Newswatch Star-Bulletin staff and wire service

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Speakers to discuss indigenous issues

The Indigenous Politics Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa will begin its annual speakers series next week.

Lt. Gov. Jefferson Keel of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma will speak about the current state of the nation and issues of tribal self-determination and governance from 12:30 to 2 p.m. tomorrow in Saunders Room 624 and from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hawaiian Studies Halau o Haumea.

From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, a panel presentation on "Of Shadows and Doubts: Indians and Blacks and the Legacy of Jim Crow" will feature Brian Klopotek of the University of Oregon, UH-Manoa political science assistant professor Jodi Byrd and Miles Jackson, dean emeritus of the library and information science program, talking about the racial politics and relationships between blacks and the Louisiana Indian population.

The seminar will be held in Saunders Room 624 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Klopotek will also speak from 12:30 to 2 p.m. April 19 in Saunders 624 on federal recognition of the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians of Louisiana.

Symposium focuses on same-sex marriage

A symposium at the University of Hawaii law school will look at same-sex marriage more than 10 years after a court decision thrust the state into a national battle over the issue.

The symposium is broken into three parts and will look at same-sex marriage politically, culturally and spiritually.

The first session, titled "Marriage: The Institution," was on Wednesday.

Tomorrow's symposium, titled "Marriage: The Battles," will bring together key participants in same-sex marriage struggles in Hawaii and nationwide.

The April 19 symposium, "Marriage and Its Implications," highlights the debate around same-sex marriage and the implications for marriage politics, including issues of health care, domestic violence and welfare/poverty.

The American Friends Service Committee, the UH Richardson Law School and several other local organizations are sponsoring the symposium.

For more information, contact Robin Nussbaum at 781-4454 or Trisha Nakamura at 741-3502.

Grants available for anti-'ice' programs

Applications for funding for crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," prevention programs are being accepted until Friday.

The Hawaii Community Foundation's 2006 Crystal Meth Initiative has about $500,000 available for organizations on Oahu. Awards of up to $75,000 will be made per grant. Only projects that include a clear and specific drug prevention and education plan will be funded, according to a release.

Grant proposals should be for youth and adult programs to reduce and prevent drug use by mobilizing local communities and filling gaps in community prevention services.

For more information and to download an application, visit www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org or call program officer Clarysse Kami Nunokawa on the Big Island at 808-961-9216 or Program Associate Teri Kauina in Honolulu at 566-5549. The-toll free number from the neighbor islands is 888-731-3863.

Cultural day to feature performances, exhibits

Cultural exhibits, a parade and stage performances will mark Hawaii Pacific University's 22nd Annual Intercultural Day on April 21, the school announced in a news release.

The event will feature the different countries and cultures of HPU students.

Exhibits from countries including Japan, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Taiwan, Brazil, Norway, Korea, Singapore, Kenya, Thailand, Latin America, China, Samoa, Denmark, France and Malaysia will be on display at the mall in front of HPU's downtown campus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

At 11:30 a.m., HPU international students in traditional dress from their home countries will parade through downtown Honolulu.

Stage performances, including traditional music and dance and the HPU International Chorale and Vocal Ensemble, will take place from 1 to 4 p.m.

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Nature Conservancy gets $5,000 donation

Haleakala Ranch of Maui donated $5,000 to the Nature Conservancy's Corporate Council for the Environment.

The Corporate Council is a coalition of more than 100 local businesses that have contributed millions to protect the environment. Haleakala Ranch signed a conservation easement with the conservancy to manage 5,000 acres of valuable watershed.

» The Waipahu Community Foundation awarded its quarterly (April-June) grants to Waipahu Public Library ($1,325); Honowai Elementary School ($1,350); Gentry-Waipio, Crestview, Seaview Friends of Youth ($4,250); Boy Scout Troop 76 ($4,320); Waipahu Community Association (for the Waipahu High School Project Graduation, $4,000); and Boy Scout Unit 368 ($2,650).

Call Cal Kawamoto at 677-9455 or 306-2381 for grant applications for next quarter's funding, July through September, due June 2.

» Jannie Tan, a senior at Iolani School, won the 68th Annual American Legion, Department of Hawaii, National High School Oratorical Contest held at Sacred Hearts Academy on March 11. The purpose of the contest is to encourage high schools students to develop a better understanding of the U.S. Constitution.

Tan will represent Hawaii at the national finals in Indianapolis April 21-23. First prize in the nationals is an $18,000 scholarship, while second place nets $16,000 and third place $14,000 scholarships.

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Police, Fire, Courts Star-Bulletin staff

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EAST OAHU

Woman dies after crash in Aina Haina

A 40-year-old woman driving a silver 1999 Toyota Corolla died from injuries she sustained in a traffic accident at 6:50 a.m. yesterday in Aina Haina.

Police said the woman was exiting onto Kalanianaole Highway from a private driveway near East Hind Drive when her car was struck by a Mazda 626 heading toward Hawaii Kai on the highway.

The Medical Examiner's Office identified the woman as Dana Alama-Yap.

Yap and her front-seat passenger, a 15-year-old boy, were taken in critical condition to the Queen's Medical Center, where she later died.

The driver of the Mazda, a 26-year-old Aiea man, had minor injuries but refused treatment at the scene, police said.

Police said speed might have been a factor in the crash.

HONOLULU

Man, 20, allegedly steals girlfriend's car

Police arrested a 20-year-old man after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and took her vehicle early yesterday.

The incident took place near Date and Palani streets just after midnight. Police said the man and his girlfriend, 23, were on their way home from a bar when he became angry.

In the parking lot of the couple's apartment building, the man allegedly threatened his girlfriend with a knife, assaulted her, then took her vehicle.

Police found the man later and arrested him for investigation of first-degree robbery, first-degree terroristic threatening and abuse of a household member.

LEEWARD OAHU

Waianae man arrested for alleged sex assault

Police arrested a 56-year-old man who allegedly tried to sexually assault a woman in his Waianae home Sunday.

Police said the man is an acquaintance of the woman, 33, and that he tried to force himself on her after she accepted a ride to his house about 6 p.m. While struggling with the woman, the man allegedly tore her clothes and head-butted her.

After the alleged attack, the man agreed to take the woman to a relative's house, police said. Once there, the man was chased from the property by the woman and her husband in their vehicle. A patrol officer saw the chase along Farrington Highway and investigated, and arrested the man later for investigation of attempted first-degree sexual assault.