Queen’s nurses OK tentative labor contract

The nurses union and the Queen’s Medical Center have reached a tentative agreement for a new contract, the Hawaii Nurses Association announced Thursday.

HNA President Joan Craft said the negotiating committee is recommending ratification of the contract.

Details of the agreement were not released because they had not yet been presented to members.

Ratification meetings will be held on Monday and Tuesday for the approximately 1,200 registered nurses at Queen’s.

Auto show to boost Toys for Tots collection

More than 500 cars — from performance imports and muscle cars to hot rods and show cars — will be on display from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at 100 Ohe St. in Kakaako.

It is part of the 2011 Oahu Car Club’s Toys for Tots Show and Shine event.

Marines in uniform will collect new, unwrapped toys for the Corps’ 2011 Toys for Tots campaign, a benefit for needy children.

For information, call Steven Onoue at 389-8640.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Minor quake shakes Hawaii isle and Maui

Hawaii island residents felt a minor magnitude-3.8 earthquake Wednesday night.

No major damage or injuries were reported from the temblor, which hit at about 6:15 p.m. about eight miles north of South Point at a depth of about 25 miles, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The earthquake was felt on both sides of the island and on Maui with responses to the USGS "Did you feel it?" earthquake site from Kailua-Kona to Honokaa on the Hamakua Coast, and from Makawao on Maui.

Use coupons to take a taxi after drinking

For the third year, Hilo and Kailua-Kona drinking establishments are distributing coupons for free taxi rides during the holiday season so customers won’t drink and drive, Hawaii County police said. The free coupons are available until Jan. 2.

Nine taxi companies participate in the free coupon program. In Hilo they are Ace One Taxi, Alii Taxi, Bay City Taxi, Bobby Taxi, Hot Lava Taxi, Marthysha’s Taxi and Percy’s Taxi; in Kona, J & A Taxi and Mr. K’s Taxi.

The participating bars and nightclubs are:

» East Hawaii: 100% Moxie, Anna’s Lounge, Bamboo Garden, Club Rainbow, Club Rose, Coqui’s Hideaway, Cronies, Golden Room, Hale Inu, Hilo Burger Joint, Hilo Town Tavern, Karma, Kim’s Karaoke, Koreana II, Margarita Village, Morning Dew, Palms by the Bay, Restaurant Encore and Stephanie’s.

» West Hawaii: Huggo’s, Humpy’s, KBXtreme, Kokonutz, Kona Town Tavern, Lulu’s, My Bar, Oceans Sports Bar & Grill, Okolemaluna, Other SideRockstarz, Remixx, Rose’s, Sam Choy’s, Splasher’s, Sunflower, Teru’s II and The Mask.