Car thief takes top judge's Toyota

Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald Moon's car was stolen last week.

The state-owned vehicle, a black Toyota Highlander Hybrid, was parked in front of the chief justice's home when it was stolen between 10 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday, according to Marsha Kitagawa, spokeswoman for the state Judiciary.

An auto theft report was filed with police, said Michelle Yu, spokeswoman for the Honolulu Police Department. Police have no suspects, she said earlier this week.

Honolulu slips in literacy ranking

An annual study ranks urban Honolulu as 22nd among major cities in literacy.

Honolulu's ranking is below Tulsa, Okla., and above Oakland, Calif. New York City was ranked 24th.

Honolulu was 18th of 71 cities last year.

The America's Most Literate Cities study looks at newspaper readership, Internet usage, library staffing and circulation, book sales and educational attainment to rank cities.

Honolulu ranked ninth in the number of people with a high school diploma and/or bachelor's degree but came in 30th in library staffing and circulation, and 33rd in newspaper circulation. The study was conducted by John Miller, president of Central Connecticut State University.

It can be accessed online at http://www.ccsu.edu/AMLC08/ default.htm.

Funds will improve school's library

HILO » Gov. Linda Lingle has released $356,100 for health and safety improvements at the Keaau Public and School Library. The library, which serves the general public as well as students, is at Keaau Middle School, five miles south of Hilo.

The money will be used to replace the library roof, improve the fire alarm system and upgrade the exit lighting system. Construction will start in March and is expected to finish in September, the Governor's Office said.

The library improvements are part of a $1.87 billion economic stimulus program involving 1,521 projects, Lingle said.

Ferreira tapped to be deputy chief

HILO » Deputy Police Chief Harry S. Kubojiri has named Assistant Chief Paul Ferreira to be his deputy chief when Kubojiri is sworn in as chief next month.

Ferreira, who joined the Hawaii Police Department in July 1982, has worked as a patrol officer and a detective and held several positions in the Administrative Bureau. He has been assistant chief in the Administrative Bureau since 2007.

Under the Hawaii County Charter, the chief appoints the deputy chief subject to confirmation by the Police Commission, which will meet Tuesday to vote on the appointment. Chief Lawrence K. Mahuna retires Wednesday.

Law school to hold info session

An information session will be held next week for those interested in attending the University of Hawaii's William S. Richardson School of Law.

The session will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the law school's Moot Court Room. Those interested in admission to the law school must take the Law School Admission Test by Feb. 7 and must submit an application by March 1.

To RSVP or for more information, e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Seniors offered gym memberships

Members of Kaiser Permanente Hawaii's Senior Advantage Plan may obtain Silver&Fit benefits with a free fitness club membership or home fitness program.

Seniors may choose from a list of nearly 60 local fitness clubs, including YMCAs, 24-Hour Fitness and Curves, Kaiser announced. The clubs will offer special classes and activities for Silver&Fit seniors. Those who are not Kaiser members also can join the Senior Advantage Program and participate in Silver&Fit events.

The program includes social events for Senior Advantage members, health information and a complimentary subscription to the Silver Slate, a quarterly newspaper.

A Silver&Fit Home Fitness Program also is offered to seniors who want to exercise at home. It includes hand-held weights, exercise classes on DVD and an exercise cord. A Silver&Fit Walking Kit that includes a pedometer also is available.

The enrollment period for Senior Advantage individual and group plans ends Wednesday.

For more information about Senior Advantage and Silver&Fit benefits, call (800) 805-2739 or see kp.org/silverandfit.