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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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Hirono to address airport issues on panel
U.S. Rep Mazie Hirono has been assigned to House subcommittees that will tackle issues for Hawaii's airports and Oahu's mass transit system. She will serve on three subcommittees under the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee: Highways and Transit; Water Resources and Environment; and Aviation.
Hirono wanted the Highways and Transit Subcommittee assignment because of "Hawaii's current dependence on our highway system and our future involvement in mass transit," she said in a news release.
The Water Resources Infrastructure Committee: Highways and Transit; Water Resources and Subcommittee has jurisdiction over projects in Hawaii through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers like the Ala Wai Watershed Study and Hawaii Dam Break Analysis.
Hirono said the Aviation Subcommittee will help her to "be a strong voice for Hawaii." Hirono also holds positions in higher-education subcommittees under the House Education and Labor Committee.
Civil Defense to test its emergency sirens
The State Civil Defense will test its warning sirens and the Emergency Alert System on Thursday at 11:45 a.m.
The monthly siren test is the attention/alert signal, a steady 45-second tone on all sirens to alert the public about any emergency that poses a threat to life and property. In addition to natural and technological hazards, the emergency system could be used to warn the public of terrorist incidents or acts of war.
Upon hearing the signal, the public should turn on radios or televisions for information and instructions broadcast by civil defense agencies. Designated radio stations will carry detailed explanations of what sirens mean during the monthly test.
Tests are normally conducted on the first working day of the month. Civil defense disaster preparedness information is located in the front section of the Hawaiian Telecom white and yellow pages directories, and the Paradise Yellow Pages phone directories.
State ceremony to honor Aiea teacher
A second-grade teacher at Aiea Elementary School was to be honored today as one of 15 finalists for the state's Teacher of Promise award.
Maile Bajet was expected to be recognized for her work with a certificate from the House of Representatives in a ceremony at 1 p.m. at Aiea Elementary.
The Milken Family National Educator Awards Program, which sponsors the award, has recognized educators in 48 states and the District of Columbia.
SHINING STARS
$5,000 gift to rehab hospital helps improve care for obese patients
The
Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific received $5,000 from
Friends of Hawaii Charities, host of the
Sony Open in Hawaii, for a bariatric bed system to support obese patients.
The bed system allows more accessibility to special services for patients who weigh 350 to 500 pounds or are 6 feet or taller, said Melanie Ocol, registered nurse.
"It also gives patients a better sleep in a wider and longer bed and assists the therapists and nursing staff with getting patients out of bed, as it places the patient in a full sitting position with the foot of the bed touching the ground," she said.
Ko Miyataki, REHAB Foundation president, said the hospital is grateful to the Friends of Hawaii Charities for continuing support in providing comprehensive, cost-effective rehabilitation services.
"This latest gift really helps our large population and serves a real need: providing better care for the patients while reducing injuries among caregivers as they tend to heavier patients in a safer environment," Miyataki said.