HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Larger restrooms for women in law
Advertiser Staff
The City Council has unanimously passed a law requiring women's restrooms to be twice as big as men's rooms at stadiums, concert halls and other public facilities that attract crowds.
The law, introduced by Councilman Charles Djou, is similar to legislation that was recently enacted in New York City.
The law required any new or renovated "Group A" event facility to allocate twice as many toilets for women's restrooms as for men's. The law would take effect immediately upon signature by the mayor.
City officials have estimated that adding restroom stalls could cost $30,000 to $40,000 per stall.
KANE'OHE
PEDESTRIAN STRUCK ON KAMEHAMEHA
Police closed the Kailua-bound lanes of Kamehameha Highway between Ha'iku Road and Windward Mall about 7:15 last night after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle.
Emergency Medical Services personnel took a young man to the The Queen's Medical Center in extremely critical condition. No details were immediately available.
KAUA'I
CAMPING PERMITS HALTED FOR VALLEY
LIHU'E — The state has stopped issuing camping permits for Hanakapi'ai Valley until it can repair the decking on the composting toilet at the campsite.
State officials hope emergency repairs can be accomplished in a day or two so the campsite can be reopened. State DLNR chairman Peter Young said the toilet is scheduled to be completely rebuilt late this month or early in January.
Hanakapi'ai is the first major valley along the 11-mile Kalalau trail. It lies two miles from the trail's start.
STATEWIDE
ATTORNEY HONORED FOR PRO BONO WORK
The Hawai'i State Bar Association will honor Andrew S. Winer for his pro bono service at an awards ceremony Dec. 16 at the HSBA office, 1132 Bishop Street, Suite 306.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Winer was instrumental in establishing internships and arranging for housing for 17 first-year law students displaced by Hurricane Katrina. The students worked at various law firms and with federal and state judges on O'ahu.
"Thanks to Andy and the lawyers, law firms and judges he recruited, these law students who paid as much $20,000 for the first-year's tuition and then did not have a law school to attend were able to contribute to the state of Hawai'i by doing legal work here and having a place to live while their New Orleans law schools were rebuilt," said Richard Turbin, outgoing HSBA president.
KAILUA
LIBRARY TO GET NEW AIR-CONDITIONING
Gov. Linda Lingle has released $127,000 for a new air conditioning system for Kailua Public Library. The project calls for replacing a 15-year-old, 20-ton unit and upgrading an enclosure. The total cost is $150,000. Lingle released $23,000 earlier this year for design cost. Construction is expected to begin in May and be completed by October.
