Health care bill retains isle law

The new national health reform legislation does not change Hawaii's health law requiring businesses to provide health insurance to their full-time employees.

Gov. Linda Lingle had said Thursday on “;Island Insights”; on PBS Hawaii that “;there is no exemption that we reviewed,”; but the text of the federal legislation does exempt parts of the state's health system from its requirements.

A paragraph of the 2,409-page health reform measure says it should not modify or limit the Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act.

Lingle's aides clarified yesterday that she was speaking about a part of the Prepaid Health Care Act that calls for its repeal if the federal government enacts prepaid health care for everyone.

The new federal law does not exempt the repeal provision of the state law.

Expected winds cancel free movie

Forecast high wind and rainy conditions caused officials to cancel the free drive-in movie event at Aloha Stadium tonight.

The first of six “;free”; drive-in movie events held last month in the stadium's parking lot proved to be a success. Officials planned to show “;The Blind Side”; tonight, starring Oscar-award winning actress Sandra Bullock, but were concerned the predicted high winds and rain would hamper the stability of the movie screen.

A new date for the next free drive-in movie will be announced.

70 tons of invasive algae removed

Fifty workers have removed more than 70 tons of invasive algae at Maunalua Bay.

Federal economic stimulus funds are paying the workers to clear destructive algae from reefs fronting Hawaii Kai.

The Nature Conservancy said yesterday the group has cleared an area covering two-thirds of an acre in 2 1/2 weeks of work so far.

Legislators to discuss Kalihi attacks

State lawmakers are holding a legislative briefing to discuss an outbreak of violence in Kalihi public housing and a curfew enforced to curb that violence.

The meeting will be at Kalihi Valley Homes Community Hall, 2243 Kalaunu St., from 5:45 to 7 p.m. Monday.

The House Human Services and Housing committees are holding the briefing to discuss the violence at Kalihi Valley Homes, where a man was shot and another man was stabbed last month.

The briefing will also discuss the 10 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew at both Kalihi Valley Homes and Kuhio Park Terrace that was put in place after the attacks.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Medical van is proposed for Big Island

A mobile medical service is being planned for the Big Island.

A van would bring vaccinations to schoolchildren, primary health services to remote areas and disaster preparedness capabilities. It is expected to start service within a year.

Rep. Bob Herkes, a Democrat representing Volcano and Kainaliu, said Thursday that the van would help save lives.

The service would be paid for with $350,000 in state funds appropriated in 2009, along with a partnership between Kona Community Hospital and Hawaii Medical Service Association.

Kona Community Hospital would have to staff the van and find a public or private partner to fund it for two years, according to the legislation.