Hannemann gets construction group’s nod
The Hawaii Construction Alliance, a group of building and construction unions representing about 15,000 workers, endorsed former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann Tuesday in his bid for the 2nd Congressional District (rural Oahu, neighbor islands).
"Hannemann’s extraordinary record in support of organized labor and workers’ rights, economic development and job creation for Hawaii’s families make him the natural choice for us in this crucial congressional election," Pane Meatoga Jr., district representative for the Operating Engineers, said in a news release.
The Alliance is composed of the Operating Engineers, along with the Hawaii Laborers’ Union, Local 368; Hawaii Masons’ Union, Local 1 and Local 630; and Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, formerly the Hawaii Carpenters Union. The endorsement was announced at a rally in Kapolei.
Hannemann is running against City Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard, attorney Bob Marx, attorney and patients’ rights advocate Rafael del Castillo, and former Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chief Advocate Esther Kiaaina for the Democratic nomination.
They hope to succeed U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, who is vacating the seat to run for U.S. Senate.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Lost hiker, 17, rescued on forest trail
Maui firefighters rescued a 17-year-old hiker from a bamboo forest trail off the Hana Highway Monday.
The teenager was with a group of six others but, about three miles into the trail, decided to return to his vehicle on the highway, a Fire Department spokesman said.
When the boy’s friends got back to the highway around 6 p.m., they found his car, but he was not there.
Firefighters and a paramedic went to the area where he was last seen and found him at about 8:24 p.m. when he responded to firefighters calling his name. He refused medical attention. His parents came to meet with him at the highway just after 8:50 p.m., a Fire Department spokesman said.
Bureau to scope movie’s draw on tourism
LIHUE » The Kauai Visitors Bureau plans to track the effect of a Golden Globe-winning film on the island’s tourism industry.
Scenes from "The Descendants" were filmed on Kauai and Oahu. In the movie, George Clooney stars as a land baron who tries to reconnect with his daughters after his wife suffers a boating accident off Waikiki.
The Garden Island reported Tuesday that the bureau will track the film’s effect on tourism through the year. Executive Director Sue Kanoho says the bureau has been able to tie tourism with previous movies filmed on the island.
Roberts Hawaii, which offers a Kauai movie tour, says it has added a stop at Tahiti Nui, where Clooney’s character shares a drink with his cousin, played by Beau Bridges.
