Mayor Kim backs ex-aide Kenoi

HILO » Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim is endorsing his former right hand man to be the Big Island's next mayor.

Kim praises both candidates vying to be mayor, former mayoral executive assistant Billy Kenoi and Hawaii County Councilman Angel Pilago.

But Kim says Kenoi would be able to build on some of the gains he's made working at the mayor's office.

And Kim says Kenoi has the right education, intellect, dedication and commitment for the job.

The mayor spoke from his home where he is recovering from triple bypass heart surgery. He is ineligible to run again because of term limits.

Kim hired Kenoi to coordinate a plan to attack Hawaii County's drug problem in 2001. He also coached Kenoi on Waiakea High's football team in the mid-1980s.

Kilauea unloads sulfur dioxide

Sulfur dioxide continues to spew in high amounts from the Halemaumau and Puu Oo vents of Kilauea volcano on the Big Island, with lava flowing into the ocean at Waikupanaha, west of Kalapana, the U.S. Geological Survey reported yesterday.

At Halemaumau, the most recent measurement of sulfur dioxide emissions, 1,200 tons Friday, was eight times the average daily output of 140 tons for the years 2003-2007, the USGS said. The plume was generally heading south or southwest.

That same amount spewed Friday from Puu Oo, but that was below background levels for that vent since 2005, the agency reported.

Sulfur dioxide is a noxious gas that in high concentrations can pose a threat to people who have asthma or other respiratory conditions, according to the state Department of Health.

Stars' publicist to discuss drugs

Gary Stromberg, a former substance abuser and publicist for The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Muhammad Ali, Barbra Streisand and Elton John, will be guest speaker at a Hina Mauka dinner Oct. 22.

The event, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki Kauai Ballroom, will be a benefit for the nonprofit addiction treatment and recovery organization.

Stromberg quit using drugs about 25 years ago, built a successful public relations business and has written books about recovery. He is co-author of “;The Harder They Fall: Celebrities Tell Their Real-Life Stories of Addiction and Recovery.”;

The dinner will feature a silent auction and entertainment by vocalist Melveen Leed.

Tickets are $125 per person. See http://www.hinamauka.org or call Anderson at 447-5227 for more information or to register.

Lingle to attend Bali conference

Gov. Linda Lingle and 500 scholars, educators, government officials and business leaders will meet in Bali, Indonesia, next month for an East-West Center conference on building diversity.

The conference, which will take place Nov. 13-15, is themed “;Building an Asia Pacific Community: Unity in Diversity.”;

Conference sessions will cover democracy and Islam, global warming, international relations, innovation, health and business.

Kauai after-school project begins

KAPAA, Kauai » A new after-school program aimed at preventing teen pregnancies is opening at Kauai's Kapaa Middle School.

The Holomua After-School Program will cater to children ages 11 to 13 between 2:30 and 5 p.m.

Lt. Gov. James “;Duke”; Aiona says the program will give structure to children growing up in homes with two working parents or a single working parent.

Students in Kapaa Middle School program will learn about robotics and how to cook, and their food will be donated to the homeless.

The after-school program is part of a $2.4 million statewide effort started four years ago that benefits more than 4,100 students in 19 middle schools. It's paid for with federal funds.