HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Hospital's layoff notice challenged
Advertiser Staff
The union that represents some workers at Hawaii Medical Center said company officials announced it will give layoff notices to workers Friday.
The Hawaii Teamsters and Allied Workers Union Local 996 filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the hospital, saying it failed to give the required 21-day notice.
According to the union, hospital officials said layoffs will be across the board and affect union and nonunion employees.
Among those affected will be patients-care technicians and nurses aides, the union said.
MAUI
KALAMA PASSES CANINE'S FIRST TEST
State schools superintendent Pat Hamamoto praised the new canine detection pilot program at Kalama Intermediate School on Maui at a Board of Education meeting Thursday, saying she believes "it's a good thing."
"The students were happy to see Custer (the dog) on campus," Hamamoto told the board about the first unannounced search for drugs, alcohol and firearms held Thursday.
Principal John Costales Jr. said no drugs, firearms or alcoholic beverages were found.
This was the first time a canine detection dog has been used on a public school campus.
Lahainaluna High, Lahaina Intermediate and Lana'i High and Elementary are planning to take part in the pilot program.
MA'ILI
SEWER MAIN REPAIRS CONTINUE
Crews with the city's Environmental Services Department on Thursday continued to repair a ruptured sewer main along the makai side of Farrington Highway between Ka'ukama and Hakimo roads near Ma'ili Point.
There were no road closures or disruption to traffic, said department spokesman Ken Kawahara.
The break, which appears to be in a 20-inch force main, was reported at 11 a.m. Wednesday. It did not appear that any wastewater entered the ocean. As a precaution, warning signs were posted along the shore and water samples were taken.
WAIKIKI
MAN CHARGED IN VEHICLE BREAK-IN
A 26-year-old man was charged Thursday with breaking into a vehicle in a public parking lot on the 2700 block of Kalakaua Avenue.
Co-workers of the vehicle's owner called police when they saw Marcel Francis Mapuhi inside the vehicle Thursday at 6:30 a.m. Mapuhi, who has no permanent local address, was charged later in the day with unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.
He also was charged with third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug after police found a plastic bag containing a crystalline substance on the floor of the patrol car transporting Mapuhi to the cellblock.
BURGLARY SUSPECT FINALLY CAUGHT
Waikiki Crime Reduction Unit officers captured a 41-year-old burglary suspect Wednesday after a foot chase.
Kurt Pimenta, 41, who has 31 prior convictions, was wanted for a July 16, 2006, burglary in which he allegedly stole items from a Waikiki hotel room. Pimenta was identified as a suspect through surveillance videotape but was able to elude capture until Wednesday.
Pimenta was charged for the burglary and is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.
KAILUA
'COOL' BENEFIT FOR CANCER UNIT
The first "Cool Kailua Nights Block Party & Health Awareness Fair" is scheduled for 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday on Kailua's Uluniu and Aulike streets.
Event creator Danielle Scherman invites people to "celebrate the best of Kailua's food, fun and spirit at this community street festival and wellness fair as the community rallies to raise funds for family and friends affected by cancer."
Proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Castle Medical Center's Chemotherapy Unit.
The festivities include food sampling, local entertainment, a health walk, kids' corner, an auction and giveaways.
For more information, call Scherman at 782-7576 or visit www.CoolKailuaNights.com.
NU'UANU
TROLLEY TO TOUR 'HISTORIC' AREA
A special trolley tour of Liliha and Nu'uanu will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday.
The tour will start at the Community Church of Honolulu, and a trolley will take attendees to several locations for live music, pupu and refreshments.
"The tour will provide a wonderful opportunity for the residents of Liliha and Nu'uanu to experience the richness of the history and the culture of the area," said state Rep. Corinne Ching, R-27th (Nu'uanu, Liliha, 'Alewa Heights).
For more information, call 586-9415.
