HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Hikers saved after yelling for help
Advertiser Staff
Two hikers who spent Saturday night stranded in the hills above Kualoa Ranch were rescued yesterday after ranch employees heard the woman's calls for help.
The man and woman, both in their mid-30s, were airlifted by a Honolulu Fire Department helicopter about 3:30 p.m. They were taken by ambulance to Castle Medical Center in stable condition, said Emergency Medical Services field supervisor Jason Kaneshiro.
Fire Department spokesman Capt. Emmit Kane said the couple had not been reported as missing. "It was fortuitous that ranch hands heard the lady calling for help," Kane said.
KALIHI
DOLE GRADUATES SOUGHT FOR AWARD
Governor Sanford Dole Middle School is looking for past graduates who have distinguished themselves in their careers and in their communities for the third annual Pride of Dole Award.
Nominees must have attended Dole Middle School for at least two years, be at least 40 years old and demonstrate a sustained record of bringing honor and pride to the community.
For more information, contact Pam Kino or Vera Shishido at 832-3340. Nomination forms will be accepted until Nov. 20.
WAHIAWA
LIONS PARADE WILL HONOR VETERANS
More than 40 marching units, including marching bands and members of the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force, are expected to participate in the 60th annual Wahiawa Lions Club Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Ka'ala Elementary School and proceeds down California Avenue to Fred Wright Park.
Sgt. Jaime Hernandez, Purple Heart recipient for wounds received in Afghanistan during service with the 25th Infantry Division, will be the parade grand marshal.
A flag-raising ceremony and program will follow the parade.
MILILANI
SCHOOLS RECEIVE $30,000 DONATION
Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaii has donated $30,000 to Mililani High School and the elementary and middle schools in its school complex.
The money will be used to buy items such as computers and orchestra equipment, and to support special student-programs ranging from "Let's Talk Story" student/parent involvement nights at Mililani Uka Elementary to a NASA space camp and Japan-Hawai'i exchange enrichment programs at Mililani Middle School.
MAUI
WIND FARM PROJECT LAUNCHED
Along a stretch of the West Maui Mountains where winds have been blowing at up to 50 mph, officials have broken ground on the site of what will be the state's largest wind farm.
The 20 turbines of the Kaheawa Wind Power project will be built along the southwest slope of the mountains. Once the project is running in January, the winds there are expected to provide up to 30 megawatts, or about 9 percent of Maui Electric Co.'s power.
Company president Ed Reinhardt said the project will reduce Maui Electric's consumption of imported diesel oil by about 160,000 to 240,000 barrels per year.
The project is also expected to reduce the bills of Maui households by $120 each per year.
Maui developer Kent Smith said during Friday's ceremony: "This is an opportunity to create a crop. ... In this case, the product is energy."
Gov. Linda Lingle said the project is helping Maui reach the statewide goal of 20 percent renewable energy use by 2020. Maui will reach 15 percent by April, Lingle said.
O'AHU
REFUELING WAIVER HELPS FIREFIGHTING
Sen. Daniel Inouye has announced a special permanent waiver for O'ahu public safety agencies to more effectively fight brush fires by allowing helicopter refueling on site.
During the brush fires this summer in the Nanakuli and Wai'anae areas, the Honolulu Fire Department was unable to refuel their tanker at Honolulu International Airport and take it to the scene of the fire because of changes to excise tax provisions.
That meant helicopters had to fly to the airport to refuel, which wasted time and fuel, the department said.
Inouye sought a temporary waiver to fix the problem until a permanent solution could be found.
WORKERS NEEDED FOR NATIVE GARDEN
The state is seeking volunteers for its third work day to help prepare a native Hawaiian garden, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.
Volunteers will be planting a variety of native plants at the site, on the makai side of state Department of Land and Natural Resources offices in the Kalanimoku Building, 1151 Punchbowl St.
Bring gloves, a hat, sunscreen, water and insect repellent. Refreshments will be served.
Parking is available in the basement of the DLNR building through access on either Punchbowl or Beretania streets.
For more information, call Michelle Gorham at 587-4169.
STATEWIDE
MARATHON IN IRAQ WELCOMES HELP
An address has been set up for those who want to support a satellite race of the Honolulu Marathon, this time in Iraq.
Last year, Hawai'i residents and people from around the country overwhelmed the Honolulu Marathon in Afghanistan with supplies and gifts that were used to support runners and volunteers.
Organizers for this year's race in Iraq said they would welcome donations of energy gels, gel-pack carriers, Bodyglide or other anti-friction ointments, analgesic sprays, water bottles, hats and other running-related items.
The Honolulu Marathon Association has sanctioned the race and, as it did in Afghanistan, will send race numbers, T-shirts, medals, certificates and banners.
Donations may be sent to: Lt. Col. O'Donnell, MNC-I, SJA, APO AE 09342-1400.
WAIPI'O
SWAP MEET TO AID NONPROFIT GROUPS
Waipi'o Center is hosting its final community swap meet of the year, 7:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Booths for vendors are available at $20. Proceeds will be distributed to community nonprofit organizations.
The shopping center is at 94-1040 Waipi'o Uka St. in Waipahu.
Call Sherry Goya at 722-8487 for information.
