free community lecture is part of a series sponsored by Queen's to help the public understand health and medical topics.

Reservations are required because of limited space. Call the Queen's Referral Line, 537-7117, to register.

Parking is available for $5 in the Miller Street parking garage.

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Police, Fire, Courts



By Star-Bulletin staff

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

24-year-old drowns off Big Island

A 24-year-old man apparently drowned yesterday in rough seas off Hilo, police said.

The man was identified as James Given, of Hilo. Police said he was swimming off Richardson Beach Park when he was overcome by waves and a strong current about 2:35 p.m.

The victim's friend tried to rescue him, but was unable to. Lifeguards got to the victim with a helicopter and administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

He was taken to the Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 3:34 p.m.

Hiker found after 3 days in thick forest

A hiker who had been missing for three days on the Big Island was found uninjured yesterday.

The man, whose age was not released, walked out of a forested area near Wright Road in Kawailani about 2:52 p.m., according to the Big Island fire department. Firefighters had been searching for a third day by air and on foot since sunrise for the man, who had gone into the forest Thursday to pick plants.

Two search teams scoured Kulani Forest for the hiker, while a Hawaii County Fire Department helicopter covered a 30-square-mile area. Firefighters said the forest was thick, with uneven terrain. They said the hiker likely got lost when he strayed from the trail.

CENTRAL OAHU

3 boys arrested for alleged burglary

Police arrested three 17-year-old boys who allegedly threatened another 17-year-old boy and ransacked his home looking for valuables in Mililani Friday.

The victim had been walking home from school at about 1 p.m. when two of the suspects grabbed him and forced him into a vehicle, which was owned by another suspect, police said.

While in the back seat of the suspect vehicle one of the suspects allegedly beat the victim and told him he owed the suspect's friend some money.

The suspects allegedly drove the victim to his home and ransacked his parents' room and living room while looking for money and valuables then fled the scene.

Police later arrested all three suspects for kidnapping and first-degree burglary. They were released pending an investigation.