Cutbacks briefing to be held on Maui

A state Senate ad hoc committee will hold an informational briefing on Maui to discuss how cutbacks in the Department of Health will affect the community, according to a Senate news release.

Gov. Linda Lingle ordered the reductions in vector control, public health nursing, adult mental health and child and adolescent mental health to reduce spending in the state budget.

The briefing will be held at Baldwin High School from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Three Maui senators, Senate Vice President Russell Kokubun and Senate Health Committee Chairman David Ige will receive public testimony.

Irrigation repair project is planned

The state plans a three-month-long construction project to repair Diamond Head's irrigation system.

The state will also install new picnic tables and benches in the park area of Diamond Head State Monument's crater floor.

The improvements are being paid for with a grant from the National Park Service and state's transient accommodations tax.

Laura Thielen, chairwoman of the state Board of Land and Natural Resources, said the project “;will provide much-needed improvements to basic amenities and maintain the landscaped grounds for the public enjoyment”; of the park.

IACP to help in selecting new chief

The Honolulu Police Commission announced last week that it has chosen the International Association of Chiefs of Police as its consultant in the selection of a new police chief.

The association is a nonprofit organization.

The commission is seeking a replacement for former Chief Boisse Correa, who retired last month. The commission did not renew his contract.

Scholarship available for Red Cross

The jobless in Hawaii can now apply for a scholarship to the Red Cross Nurse Aide Training Program to become a certified nurse aide. Deadline for applications is Sept. 15.

The program is funded by a $25,000 grant from Wal-Mart to the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter.

Visit http://www.hawaiiredcross.org for more information on the scholarship. Training classes are available on Oahu and the Big Island; proof of unemployment is required.