Free swine flu shots offered

Oahu residents who have not been vaccinated for H1N1 influenza (swine flu) have a chance to get a free shot next week at two clinics being held by the state Department of Health.

The clinics are scheduled from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Tuesday at Palama Settlement in Kalihi and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Waianae High School.

“;It's not too late to get vaccinated,”; state Health Director Chiyome Fukino said in a news release. “;H1N1 is still a threat,”; she said, and Hawaii's flu season generally extends beyond winter months.

She said there is an ample supply of vaccine and that it is important for everyone to be vaccinated as a preventive measure. “;And this is a great opportunity for parents to make sure their kids under 10 get a second dose.”;

The department's public health nurses and Medical Reserve Corps volunteers will provide the vaccinations.

UPW OKs contract with furloughs

Members of United Public Workers overwhelmingly ratified yesterday a new contract that furloughs state and city workers.

The union said 88 percent of members voted in favor of the contract. Under the terms of the agreement, 9,000 workers could be furloughed up to 13 days for the remainder of this fiscal year and up to 24 days in the coming fiscal year. County mayors have pledged to not begin furloughs until July 1.

Iolani Palace to open on Mondays

Iolani Palace says it will open an extra day each week to meet growing demand.

The palace will be open on Mondays now, in addition to Tuesdays through Saturdays. It will stay closed on Sundays, except for “;Kamaaina Sundays”; on the first Sunday of the month, when admission is free for those with a valid state ID.

A record 80,362 people visited Iolani Palace last year, a 4.5 percent increase over 2008.

The palace said Friday that last year's ticket revenue of more than $930,000 was the highest since the historic landmark reopened for public tours in 1978.

Marines will practice fighting fires

Marine Corps Base Hawaii says Marines are due to practice battling an aircraft fire with a controlled burn on the base next week.

The Marines say they will be creating a small, controlled fire in a parking lot near the flight line so the Crash Fire Rescue Marines have a realistic firefighting experience.

The Aircraft Rescue and Fire training will be held on base for seven days beginning tomorrow.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Right to build over Kauai graves given

LIHUE » A landowner on Kauai has received state permission to build his house atop 30 ancient Hawaiian graves.

The approval of Joseph Brescia's 16th draft of his burial treatment plan by the state Historic Preservation Division came this week, after it was rejected by the Kauai/Niihau Island Burial Council.

Division Administrator Pua Aiu said the 16th draft provides “;adequate protection”; to the burials. She cited concrete caps over a number of them and special vertical buffers for one burial that sits under the spot that will one day be the home's driveway.

The state's decision is opposed by Hawaiian cultural practitioner Puanani Rogers, who called it “;outrageous.”;