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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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Kamehameha endowment grows
The value of Kamehameha Schools' endowment increased last year by $1.39 billion to nearly $9.06 billion, according to a news release issued yesterday.
The 22.3 percent jump in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, marks the third consecutive year of increases for the state's largest private landowner.
The endowment grew 13.2 percent in 2005 and 17 percent in 2006.
"Endowment's overall success is a result of prudent investment and land management and a talented and dedicated management and support team," said Kirk Belsby, Kamehameha's vice president of endowment, in the release.
The more the charitable trust makes, the more it can spend on education, Belsby said.
The school spent $250 million last fiscal year for campus-based and community outreach programs and capital projects and repairs, a nearly $30 million increase over the previous fiscal year.
It s spending policy sets a target of 4 percent of the five-year average market value of its endowment to be spent annually on education.
Kamehameha must spend between 2.5 percent and 6 percent of its average endowment value during the previous five years on education programs, according to a policy approved by Probate Court. The trust was established under the 1883 will of Hawaii Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.
Meanwhile, Kamehameha said the number of children and families affected by its campus and community programs rose 27 percent, to nearly 36,000 students from 28,000, and more than 30,000 additional learners served through onetime or intake programs.
"Last fiscal year was an incredible year, where everyone at Kamehameha Schools found ways to reach out to Hawaiian communities," said Dee Jay Mailer, chief executive officer of Kamehameha Schools. "From our students and families, to our staff and alumni, all minds were seeking ways to extend Pauahi''s legacy -- it was amazing."
Feds pay cash for uninsured care
The state has received $120 million in federal funds to help private and public hospitals, a Department of Human Services news release said.
The money will help the state's 16 private and 12 public hospitals pay for the treatment of uninsured patients over eight years. The money will be distributed starting in July.
Since 2005, the department has obtained $175 million in federal support for hospitals, the release said.
DHS also said it has expanded the state's Medicaid programs so more residents can have access to health insurance.
Summit will vet energy answers
A three-day summit billed as an event to "initiate change in world energy culture," is scheduled for Hawaii in April.
The global Blue Planet Summit invitational was conceived by the Honolulu-based nonprofit Blue Planet Foundation, founded by philanthropist, entrepreneur and video gaming pioneer Henk B. Rogers, organizers said in a news release.
"We created the Blue Planet Summit to change the world," Rogers said in a statement. "We need to act now to end the use of carbon-based fuels.
"We will bring together brilliant minds from the realms of science, engineering, business, technology, politics and culture to find sustainable solutions that can be implemented to stabilize the earth's climate.
Those scheduled to attend include U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, University of Hawaii President David McClain and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The gathering is scheduled for April 3-5 at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa in Ko Olina.
For more information visit www.blueplanetsummit.org.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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Neighbor Islands
Man dies in crash on Big Island
Big Island police said a 52-year-old man died last night following a two-vehicle collision in the Mountain View area.
The accident occurred on Route 11, shortly after 5 p.m. Further details were not available last night.
A 26-year-old man was driving the other vehicle. The younger man's condition was not available.
WINDWARD OAHU
Police say driver rammed vehicle
A 27-year-old woman was arrested in Waimanalo yesterday after allegedly driving her vehicle into another man's vehicle.
Police said the woman also shoved the man and injured him. The woman was arrested at about 6:25 p.m. on suspicion of second-degree assault and second-degree criminal property damage.
LEEWARD OAHU
Student allegedly threatens teacher
Police arrested an 18-year-old boy Friday at a Waianae school on suspicion of first-degree terroristic threatening.
Police said the boy allegedly threatened to fist-fight his 36-year-old male teacher Thursday after he tried to stop him from going off campus during school hours.
15-year-old boy accused of threat
A 15-year-old boy was arrested Friday for allegedly threatening his teacher at a Pearl City public school.
Police said the boy made threats against the teacher after the teacher confiscated a small packet of marijuana from the student.
Police arrested the teenager for investigation of first-degree terroristic threatening and third-degree promotion of detrimental drugs.
EAST OAHU
Man arrested in alleged assault
Police arrested a 46-year-old man in an assault case last month.
The suspect lives with a 53-year-old woman in Hawaii Kai. On Jan. 17, the two got into an argument, and the suspect allegedly beat the woman until she became unconscious.
The suspect was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of second-degree assault.
NORTH SHORE
North Shore woman missing
Police are asking for help in finding a missing 41-year-old North Shore woman.
Katherine Schmittler was last seen by friends about 9 a.m. Feb. 1 at her North Shore home, and has not been seen or heard from since, police said. Schmittler is Caucasian, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 140 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing blue denim shorts and a yellow shirt.
Anyone with information concerning her whereabouts is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cell phone.
CENTRAL OAHU
Husband accused of choking wife
Police arrested a 21-year-old Wahiawa man Thursday who allegedly choked his 18-year-old wife and punched her several times during an argument at about 1:20 p.m. Thursday in Wahiawa, police said.
Officers arrested the man on suspicion of abuse of household member.