Kim loses driver's license for year

Honolulu Liquor Commission Vice Chairman Danny Kim will lose his license for one year because he refused to take a breath and blood test after police stopped him in Kaimuki and smelled alcohol on his breath.

Kim was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving at about 1:50 a.m. Feb. 19.

According to state documents of the arrest, a Honolulu police officer saw Kim's car almost rear-end another vehicle on Makapuu Avenue near Kapiolani Community College. Kim then drove through an intersection with a four-way stop without coming to a complete stop and drove as fast at 40 mph in a 25 mph zone, the documents said.

The officer pulled Kim over and noted a strong odor of alcohol when he approached Kim's window. Kim's eyes were glassy and bloodshot, and his speech was slow and slurred, the officer reported.

Kim apologized for speeding and disregarding the stop sign and said he was trying to follow a friend home. He said he had “;just got the car and was having some fun,”; the officer reported.

Officer Roddy Tsunezumi arrived on scene and administered a field sobriety test to Kim, which he failed.

Dennis Enomoto, chairman of the Liquor Commission, said Kim told him he will resign from his position, which he has held since 2003.

Big Isle hospital holding open house

Big Islanders are invited to an informal open house at North Hawaii Community Hospital from 6 to 8 p.m. tomorrow.

The event will feature an update on the hospital, which underwent a financial crisis last year with many layoffs and administrative changes.

Bob Momsen, president of the hospital's board of directors, will present the latest information, and those attending will have a chance to talk to John White, the new chief executive officer, physicians and hospital staff.

“;So often we only see you when you or a loved one needs care,”; said Momsen. “;The open house is a way we can share our fine hospital in a different light and let you see firsthand how much we have to offer towards keeping the Big Island healthy.”;

Coffee and dessert will follow the open house in the Cafe and Mauna Loa/Mauna Kea Rooms.

The 39-bed acute-care medical center in Waimea was rated as the No. 1 hospital in the state and among the top 10 percent nationally in the 2007 Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey.

The nonprofit facility is managed by Quorum Health Resources.

For information, see http://www.NHCH.com or call 885-4444.

Driving smart to save gas is topic

Motorists interested in saving gas and getting maximum mileage from their vehicles can attend a free talk on driving at Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library on Thursday.

The library will host “;Driving Smart: Basics that Save You Money and the Environment,”; at 5:45 p.m.

The hourlong event will feature George Nitta, who has 30 years of experience in the automotive repair industry.