Call in damage claims to 2-1-1

Hawaii State Civil Defense officials are encouraging people whose property, home or business was damaged by the March 11 tsunami to report any losses through Aloha United Way’s 2-1-1 information and referral serv­ice. Potential claimants include recreational boaters.

Operators at the 2-1-1 phone service will record damage reports and refer them to the appropriate agency. The 2-1-1 line takes calls weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

"We will follow up with the reports we receive through 2-1-1," said Vice Director of Civil Defense Ed Teixeira. "Although the damage sustained in Hawaii is not as dramatic as what was experienced in Japan, there are still people here that need help to get back on their feet."

Hilton hosts benefit performance

A benefit concert for Japan disaster relief will be held April 10 on the Great Lawn of the Hilton Hawaiian Village & Spa. "Kokua for Japan" will be broadcast on TV, radio and the Internet.

It is sponsored by Clear Channel Radio Hawaii and Oceanic Time Warner Cable. A list of participating entertainers will be released soon.

The concert will be from noon to 5 p.m. All proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross for disaster relief.

Tickets are $15. They go on sale Wednesday at hono­lulu­box­office.com or by calling 550-8457. For more information, go to www.kokua­for­japan.com.

Albatross death toll at 110,000

Federal officials are now estimating that more than 110,000 Laysan and black-footed albatross chicks — about 22 percent of this year’s albatross production — were killed at Midway Atoll by the tsunami generated by last week’s earthquake in Japan.

Immediately following the March 11 quake and tsunami, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv­ice estimated "tens of thousands" of albatross chicks were lost, along with 1,000 adult birds when the tsunami that washed over Midway’s three low-lying islands.

Biologists also initially estimated that thousands of Bonin petrels were lost, but they have since been unable to confirm a number due to the species’ behavior of nesting underground. Their burrows are not as extensively mapped as the albatross nests.

FilCom Center accepts donations

The Filipino Community Center is accepting donations for Japan disaster relief beginning today at the Wai­pahu center. Contributions will be accepted at the center through March 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, including weekends.

All donations will be turned over to the Japa­nese Red Cross through the American Red Cross.

Checks should be made payable to the "FilCom Center" with the notation "Japan Disaster Relief" on the bottom left corner of the check.

Checks can be brought in or mailed to The Filipino Community Center Inc., 94-428 Moku­ola St., Suite 302, Wai­pahu, HI 96707.

Give to aid effort at free concert

The Fountainview Academy choir and orchestra will accept donations for Japan disaster relief at a free concert tonight at Wai­mea Plantation Cottages.

The concert will begin at 6 p.m. at Aston Wai­mea Plantation Cottages, 9400 Kaumualii Highway in Wai­mea.

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Star-Advertiser staff