No cause found in copter crash on Wiliwilinui

The cause of a helicopter's precarious hard landing atop Wiliwilinui Ridge in January cannot be determined, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a report last week.

The chopper lost power on a routine maintenance trip Jan. 5 to a communications antenna at an elevation of about 2,400 feet near the top of the Koolau ridge.

The pilot, Eiki Miyasato, 55, was able to set the copter down on the narrow ridge, where it fell on its side.

Neither the pilot nor his passenger, Cox Radio Hawaii Chief Engineer Cris Caughill, was hurt.

In its probable-cause determination Nov. 9, the NTSB said, “;Examination of the helicopter revealed no discrepancies with the fuel system. Engine continuity was established. ... No preexisting condition was identified on the engine that would have interfered with normal operation or explain the reported loss of engine power.”;

Panelists to analyze end-of-life options

The University of Hawaii Elder Law Program will host a discussion on end-of-life decisions, “;Death Panels in Hawaii?”; from 12:45 to 2 p.m. Thursday in Classroom 1, William S. Richardson School of Law.

Program director Jim Pietsch will moderate a panel including two doctors, a member of the clergy, a lawyer and an advocate to help improve care at the end of life. Panelists have served on hospital ethics committees.

The group will discuss legal, ethical, moral, religious, philosophical and health care issues faced by patients, families and care providers in discussing and making end-of-life decisions. To register, call 956-6544.

Kahi Mohala earns $10,000 grant

Kahi Mohala Behavioral Health has received $10,000 from the First Hawaiian Bank Foundation to support a fundraising campaign for renovation and expansion of its Lokelani Child & Adolescent Unit.

“;This grant is in recognition of the important work that Kahi Mohala does for our community, especially on the Leeward side, and we are happy to support them in their endeavors,”; said Jeffrey Ventura, vice president and area manager of First Hawaiian Bank's Waipahu Branch.

If Kahi Mohala raises $50,000 from the community before Dec. 31, it will receive a $50,000 matching grant from its parent company, Sutter Health, for the renovation project.

Kahi Mohala's board of trustees has pledged $19,250.

Kahi Mohala, 91-2301 Old Fort Weaver Road, Ewa Beach, is the only free-standing, nonprofit licensed medical center in Hawaii exclusively specializing in behavioral health care. It treats about 500 children and adolescents annually on an inpatient basis.

UH teams up with S. Korean program

The University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program has formed a partnership with Jeju National University's Sea Grant program in South Korea for cooperative research and outreach programs.

Joon-Baek Lee, Jeju Sea Grant director, and Byung-Gul Lee, associate director, came to Honolulu in October to meet with UH Sea Grant extension faculty and look at their projects.

They were particularly interested in seeing the Sea Grant Hanauma Bay Education program, which has more than 1 million visitors annually, the UH program said.

“;This is an exciting opportunity to partner with an international Sea Grant Program that deals with similar needs and problems regarding marine and coastal issues,”; Darren Okimoto, UH Sea Grant Extension leader, said in a news release.

Officials of the two programs will discuss potential areas of collaboration, innovation programs and researcher and staff exchanges.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Crews work to fix Hanalei water breaks

Repairing a broken pipeline and electrical problems on the Hanalei water tank should take until sometime today, Kauai County said in a statement last night.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education announced that Hanalei Elementary School would be closed today due to the water shortage.

Crews worked steadily yesterday, the county said, but interruption in service for Hanalei residents was expected to continue.

A water tanker was placed at Hanalei Park across from the courthouse, but residents were asked to bring their own containers.

Earlier yesterday a pipeline break caused a water failure at Wailua Houselots. That was repaired and

normal water service restored.

The problems with the Hanalei water system and at Wailua Houselots were the result of damage from heavy rain and flooding during the weekend.

More information was to be available

after 7:45 a.m. today

at the Department of Water, 245-5455.