2 Oahu schools are blue-ribbon performers

The U.S. Department of Education has selected Kapalama Elementary and Lanakila Elementary as Hawaii's Blue Ribbon Schools for 2009 for their high academic achievement.

Kapalama was honored for dramatically improving student performance, and Lanakila for scoring in the top 10 percent in the state. Both were applauded for beating the odds, being chosen from among schools that have more than 40 percent of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Nationwide, 315 public and private schools were selected as Blue Ribbon Schools this year, and are invited to a ceremony Nov. 3 in Washington, D.C.

“;These Blue Ribbon Schools have shown that all children can learn with appropriate supports,”; U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. “;They are producing outstanding results for their students.”;

State cites city for dumping violation

The state Health Department has issued a notice of violation to the city for the alleged dumping of about 255 truckloads of concrete into Mailiili Stream between Feb. 2 and May 9.

The Clean Water Branch is seeking a fine to be determined later and restoration of the stream, the Health Department said in a news release.

In a written statement yesterday, city spokesman Bill Brennan said the city is working with a consultant on a remediation plan for the stream and will submit it to the appropriate agencies for approval before removing the concrete from the stream.

The dumping was discovered and documented in June by environmental watchdog Carroll Cox.

At the time, Brennan said the city was conducting its own investigation and that it appeared city workers dumped concrete rubble from sidewalk repairs to restore an access road along the stream.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were also investigating the dumping.

Seminar teaches about hepatitis B

A special presentation on the treatment and prevention of hepatitis B will open to the public at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Gold Bond Building, 677 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 226.

Speaking will be Dr. Katherine Kingsley and Mark Herrington, an advanced-practice registered nurse, with Kaiser Permanente's Hepatitis B Treatment Program.

The program is sponsored by the Hepatitis Prevention, Education, Treatment and Support Network of Hawaii and Access Care Today. RSVP by calling 221-6204 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Smoke tests set for Enchanted Lake

City crews are conducting smoke testing of the sewer system in the Enchanted Lake area through Saturday and from Tuesday to Sept. 25.

The Honolulu Department of Environmental Services will conduct the test to locate openings where rainwater can enter the sewer system. Runoff from heavy rain can enter the system through broken pipes and other paths, causing spills.

The smoke is nontoxic, harmless and has minimal odor. It is not a fire hazard and does not pose a health hazard to humans or pets.