HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Legislators honor fallen on April 18
Advertiser Staff
Family members of 120 fallen service members will receive the Hawai'i Medal of Honor on behalf of their loved ones on April 18.
The state Legislature will hold a special joint session to honor these individuals who were killed while serving the country in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
The Legislature created the medal last year to honor Hawai'i residents who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Recipients include members of the U.S. armed forces and reserves and the Hawai'i National Guard who lived, studied or were stationed in Hawai'i.
The session will be held at 10 a.m. in the House chambers.
O'AHU
FOSTER-CARE FAIR TODAY AT MUSEUM
Three local groups are teaming up to help Hawai'i's foster children in the Suitcases for Kids drive, which begins at the second annual Foster Parent Appreciation and Information Fair, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Bishop Museum's great lawn.
Kapi'olani CARE, the Foster Care Training Committee and St. Michael's School second-graders are partners in the drive.
Organizers see the drive as a way to give some dignity to foster children who must pack up belongings in garbage bags when moving into foster care.
Anyone donating a new or like-new suitcase, large backpack or duffel bag will receive a $5 discounted admission to Bishop Museum's galleries.
LEAHI, MALUHIA GET $1.8M IN FIXES
Leahi Hospital and Maluhia care facility will receive more than $1.8 million to improve their facilities and services to long-term-care patients and seniors.
Maluhia will receive nearly $1.09 million for upgrades to its kitchen, nurse call system, elevators, air-conditioning ducts and fire sprinklers. The improvements are expected to be completed by October.
Leahi Hospital will receive $718,190 for safety and accessibility upgrades that will be made over the next five months, and for new elevators and roofs that will be in place by October 2007.
HBA GIRL A FINALIST FOR SCHOLARSHIP
Stacie T. Sueda of Hawaii Baptist Academy was chosen to compete for college scholarships of up to $50,000 in the Young Epidemiology Scholars Competition sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Sueda is among 60 high school juniors and seniors nationwide who were named regional finalists and will compete at the national event in Washington, D.C., April 21-24. The competition is designed to get students interested in epidemiology.
Sueda's project is called "Hawai'i's Epidemic Dental Decay Rate in Children."
3 ARTHRITIS WALKS PLANNED FOR MAY
The Arthritis Foundation is sponsoring fundraising walks on O'ahu on May 6 at Pearlridge Center (Uptown), May 7 at Windward Mall and May 13 at Aloha Tower Marketplace.
Monies raised will support Camp Mana'olana or Camp Hope, a three-day summer camp for children with arthritis.
Registration is at 7:30 a.m. and the walks start at 8:30 a.m.
There is no registration fee but participants are encouraged to raise $100 each.
For information or to register, call 596-2900 or visit www.arthritis.org.
BOE COMMUNITY MEETINGS IN MAY
The state Board of Education will hold community meetings for various school complexes during May.
Discussion will focus on student achievement, including standards-based reform, assessment and accountability and system restructuring.
For more information, contact the BOE at 586-3349 or boe_hawaii@notes.k12.hi.us.
KAILUA
SCHOOL CONCERT, AUCTION APRIL 28
Ka'elepulu Elementary School's Parent Teacher Student Association is sponsoring the school's first Lawn Concert and Silent Auction from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on April 28.
Live entertainment will include Hawaiian slack-key guitarist Ray Sowders, Bobby and Kahi of Maunalua, and local rock band Twenty Years Too Late. Auction items include gift baskets and gift certificates to local retailers.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Picnicking is also welcome.
Tickets are $5 at the door. Proceeds will help Ka'elepulu continue funding its music and art programs. For more information, call the Ka'elepulu PTSA at 266-7811.
HONOLULU
SCHOOL TO EXPAND MUSIC BUILDING
The state has released $334,000 to expand the music building at Kawananakoa Middle School.
Practice rooms and instrument storage space — totaling 850 square feet — will be added to the existing building.
The project will total $416,870 and is expected to be completed in November.
CHURCH SEEKS FOOD FOR HOMELESS
Central Union Church is seeking assistance from other churches and faith-based organizations, as well as restaurants and the public, in its efforts to house and feed up to 60 homeless people at its parish hall on South Beretania Street.
Specifically, church officials are asking for contributions of cooked, ready-to-serve meals for the population. Central Union already has volunteers to help with the serving.
To help, contact the Rev. Dean Vestal at 440-3008 or dean-vestal@centralunionchurch.org.
Correction: Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the Ka'elepulu Elementary School Lawn Concert and Silent Auction on April 28. Picnicking is also welcome.
