A&B donations totaled $1.3 million last year

The Alexander & Baldwin Foundation says it donated $1.3 million to nonprofit organizations in Hawaii and on the mainland during the past year.

The foundation said yesterday that over the past decade, its donations have totaled more than $18 million.

Alexander & Baldwin Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Stanley Kuriyama says A&B's sustained support of local charities is another expression of the company's long-term commitment to Hawaii and its many communities.

The foundation says it gave $1.1 million last year to charities serving a broad range of community needs in Hawaii and the Pacific islands. It says an additional $200,000 was granted to nonprofits on the mainland.

Half of the money was allocated for basic needs such as housing, food and health care.

Meetings discuss grant to boost mental services

Public meetings will be held throughout the state until Feb. 16 to discuss progress made under a five-year, $10.95 million grant to transform delivery of quality mental health services in Hawaii.

The Hawaii Mental Health Transformation State Incentive Grant will provide an update on state Department of Health services and incentive grant initiatives.

Speakers will include Michelle Hill, deputy health director for behavioral services, and co-directors and staff of the transformation program. For detailed information on the meetings, call Carol Medina at 453-6618 or Diane Lee at 453-6649, or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

'Fair Share' collections only $8M, report finds

A new report says Hawaii County has collected only $8 million of the $108 million developers have pledged for infrastructure under a “;Fair Share”; contribution system.

The report by engineer Bob Hunter also says the county would have taken in about $60 million if it had instead collected impact fees on building permits.

Councilwoman Brenda Ford said Tuesday that she was “;disgusted”; by the report, which points out the inequities of Fair Share.

Councilman Pete Hoffmann says Fair Share doesn't meet the needs of the county and unfairly penalizes taxpayers. He is working on a bill to add an impact fee.

Hunter says Hamakua, North Hilo, Puna, Kau and South Kona receive no benefit from the Fair Share system, but they would benefit from an impact fee system.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Kauai boosts crackdown on speeding

LIHUE » The Kauai Police Department says it will be increasing its speed enforcement efforts throughout the island with particular emphasis on the south and west sides.

The department said yesterday that it is taking the action in light of the recent fatal traffic crashes on the Garden Island.

Acting Assistant Chief Ale Quibilan said statistics show that speeding is a factor in about one-third of fatal traffic crashes.

He said the department felt it was time to step up speed enforcement efforts in order to deter drivers from going over the posted speed limit and to help keep Kauai's roadways safe.