Celebrating Israel

The ninth annual Israel Day Hawaii Festival will take place today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the lawn at the Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building downtown. It features kosher foods, folk dancing and entertainment by Eddie Grimberg and the Sunlight Orchestra. www.israeldayhawaii.org.

Inouye starts 1-week trip to Japan

U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye is traveling to Japan to meet with the nation’s leaders, discuss the relocation of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam and assess the international response to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

The Democrat from Hawaii left Honolulu Saturday and departs Japan next Saturday.

Inouye will tour the tsunami-ravaged area of Sendai to evaluate relief efforts and find out the region’s most pressing needs.

He also is scheduled to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, U.S. Ambassador John Roos and other officials from both countries.

Inouye said in a statement that the relationship between the United States and Japan is essential to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Inouye will also meet with business leaders and address members of the news media.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Rat lungworm cases found on Big Island

Four likely cases of rat lungworm infection have been found on the Big Island.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported on the cases Friday.

East Hawaii epidemiological specialist Marlena Dixon says rat lungworm is a parasite that causes a rare form of meningitis and is difficult to diagnose because of a wide array of symptoms. Symptoms can include severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness and numbness.

Dixon says the disease can be contracted when people mistakenly eat small slugs on the surface of leafy greens.