Sailor sentenced for abuse on jet

A Hawaii-based sailor was sentenced to seven years in federal prison after he sexually assaulted a teenager aboard an airplane.

Shawn Michael Cole, 40, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton in Phoenix after he earlier pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact. Upon completion of his sentence, Cole will be placed on supervised release for life and must register as a sex offender.

In January, Cole was sitting next to a 13-year-old girl who was traveling with her father from Honolulu to Phoenix. Sometime during the flight, her father moved a few rows away.

Officials said Cole chatted with the girl, shared a movie with her on his computer and paid for her snacks.

When Cole thought the teenager was sleeping, he began to molest her. Afraid, the girl continued to pretend that she was sleeping, officials said.

A flight attendant noticed Cole inappropriately touching the victim and separated them. Cole was arrested upon arrival in Phoenix.

Bill boosts federal retirement pay

Nearly 20,000 federal and postal workers in Hawaii would benefit from a bipartisan retirement legislation moving through Congress, U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka announced yesterday.

The proposed Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act would address retirement inequities of federal workers in Hawaii, Alaska and U.S. territories. The bill passed the Senate yesterday and moves to the House.

It would allow federal workers in those areas to receive compensation for higher living costs that would be factored toward their retirement. Currently, federal employees only in Hawaii and Alaska get cost of living allowances that are not taxed but also do not count toward retirement, causing them to retire with lower pay rates than workers on the mainland, Akaka said in a news release.

State quarter release is slated

Officials will celebrate the first strike of the Hawaii Quarter in a ceremony to be held Oct. 14 in Denver.

Gov. Linda Lingle is expected to attend to celebrate the 50th and final quarter minted in the 50 State Quarters Program.

The official launch of the coin will be held on Nov. 10 in Honolulu, marking the end of the 50 State Quarters Program.

Designed by U.S. Mint Sculptor Engraver Don Everhart, the reverse side of the Hawaii quarter features King Kamehameha I with one of his arms outstretched toward the islands. The state motto, “;Ua mau ke ea o ka aina I ka pono”; - “;The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness”; - is inscribed on the coin.

The design was selected by Lingle and the Hawaii Commemorative Quarter Advisory Commission. Other designs that were proposed included a hula dancer, a surfer and Diamond Head.

'Idol' grant targets Kalihi school

An “;American Idol”; program to raise awareness of poverty in American communities will benefit low-income families in Kalihi-Palama.

Some 300 students at Kaiulani Elementary School on North King Street will receive food to take home for the weekend once each month through a $17,355 grant. The food is intended to nourish the youngsters so they have energy and focus to devote to their studies, according to a news release.

The Hawaii Foodbank will administer the grant from Charity Projects Entertainment Fund, which teamed up with Fox network and the popular television program to present “;Idol Gives Back,”; a two-night fundraising special about anti-poverty resources for children.

The Food 4 Keiki Backpack Program will also be funded by a grant from America's Second Harvest, a national food bank network, and from the ABS Foundation.

Native health program gets grant

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has awarded $50,000 to Ke Ola Mamo to improve access to specialty health care for native Hawaiians on the neighbor islands and to update its billing and data management system.

Ke Ola Mamo on Oahu is one of five native Hawaiian Health Care systems in the state. The grant will be used to help neighbor island clients obtain health care services available only on Oahu.

Ke Ola Mamo also will use the funding to improve its billing system, enhance its ability to obtain third-party reimbursements and integrate patient service data into its data management system.

Group can aid victims of abuse

A nonprofit organization is offering help to domestic abuse victims who need temporary restraining orders.

Ala Kuola was formed in 2006 to assist victims of domestic violence file temporary restraining orders in Family Court. It also helps those unable to attend required court appointments.

The group can be reached at 545-1880.