Abercrombie bound for governors’ meeting
Gov. Neil Abercrombie left for Washington, D.C., Wednesday night to attend the 2012 National Governors Association winter meeting.
Abercrombie will arrive in Washington a day early for a meeting with U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan to discuss Hawaii’s Race to the Top goals.
Hawaii’s four-year, $75 million grant has been deemed "at risk" due to concerns about the state’s ability to meet its public school reform commitments.
The governors’ meeting will include sessions on growing state economies.
On Sunday night, the governors will join the president and first lady for dinner at the White House. They will return to the White House on Monday for meetings with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and their wives.
Maui crew extinguishes fire on boat
Maui firefighters put out a fire Tuesday on a boat that was being salvaged.
The Pacific Maid had caught fire once before, after running aground earlier this month.
Callers initially reported a strong smell of diesel fuel from offshore about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in Wahikuli in West Maui, said Lee Mainaga, Maui County spokesman.
Firefighters found flames coming from the main hold of the 60-foot trawler and spreading to debris on deck that was slated to be removed. The blaze was extinguished at 5:13 p.m.
Mainaga said the fire started as salvage crews were using torches to cut metal, igniting insulation in the main hold.
The Pacific Maid broke off its mooring and drifted onto the rocks on Feb. 7. A fire that broke out that day was contained to the engine compartment.
Journalism scholarships available
The Big Island Press Club is offering college scholarships to students with Hawaii island ties who are pursuing careers in journalism.
Available are the $1,500 Robert C. Miller Memorial Scholarship, $1,000 Bill Arballo Scholarship, $500 Jack Markey Memorial Scholarship, $500 Yukino Fukabori Memorial Scholarship and the Marcia Reynolds Memorial Scholarship.
Information and application forms are posted on the press club website, www.bipc.wordpress.com. Deadline to apply is June 9.
For information, contact Peter Sur at psur@hawaiitribune-herald.com or call 930-7351.
