KHON2 Developing Stories

Mililani man recognized for SPAM can image

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:35:50 -1000

The Hawaii State Senate today honored Scott Kaneshiro, of Mililani, who became an instant celebrity when his artwork was selected for the Special Hawaii Edition SPAM can label.

The special edition SPAM can officially went on sale at island stores in August.

The Hawaii SPAM can label contest attracted more than one hundred design entries.

Hawaii Auto market picks up steam at end of 2011

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:06:36 -1000

The Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association says momentum likely to continue into 2012; 6.8% increase predicted for entire year.

The state's new retail light vehicle registrations improved 4.4% in 2011; National market was up 14%.
Market predicted to improve in 2012
Several forecast determinants point to sustained recovery in new vehicle market.
Korean and Detroit Three brand sales increased in 2011
Light truck market share trends lower
Small car segment has big gains in State and U.S. markets
Toyota market share in Hawaii much higher than Nation
Detroit Three market share increases

Fine could rise for texting while driving

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:25:09 -1000

HONOLULU (AP) - Texting while driving a commercial vehicle in Hawaii could result in a fine up to $2,750.

That proposal is before the House Transportation Committee Wednesday morning, along with House Bill 2355, which would make unauthorized texting while driving punishable by at least a $100 fine.

All Hawaii counties already have laws prohibiting texting while driving. Honolulu's law imposes a $147 fine and Maui's fine ranges from $100 to $250, depending on the driver's prior offenses. On Kauai, a first offense nets a $50 fine. Only that county's texting ordinance would have to be adjusted if the proposed state fine passes.

House Bill 2609 would also require commercial drivers to have their licenses with them while driving commercial vehicles. The intent is to bring Hawaii's into compliance with federal law.

Former UH coach Nick Rolovich lands new job at Nevada

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:40:50 -1000

Former University of Hawaii quarterback and offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich has found a new job in college football.

Nevada football coach Chris Ault announced today that Rolovich has been hired as to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Wolfpack.

"I am pleased to have Nick join our staff. I've had the chance to watch him grow as a player, quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator," Ault said. "He is a young gun who coached and coordinated the best passing offense in the country. It was clear to me and my defensive staff this past year he is not afraid of change as he introduced the Pistol formation to the Hawaii offense. And they didn't miss a beat."

In a press release, Nevada says Rolovich spent a wildly productive four-year run at Hawai`i, where he directed one of the top passing offenses in the nation. He was the quarterbacks coach all four seasons and spent the last two years as the Warriors' offensive coordinator.

"I am very excited to be part of a program that I am very familiar with and for which I have a lot of respect," Rolovich said. "It feels great to be at a school with a history of high offensive production and putting points on the scoreboard. I'm here to learn, teach and win."

Rolovich was not retained by new UH head coach Norm Chow.

Nominations being accepted for Outstanding Older American awards

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:22:27 -1000

LĪHU‘E – The Agency on Elderly Affairs is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Outstanding Male and Female Older American awards.

The program is designed to honor seniors age 65 and older that have made exceptional contributions to their community.

Nomination forms are available Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm, at the Agency on Elderly Affairs located at the Līhu‘e Civic Center, Pi‘ikoi Building, Suite 330.

The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, March 2.

All nominees will be honored at an awards ceremony in May, and the Outstanding Male and Female Older Americans will be announced at the event.

For more information, please call the Agency on Elderly Affairs at 241-4470.

UPDATE: Philippine earthquake

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:39:01 -1000

Rescue officials there say they are losing hope of finding survivors among 71 people still buried in landslides set off by the earthquake.

Aquino gave orders to speed up the reconstruction of roads and bridges.

So far, 26 bodies have been recovered from Monday's magnitude 6.9 quake.

Closure of Hawaii medical center's two hospitals

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:07:39 -1000

It has made headlines for months now, the closure of Hawaii medical center's two hospitals.

It's especially been worrisome for west Oahu residents.

One person critically injured in Ewa car accident

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:23:47 -1000

One person is in the hospital tonight after a crash in Ewa.

A white sedan and a silver SUV collided at the intersection of Hanakahi and Fort Weaver about 7:20 this evening.

The victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

It is not yet clear how the crash happened.

No roads were closed.. and the vehicles were removed from the road about an hour later.

Four Big Island students honored by President Obama

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:11:33 -1000

Students from across the U.S., including four from the Big Island, were honored by President Obama in Washington, D.C. today.

The Kohala Middle school students represented Hawaii in the national "we can change the world" science fair.

They focused their science project on the disposal of household batteries.

The team collected six thousand batteries in 60 days, and surveyed their community to gauge awareness on the issue.

The students are using their data to lobby the county for better recycling opportunities for batteries.

An Oahu teen fights to save camp for kids with heart problems

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:49:40 -1000

A Punahou high school senior is on a mission to lend a helping hand to local children suffering from heart disease.

The teen is raising money to fund a special camp for kids.

"She was born with a hole in her heart, we found out when she was two days old. I think the best word is devastating the shock and devastation of thinking that your child had potential life threatening disease," says Jasmine Mau-Mukai, Cara's mother.

Thankfully, three years later Cara Mukai's broken heart was fixed.

"She was one of the earliest cases of children who was able to have surgery here," says Mau-Mukai.

And now 17 year-old Cara wants to give back to Kapiolani hospital and the children currently being treated there.

"I was watching you tube videos of this guy named AJ Rafael and he put on a benefit concert for autism and I thought that was cool so I thought why not throw a concert for kardiac kids," says Cara Mukai, coordinating fundraiser.

The Punahou high school senior says a camp for kids with heart conditions was canceled due to lack of funding so she decided to step up and put together her own camp.

"The camp is free for everybody to attend so a lot of money needs to be raised," says Mukai.

The camp costs a total of $5,000 and thanks to a generous donor half of it is already paid for...so Cara decided to hold a fundraising concert this Saturday to make up the rest.

"I guess I just thought it was sad the camp couldn't happen just because there wasn't enough money I thought that wasn't a good reason so I wanted to try and do what I could to make it happen for the kids cause I know that it means a lot to them," says Mukai.

The heal a heart benefit concert will feature the mini heartbeats and other kardiac kids who love to sing and dance.

"This child I didn't know if she would live to think that she's gone on and she likes to sing and dance and do all these other things we are proud of her its really amazing," says Mau-Mukai.

Fundraiser will be held Saturday, February 11 at Olivet Baptist Church 1775 S. Beretania Street, 7-8:30 p.m.