Pezzulo steps in as OHA’s interim CEO
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is naming Chief Operating Office Richard Pezzulo to be its interim CEO after Clyde Namuo retires.
Pezzulo will assume his new duties today, one day after Namuo retires following a decade of serving as OHA’s top officer. Pezzulo was previously OHA’s chief financial officer.
Separately, OHA said Thursday the agency will again provide money to support Hawaiian-focused charter schools.
OHA’s Board of Directors approved Thursday a $1.5 million grant to Kanu o ka Aina Learning Ohana for the current school year. The funds will supplement the budgets of 17 Hawaiian-focused public charter schools run by independent organizations.
The charter schools altogether enroll about 4,000 students. Ninety-one percent of the students are of Hawaiian ancestry.
Ex-Councilman Tam enters prison
Former Honolulu City Councilman Rod Tam is behind bars.
KHON reported that Tam turned himself in at District Court Friday morning to begin serving his two-day prison sentence. He will be released New Year’s Day.
Tam admitted to the theft of city funds for overcharging taxpayers for meals and also to campaign spending violations.
He also had to perform more than 300 hours of community service as part of his sentence. Tam’s criminal record will be wiped clean if he remains out of trouble for a year.
Pohakuloa open to bow hunters for 3 days
Portions of a military training area on Hawaii island will be open to local archery hunters over the holiday weekend.
U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii says portions of the Pohakuloa Training Area will be open today through Monday in an effort to control the wild hog, goat and sheep population in conservation areas.
Passes and hunting fliers were made available at designated check-in stations beginning at 5 p.m. Friday.
For more information, call 969-3474 or go to www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/pta/default.htm.
AAA offers tipsy drivers free rides, tows
AAA Hawaii is offering a free ride home and tow service for drivers who drink over the New Year’s holiday weekend.
The "Tipsy Tow" service is available through 6 a.m. Sunday on Oahu, Kauai, Maui and Hawaii island. The service began 6 p.m. Friday.
Drivers who call 800-222-4357 can get a free tow of up to five miles. The service excludes rides for passengers and is limited to a one-way ride to the driver’s home. For distances farther than five miles, drivers will pay the rate charged by the tow truck contractor.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Observatory to celebrate 100th year
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will mark its 100th anniversary next month with a series of events around Hawaii island, including a Jan. 21 open house that will include free admission to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The open house will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be displays on volcanoes, demonstrations showing how observatory scientists monitor volcanic and earthquake activity, and hands-on activities for all ages.
Observatory scientists will also give talks each Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium as part of the "After Dark in the Park" program.
Volcano Art Center will have an exhibit titled "Observation/Inspiration" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Jan. 7 to Feb. 19. The show features artists who gather inspiration from the volcanic activity at Kilauea, including Catherine Robbins, Tim Freeman, Alan Fine and Kimberly Dark.
Kauai engineers earn energy certifications
Three Kauai County engineers have earned certification as energy managers from the Association of Energy Engineers, the county announced.
Attaining the certification were Doug Haigh, building division chief; Brian Inouye, building manager; and David Craddick, Department of Water manager and chief engineer.
"This clearly demonstrates their professionalism and expertise in the growing field of energy management, which will help the county in our efforts to become more energy efficient," Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said in a news release.
