3 new Swine flu cases confirmed

Hawaii's swine flu cases now total 33, with the addition of three new H1N1 cases confirmed by the state Department of Health, including two at public schools.

One of the cases reported yesterday was at Anuenue School, where a teacher and 10 children have been infected since May 13. The other school case was a child at Mililani Mauka Elementary School.

A preschool-age child with no link to the other patients was the third case confirmed yesterday, said Janice Okubo, DOH spokeswoman.

She said all the victims are recovering at home with no serious illness. All schools are remaining open as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, she said.

The Department of Education said Mililani Mauka Elementary disinfected its campus and was sending letters home to parents. Anuenue Elementary notified parents via the school Web site.

Thunderbirds to 'wing' over Hickam

The Air Force's aerial demonstration team, the Thunderbirds, will perform Sept. 19-20 over Hickam Air Force Base.

The “;Wings Over The Pacific”; show will include the Army's Golden Knights parachute team, airplane displays, food and drink vendors and other activities.

This is Hickam's first open house since 2003. The Thunderbirds' last performance in Hawaii was in September 2007, and their F-16 aerial flights took place off Waikiki beach. A month later the Navy's Blue Angels put on an aerial show over Kaneohe Bay at Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Surfing legend alleges he was libeled

Legendary waterman Richard “;Buffalo”; Keaulana and his wife, Evangeline “;Momi”; Keaulana, are suing the author and publisher of a book released last month because they say the book contains defamatory, libelous and slanderous statements about them.

The lawsuit, filed yesterday in state court, names as defendants Stuart H. Coleman and St. Martin's Press.

The Keaulanas claim that the book contains false statements that they are illicit drug users, organized crime figures and engaged in other illegal conduct.

They also say Coleman failed to provide them the opportunity to approve or disapprove of any of the book's contents as he had promised.

Coleman did not respond to telephone and e-mail messages seeking comment.

Neighbor Islands

Kilauea, Kauai » Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge will receive $120,000 in federal stimulus money, according to a release from U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. The money will be used for rehabilitation work on Kilauea Point Lighthouse.

Paihi, Maui » Replacement of the Paihi Bridge on the highway between Hana and Kipahulu has been delayed a week because of complications caused by geological conditions, according to Maui County. The highway at the 45-mile marker near Kipahulu will reopen June 1. The contractor will continue a shuttle service for residents in the meantime. The bridge was damaged in the October 2006 earthquakes.

West Hawaii » The state, Hawaii County and the National Park Service have approved a memorandum of understanding to manage the only National Historic Trail designation in Hawaii. The Ala Kahakai, when completed, will be a 175-mile system of coastal trails that connect shoreline communities, all four national parks on the Big Island, state and county parks, natural areas and resort and rural communities in West Hawaii. It is one of 18 National Historic Trail designations in the country.