Kapiolani Park hours settled

The city Department of Parks and Recreation has standardized closure hours for all areas of Kapiolani Regional Park. As of yesterday the park is closed from midnight to 5 a.m.

A section of the park makai of Kalakaua Avenue between Kapahulu Avenue and the Natatorium was closed from 2 to 5 a.m.

When asked whether the new closure time was aimed at the homeless who have been camping at the park, Parks Director Lester Chang said, “;It has to do with any type of activity we're trying to curb for the park. It could be loud noise. ... It could be people camping. It's not specific.”;

Just as the “;original closure did not target any specific group,”; neither does this change, he said.

In September 2008 the city began enforcing in Kapiolani Park, where possibly more than 100 homeless had been living, a new law that restricts camping in public parks overnight.

Obama visit prompts claims for lost revenue

Owners of several aviation firms in Hawaii say they want the federal government to compensate them for lost business during President Barack Obama's two-week holiday visit to Oahu in December.

A temporary no-fly zone was in effect over parts of the island while Obama and his family were in a rented Kailua home.

The zone barred flight operations inside a 10-mile area centered on Kailua. That put a crimp on air tours, flight instruction and other small airplane operations that normally fly in the area.

The Oahu Aviation Initiative, a coalition of 20 firms, said yesterday they want compensation for $200,000 in lost business.

They also want to meet with government officials to prevent a repeat of those losses during future Obama visits.

Hawaii ranks ninth in federal health funds

A new study has found Hawaii ranks ninth among the 50 states in the amount of federal funding received from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The study, released yesterday by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, says Hawaii received $34.6 million, or $26.78 per person, in fiscal 2009 to support state disease and injury prevention programs.

It says federal funding that goes to states for public health varies significantly from state to state, from a low of $13.33 per person in Virginia to a high of $58.65 in Alaska.

The report says overall federal spending for public health has been virtually flat for nearly five years, at about $19.23 per person, and has not been increased to keep pace with inflation.

Drive at Tamarind Park to benefit food bank

A food drive will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 24 at Tamarind Park to help the Hawaii Foodbank meet critical needs.

Dr. Cecile Sebastian, general and cosmetic dentist at Pauahi Tower, 1003 Bishop St., Suite 340, has a team collecting money and food within business organizations to culminate on the day of the food drive.

She said Hawaii Foodbank kits can be dropped off at downtown locations, and a Foodbank representative can speak to teams at businesses to provide assistance.

For more information, see www.hawaiifoodbank.org, e-mail Sebastian at www.hawaiiansmile.com or call 537-2880.

Kauai drivers facing cell phone ban

LIHUE » Using cell phones and other hand-held electronic devices while driving will be illegal on Kauai as of May 23.

Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. signed the bill into law recently.

In addition to cell phones, the new law bans motorists from using text messaging and paging devices, personal digital assistants, laptop computers, video games and cameras.

Hands-free devices will be allowed.

The Kauai Police Department will be authorized to issue $50 citations for violations. The amount doubles to $100 for violations in school zones or construction work areas.