HAWAI'I BRIEFS
Suit filed against Hilo High School
Advertiser Staff
A parent of two students who graduated from Hilo High School filed a federal lawsuit yesterday alleging school officials retaliated against him for complaining about derogatory racial remarks by assistant football coaches in 2003.
Steven Dearing filed the suit against the state and Department of Education, asking for unspecified damages. Hilo High officials could not be reached for comment yesterday.
The DOE last year reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights to resolve a complaint by Dearing. The complaint said a junior varsity assistant coach made derogatory racial remarks.
Dearing's lawsuit said school officials retaliated by taking actions that included obtaining restraining orders against him and preventing him from attending his son Shawn Dearing's varsity football game.
LILIHA
STREET CLOSED FOR REPAIRS TO PIPE
For the second time in two days a water main under Liliha Street broke, forcing police to close a portion of the street.
The break occurred about 6 a.m. yesterday at 2050 Liliha St. between Judd Street and Liliha Place. The main broke while a contractor was completing repairs from a break that occurred Monday morning.
The latest break affected 16 homes in the area and a water wagon was set up to meet the residents' needs. Water service was restored about 6 p.m. The repair work is expected to be completed before the morning rush hour today.
O'AHU
DEADLINE FOR ART GRANTS EXTENDED
The city has extended the deadline to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to create new works of culture and art until Oct. 15.
Grants are available in the fields of dance, theater, music and literature to tax-exempt, charitable and publicly supported organizations in Ho-nolulu. The projects must benefit the people of O'ahu.
Applicants may contact the Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts at 523-4674 for information and applications.
WINDWARD
LIKELIKE TUNNEL TO CLOSE FOR CLEANING
Wilson Tunnel on Likelike Highway will be closed in the town-bound direction from 8 p.m. today until 4 a.m. tomorrow for drainage cleaning.
The state Department of Transportation advises motorists to anticipate delays, allow for extra travel time and use caution while taking alternative routes.
KAUA'I
NEW KAPA'A BRIDGE TO OPEN
KAPA'A, Kaua'i — The Olohena Bridge, a single-lane structure closed three months ago after its wooden frame was deemed unsafe, will be reopened at midday Friday as a $3.4 million, two-lane concrete bridge with room for a bike path.
County Engineer Donald Fujimoto said Unlimited Construction, which was given financial incentives to complete the work ahead of schedule, beat the deadline by more than a month.
CENTRAL
SENIOR DRIVING PROGRAM OFFERED
A free, 45-minute informational program on safety for drivers ages 55 to 65 will be presented today at 'Aiea Public Library.
Richard Velazquez, AAA Hawaii regional manager, will discuss how senior citizens can determine whether their capabilities and necessary skills are sufficient for safe driving, and will answer questions. The presentation begins at 12:30 p.m.
The library is at 99-143 Moanalua Road. For information, call 483-7333.
NORTH SHORE
LIBRARIES TO HOLD LITERACY SESSIONS
Two North Shore libraries will host a reading workshop this month for parents and caregivers of children newborn to 2 years old.
"Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library: Sharing Books with Babies" will teach adults the importance of early literacy and how to develop six critical pre-reading skills so that every child enters school ready to learn to read.
The 45-minute workshops will be at 10 a.m. Oct. 13 at Waialua Public Library and 10 a.m. Oct. 17 at Kahuku Public & School Library.
Register by signing up at the front desk or calling the host library at 637-8286 for Waialua or 293-8935 for Kahuku.
Call the host library seven to 10 days in advance for a sign-language interpreter or other special accommodations.
EAST HONOLULU
HALAU PLANS FUNDRAISER
Halau Kawaihoa will hold Ho'ike 2005, a fundraiser featuring an Outback Steakhouse dinner and hula performances by the halau and Mapu Hula Club from Japan, 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 15 at Kaiser High School's cafeteria.
Money raised will benefit the halau to defer costs for costumes and competition. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children under 11 and $20 for adults at the door.
For tickets, call the halau at 292-2738 or e-mail hula@kawaihoa.org.
