HELPING OUT

Hawaii residents step up to the plate

It was an outpouring of generosity Sunday as people dug into pockets and donated time to help out Hawaii's devastated neighbors through “;Kokua for the Pacific.”;At least $140,000 was raised for the American Red Cross-Hawaii Chapter to provide relief to people affected by recent disasters in American Samoa, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Entertainers (such as Amy Hanaialii, left) and media personalities were among the many volunteers who made the telethon, staged at Aloha Tower Marketplace and simulcast on local TV and radio stations, a solid success.

SAD STATISTIC

Record STD rate afflicts female teens

Females between the ages of 15 and 19 account for more than one-fourth of the reported cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That statistic reflects increased medical screening, but also that American culture sexualizes girls without worrying much about the risks. A record 1.2 million new cases of chlamydia were reported in 2008, breaking the record set the year before by some 100,000 cases.

GOING ROGUE

McCain takes high road on Palin's book

John McCain is biting his tongue. Pressed by the Web site Politico.com to comment on his running mate's take on their national campaign, the Arizona Republican refused to say much. He did confirm that he has read “;Going Rogue”; and remains “;very good friends”; with the author, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whom presidential contender McCain tried to make the first female U.S. vice president.

Palin harshly criticizes the bosses of McCain's presidential campaign, especially campaign manager Steve Schmidt, who has not remained silent. He told the Web site that the book is “;all fiction.”;