Applicants sought for U.S. District Court
A federal panel will accept applications through April 2 to fill a vacancy on the U.S. District Court bench here.
The Federal Judicial Selection Commission is screening applicants for the vacancy created when U.S. District Judge David Ezra becomes a senior U.S. District judge on June 27 when he turns 65.
The commission will make recommendations to U.S. Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka, who will submit names to the White House. President Barack Obama will appoint the new judge, subject to Senate approval.
The commission said it will keep confidential the names of candidates and their applications.
Individuals may submit names of others for the position.
Applications must be mailed or hand-delivered by April 2 to Hawaii Federal Judicial Selection Commission, c/o Lawrence S. Okinaga, Suite 2200 ASB Tower, 1001 Bishop St., Honolulu HI 96813.
Application forms are available at the websites of the two senators (inouye.senate.gov/Constituent_Services/upload/HFJSCapplication.pdf and akaka.senate.gov/ upload/hfjsc2012application.pdf) and the Hawaii State Bar Association (hsba.org/hfjsc2012application.aspx).
Bill would boost rural airports
Interisland carriers that serve rural airports might see their landing fees suspended.
The savings have been proposed as a way to encourage airlines to serve remote airports, including Kapalua, Hana, Kalaupapa, Lanai, Molokai and Waimea-Kohala.
A bill to suspend the fees has passed the state Senate and crossed over to the House for review.
Senate Transportation Chairman J. Kalani English says the bill encourages airlines to serve remote areas of the state. A state Department of Transportation report shows that service to rural airports has declined steadily over the past five years.
New gym opens at Pahoa school
PAHOA, Hawaii » Pahoa High and Intermediate School recently opened a new gymnasium after 69 years of using a county facility for events.
Now the school can host its own events such as graduation ceremonies in a new 16,000-square-foot gym that seats 1,000.
Mayor Billy Kenoi and state Rep. Faye Hanohano were among those who attended a recent dedication ceremony.
Homeless plan to be discussed
Public meetings on a new draft plan to end homelessness in Hawaii begin Friday on Kauai.
The Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness will be holding eight community sessions throughout the state this month to explain key points in its draft strategic plan and collect feedback from the public.
To see the meeting schedule, review the draft plan and post comments, visit hawaii.gov/dhs/ HomelessnessPlan.
