Swine flu shot doses arrive

Swine flu shots have arrived in Hawaii, which will expand flu protection to pregnant women and others, the state Department of Health announced yesterday.

Hawaii was allotted 6,700 injection doses of the vaccine by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the first of the batch began arriving yesterday, the department said.

The influenza nasal spray version of the 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine began arriving in Hawaii on Oct. 5 and providers are continuing to administer this dosage to priority groups, including children and young adults and adults caring for infants. But the nasal spray vaccine can be administered only to children 2 and up and adults under 50 with no underlying medical conditions. The nasal spray is not recommended for pregnant women.

Flu.hawaii.gov lists community providers offering the H1N1 vaccine to the public. Information is also available by calling Aloha United Way's 211 helpline.

Public participation welcomed Saturday in symposium to discuss 'nonkilling'

The public is invited to participate online in a symposium held by the Center for Global Nonkilling, a nonprofit founded by University of Hawaii professor Glenn D. Paige.

The first Nonkilling Leadership Academy symposium will run through Saturday at the East-West Center.

In attendance are emerging leaders from some of the world's most troubled regions to exchange ideas about a world where killing is no longer an option, according to organizer Anne Marie Smoke.

The public can participate in discussions online through a blog posted on non-killing.net/academy, which provides the schedule and other information. E-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 551-4514.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Kids will get safety bags for Halloween

Hawaii County officials will be handing out reflective bags to schoolchildren for trick-or-treating on Halloween and are asking the public to report broken street lights to ensure safety.

Students from kindergarten to fifth grade will each get a reflective Halloween bag as part of the safety program of the Traffic Division of Public Works.

The bags also have messages to remind children to watch for cars, stay in well-lighted areas and not to go out alone.

School teachers will receive brochures with safety tips for pedestrians and motorists.

To report a broken street light, call 961-8341 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and provide the pole number (a large silver number about 6 feet up), the name of the street or road, and a nearby landmark.