Baby found on sofa dies

A 1 1/2 -month-old Kaneohe baby girl was found unresponsive by her father early yesterday morning on a sofa where she had been sleeping with her mother.

The infant was taken from home to Castle Medical Center, where she died.

The father got up during the night and found the baby face down and unconscious on the sofa, police said.

The case, classified as an unattended death, is pending an autopsy, which is scheduled for today.

Last-minute donations sought for Waianae grads

State Rep. Maile Shimabukuro is asking for the public's help in raising money needed to run Waianae High School's Project Graduation, an alcohol- and drug-free celebration.

“;Project Graduation is an important high school experience in Hawaii,”; Shimabukuro (D, Waianae) said in a written statement. “;These kids deserve a night of fun for all their hard work. I encourage everyone who is able to donate any amount of money to help make Project Grad a reality for our Waianae students.”;

Because of the recent state budget cuts in funding for Project Graduation, parents and committee members worked to seek sponsors and raise funds for the event but were still $10,000 short.

Many parents who have lost their jobs or have taken in struggling family members are unable to pay the $200 fee to for their children to attend Project Graduation.

“;Realizing graduation is this week Friday, June 5, we really want these kids to attend,”; said Gail Gomes, chairwoman of the Waianae High School Project Graduation committee. “;We have already placed deposits on everything, including event locations, meals; paid for buses, shirts and jackets. We must roll forward.”;

For more information, contact Gail Gomes at 696-7978 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Donations can be sent to 85-251 Farrington Highway, Waianae, HI 96792, and made payable to “;Waianae High School Project Graduation.”;

Ex-Marine lauded for going 'Above and Beyond'

A former Marine who founded the Veterans Assistance Program has won this year's Above and Beyond Award, which honors a uniformed community member for outstanding service.

Former Marine Tony Dias was recognized for his work helping veterans assimilate back into the civilian community.

Dias conducts free seminars for service members, veterans, Realtors and financial institutions by providing the most recent information regarding VA home-purchasing benefits. He is also president of VA Loan Hawaii.

As a part of the Above and Beyond Award, Dias received a Bronze Eagle trophy, a two-night stay at the Marina Hawaii Vacations in Waikiki and a dinner for two.

The prize is awarded by Salem Media in partnership with several local organizations and businesses, including the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

Kauai to mail reports on isle water quality

The Kauai County Department of Water will mail 2009 water-quality reports to residents this month.

The reports contain information on each of the 11 water systems on Kauai, including sources of water, levels of contaminants in the water, compliance with drinking water rules, as well as some educational information.

Any contaminants found during testing were well below the highest levels allowed by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

The federal Safe Water Drinking Act requires water utilities to provide water quality information to its customers every year.

For more information or to request additional copies of the reports, please call the Water Department at 245-5455 or visit its Web site at www.kauaiwater.org.