SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Oahu (AP) — A 53-year-old public school on Schofield Barracks is getting an upgrade, thanks to state and federal grants.
A groundbreaking for the renovation and expansion of Hale Kula Elementary will be held Monday. The project will add several buildings, including an administration building and student activities center.
The U.S. Department of Defense is providing $26.6 million and the Hawaii Department of Education is providing $6.6 million.
The Department of Defense grant is part of a $250 million effort to upgrade public schools on military installations nationwide.
Hawaii education officials say military dependents represent 98 percent of Hale Kula’s nearly 1,000 students.
This is the first time the campus will be upgraded since it was built in 1959.
2 arrested in Waikiki stabbing attack
HONOLULU (AP) — Two men have been arrested on suspicion of stabbing a 53-year-old man in Waikiki.
Hawaii News Now reports 22-year old Casey Bassett and 18-year old Beau Bassett were arrested for investigation of second-degree murder after late Friday’s attack.
The man was stabbed multiple times near Kapiolani Park and was rushed to the hospital in serious condition.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser says a witness followed the suspects on foot and officers stopped them a short distance away.
The motive for the attack was not released.
Hawaii deaf, blind community to get service center
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii’s deaf and blind residents will soon have a centralized place to meet and share resources.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie on Thursday signed a bill appropriating $400,000 to establish and operate a deaf and blind service center.
State Rep. John Mizuno, who introduced the bill, says scattered services make access a very daunting task. He says a service center has been a dream for the deaf and blind community for decades.
The center will provide a central location for services and professionals such as vocational and financial specialists, counselors and audiologists.
Former prison guard sentenced to 13 months
HONOLULU (AP) — A 38-year-old former prison guard convicted of smuggling cigarettes into Halawa Correctional Facility and selling them to inmates has been sentenced to 13 months in prison.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser (http://bit.ly/1cuTg0p) reports John Joseph Kalei Hall sold cartons of cigarettes for $500 to members of a gang, United Samoan Organization, helping it to thrive in the prison.
U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor said Thursday at sentencing that Hall deserves prison time because he promoted activity he was hired to prevent.
Federal prosecutor Michael David Nammar says Hall over a year took in $10,000 to $30,000 and that he tipped off inmates when contraband searches would occur.
Hall resigned in February.
