HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Suit aims to halt secret meetings
Advertiser Staff
A lawsuit filed yesterday in state Circuit Court seeks to stop the City Council from holding "secret one-on-one meetings on council business."
Attorney Jeff Portnoy helped file suit on behalf of eight open-government and journalists' organizations. The issue emerged in July when members of the council held a series of one-on-one meetings to reorganize some committees.
While that one issue may not seem significant to voters, Portnoy said, the practice could open the door for a series of meetings where important public decisions — such as transit and taxes — are made in closed meetings rather than in a public discussion.
"Then you're conducting government in secret," Portnoy said.
The group suing includes the Society of Professional Journalists Hawai'i chapter, SPJ University of Hawai'i chapter, Right to Know Committee, League of Women Voters of Hawai'i, Citizen Voice, Hawai'i Pro-Democracy Initiative; Big Island Press Club and Honolulu Community-Media Council.
City spokesman Bill Brennan said the corporation counsel's office has not yet seen the lawsuit and therefore had no comment yesterday.
SACRED HEARTS GALA IS THURSDAY
Sacred Hearts Academy will hold its 10th annual gala fundraiser on Thursday, with a silent auction beginning at 5 p.m.
The event raises money for scholarships.
The event will be held in the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Coral Ballroom. Tickets are $100.
For tickets, call Andrea Hamilton at 734-5058, ext. 229, or Celeste O'Brien at ext. 234.
INFORMATION ON ROBBERIES SOUGHT
Police are asking for the public's help in finding a suspect in the armed robberies of two Honolulu businesses last month.
On Sept. 20, a masked man with a handgun walked into Hawaiian Holy Smokes, a shop at 2239 South King St., and demanded money from a cashier. He took an undisclosed amount and drove away in a Mazda MX-6.
Seven days later, a robber believed to be the same man entered a Pizza Hut at 516 Kuakini St., pulled a rifle out of a duffel bag and asked the cashier to empty the register. Before the cashier could react, the man noticed a video surveillance camera and fled.
"One of the witnesses from the Pizza Hut robbery said he looked like the guy from the Holy Smokes robbery," said police Sgt. Kim Capllonch. "The reason we think it's the same suspect is because of the description: real skinny, a lot of acne on his face."
The man was last seen driving a stolen white, four-door 2000 Honda Civic. The car was found the next day on Magazine Street.
He was described as being in his 20s, 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 8, with a thin build and heavy facial acne.
Anyone with information about these cases is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300, or *CRIME on a cell phone.
KAUA'I
LYDGATE PARK POND CLOSED AGAIN
Just a few days after Lydgate Park's protected pond was reopened, it has been closed again because of debris associated with the recent heavy rains.
When the Wailua River floods, debris driven down the river is pushed into the nearshore surf and washes over the pond's seawall. County Ocean Safety Bureau supervisor Kaleo Ho'okano said it was the second time in three weeks that debris — mainly driftwood — has closed the pond. State Department of Health officials said the water quality is poor.
The popular swimming spot will be reopened once the debris has been cleared out and water tests show it's safe, Ho'okano said.
EAST HONOLULU
SEWER LINE WORK TO START MONDAY
Hawai'i American Water's plans to repair the sewer lines under parts of Lunalilo Home Road has been delayed and now will start Monday, after the Honolulu Triathlon, company officials said at a recent Hawai'i Kai Neighborhood Board.
The work on Lunalilo Home Road should take about four weeks to complete, and then crews will start on a portion of Hawai'i Kai Drive on Oct. 21. That work should take four to five weeks and will be completed by the December Honolulu Marathon, the company said. Information signs will be posted.
'AIEA
SPECIAL EVENT SET FOR SENIOR DRIVERS
'Aiea Public Library is scheduled to host "AAA Hawaii Presents Senior Transportation Safety and Mobility," a presentation designed for drivers 55 to 65 years old, at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow. Admission is free.
This 45-minute program will be held in the library's meeting room. Conducting the program will be Richard Velazquez, AAA Hawaii regional manager, who will discuss how older people can determine whether their capabilities and skills are sufficient for safe driving.
Brochures on "straight talk" for mature drivers will be available, and there will be a question-and-answer session. This program is sponsored by AAA Hawaii and the Friends of Aiea Library.
'Aiea Public Library is at 99-143 Moanalua Road.
