UH law school ranks higher

The University of Hawaii law school moved up in the U.S. News and World Report rankings to 72nd out of 184 accredited law schools, the university said in a news release.

The magazine also ranked the part-time law program at 28th out of 84 schools.

In determining the ranking, U.S. News and World Report noted that graduates of the William S. Richardson School of Law have one of the sixth best employment rates nine months after graduation, the 19th lowest average student debt, second best student-teacher ratio, and 46th best bar passage rate; the UH law school said in a news release.

The school was not ranked last year because of a statistical data error, the law school said.

Bill to bar gun seizures in crisis wins approval

A bill preventing the government from seizing legal firearms during an emergency has been passed by the state Legislature.

The Senate voted 21-0 yesterday to approve the measure after it already passed the House. The proposal prohibits the seizure of firearms or ammunition when the government invokes emergency powers during a disaster.

It gained momentum after February's tsunami warning, when lawmakers said their constituents asked if their weapons could be taken in an emergency situation.

Gun-rights activists have pursued this kind of law since Hurricane Katrina, when New Orleans police confiscated guns in an attempt to restore order.

The bill now goes to Gov. Linda Lingle.

Pearl Harbor sites free for military visitors

In honor of National Park Week, admission to all Pearl Harbor Historic Sites will be free tomorrow for active-duty, reserve, auxiliary and retired U.S. military personnel and their dependents.

Qualified visitors must present valid military identification upon entering the sites of their choice. The USS Arizona Memorial and USS Oklahoma Memorial do not charge general admission.

UH Astronomy Institute to stage open house

The University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy's annual open house—attended by more than 1,800 people last year—will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow at 2680 Woodlawn Drive, Manoa.

The popular event features activities for children and adults, demonstrations and talks by the astronomers.

Speakers will include biologist Steve Freeland answering the question, “;Is Life on Earth a Cosmic Accident?”;, and astronomer and former particle physicist Robert Jedicke addressing “;The Big Bang and Back Again: The Origin of the Universe and the Large Hadron Collider.”;

The Ironwood Observatory in Kahuku will have the Astro-Jeopardy game.

The Hawaiian Astronomical Society and Bishop Museum will participate, and if weather permits, people will be able to observe sunspots and the moon through a telescope.

For more information, visit www.ifa.hawaii.edu/info/pressreleases/OH2010/OpenHouse2010.-shtml.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Public school holding off on uniforms

PUKALANI, Maui » Some students at King Kekaulike High School on Maui who call themselves “;The Resistance”; are declaring victory.

They have campaigned against a proposal to make King Kekaulike the first public high school in Hawaii to require student uniforms. They say requiring uniforms wouldn't resolve student discipline problems.

A school advisory panel has found merit in the uniform policy, but is holding off recommending its adoption for next school year.

School Community Council Chairwoman Sadie Mossman says the panel decided to encourage students to “;demonstrate responsibility”; by adhering to the current school dress code.

Teachers and staff began enforcing the dress code Thursday. They asked students to cover up or sent them to the vice principal's office.