HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Man left on road critically injured
Advertiser Staff
A man was critically injured last night in an apparent hit-and-run accident in Pearl City.
Police traffic investigators were at the scene late last night and details were not available. The incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. on Kamehameha Highway near the Flamingo Restaurant.
The victim appeared to be in his 40s and was found unresponsive and bleeding on the roadway. He was taken to The Queen's Medical Center in extremely critical condition, said Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city Department of Emergency Services.
WAIKIKI
NATATORIUM WORK AFFECTS PARKING
City masons this week removed and patched an area on the top of the rear facade wall on the diamondhead-mauka corner of the Waikiki Natatorium's bleachers, and the Natatorium's parking lot will be closed next week to complete the repairs.
The cracking was caused by the corrosion of steel reinforcing bars in the concrete, and workers removed the cracked area to protect the public from falling debris, city officials said.
Workers also will remove two areas of the 'ewa bleacher wall, requiring the parking lot in the 'ewa courtyard to be closed for five days beginning Monday. The damaged areas are directly over the driveway to the parking lot.
Signs will go up on Sunday alerting the public of the parking lot closure.
BIG ISLAND
STUDENTS VIE FOR SCIENCE HONOR
Two Big Island students are among 40 finalists in a national contest to choose the nation's top young scientist.
The finalists are Shalila Baena of Hilo, a sixth-grader at Ha'aheo Elementary School; and Nolan Kamitaki, also of Hilo, an eighth-grader at Waiakea Intermediate School.
The contest is the 2006 Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge for students in grades 5 to 8. The competition, created by Discovery Communications and Science Service, gives students the opportunity to test their knowledge exploring the world of science.
This year's theme, "Disease Detectives," features a series of challenges in which selected students will investigate global health concerns, their causes and their impact — from avian flu to obesity.
POLICE SEEK LEADS TO HIT-RUN DRIVERS
HILO — Kona police are asking for help in identifying two motorists who were involved in hit-and-run accidents in recent weeks.
In the first accident, a 16-year-old girl was injured at about 5:55 p.m. on Aug. 27 after the pickup she was riding in pulled to the shoulder of Keola O Keawe Road, and the girl got out to retrieve an item from the truck bed.
Witnesses reported the girl was then struck by a light brown Dodge Neon with five-spoke chrome wheels and rims. The car had a back trunk spoiler and tinted windows, and was driven by a man with a tan complexion, police said.
The girl was flown to The Queen's Medical Center for treatment of her injuries, and later released in satisfactory condition, police said.
In the second collision, a 51-year-old woman was struck by a northbound vehicle as she was walking south on the shoulder of Mamalahoa Highway in Honalo on Wednesday at 7:40 p.m. The vehicle then left the scene, police said.
The woman was taken to Kona Community Hospital for treatment of her injuries, police said.
Police are asking that anyone with information about either case call the Kona police station at 326-4646, ext. 253, or the police nonemergency number at 935-3311.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-8300 in Hilo.
ELECTION 2006
VOTE RALLY TARGETS NATIVE HAWAIIANS
Hawaiian Vote 2006 is holding a rally at 'Iolani Palace tomorrow in an effort to encourage more Hawaiians to vote in this fall's elections — and to do so early.
Entertainment will be provided by Simplisity, Sudden Rush, Joe Recca, various hula halau and others. Complimentary food also will be available to those who show their voter stubs from voting absentee either through the mail or walk-in. The nonprofit group, supported by several Hawaiian organizations, will have voter registration and information booths set up.
The rally takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Speakers will include Office of Hawaiian Affairs administrator Clyde Namu'o, Kamehameha Schools chief executive Dee Jay Mailer and businessman Joe Pickard.
GOP CANDIDATES SET TO DEBATE
The Republican candidates for the U.S. House seat in Hawai'i's 2nd Congressional District, state Sen. Bob Hogue and former state Rep. Quentin Kawananakoa, are scheduled to debate on Wednesday at the monthly meeting of the Kailua Chamber of Commerce.
The public is invited, but a reservation and $25 fee for lunch are required. Today is the last day to make reservations.
The meeting will be held at the Mid-Pacific Country Club. Check-in will begin at 11:30 a.m. and the lunch meeting is from noon to 1:30 pm. For more information, or to place reservations, call Anna Lui at 261-3334.
AKAKA GAINS TWO ENDORSEMENTS
U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka has been endorsed by the American Postal Workers Union and the Seafarers International Union Port of Honolulu.
The postal workers union represents more than 330,000 U.S. Postal Service workers and about 2,000 private-sector mail workers. The seafarers union represents shipworkers.
Akaka is facing U.S. Rep. Ed Case in the Democratic primary for the Senate.
KAUA'I
MAN PULLED FROM OCEAN, REVIVED
LIHU'E — Water safety personnel were able to revive a 44-year-old Kekaha man pulled from the surf at Kekaha about 9:30 a.m. yesterday.
Lifeguards pulled the victim out of the shoreline waves about 60 yards from the Kekaha lifeguard tower after beachgoers reported a man in distress.
The victim was revived and taken to Kaua'i Veterans Memorial Hospital, where he was initially reported in critical but stable condition. Later yesterday, he was transferred to The Queen's Medical Center.
