September 13, 2009 News Read > Hawaii Free Press

Hawaii Daily News Read

Sunday, September 13, 2009

September 13, 2009 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 11:38 AM :: 9302 Views

VIDEO AP Fact Check: Obama's Health Care Claims

The AP's Calvin Woodward deconstructs some of the claims President Barack Obama made in his health care reform speech to Congress. (VIDEO Sept. 10)

Nursing home fined $3,000: Nu'uanu Hale incident focuses attention on patient 'dumping' issue

In the case of Florence Ko, a former Nu'uanu Hale resident, a hefty unpaid bill contributed to her pre-Christmas discharge from the nursing home. A daughter months earlier had stopped helping with her mother's payments to the facility.

By the time Ko was left at Straub Clinic & Hospital's ER on Dec. 17, her Nu'uanu Hale tab had climbed to more than $30,000.

Nu'uanu Hale dropped off Ko, then 81 and confined to a wheelchair, even though the facility had no assurance she would be admitted to the hospital and no prior arrangements had been made for her transfer to another care facility.

Ko was wearing only a hospital gown and had less than $3 in her purse when she was dropped at the ER around 10:30 a.m. She also had her cell phone — minus the charger — but did not have any of her medications. Ko previously told The Advertiser she had no idea what was happening to her on the morning of her discharge.

(The daughter is a NY neurosurgeon and the family is affiliated with Obama's Honolulu Unitarian church.)

Kamehameha Schools proposes cheaper Honolulu rail plan

Honolulu could save an estimated $1.7 billion by building about half of its planned elevated commuter train at ground level, according to a study commissioned by Kamehameha Schools....Craig's study proposes building the train system at ground level from East Kapolei to Waipahu and from Middle Street to Ala Moana Center. Only the segment from Waipahu to Middle Street, or about 10 out of a total 20 miles, would be built on an elevated guideway.

(The KSBE plan takes the train away from Kakaako where it is beginning a major redevelopment scheme. Mufi is not going to be a happy boy.)

Hawaii Students, Soldiers Unite at Freedom Walk to Honor Those Who Died in 9-11 Terrorist Attack

The 1/2 mile parade, which started at the Navy ball field by Valkenburg and Main Street, was headed up by the Joint Color Guard (PACOM) representing all service branches of the military.

The Holy Family Band and Hula Halau added life to the walk. They were followed by more than 1,500 participants including the 1,300 students from Holy Family Catholic Academy and Nimitz Elementary School. Several parents, including those who serve in the military, walked with their children.

Honolulu Chief remembers lost loved one in 9/11 attack

As many throughout Hawaii remember the 9/11 attacks, so too does Paul Putzulu, but he has a personal connection. The acting chief of the Honolulu Police Department lost his brother-in-law that day.

Around a hundred people attended the downtown Honolulu event. It included the playing of taps and a moment of silence for those who lost their lives on 9/11.

"It's important to remember those who carry that torch to remember those who ensure that when 9/11 is activated, they will be there for us," Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann said.

VIDEO: Honolulu man remembers lost loved one in 9/11 attack

Hilo students mark Sept. 11

Police officers, members of the military and the Hilo High Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps march in procession during a Patriot Day rally at Hilo Intermediate School.

9/11 + 8

Members of the Kailua-Kona Lions Club mounted some 85 U.S. flags this morning throughout the Keauhou Shopping Center in remembrance of the nearly 3,000 people who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

2.1% seat decline expected in Isles

Airline capacity from the U.S. Mainland is forecast to drop by 3.6 percent for the three months ending in November, but air seats from Japan are expected to increase by 3.5 percent....

Friends of the Library of Hawaii has received heartfelt letters and $50,000 in donations

In its first 10 days, a fundraising effort to keep Hawaii's public libraries open has raised $50,000 toward its $3 million goal.

The Friends of the Library of Hawaii has been receiving 50 to 75 donations a day, in amounts ranging from $3 to $1,000, said Executive Director Byrde Cestare.

School support groups pitch in to find funds

Students and faculty at Kaimuki High School's Performing Arts Center got help from professionals at a Sept. 5 fundraising concert billed as "Save the Performing Arts."

Local entertainers Danny Kaleikini, Kimo Kahoano, Mel Cabang and others joined the students on stage for the event, which included a spaghetti dinner and a silent auction.

Taking back the streets

Although Chinatown has struggled with urban crime and blight for years, the rash of January and February burglaries literally hit home for Shubert-Kwock. So she founded the Chinatown Business and Community Association (CBCA), a network of businesses and residents who want to improve their community.

Shubert-Kwock was further incensed when another Chinatown owner, Diana Sum, who owns Sum's Beauty Center, was beaten up in the Maunakea parking lot after refusing to surrender her purse. It was the last straw for Shubert-Kwock when a 35-year-old man was gunned down on the street in late March and just a week later a 32-year-old man was stabbed, allegedly due to a drug war.

"It was very spooky. It was an automatic gun, so bullets were ricocheting down the street," she said.

In the aftermath of the violent crime spree, bullet holes remained on Chinatown doors and walls, while shoppers, dinners and patrons were absent, Shubert-Kwock said.

Charter proposal could double council terms

Members of an ad hoc committee of the commission, acting on public comments and interest by commission members, investigated a possible amendment and presented their recommendations -- four-year terms for all council members.

No can: Kenoi vows to veto land sale bill

HILO -- Calling it an "end run" around the sale of former sugar lands in Hamakua, Mayor Billy Kenoi vowed Friday to veto a bill on next week's County Council agenda that would require council approval of county land sales of 10 acres or more.

(Good. We need to keep ag land productive--and that means putting it in private hands, not in the County's hands.)

Kauai: More crime, less time

LIHU‘E — Only a handful of career criminals are behind the rising number of burglaries and thefts occurring across the island, according to Kaua‘i Police Department officials.
Yet, regardless of how many times they are arrested, many of them remain free.
For example, one person accused of 112 incidents of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle has been arrested 76 times. Another repeat offender — accused of 89 incidents of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle — has been arrested 41 times, said Assistant Chief Roy Asher during a phone interview Thursday.

(Job security for the defense Bar.)

Kauai: Still no consensus on 20.02D

With another legal opinion from the county attorney in hand, the Board of Ethics on Thursday took steps toward putting its months-long debate on County Charter Section 20.02D to rest. But some big questions about the controversial conflict of interest provision were unresolved.

Scrutiny grows over Raycom's Hawaii TV station merger

In a rare move, the U.S. Justice Department last year required Raycom to sell one of its two stations in the Richmond area, saying the company's joint ownership of NBC and CBS affiliates in Richmond would "substantially lessen competition" and create barriers to entry.

"There are similarities here," said Chris Conybeare, president of Media Council Hawai'i, which plans to challenge the KHNL-KGMB deal.

"I feel the circumstances here present antitrust concerns and they need to be investigated."

Paul McTear, Raycom's CEO, said in a telephone interview Friday that the shared-services agreement between the local television stations doesn't violate antitrust laws since the deal, unlike the Richmond purchase, doesn't involve a change of ownership.