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Hawaii News

This week in review: Debates, immigration, marine preserve

Local

» Matson Navigation Co. said Monday it will lower its fuel surcharge to 42 percent, from 45.5 percent, due to a decline in fuel costs for its ships.

» The Federal Aviation Administration certified Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air to begin service to Hawaii this month from Las Vegas and six West Coast cities.

» The first female students at Damien Memorial School began studies Tuesday, in summer school. The 50-year-old private school in Kalihi went coed to boost enrollment.

» U.S. Senate candidates Ed Case and Mazie Hirono met in three debates Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, outlining their positions on such topics as Social Security, job creation and their legislative styles.

» A 12-year-old girl on a rock-climbing excursion in Mokuleia was critically injured Monday when a rock fell and hit her head. State land officials closed the trail to the climbing area.

» Former Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan was released Monday by the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

» A 62-year-old Salt Lake woman was arrested Thursday on suspicion that she stole $52,961 from her former employer, the American Red Cross, over 71⁄2 years.

»The vacancy rate for prime Hono­lulu office space climbed to 15 percent in the first quarter of 2012; if it holds at that level, it would be the highest such rate in 15 years.

Mainland

» President Barack Obama eased enforcement of immigration laws Friday, offering a chance for hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants to stay in the country and work. Immediately embraced by Hispanics, the step touched off a confrontation with congressional Republicans.

» Jurors in Jerry Sandusky’s sexual abuse trial were told Thursday the trial would not resume until this week after prosecutors finished calling to the stand several young men who claimed the former Penn State assistant coach sexually abused them when they were children.

» Ron Barber, a survivor of the shooting rampage that brought a sudden end to Arizona lawmaker Gabrielle Giffords’ congressional career, earned the right to finish her third term in a closely followed special election Tuesday that served as a testing ground for the power of national issues in deciding competitive local races.

World

» Australia plans to create the world’s largest network of marine reserves, encompassing a 1.2 million-square-mile patchwork of coastal waters, the government announced Thursday. The move is aimed at balancing protection for the country’s delicate reefs and marine life, which are facing growing environmental pressures, with the demands of its booming resource-driven economy.

» Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi enjoyed her first full day on European soil in 24 years Thursday, the beginning of a 17-day visit that includes stops in Switzerland, Norway, Britain, Ireland and France.

» Settling a notorious 1980 case that split the nation and led to a mistaken murder conviction, an Australian coroner ruled Tuesday that a dingo took a baby from a campsite in the Outback, just as her mother said from the beginning.

THIS WEEK

Local

>> Tuesday: The state Board of Education will discuss changes to student bus service and other items, 1:30 p.m., 1390 Miller St., room 404.
>> Tuesday: The Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission will discuss the status of restoration and ocean projects and other items, 9:30 a.m., 250 S. High St., Wailuku.
>> Thursday: The state Land Use Commission will meet to adopt its decisions to approve the Koa Ridge and Ho‘opili residential developments in central Oahu and Ewa, respectively,
9 a.m., 235 S. Beretania St., room 204.

Mainland

>> Wednesday: The House Homeland Security Committee holds a hearing on American Muslims’ response to alleged radicalization within their community.

World

>> Monday: President Barack Obama attends the Group of 20 economic summit in Mexico, through Tuesday.
>> Wednesday: The U.N. Conference on Sustainable Development, “Rio+20,” opens in Rio de Janeiro.

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