2 academics honored for achievements
A pair of distinguished University of Hawaii leaders were recognized last week with honors that acknowledged their lifetime contributions to their fields.
Denise Antolini, associate dean of UH’s William S. Richardson School of Law, received the 2013 John Kelly Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oahu Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.
Antolini, who joined the law school in 1996, directs the school’s environmental law program and has taught environmental law and litigation, ocean and coastal law, torts and legal writing. In addition, Antolini helped to found the North Shore Community Land Trust and Malama Pupukea-Waimea and has participated on numerous community and government committees.
Donald Hall, former director of the UH Institute for Astronomy, was named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science on the basis of his "distinguished contributions to the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomy at the University of Hawaii and on Mauna Kea, and infrared telescope, instrument and sensor technology."
A former deputy director of the Space Telescope Science Institute, Hall served as director of the Institute for Astronomy from 1984 to 1997 and continues to work as an astronomer with the institute. His current work involves developing infrared detector arrays for astronomical instruments mounted on telescopes on the ground and in space.
Hall is one of 388 new fellows elected by their AAAS peers.
Anti-meth events set for this week
Students and volunteers will be waving signs, performing poetry and giving presentations on four islands this week to spread the word about the dangers of meth.
The Hawaii Meth Project activities are part of the first national Meth Awareness Week, scheduled to last through Saturday.
Maui will host meth prevention lessons and an anti-meth slam poetry performance Tuesday.
The following day there will be a sign-waving rally near Lihue Airport on Kauai.
On Thursday, students at Farrington High School on Oahu will hear a presentation by a recovering meth addict, listen to a meth prevention lesson and see a hip-hop performance.
At Pahoa High and Intermediate on Hawaii island Friday, a recovering meth addict will talk to students, and students may sign a pledge to live a meth-free life.
Blaze damages 2-story building on Garden Isle
Fire damaged a two-story commercial building on Awawa Road in Hanapepe, Kauai, on Sunday.
Damage to the structure and contents was estimated at $400,000, Kauai County said in a news release.
No one was in the building at the time, and no injuries were reported.
The flames were confined to the first-floor entrance lobby, but the heat and smoke damage was extensive, especially on the first floor, home to Hanapepe Naturals Health Food and Spa. The second-floor business, Kulture Tattoo, also sustained smoke damage.
The fire broke out at about 7:46 a.m. It was under control at 8 a.m. and extinguished at 8:50 a.m.
The cause is under investigation, the county said.
Maui County commissions need volunteers
Maui County is accepting applications for boards, councils, commissions and committees ranging from the Police Commission to the Board of Ethics, Mayor Alan Arakawa says.
The volunteer positions are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the County Council. Terms last for two to five years.
Anyone interested in serving may apply online at www.mauicounty.gov/Boards.
The deadline for applications is Dec. 31. Applications can be mailed to Mayor Alan Arakawa, 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793; or faxed to 270-7870.
