Dela Cruz wants mayor's office when available

City Councilman Donovan Dela Cruz says he will run for mayor once the office becomes available.

Dela Cruz's e-mailed announcement yesterday comes in anticipation of Mayor Mufi Hannemann's expected run for governor in 2010. Although Hannemann has not formally announced his bid, he has formed a committee to explore the possibility and has collected a formidable amount of campaign cash.

In announcing his interest in succeeding Hannemann, Dela Cruz, 36, touted his experience on the City Council, where he represents District 2, including the North Shore and Wahiawa.

Honolulu Prosecutor Peter Carlisle has also announced plans to run for mayor if Hannemann pursues the governor's office.

Foodland will match $325,000

Foodland Super Market Ltd. will match $325,000 in customer donations given to Hawaii's nonprofit donations, the company has announced.

Donations can be given through “;Give Aloha,”; Foodland's annual community matching gifts program, which runs through September at all Foodland and Sack N Save stores in the state.

When customers donate at the checkout to their favorite nonprofit, Foodland and the Western Union Foundation will match the donation up to $325,000.

Educator gets Windward post

An elementary school principal in Kaneohe has been appointed as complex-area superintendent in the state Department of Education's Windward Oahu District.

Education Superintendent Patricia Hamamoto announced the promotion of Joyce Bellino as complex-area superintendent for the Kailua-Kaneohe area effective last Tuesday.

Bellino recently was the principal at Kapunahala Elementary in Kaneohe.

Meeting topic is downtown Lihue design

The Lihue Business Association is sponsoring an informational meeting about a plan to revitalize downtown Lihue.

The county Planning Department will share information on the Lihue Town Core Urban Design Plan at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.

A public hearing on the plan is scheduled for Sept. 22 at 1:30 p.m. at the Planning Commission meeting room in the Lihue Civic Center Moikeha Building. Public input is being sought on the plan for Kauai's business, transportation and government center, county officials said.

The final draft of the plan can also be found at http://www.kauai. gov/planning or viewed in person at the Planning Department.