Maui leaders give support to Hannemann

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa and former mayors Charmaine Tavares and James "Kimo" Apana on Monday endorsed former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann in his bid to represent Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District.

"There’s no better candidate to represent the County of Maui in Congress than Mufi, who brings executive experience as a mayor who has balanced a budget, worked closely with the private sector to stimulate the economy and knows firsthand the kind of federal support we need at the local level," Arakawa said at a news conference in Wailuku.

Other major Democrats in the primary include City Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard, former Office of Hawaiian Affairs chief advocate Esther Kiaaina, Hilo attorney Bob Marx and Honolulu attorney Rafael Del Castillo. The Republican primary includes business consultant Matthew DiGeronimo.

St. Francis breaks ground for new complex

Saint Francis School in Manoa will break ground today on a $4.5 million athletic and music complex.

The complex will include the school’s first real gymnasium, a band room, a multipurpose room, weight room, athletic trainer’s room and athletic director’s office.

Construction is set to wrap up in January.

Saint Francis received a $1 million grant from the Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation for the project, and funding from the Henry and Colene Wong Foundation ($500,000) and First Hawaiian Bank ($25,000).

Saint Francis athletes have no locker room or weight room.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

$400K will aid storm cleanup on Maui, Kauai

Maui and Kauai will get a combined $400,000 to clear damage from heavy storms that hit Hawaii in March, officials said. The money will fund 20 temporary jobs for people to clean and repair damaged homes, land and public structures.

The money is from the U.S. Department of Labor through its National Emergency Grant. It was announced jointly by Hawaii’s congressional delegation.

Efforts will specifically target homes where owners are eligible for a federally funded weatherizing program.