Comment sought on Family Court nominees

Public comment is being accepted on candidates for Oahu Family Court, filling a vacancy from the elevation of District Judge Christine Kuriyama to the Circuit Court bench.

The Judicial Selection Commission submitted the following names for consideration: Thomas J. Brady, Brian A. Costa, William M. Domingo, Thomas A.K. Haia, Jessi L.K. Hall, Timothy E. Ho, Linda S. Martell and Dyan Marie Medeiros.

Comments about the qualifications and character of any of the nominees with regard to District Court or Family Court calendar assignments may be sent, in writing, to: Supreme Court of Hawaii, 417 S. King St., Honolulu, HI 96813; fax 539-4703; or chiefjustice@courts.hawaii.gov.

Comments must be postmarked, emailed, faxed or hand-delivered no later than April 2. The appointment by Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald is subject to Senate confirmation.

Public asked to watch out for siren vandals

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, formerly state Civil Defense, is asking the public to keep an eye out for vandals at outdoor siren sites.

A siren going off at Kahe Point early in the morning on March 11 was due to vandalism.

In a news release Tuesday, Administrator of Emergency Management Doug Mayne said, "Please call 911 if you suspect an unauthorized person of tampering with a siren."

Technicians who work on the siren system are identifiable by their official vehicles, Mayne said.

Siren parts will be marked with orange paint in an effort to reduce additional acts of vandalism.

Anyone who intentionally causes damage to a siren may be fined for the replacement cost and/or imprisoned up to one year.

The outdoor siren warning system operates to alert residents and visitors statewide of approaching hazards.

Anyone with information on individuals using siren parts for personal use is urged to call police.

Boarding set for another year at Lahainaluna

WAILUKU, Maui » The Lahainaluna High School boarding program that began 179 years ago will continue next school year despite falling enrollments and reductions in programs and funding, according to the state Department of Education.

The department has included $589,520 and 11 permanent positions for the program in its fiscal year budget, which is currently under review by the state Legislature.

Meanwhile, school staff, students, supporters and local politicians formed a working group in October and meet monthly to devise ways to update the boarding program that started in 1836 and to show that students who board still are learning relevant skills in the work-study program.

In its heyday, boarders would work on fruit and vegetable farms and in dairy, piggery and poultry operations on campus. But over the years, health and safety concerns, regulations and other obstacles shut down those programs, the Maui News reported.

"It came up as an agricultural program, so a lot of students came from Hana, and then (would go) on to continue as farmers or landscapers," said Craig Murakami, the working group’s vice chairman and a former Lahainaluna boarder. "Now, without these programs, it’s hard to prove what the educational relevance is."